News

Founder’s Day: Awards, Milestones, and a Fond Farewell

[FULL STORY]

On March 17, the School celebrated Founder’s Day, when the entire Newman student body from Green Trees to 12th grade gathers to celebrate our School and our founder, Isidore Newman.

At the beginning of the program, as a fitting tribute to Mr. Newman’s lifetime of philanthropy, students Olivia Pettiford ’24 and Aliyah Dixon ’18 introduced school-wide community service efforts taking place this month in support of a range of organizations that help those in need.  Then, as we do every year on this special day, Newman honored faculty and staff for their dedication to our School by presenting certificates for years of service in increments of five. We also awarded Stephen B. Lemann Awards for outstanding faculty in each division.

 The Lemann Award recipient for Green Trees Early Childhood Village is Mrs. Emma Maddox; The Lemann Award recipient for Lower School is Mrs. Kimberly Martin; The Lemann Award recipient for Middle School is Mrs. Jessica Lambert; and the Lemann Award recipient for Upper School is Mr. Michael Lemon.

This year we also had the pleasure of awarding the Joseph C. Morris Endowed Chair in Science and Math to Mr. Michael Jackman. Announcing the appointment, Head of School Dale M. Smith remarked on Mr. Jackman’s exceptional ability as a teacher as well as the friendship and guidance he has provided generations of Newman students.

Finally, to conclude the program, Mr. Smith announced that the legendary and universally-beloved Mr. H. Davis Prescott will be retiring at the end of this school year, his 51st at Newman. To honor Mr. Prescott and to thank him for his years of service, the Newman Board of Governors adopted the following official resolution, which Mr. Smith read in its entirety at the conclusion of the Founder’s Day assembly.

You can watch a video of the announcement below, or click here for an album and slideshow from the event. 


Whereas the Board of Governors  recognizes the more than half-century of work H. Davis Prescott has devotedly bestowed on Isidore Newman School since 1966 to the present day, and

Whereas Dave Prescott has dedicated his service to Isidore Newman School and its students for 51 years, and

Whereas Dave Prescott has served as the School’s librarian since 1976 and, before that, taught High School English and Civics, and led the Middle School as Principal, and

Whereas Dave Prescott has shaped the lives of generations of Newman students, and

Whereas Dave Prescott exemplifies Newman’s mission, “Newman values each individual,” by his commitment to each student and alumnus and his special ability to remember and recount the important details of each one’s life and tenure at Newman, and

Whereas Newman School has been fortunate to have a gifted and caring educator for over five decades, and

Whereas Dave Prescott is universally loved and respected by students, colleagues, alumni, and parents,

Be It Resolved that the Board of Governors is humbled to honor and recognize the tremendous tenure of H. Davis Prescott at Isidore Newman School and is forever grateful for his contributions and his legacy.

Passed and Adopted this tenth day of March, 2017.

Each year at Founder’s Day, we’re reminded that the Newman community is truly special, and our strength derives from the dedication and service of remarkable individuals like Mr. Prescott.  Please join us in thanking him for his tremendous service to Newman and to generations within our community.

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1903 Jefferson Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70115
Phone: 504.899.5641
Fax: 504.896.8597
Open 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
An independent,
co-educational,
non-denominational day
school in New Orleans for
early childhood through 12th grade