Nichols School Alumni

Shout out to David Pfalzgraf ’88 P’15,’17,’19,’21, Chris Stegemann ’09, and Dave Schutte P’12,’15 for participating in the 117 Holes FOR Children’s event at Crag Burn Golf Club! We’re proud to have Nichols community members representing such a great cause.

117 Holes FOR Children’s is in full swing at Crag Burn Golf Club! Our 17 golfers hit the links at dawn to kick off their day-long marathon 🏌️‍♂️⛳️

Playing from dawn to dusk, they will compete—not only for the most steps—to raise the most money to support the Patricia Allen Fund at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo.

Learn more and support them at 117HolesFORChildrens.com

A HUGE shoutout to our 2026 golfers: Billy Hanes, Jamie Miller, Jeff Wolniewicz, Matt Davison, Dan Misko, Jon Notarius, John Ticco, Dave Schutte, Chris Eckert, CJ Montante, John Russo, David Pfalzgraf, Eric Wood, Joe Mills, Mike Jantzi, Jeffrey Embow and Chris Stegemann

💚And special thanks to The OSC Charitable Foundation returning once again as today’s presenting sponsor!

One week from today, the Nichols School Class of 2026 will cross the stage at Commencement and officially begin their next chapters.

Before graduation arrives, we’re taking another moment to celebrate the exciting futures ahead for our seniors through Future Plan Friday. From campuses across the country to new opportunities unfolding, the members of the lsclass2026 are ready for what comes next.

Nichols School is honored to name Mary Sykes an Honorary Alumna in recognition of her decades of dedication, mentorship, and lasting impact on generations of students. Sykes will be honored at Commencement on May 29.
A beloved longtime Middle School history teacher, Mary helped shape the Nichols experience for countless fifth graders by introducing them to the humanities while instilling the values, curiosity, and standards of excellence that define a Nichols education. Her studies in Canada and England inspired the development of a unique and engaging Central Studies curriculum that enriched student learning for years to come.
A recipient of the 1999 William Nichols Award, presented annually to a faculty or staff member who has made outstanding contributions to the overall quality of a Nichols education, Mary was also a trusted mentor and steady presence throughout her career before retiring.
In retirement, her commitment to students continued through her leadership of the CHISPA program from 2020–2023. Her legacy of compassion, scholarship, and service continues to resonate throughout the Nichols community.

Nichols School is proud to name Jim Kramer an Honorary Alumnus in recognition of his extraordinary impact on the school community as an educator, mentor, counselor, and coach. Kramer will be honored at Commencement on May 29.
Joining Nichols in 1978 as a college counselor and successor to Hall of Fame coach Andy Anderson, Coach Kramer helped shape generations of students both on and off the court. For more than 30 years, he served as Director of College Counseling, guiding countless Nichols students and families through the college process with wisdom, care, and dedication.
In 1981, alongside then Associate Head of School Sam Robinson, he co-established an economics course encompassing both macro and microeconomics, which later evolved into the AP Macro and AP Microeconomics curriculum after the College Board introduced those courses in 1989.
On the basketball court, his teams became some of the most exciting and successful in school history, capturing four NYS Class “C” Federation Championships, six NYS Independent School titles, and compiling an incredible 301–171 overall record.
Beyond the championships and accolades, Coach Kramer’s enduring legacy lies in the lives of the students he mentored, challenged, and inspired throughout his remarkable career at Nichols.

Nichols School is proud to recognize Jeffrey L. Linsky ’59 as a Distinguished Alumnus for his extraordinary contributions to the field of astrophysics and decades of pioneering scientific research. Linsky will be honored at Commencement on May 29.
A Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder and Fellow Adjoint at JILA, Dr. Linsky has devoted his career to studying stars, exoplanets, and the interstellar medium, publishing more than 400 scientific papers and earning numerous honors, including NASA medals for exceptional scientific achievement. A graduate of MIT and Harvard University, where he earned his PhD in Astronomy, Dr. Linsky has served in leadership roles with NASA and the American Astronomical Society while mentoring generations of scientists.

Monday, June 8, 2026 — Nichols Open at Pendleton Creek Golf Club.

Whether you’re an avid golfer or just love a great day on the course, join the Nichols community for a day of golf, fun, and friendly competition.

🕙 12:00 p.m. shotgun start
🥪Lunch & Dinner
🍺Endless Drinks
🤝 All skill levels welcome — sponsorships and registrations available
👉 Learn more and register: https://nicholsadvancement.org/events/nicholsschool-the-nichols-open-2026

Graduation is two weeks away for the , but before they officially become alumni, we’re continuing to celebrate the exciting futures taking shape for our seniors through Future Plan Friday.

We love to hear the decisions they have made about the colleges, programs, and opportunities they’ll soon call home. The next chapter is almost here. 🎓

⏰ Reunion Weekend is almost here!
June 5–6 will be here before we know it, and time is running out to register.

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone reunion or simply looking forward to being back on campus, now is the time to make your plans.

Visit the Reunion page for schedules, event details, attendee list, and registration information:
https://nicholsadvancement.org/events/nicholsschool-nichols-reunion-2026

Welcome Scott Reisinger!

Nichols School is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Reisinger as our 14th Head of School!

Scott comes to us with an incredible background in independent school leadership and a deep passion for student success. He’s spent the last two decades leading top-tier schools in NYC and New England, and now he’s ready to call Buffalo home.

Welcome to the Nichols family, Scott!

READ MORE: https://www.nicholsschool.org/news-detail?pk=1627010&fromId=269000

Congratulations to John Mascari '04 and Blueland on being named a 2026 TIME 100 Most Influential Company.

As Co-Founder and President of , has helped lead a company reimagining everyday household cleaning products to eliminate single-use plastic packaging and create more sustainable solutions for households everywhere.

Reflecting on the recognition, Blueland shared:

“It’s surreal moments like this when we can’t help but feel overwhelmed by immense gratitude for each and every one of you—for trusting us with the cleanliness of your homes and the safety of your families. With every household that makes the switch to Blueland, we’re that much closer to our vision of a future free of single-use plastics.”

We are proud to celebrate John and the impact he and the Blueland team are making around the world. 🌎