The Webb community – hosted by alumni – gathered on opposite coasts this spring to visit with Head of Schools Taylor Stockdale, fellow Webbies and to hear the latest news from campus. Trustee David Loo ’79 and his wife Valerie welcomed alumni, families and friends into their Gramercy Park home and Matt Barton ’85 hosted the community at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco.

Congratulations to the Class of 1967 who are the champions of The Webb Fund March Madness Challenge! Thanks to the dedication of class agent, Fletcher Strickler ’67, 21 members of the Class of 1967 have made a gift so far this fiscal year, many of whom made a second gift in support of the challenge, for a total of 61 points and the win!

Issac Asimov. Philip K. Dick. Michael Chabon. J.K. Rowling. Kurt Vonnegut. These are just a few of the writers who have received the prestigious Hugo Award, which annually recognizes the best in science fiction and fantasy. This year John Scalzi '87s Redshirts was nominated for Best Novel. The 2013 winners will be announced at the Hugo Awards Ceremony on September 1 at LoneStarCon 3 in San Antonio, TX.

News spread quickly of the purchase of social-reading giant Goodreads by bookselling big shot Amazon. At the moment, neither company has disclosed the conditions of the sale, only that it is set to be completed by early summer. Webb alumnus Otis Chandler '96, who started the company in 2007 on a shoestring with his wife Elizabeth, has grown the site to some 16 million members.

Several recent studies on women in higher education have concluded that female students would be better served by a classroom environment tailored to the ways most women learn, with greater emphasis on participation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. What these studies seldom mention is that women’s colleges have offered just such an environment for decades...

One of the stated purposes of a TEDx event is “…combine to spark deep discussion and connection within a small group.” So if one is to judge the success of Webb’s TEDx event last Monday by just this one statement, then it was a resounding success. Five guest speakers and two Webb students presented on the topics of how social media shapes the lives of the X, Y, and Z generations to nearly 100 students, parents, and other guests.

Close to 40 alumni, parents and friends joined Head of Schools Taylor Stockdale for a wine reception on February 28, 2013.

Congratulations to Andrew Kirschner '90 and his Santa Monica restaurant, Tar & Roses. Both were recognized as semifinalists for the annual James Beard Awards, one of the highest honors for food and beverage professionals working in North America. Of the 29 restaurants listed in the "Best New Restaurant" category, Tar and Roses is just one of two restaurants from the Los Angeles area, and Andrew is one of 20 chefs nominated in the "Best Chef: West" category.