Making My List

by Vince Durnan, director

A collection of USN highlights from the director. 

Here's a briefer submission than last time, inspired by the season of gratitude. As we bid farewell to the twists and turns of 2016, let me share a partial inventory of my undimmed USN reasons for thanks:
 
For the three new members of our Admin Team: Juanita Traughber in Communications, Quinton Walker in High School, and Roderick White in Diversity and Community Life—each a dynamic, hardworking, and caring presence—and all so impressive.

For the talented folks whose excellence in their roles here has made it possible for me to visit 30 different schools this fall in three time zones while things back home ran so smoothly. And for the new friends and colleagues at all those schools.

For the groundbreaking and consistently inspiring work of Beth Thornburg over three decades in AFTER-SCHOOL.

For the quiet, maybe even too quiet, progress on our One School. Our Future campaign, now more than 90 percent toward a $28 million goal set four years ago, racing for conclusion on June 30.

For the willingness of the USN community to think of one another in the midst of the vituperative election season, and for renewed civic energy since results were announced.

For the thoughtful leadership of this year's low-ego, high commitment senior class, setting the right kind of example for the young ones in our halls.

For our smaller than you would probably believe Operations staff, setting and resetting rooms for events around the clock, and for driving the vehicles that bring USN students, faculty, and programs to every possible destination, and for keeping our campus as safe as it is friendly.

For the good people of USNA, working a calendar of events that engages more than 70 percent of our parents as volunteers and hundreds of our neighbors in Evening Classes, even when the signup website crashes under the weight of that interest.

For our faculty, meeting regularly after classes to plan a more inclusive curriculum, a more meaningful student experience, a more connected program K-12, and our role in the future of education.

And surely most of all, for the 1,050+ students and their 730+ families who provide the energy, the commitment, the resources, and the optimism that impel us forward hour to hour, year to year.

Here's hoping you make time to construct your own list and to recharge in the next two weeks,
Vince
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More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • The Quiz Bowl team poses for a photo after another successful tournament.

    MS Quiz Bowl team heads to national championships

    The Quiz Bowl team traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to face several top teams from across the country at this year's South Warren Tournament. USN's second-place finish earned the team an invitation to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments' National Championships in May.
    Read More
  • Alumni and students pose for a photo during the first-ever health care career spotlight at USN.

    Alumni return to share insights with students

    In an inspiring new initiative, USN's health care career spotlight, organized by Ruchika Ramachandran ’27 and Yvonne Wang ’27, brought a wealth of alumni back to the school for an evening of shared expertise and personal stories. This first-of-its-kind event was a great example of the power of connection, mentorship, and community evident throughout the USN community.
    Read More
  • Band Director John Hopkins conducts the band as composer Larry Clark looks on.

    Band students meet composer Larry Clark

    Ahead of the All Bands Winter Concert, students got to play for Larry Clark, the composer who arranged the holiday medley that the band will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 in Durnan Auditorium.
    Read More
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Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

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1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

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USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.