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Ranney School Dedicates Sykoff Center for Excellence

On May 21, students, parents, faculty and board members joined together to dedicate the Middle and Upper School Building on Ranney School’s campus to Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, naming the building the “Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence” in his honor. After 20 years as Headmaster of Ranney School, Dr. Sykoff will be retiring at the conclusion of this school year, but will leave his everlasting vision and legacy to current and future students.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Student Council President Jordan Hesslein ’13 and Middle School Student Council Member James Wolfe ’17, and the National Anthem, sung by the Upper School Chorus, Associate Head for Academic Administration and Head of the Lower School Patricia Lee Marshall welcomed everyone to the Great Lawn overlooking the building. Among the audience were friends and family of the Sykoffs, New Jersey Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos and the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Donald W. Burden.

“We gather here today as a school community to celebrate Dr. Sykoff and the dream he had envisioned 20 years ago,” said Mrs. Marshall. As she reflected on the many additions to campus since Dr. Sykoff was appointed Head of School in 1993, Mrs. Marshall described the transformation of the campus in detail. “Because Dr. Sykoff dared to dream about the potential of these once grassy fields, our school is modern, relevant, strong, spacious and inviting to those who seek excellence.”

Lower School students Jenna Wilen ’20, Dylan Ajello ’20 and Isabella Rodriguez ’22 joined Mrs. Marshall at the podium to help fill a time capsule to be placed near the new Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence. The symbolic container was filled with carefully selected items that represent momentous events, projects and news from this school year. Lower School contributions included a printed copy of its Community Standards, a program from the January 2013 Ranney Performing Arts concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, a program from their spring musical—“Alice in Wonderland Jr.,” a copy of the Fall 2012 New Jersey Association for Independent Schools Professional Development Conference program (the event was held on campus), and a Panther paw print and pin. The final item placed into the capsule was a copy of Isabella Rodriguez’s essay about why she loves her school, which she read aloud during the ceremony.

To represent the Middle School, Alexander Roberts ’18 and James Wolfe ’17 inserted into the time capsule a student-designed and built “Mag-Lev” car, copies of the 2012-2013 The Mag literary magazine, programs from the pending eighth-grade promotion ceremony and celebratory dinner, along with additional programs from concerts and ceremonies held this school year, including the Middle School’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” The final item fulfilling the time capsule was the Middle School Capstone Brochure which outlines individual student research projects for 2012-2013.

Seniors Kendall Torpey, James Soldati and Jordan Hesslein concluded the time-capsule portion of the ceremony by adding in a 2012-2013 Yearbook, “Playbill” style posters from the Upper School’s “Man of La Mancha” and “Twelfth Night” productions, copies of the Upper School magazines RSVP and TAXI as well as a copy of The Torch student newspaper, with the headline story “Ranney Lauds Career of Dr. Sykoff” and a flash drive that holds a video of this year’s Robotics team in action at the VEX World Championship. Other items included programs from the 2013 Upper School Science Expo, Fall 2012 Convocation and honor society induction and awards ceremonies.

Representing the faculty, Middle School English teacher and Forensics Coach Nancy Wade spoke about the 19 years she has known Dr. Sykoff. Mrs. Wade will also be retiring this year.

Following Mrs. Wade’s remarks, Ranney student lifers Kendall Torpey and James Soldati shared their experiences throughout their time at Ranney, including moments of inspiration and endless support from Dr. Sykoff. “Dr. Sykoff has been a warm presence on campus that will be dearly missed,” explained Kendall. “He has penned a chapter in Ranney’s history that emulates what Ranney stands for—that hard work will lead success.”

In his remarks, James acknowledged Dr. Sykoff as a true example of the school’s motto “Nil Sine Magno Vita Labore Dedit Mortalibus” meaning “Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.” “His leadership has shaped a nationally known institution with enormous success of all kinds,” added James. “His encouragement and charisma have been with me for 15 years and will foster a new world of academic excellence for our many rising Panthers.”

Concluding the student reflections was Middle School student Alexander Roberts. He addressed Dr. Sykoff about the accomplishments of the Middle School under his leadership and credited him to its continued success. “We are better because you were here and devoted all those days to making Ranney School what it is today.”

After a performance by Evan Schultz ’17 and Tessa Payer ’16 of “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked,” President of the Board of Trustees Jamie Price addressed the audience. “Your true lasting legacy, Dr. Sykoff, is the thousands of young adults that have been impacted because of what you have done with the school. They will be better prepared for life’s challenges, and are guided by a strong ethical code. Most importantly, they will go on to impact millions of people and will change the world in ways we have yet to see.”

Mr. Price asked his fellow members of the Board of Trustees to join him and Dr. Sykoff to cut the official ribbon, declaring the Middle and Upper School building to be named “Lawrence Sykoff Center for Excellence.”

In his closing remarks, Dr. Sykoff thanked the audience for their constant support and for this special day. “I hope that the Sykoff Center for Excellence will be a symbol of permanence and of strength in your lives and in our community for many years to come. While this dedication is a formal recognition of excellence, please know that from this day forward each time you enter the Sykoff Center for Excellence you remember that excellence is always the goal to pursue.”

The event was emceed by fine and performing arts faculty member John Doyle. A special luncheon was held on campus after the dedication ceremony with members of the Headmaster’s Cabinet and Board of Trustees.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.