Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Summer 2009 | Page 7

Eric Purvis ’81 is TA Board President
Thornton Academy’s Board of Trustees votson, Smith, Purvis & Bassett in Portland, which
ed unanimously on July 16 to elect Eric Purvis
provides accounting, tax and financial consult’81 its President. Purvis said he was “truly honing services. His background and professional
ored” by the decision.
experience will prove valuable given all the fiFormer President James E. Nelson ’67, who
nancial responsibilities of the board.
has been a Trustee for 30 years, will continue to
Purvis recognizes that the history of Thornserve on the board (see story pages 8-9).
ton’s Board of Trustees is long and distinguished,
“I hope that my own service as Board Presfrom the first Board President Col. Thomas Cutts
ident will be marked with the same degree of
to George Addison Emery for whom the Emery
integrity and commitment that Jim has shown
Gymnasium was named to John Bradbury, a
Bruce Haskell Photography
over the years,” Purvis said. “Working with my
longtime trustee and local businessman. More
Eric Purvis ’81
fellow trustees, the members of Thornton’s adrecently the school has been led by Dr. Paul
ministrative team as well as faculty, staff and
S. Hill ’23 and Harry P. Garland II. Other past
students, we will continue to expand our educational op- Trustees such as Sara Polakewich Fink ’45, Larry Staples ’41,
portunities and nourish a culture of philanthropy that will Kevin Savage ’70, Jane Wallace Nutting ’47 and Lloyd Anderbenefit the school for years to come.”
son ’39 have been community leaders whose dedication and
At Thornton, Purvis played football and basketball for generosity has greatly benefited the school.
four years, was in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” and
The tradition of stewardship at TA, Purvis says, means
says that great teachers, great coaches and being part of ensuring success in all aspects of the school, from facilities
a great class are what he remembers from TA. He served and programs to teachers and students. He adds that the
on the Alumni Board shortly after graduating from college Board of Trustees always takes a long-term view, looking
and began serving on the Board of Trustees in 2000, fol- down the road to make sure there are enough students to
lowing in