Alumni News Detail
Bruce P. Baganz ’69
Earlier this year, WFS honored Bruce P. Baganz ’69 as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, recognizing his lifelong dedication to learning, leadership, and the arts.
Bruce’s career has taken him from the depths of geological exploration to the vibrant world of textile arts. As chairman of the Board of Trustees at The Textile Museum in Washington, DC, he helped shepherd the institution into new eras of financial stability and global relevance. A respected figure in the field, he chairs the Near Eastern Art Research Center and holds positions with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the George Washington University Museum, and the University of South Carolina. His upcoming publication on Central Asian suzani embroideries is already drawing anticipation for its scholarship and scope.
Before his leadership in the arts, Bruce built a distinguished career in energy exploration and geology, serving as President and CEO of Security Energy Company and leading exploration efforts at several publicly traded companies. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in geology from the University of South Carolina, where his research earned international recognition. Alongside his wife, Terry, Bruce has generously supported geology education and museum exhibitions through endowed funds, embodying the spirit of lifelong stewardship.
Reflecting on his WFS experience during the award ceremony, Bruce shared: “A privilege is the right way to describe a Wilmington Friends School education. Depth of preparation in reading, writing, analysis, organization, and creativity set me on a diverse path from academia, science, business, and now the arts and humanities.”
He credited the School not only with academic preparation but with shaping his values and relationships: “Among the most important outcomes from Wilmington Friends School was the development of Quaker values…It is essential for us to leave tracks behind that make an impact. Please recognize what the School has done for us. We are indebted to Wilmington Friends School.”
We were proud to honor Bruce’s remarkable journey, one that reflects a life of curiosity, commitment, and service rooted in the Quaker tradition.
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Bruce P. Baganz ’69
Earlier this year, WFS honored Bruce P. Baganz ’69 as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, recognizing his lifelong dedication to learning, leadership, and the arts.Read More -
TyLisa C. Johnson ’13
Award-winning journalist and poet TyLisa C. Johnson ’13 was recently recognized with the 2025 Wilmington Friends School Distinguished Alumni Award for her exceptional contributions to journalism, community storytelling, and social impact.Read More -
Nathaniel Huxtable ’22
“Wilmington Friends School prepared me to get the job done. Whatever task it may be, I am not afraid to take it on and give it my fullest effort. The worst you can do is learn. My WFS education also instilled the Quaker values such as integrity and stewardship through example and engagement, both in the classroom and in the community. I also learned the importance of asking questions not only to learn but to challenge others to do the right thing regardless of what it looks like.”Read More -
Lauren Kerrigan ’13
“It’s the Quaker ‘I to I’ philosophy that I hold so dearly to my heart, that helped prepare me for life after high school. It taught me to approach every person as an equal — to truly listen, understand, and connect without judgment. Its foundation is deep rooted in relationships and respect and it has helped prepare me for a career in Veterinary Medicine.”Read More -
Laura Wolf ’07
“I believe in empowering students and educators alike by fostering collaboration, self-advocacy, and inclusive practices that help every individual reach their fullest potential. WFS laid the foundation for my philosophy of inclusion and collaboration, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”Read More -
Barbara Bovbjerg ’68
“Watch the faculty, not just the ones in your best subjects! And, of course, the staff. They all have something to teach you, regardless of their position at the school.”Read More -
Jesse Miller ’14
“WFS taught me how to work through interpersonal issues starting in Pre-K. Those lessons have stayed with me and shaped how I handle challenges in every setting since.”Read More -
Arlene Spezzaferro ’93
“I attended WFS from Pre-K until graduation, and respect for all people was a central tenant to my education. It frames how I see the world, build relationships, and this inclusive mindset has helped me be successful in so many parts of my life.”Read More -
Willow Pearson Trimbach ’88
“Cultivation of sitting in silence, listening to the voices of spirit within and around me, through meeting for worship. This foundational contemplative practice, which led me to Buddhism, Integral Spirituality and beyond, is the basis of my music, psychotherapy, and teaching.”Read More -
Miles Katzen ’16
“Wilmington Friends School provided me with the foundation for understanding what a community truly is. My teachers, coaches, and classmates helped me learn that a community is not necessarily a physical space but a feeling where everyone is valued and has a sense of belonging. Most importantly, my time at Friends formed my core belief that there is light in everyone and that every human being deserves to live a life of dignity.”Read More -
Osi Chukwuocha ’22
“I believe my time at WFS prepared me for success at CWRU both academically and athletically. Academically, the high rigor of WFS courses like AP Physics gave me a great foundation coming into CWRU. However, I think the most effective tool I learned from WFS was building relationships with teachers. Building relationships with teachers at CWRU has helped me monumentally with assignments and exams.”Read More -
Manny Adebi ’20
Read More“My experience at Wilmington Friends School set me up for success by providing challenging coursework that required critical thinking. Learning how I learned and figuring out a process that worked for me was one of the most important things because regardless of what you want to major in or what sport you want to play at a higher level, you will need to learn the information and how to apply it when it is necessary. Friends helped me facilitate my learning process, and I’ve continued to adapt and improve it based on the situation.” -
Jocelyn Nathan ’23 Wins the National Championship!
Congratulations to Jocelyn Nathan ‘23 and the Penn State University women’s volleyball team on winning the National Championship! In their 3-1 victory over the University of Louisville this afternoon, Nathan recorded a career-high ten digs.Read More
Jocelyn is pictured with her parents, Len and Lynne, and sisters, Dani ‘19 (bottom left) and Alyssa ‘17.
Great work, Jocelyn! -
Madeline Rowland ’23
Read More“My experience at Wilmington Friends School taught me the importance of time management, resilience, and community. Academically, the rigorous curriculum helped me develop my critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and the habits to handle complex material, all of which have equipped me with the tools to excel at Williams.” -
Philip Montigney ’07
“I always mention Wilmington Friends as having an incredible influence in my life as preparation not only for college but well beyond. Acceptance and curiosity in understanding sound simple enough, but as I get older, I realize the world would benefit greatly if more people were taught those lessons at a young age.”Read More -
Zach Williams ’02
“There’s no need to be modest about your ambitions or your hopes. If there is something that you want to do or something that you want to see happen in the world, move toward it one little step at a time, and you can be a part of how things change.”Read More -
Josh Galperin ’00
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, hosted by Piper Roskovensky ’26, Josh Galperin ’00 discusses what it’s like to work in environmental law, what he enjoys most about teaching law, and shares advice to students who are interested in pursuing a career in law.Read More
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Preschool - 12th Grade
302.576.2900 | info@wilmingtonfriends.org
Preschool - 12th Grade
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
