’92 Alumnus to Give Commencement Address

J. Carney Hawks to Speak at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Suffolk, VA June 4, 2009- Carney Hawks was a student sitting in Mrs. Brenda Kincaid’s Advanced Placement Calculus Class in l992. On Saturday, he will share with the Class of 2009 how his life has changed because of that class taught over a decade ago. As fate may have it, Kincaid, who now serves as the Academy’s Headmaster, will share the stage with her former student.

Kincaid announced last week that John Carney Hawks, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Class of 1992, will deliver the Commencement Address to the Class of 2009 at the Academy’s Graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 9 o’clock in the morning. Seventy-eight seniors will receive their high school degrees and go on to select colleges and universities throughout Virginia and the United States.

Mr. Hawks connections to the school run deep. He first walked the halls as a witty, fast-talking, well-liked, kindergartener in the fall of 1981. His mother, Claudia, is a beloved English teacher who is retiring this year after serving the NSA school community for twenty-five years. He is also one of three siblings who attended NSA. Thriving during his school years in both the lower and upper schools, he received many scholarly accolades. Mr. Hawks ranked as a National Merit Semi-Finalist, graduated with honors, was awarded the prestigious Math Cup, and served on the Honor Council while at NSA.

After his graduation from NSA, Mr. Hawks attended the University of Virginia, graduating with distinction from the McIntire School of Commerce. He is a founding partner of Brigade Capital Management, a $3.5 billion asset management firm. Previously, Mr. Hawks was a Managing Director at Mackay Shields.

A successful businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Hawks serves on the board of the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, a national, non-profit organization focused on pediatric cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle. He has played an active role in organizing an annual charity golf tournament and poker tournament that combined have helped raise over $1.5 million for CCF. Currently, he and his wife Melissa live in Purchase, New York, with their three young children.

Kincaid recently remarked, “We are so fortunate to have Carney back here at NSA. I have fond memories of him in my calculus class. He was a brilliant math student who enjoyed the challenge of difficult problems. Blessed with a cute sense of humor, he always added fun to the classroom. I am proud of his accomplishments, but especially proud of his participation in our graduation ceremony. Despite living so far, he continues to be a very dear friend to all of us at NSA.”

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s 37th Commencement, Baccalaureate and Senior Day ceremonies are part of a two-day celebration for graduates, their families and friends and other members of the NSA community.

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