Transformative Campus Gift Honors Steve Sorkin as Legendary Teacher and Mentor

Sorkin Way will be comprised of a beautifully landscaped series of walkways, benches, and gathering areas along the entire front of the new Boehly Upper School. The walkways and benches will display sayings from Upper School mathematics teacher Steve Sorkin that will be familiar to current and former students and advisees. These words of wisdom, fondly known as “Sorkinisms,” became part of what Bill, Chris and so many others took from their time at Landon.

Bill explains, “At the outset of our sophomore year, Landon introduced Mr. Sorkin to each of us as our Geometry teacher, but for generations of students he has been, and continues to be, so much more - a life teacher encouraging each of us to pursue excellence. Chris and I have been looking for an opportunity to do something in celebration and gratitude for Mr. Sorkin.” 

Bill and Chris each spent 10 years at Landon.  Bill went on to Duke University and the University of Virginia School of Law. He is the global head of mergers and acquisitions at Hogan Lovells, an international law firm, and resides in Chevy Chase.  Chris earned degrees from Denison University and Georgetown University Law Center. After twenty years in California as an executive at companies including Disney, Hewlett-Packard, and Visa, he and his wife, Page, and their daughters now live in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is a senior vice president at Bank of America.

Chris notes, “Mr. Sorkin has positively impacted an astounding number of students. He connects with students across all facets of Landon, making each of us feel as if nothing else matters to Sork but the time he experiences with a student. Mr. Sorkin demonstrated on a daily basis the virtue of listening, reminding us that everyone has something to say, and we all need to listen to each other — better and more often.”

Bill recalls, “As Chris and I thought about how to honor Sork, we were inspired by the generosity of our friends Katie and Todd Boehly ’91 and wanted to do something connected to the Boehly Upper School.” Adds Chris, “The placement of Sorkin Way at the entrance to the Boehly Upper School represents how Mr. Sorkin’s way of thinking takes shape during your final years at Landon each time you enter this building, as well as what you take with you as you conclude your time at Landon.”

During the design phase for Sorkin Way, it was important to the Curtin brothers to promote Landon’s teacher-coach-mentor model that Steve exemplifies. The site therefore includes a series of facing benches where small groups of students can have a quiet conversation with a teacher, as well as circular groupings with enough space for ten to twelve students to gather with a faculty member. All of the interactive settings are surrounded by boxwoods, azaleas, and willow oak trees, landscaping that Bill explains is designed “to create spaces for connectivity, facilitating the exchange of ideas and better understanding of one another.”

After months of planning with Head of School Jim Neill and landscape architect Brian Stephenson, the Curtin brothers met with Steve this past summer to present the overall concept and the construction plans. They asked him to begin compiling a list of Sorkinisms as well as geometric shapes that will be engraved as part of the hardscaping within each setting. Bill says, “We wanted Mr. Sorkin to help us develop the elements of Sorkin Way, because just as he helped form his students for so many years, he should also help form this space that will endure in honor of his contributions.”

Bill notes, “We wanted to call this space Sorkin Way to signify its function as the physical way into the building as well as the way to live a life of excellence inspired by Mr. Sorkin.” Chris explains, “When you’re at a young age, a role model can change the trajectory of your life for the better. Steve Sorkin is one of those people.”

Landon School is grateful Bill and Page and Chris for this generous gift to honor Steve Sorkin. If you are interested in making a contribution to The Campaign for Landon that is meaningful to you and perhaps honors a Landon faculty member, please contact Director of Development Peter J. Gallo Ph.D., at peter_gallo@landon.net  or 301-320-1004.

Do you have a favorite Sorkinism from your time at Landon? Please share it with us and it may be included in Sorkin Way. Send your Sorkinism to alumni@landon.net.