"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
Charlie Blank
Minute of Appreciation
Charlie Blank
Faculty Emeritus
Friends Seminary is sincerely appreciative of the many contributions Charlie Blank has made during his 34 years at Friends. Since 1977, Charlie has served as an Upper School history teacher. In addition, he served as a member of the Friends Seminary School Committee from 1983 through 1986, as the Director of Student Activities in the Upper School from 1995 through 2003, and as the Friends Seminary Coordinator for the Network of Complementary Schools Exchange Program from 1983 through 2002. He has also chaired the History Department and co-chaired the FSTA. During his time here, Charlie has supported many student initiatives in social activism and self-governance. He has committed himself to introducing essential programs such as Model United Nations and Mock Trial. He initiated courses such as International Relations, Facing History and Ourselves at Friends, and a law course. His ever-relevant law and government course offerings have mirrored the world outside of Friends beginning with the Carter presidency and ending with the current Obama presidency. In reminiscing about these vital programs he helped start at Friends, Charlie recalls numerous anecdotes that end with that perfect "Friends" moment. One year at the Harvard Model United Nations, a student delegate from Friends asked Charlie if she could introduce a resolution to the committee whereby the Harvard staff would award the "best delegate" certificate to the whole committee instead of presenting awards to individual delegates. Charlie watched as the delegates from other schools debated this resolution. One delegate said that taking away awards was like taking away Christmas. Another said that she would rather compete and lose. A third delegate said her school wouldn't send a delegation if there were no awards. Charlie recalls watching proudly as his student delegate withdrew the resolution rather than cause further anxiety. She had made her point. Another year, the Friends Mock Trial team reached the New York City semifinals. The match was very close and both teams performed beautifully. At the end of this brilliant trial, the judge analyzed the performance of both teams in violently competitive terms, using language like "out for blood" and "meat grinder." After the judge announced that Friends had lost, Charlie gathered the team and told them that they should be very proud of the job they had done. The judge then came over to the team to say he was sorry that they'd lost by only one half of a point. One Friends student replied, "Oh, that's ok. We're Quakers. We don't believe in competition." The judge was dumbfounded. It was a wonderful moment, Charlie said. Through Charlie's guidance, attention, encouragement, and support, "Friends moments" likes these have been commonplace in and outside of his classroom over the past five decades. His teachings embody the School's commitment to its Quaker ideals, and he inspires us all. We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service Charlie has given to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor him as Faculty Emeritus.
Charlie Blank
Faculty Emeritus
Friends Seminary is sincerely appreciative of the many contributions Charlie Blank has made during his 34 years at Friends. Since 1977, Charlie has served as an Upper School history teacher. In addition, he served as a member of the Friends Seminary School Committee from 1983 through 1986, as the Director of Student Activities in the Upper School from 1995 through 2003, and as the Friends Seminary Coordinator for the Network of Complementary Schools Exchange Program from 1983 through 2002. He has also chaired the History Department and co-chaired the FSTA. During his time here, Charlie has supported many student initiatives in social activism and self-governance. He has committed himself to introducing essential programs such as Model United Nations and Mock Trial. He initiated courses such as International Relations, Facing History and Ourselves at Friends, and a law course. His ever-relevant law and government course offerings have mirrored the world outside of Friends beginning with the Carter presidency and ending with the current Obama presidency. In reminiscing about these vital programs he helped start at Friends, Charlie recalls numerous anecdotes that end with that perfect "Friends" moment. One year at the Harvard Model United Nations, a student delegate from Friends asked Charlie if she could introduce a resolution to the committee whereby the Harvard staff would award the "best delegate" certificate to the whole committee instead of presenting awards to individual delegates. Charlie watched as the delegates from other schools debated this resolution. One delegate said that taking away awards was like taking away Christmas. Another said that she would rather compete and lose. A third delegate said her school wouldn't send a delegation if there were no awards. Charlie recalls watching proudly as his student delegate withdrew the resolution rather than cause further anxiety. She had made her point. Another year, the Friends Mock Trial team reached the New York City semifinals. The match was very close and both teams performed beautifully. At the end of this brilliant trial, the judge analyzed the performance of both teams in violently competitive terms, using language like "out for blood" and "meat grinder." After the judge announced that Friends had lost, Charlie gathered the team and told them that they should be very proud of the job they had done. The judge then came over to the team to say he was sorry that they'd lost by only one half of a point. One Friends student replied, "Oh, that's ok. We're Quakers. We don't believe in competition." The judge was dumbfounded. It was a wonderful moment, Charlie said. Through Charlie's guidance, attention, encouragement, and support, "Friends moments" likes these have been commonplace in and outside of his classroom over the past five decades. His teachings embody the School's commitment to its Quaker ideals, and he inspires us all. We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service Charlie has given to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor him as Faculty Emeritus.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
