PERSPECTIVES
New Trustees, Continued Commitment to Principia
STORY BY ERIC MORSE (US’90)
During the recent June meeting, Principia’s Board of Trustees elected three new members: Elisabeth (Skowronnek) Brinton (C’89), Gavin Campbell (US’78), and Lisle Staley Stigler (C’82). These impressive alumni bring lessons in leadership, commitment to community service, and a wealth of knowledge to the Board. We are enthusiastic and grateful for their continuing contribution to the Principia community.
Gavin Campbell (US’78) is founder and managing principal at Steelbridge Capital in Evanston, Illinois. He previously served as President and CEO of the Florida Office Property Company and Managing Director of Acquisitions at LaSalle Investment Management. He has worked for the federal and state governments, nonprofit organizations, and was chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. Gavin attended Principia from kindergarten through Upper School and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. Gavin lives in Chicago with his wife Diana and three children.
Dr. Lisle Staley Stigler (C’82) has worked in every aspect of the education ecosystem. She has been a teacher, researcher, business executive, and Head of School at Berkeley Hall School. She led research and evaluation for the Santa Barbara Public Schools, as well as UCLA’s Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing. After leading the Teacher Learning team at LessonLab, a research and education startup, she worked as SVP of Design at Pearson Education. Lisle holds a PhD in education and lives in Studio City, California, with her husband Jim Stigler.
Read more about our new Trustees in this Q&A.
What does Principia mean to you?
- Gavin Campbell (US'78): Principia means community, commitment to concerns greater than ourselves, and living a life grounded in first principles.
- Dr. Lisle Stigler (C’82): Principia is a place where people can find and express their own unique God-given dominion. This is a small but mighty school . . . and we are everywhere!
- Elisabeth Brinton: For me Principia always was about opportunity and inspiration—spiritual growth and learning, enabling full potential. Still is!
Did you have a favorite Principia mentor?
- GC: Brian Morse (C’61): he taught me to be a fearless optimist.
- LS: Ted Houpt (FS’46) and his wife Ann Houpt led our England abroad in 1980. They were so knowledgeable and kind, yet with a spirit of adventure. Also Bob “Rocky” Rockabrand (C’53). He instilled in me an appreciation for every step along the way. I have often used his saying, “People, people, you’ve got to learn to love the process.”
- EB: Dr. Elaine Follis (FS‘77) was an important academic, spiritual, and life mentor. We became close friends and she gave me strong moral support to reach for my biggest dreams no matter what, and the practical tools to dig deep and grow my faith after my mom passed when I was a college freshman.
What’s on your nightstand?
- GC: Grant—Ron Chernow’s biography of Ulysses S. Grant.
- LS: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, a words-only Christian Science Hymnal, JB Phillips’ New Testament, and two journals: one for writing down inspiration as it comes, and the other for keeping track of special memories with our grandchildren.
- EB: A wedding photo, reading lamp, glass bird art piece, and heart shaped dish from my husband Bob that holds my earrings and watch at night.
If you could teach any class at Principia (currently offered or a class you would create) what would it be?
- GC: Probably would teach a course in political philosophy. Politics is more art than science.
- LS: Much of my career has been in assessment. We know that learning doesn’t improve unless teaching improves, so I would want to help future educators learn how to think about teaching: How do you put systems in place to share knowledge, improve teaching, and develop teacher judgment? What is the anticipated outcome? What are the benchmarks? How do we know if we’ve succeeded? The culture doesn’t think of teaching that way.
- EB: Commercial Sustainability: How to deliver impact in the real world.
What advice would you give a student graduating from Principia?
- GC: You are well trained in the art and rigor of thinking courageously, optimistically and critically about the world and have a unique capacity to change it for the better as a result.
- LS: Completely embrace every opportunity to express your God-given dominion and your unique brand of expressing God. And then, take everything you’ve learned and go out with a joyous heart to listen for how to express it throughout the world. If you go out and express that, you’re in for a very interesting experience!
- EB: Excellence matters. Success and deep personal satisfaction come from your mastery of how you do whatever you choose to do in life. Don’t over fixate on the “what”. Careers, jobs, and activities will all change throughout the many chapters of your life, so keep learning and gaining mastery and the rest will come—including the practicalities of financial and whatever other markers of success are important to you. Keep going!