Alumni
Alumni Achievement Award
Church Farm School alumni have excelled in many fields including business and industry, the military, the arts, science, medicine and engineering. Some are also successful entrepreneurs or providers of professional services such as law, ministry, etc. And many are leaders in their professions who also have a history of achievements and contributions for the greater good.
To recognize these alumni is important for several reasons, not the least of which is to imbue current students with a sense of pride in their school. The school seeks to honor these distinguished alumni by creating an Alumni Achievement Award to recognize those CFS alumni whose accomplishments in their professions and lives are significant and praiseworthy.
It is expected that these honorees will be alumni exhibiting excellence and achievement in their fields. The award will be presented biannually to one or more recipients during Alumni Weekend.
Benefits
• Develop a culture of pride in Church Farm School on the part of current students and all alumni.
• Instill in students a vision of success that transcends material gain.
• Recognize and showcase for others the accomplishments of successful CFS alumni.
Criteria for Selection
• Achievement: The recipient must be accomplished in his chosen profession. • Humility: The recipient must use his talents for the sake of others.
• Leadership: The recipient must be a leader in his profession and/or community.
Selection Process
The Head of School, President of the Alumni Association, one senior faculty member, President of the class and two additional alumni chosen by the Head of School in consultation with the President of the Alumni Association will comprise the Selection Committee. The Chair of the Board of Directors may attend ex officio. The Director of Alumni Relations and the Director of Development will staff the Committee. The selection process begins no later than November 15th with the Director of Alumni Relations’ announcement of the award and the deadline for nominations.
Alumni receive a straightforward and not too time-consuming nomination form. Following an initial review of the nominees, the Committee chooses finalists. More in-depth information may be requested of the nominators for these candidates, one or more of whom will be selected by the Head of School upon recommendation of the committee to receive the Alumni Achievement Award.
Presentation of the Alumni Achievement Award
The award will be presented during Alumni Weekend every other year at the annual dinner. The award itself will be an object that is reflective of leadership, altruism and talent. Church Farm School will also display a replica of the award with a listing of its recipients in a prominent place on campus.
To recognize these alumni is important for several reasons, not the least of which is to imbue current students with a sense of pride in their school. The school seeks to honor these distinguished alumni by creating an Alumni Achievement Award to recognize those CFS alumni whose accomplishments in their professions and lives are significant and praiseworthy.
It is expected that these honorees will be alumni exhibiting excellence and achievement in their fields. The award will be presented biannually to one or more recipients during Alumni Weekend.
Benefits
• Develop a culture of pride in Church Farm School on the part of current students and all alumni.
• Instill in students a vision of success that transcends material gain.
• Recognize and showcase for others the accomplishments of successful CFS alumni.
Criteria for Selection
• Achievement: The recipient must be accomplished in his chosen profession. • Humility: The recipient must use his talents for the sake of others.
• Leadership: The recipient must be a leader in his profession and/or community.
Selection Process
The Head of School, President of the Alumni Association, one senior faculty member, President of the class and two additional alumni chosen by the Head of School in consultation with the President of the Alumni Association will comprise the Selection Committee. The Chair of the Board of Directors may attend ex officio. The Director of Alumni Relations and the Director of Development will staff the Committee. The selection process begins no later than November 15th with the Director of Alumni Relations’ announcement of the award and the deadline for nominations.
Alumni receive a straightforward and not too time-consuming nomination form. Following an initial review of the nominees, the Committee chooses finalists. More in-depth information may be requested of the nominators for these candidates, one or more of whom will be selected by the Head of School upon recommendation of the committee to receive the Alumni Achievement Award.
Presentation of the Alumni Achievement Award
The award will be presented during Alumni Weekend every other year at the annual dinner. The award itself will be an object that is reflective of leadership, altruism and talent. Church Farm School will also display a replica of the award with a listing of its recipients in a prominent place on campus.
Nominate
- The name, phone number and email address of person making the nomination. The name of the graduate being nominated, along with class year and address.
- Nomination statements that are no longer than 500 words.
- Letters of support, newspaper and magazine articles, resumes and curriculum in addition to the nomination statement.
Alumni Relations Office
Church Farm School
1001 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton, PA 19341
You can also nominate online here:
Questions? Call 610.363.5338 or email Lori McDermott, director of Alumni Relations, at [email protected].
Steve Loney '97 says the culture of doing things right was instilled in him first at Church Farm School, where he matriculated as an eighth grader from a failing Delaware County school district. Only 10 when his father died, his aunt, a paralegal at Dechert Price & Rhoades told attorney and former CFS board member Morris Kellett about her nephew, whose situation placed him squarely within the mission of the school. Kellett encouraged the family to apply, and Loney was accepted.
Today, he is a Senior Litigation Attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, a dream job he was finally able to pursue after spending nearly 20 years as an attorney for leading Philadelphia firms.
Today, he is a Senior Litigation Attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, a dream job he was finally able to pursue after spending nearly 20 years as an attorney for leading Philadelphia firms.
