Retired faculty, staff return to USN

By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

While you may expect University School of Nashville to be eerily quiet during the first week of Summer Break, that wasn’t the case as a group of retired faculty and staff members gathered together for their annual reunion and luncheon. 

For many, this event is more than just a meal; it's a celebration of decades of memories, shared struggles, and an unwavering bond that has lasted far beyond the classroom.

Beginning over a decade ago, this tradition has grown from a small gathering of about 15 former faculty members to an event that now sees nearly 70 attendees coming together to reconnect and reflect on their time at USN. 

At the heart of this gathering is Janet Schneider, retired Director of College Counseling, who has been organizing this event since its inception in 2012. Then, Schneider said she knew that the group that had been so instrumental in shaping USN in its early years had drifted apart over time as many of its members retired and moved on. Schneider, who joined the school in 1974 during the transition from Peabody Demonstration School to USN, said she wanted to reconnect with those who had been her mentors, peers, and friends during those formative years.

“I missed them terribly. They were great teachers, mentors, and dear friends,” Schneider said.

The idea for the luncheon was driven by the desire to rekindle the tight-knit community that had been forged during the school's early years of transition from PDS to USN. The early years of USN, marked by hard work and collective determination, left an indelible mark on all who were involved. 

Schneider described those days as a “tsunami of close interactions” as everyone worked side by side to ensure the school’s survival. “We were bonded for life,” she said, reflecting on the deep sense of community that emerged during those early struggles.

The first luncheon, held in a private room at The Standard, a restaurant in downtown Nashville, was an instant success. Faculty members who had not seen each other in years shared stories, caught up on each other’s lives, and reminisced about the challenges they faced in those early days. What began as a small reunion soon blossomed into an annual tradition that continues to this day.

Over the years, the luncheons have become a cherished opportunity for retired faculty to reconnect, celebrate their shared history, and witness the evolution of USN. Each year, a guest speaker — often one of the retired teachers or administrators — shares reflections on their time at the school and the impact it had on their lives. These moments of storytelling and reflection are what make the luncheon so special.

“The favorite moments have always been ‘catching up’ on each other’s lives, remembering the struggle, and laughing about each of our memories during those transition years, especially,” Schneider said. 

She recalls how the luncheon often turns into a joyful trip down memory lane, with each person offering their perspective on the shared experiences that helped shape USN into the school it is today.

For many attendees, the reunion is not just about looking back, but also about looking forward. Retired faculty members who were not part of the school's earliest years still find value in hearing about the challenges faced during the transition and how those lessons continue to inform the present.

One of the key figures who helped institutionalize the luncheon was retired Director Vince Durnan. Durnan, who deeply appreciated the history of the school, worked to ensure that the tradition of gathering retired faculty would continue. Under his leadership, the event moved from a casual gathering at a restaurant to a formal luncheon held at the school itself, in what is now the Durnan Auditorium — a fitting tribute to the man who was instrumental in preserving the school’s rich history.

“I’m thrilled that so many faculty members attended this spring since we had to throw this event together in record time,” said Schneider of this year’s reunion. Despite the challenges of the past few years, including the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and administrative changes, the luncheon has once again become a highlight of the year for many retired faculty. 

“The energy, hugs, laughs, listening, and sharing are palpable,” Schneider said. “It’s a dynamic not unlike the one that formed during the ’70s.”

The school has always prioritized fostering strong connections that go beyond academics, and Schneider says those connections make USN such a special place to work.

“Faculty members at USN love students, work extremely hard, are inclusive of different learning styles, and find joy in their jobs,” she said. “None of these characteristics changed in the 47 years I taught and was Director of College Counseling.”

As the luncheon continues to grow and evolve, the goal remains to honor the past while celebrating USN's present and future. 

“The history of the school continues to be passed along,” Schneider said, noting that in recent years, the luncheon has expanded to include present faculty and staff who have been with USN for 20 years or more. The event serves as a living link between those who helped build the school and those who are now carrying the torch forward.