On Friday, June 10, more than 400 St. Luke’s community members gathered for a farewell celebration honoring Mark Davis. Mark served as St. Luke’s transformational Head of School for 20 years. The event was co-chaired by former parent Kim Jodka P ‘14, ‘16, ‘20 and trustee Karen Stamoulis ‘89, P ‘18, P ‘22. The pair brought together an all-star team to produce the event. Thank you to the Farewell Celebration Parent Committee: Joyce Andersen, Michelle Diliberto, Diana Doré, Karen Newman, Suzanne Sherter, Jill Stute, and Alicia Wyckoff, and the incredible tech and production team: Will Chuhta ‘20, Chris Briggs ‘24, Jack Laibe ‘21, Connor Rosow ‘20, Jack Silverman ‘23, Brian Douglas ‘21, and Middle School English Teacher Erika Shevchek.
It was a beautiful late spring evening when guests gathered on the Be Kind Plaza for drinks and hors d’oeuvres from Sarah Bouissou Catering, which was followed by the evening’s Roasts, Toasts, and Special Musical Performance, hosted by St. Luke’s Development Director Jon Jodka, in the Seldin Performing Arts Center.
Featured speakers included former board chair Bill Wicker, current trustee and St. Luke’s alumnus Dj Wolff, Assistant Head of School and Chief Financial Officer Julia Gabriele, longtime friend to Mark and ESPN personality Chris Berman, Mark’s daughter, Sarabeth Davis, former St. Luke’s parent Kim Jodka and trustee Karen Stamoulis, former trustee Bob Wyckoff, Head of Middle School Amber Berry, Head of Upper School Liz Perry, and Board Chair Jennifer L. Foster. Between each speaker, the guests watched tribute videos, edited by St. Luke’s Visual Media Director Valerie Parker and featuring messages from past and present faculty, staff, students, families, and trustees.
The Mark Davis Tribute Band — composed of St. Luke’s current and former faculty and staff Jim Foley, Matt Goodman, Rob Salandra, Mark Bisson, and Bob Leinbach — was the surprise entertainment. Mark’s brother, Josh Rosen, shocked Mark by picking up a guitar hidden behind his seat and joining the band. Rosen is the lead guitarist and singer in the popular tribute band
Shakedown Street. Rosen was able to coax Mark on stage for a rendition of
Wild Thing.
At the conclusion of the night, Mark and his wife Elisabeth Evans were invited to the stage where faculty, staff, students, and alumni encircled them while singing The Road Home, a traditional farewell song sung to St. Luke’s graduates during Commencement.
To see additional photos from the farewell celebration, click
here, and watch the
Roasts, Toasts, and Special Musical Performance below.