Following high school, Loney attended Saint Joseph’s University and worked part-time at Dechert—the same firm that had sent him to CFS. Loney followed that up with a JD from New York University Law School and clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then worked at Drinker Biddle & Heath, then spent nearly 14 years with Hogan Lovells. At a recent Career Panel focused on law, Loney told the students he enjoyed his previous jobs, but his focus was always to become a civil rights attorney.
Loney’s measured and fair approach has served him well in his career and as a longtime and well-respected member of the CFS Board of Directors. When he joined the Board, his perspective as a former scholar was indispensable. “When we talk about cottage or track upgrades – I slept in those dorms. I ran on that cinder track.” His engagement is even more meaningful now, as his son, Stephen, is a current junior at the school.
When CFS reached out on behalf of aspiring lawyer Elijah Freeman ’14 to see if Loney could assist with an internship at Hogan Lovells, he didn’t hesitate. For his vast contributions to the field of law as well as CFS, we are pleased to honor Steve Loney with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award.
Loney’s measured and fair approach has served him well in his career and as a longtime and well-respected member of the CFS Board of Directors. When he joined the Board, his perspective as a former scholar was indispensable. “When we talk about cottage or track upgrades – I slept in those dorms. I ran on that cinder track.” His engagement is even more meaningful now, as his son, Stephen, is a current junior at the school.
When CFS reached out on behalf of aspiring lawyer Elijah Freeman ’14 to see if Loney could assist with an internship at Hogan Lovells, he didn’t hesitate. For his vast contributions to the field of law as well as CFS, we are pleased to honor Steve Loney with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award.
Dr. John Grunwell ’60 has spent his entire life in the sciences. The son of a single mother who was a bacteriologist, he spent many days helping her in the lab. When not working on the farm as a student at CFS, he thrived as a chemistry student under Earl Wilkins ’26. He went on to undergrad at UPenn, then returned to his alma mater as a helper in Wilkins’ classroom.
As a student pursuing his PhD at MIT, Dr. Grunwell realized he could obtain research independence if he became a university professor, which he did, teaching chemistry for 41 years at Miami University in Ohio and retiring as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Grunwell helped to develop the PhD program at Miami University; under his guidance, eight students received their PhD. He also published about 40 papers in refereed journals and was the chairman of the American Chemical Society Cincinnati section; and General Chair of the ACS Central Regional Meeting held at Miami.
Since his retirement, Dr. Grunwell has been paying his passion forward to Church Farm School, in particular, its STEM program. He’s also been a strong supporter of various critical fundraising campaigns, including the Campus Modernization Project, the establishment of the Wilkins Scholarship Fund, the Track campaign and most recently, funding our seniors on college tours and our choir’s trip to Carnegie Hall, as well as supporting our push for experiential learning. In 2021, he received the Newt Disney Award for Service.
“Anything I can do within my means, whether helping procure new equipment or programs, is an important means of getting young men excited about science.” We are thrilled to honor Dr. Grunwell’s enormous contributions to science and Church Farm School with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award.
As a student pursuing his PhD at MIT, Dr. Grunwell realized he could obtain research independence if he became a university professor, which he did, teaching chemistry for 41 years at Miami University in Ohio and retiring as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Grunwell helped to develop the PhD program at Miami University; under his guidance, eight students received their PhD. He also published about 40 papers in refereed journals and was the chairman of the American Chemical Society Cincinnati section; and General Chair of the ACS Central Regional Meeting held at Miami.
Since his retirement, Dr. Grunwell has been paying his passion forward to Church Farm School, in particular, its STEM program. He’s also been a strong supporter of various critical fundraising campaigns, including the Campus Modernization Project, the establishment of the Wilkins Scholarship Fund, the Track campaign and most recently, funding our seniors on college tours and our choir’s trip to Carnegie Hall, as well as supporting our push for experiential learning. In 2021, he received the Newt Disney Award for Service.
“Anything I can do within my means, whether helping procure new equipment or programs, is an important means of getting young men excited about science.” We are thrilled to honor Dr. Grunwell’s enormous contributions to science and Church Farm School with the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award.
Past Recipients
2023: Eric Weller '74 and Paul Spear '81
2021: Talmadge O'Neill '86
2018: Cecil Hengeveld '64
2023: Eric Weller '74 and Paul Spear '81
2021: Talmadge O'Neill '86
2018: Cecil Hengeveld '64
Church Farm School | 1001 E. Lincoln Hwy. | Exton, Pennsylvania 19341
Phone: 610.363.7500 | Fax: 610.363.5367 | Admissions: [email protected]
Privacy Policy
Phone: 610.363.7500 | Fax: 610.363.5367 | Admissions: [email protected]
Privacy Policy
The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 located in Exton, PA. Founded in 1918 to provide an excellent education to young men from limited means, Church Farm School now serves boys from a range of socio-economic circumstances who are seeking an extraordinary educational opportunity. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum and an exceptional level of personal attention, with class sizes averaging between just 7 and 12 students.
