Barat Medal Recipients 2019

Eliane Ghassan Bedewi

Eliane Bedewi was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1977 and married the love of her life in 1987. After the birth of her daughter Lara ‘19, Eliane gave up her career in architecture and design to give her undivided attention to her children.

When Lara enrolled at Stone Ridge in 2010, Eliane was drawn to the numerous volunteer opportunities. She served lunch, helped at the Book Sale, became a class parent, mentored new families, planned Liturgies, was the Volunteer Coordinator on the SRPA Executive Committee, and for several years co-chaired the Art Show, Auction, and Faculty and Staff Appreciation Committee, organized tech week meals for theatrical productions, and the like. To Eliane, each moment spent at Stone Ridge was another moment in which she fell more in love with their heartfelt community. 

To this day, family is Eliane’s top priority. For this reason, Mother-Daughter Liturgies have been some of her favorite events to plan. Eliane has also treasured working on the Faculty and Staff appreciation luncheons, because serving those who have shaped her daughter is a small way to pay it back.

Eliane considers Stone Ridge her second home. When Lara graduates she will miss Stone Ridge dearly. However, she is a true believer in the philosophy that once a Stone Ridge girl, always a Stone Ridge girl. She is immensely grateful for the companionships she has kindled over the years at Stone Ridge. She will never forget Stone Ridge which leaves her with an incredible feeling of fulfillment.

We thank Eliane for her dedication to Stone Ridge.

Charles M. Mathews, Jr. and Susan C. Mathews
 
Charles and Susan became parents in the Stone Ridge Community in 1998. During their daughters’ years at Stone Ridge, Susan co-founded the Blue and Gold Boosters to support Gator athletes and encourage attendance at home games. Their daughter Kathryn graduated in 2005 and Erin in 2010. Beginning in 2011, Charles was invited to join the Board of Trustees where he served for six years. 
 
Athletics were a large part of their family’s Stone Ridge experience. Charles comments, “Lessons learned through team activities allowed our girls to mature and develop a strong self-confidence. And, the happy memories both daughters have from those days as Gators still make us all smile.”
 
They view Stone Ridge as a school environment where excellence and challenge are the norm, and an advantage. The girls learned that they are capable of achieving any goal, and that struggling through adversity leads to growth. In addition they recognize that at Stone Ridge, there is a strong emphasis on building character and confidence through academics and extracurricular activities.
 
Thanks to Charles and Susan’s leadership and generosity at Stone Ridge, our Mission can and will continue for generations.

Harvey F. Seegers

Harvey Seegers is Chair of the Board of Trustees Stone Ridge, where he has served as Trustee for the past six years. He and Debbie Seegers have been married 38 years and are proud parents of their daughter Kelly Sankowski ‘12 who graduated from the University of Virginia in 2016.

Harvey is a Professor in the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America and serves as the Director of the Strategy, Management, and Operations academic area. Previously, he held senior executive positions in General Electric and The Home Depot. Harvey is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he was awarded two consecutive Meritorious Service Medals from the President of the United States for outstanding leadership.

His educational degrees include a BA with distinction from the University of Virginia, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a JD from The Catholic University of America. He is a Member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. 

We thank Harvey for his years of service and leadership at Stone Ridge.