Severn School | Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni

In Honor of Outstanding Service

Honor

Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni

Named in honor of the School's founder, The Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award honors Severn graduates who have demonstrated outstanding service to humanity, service to community, professional achievement, and/or service to Severn School. Jointly sponsored by the Board of Trustees and the Severn School Alumni Association, this is the highest honor the school can bestow.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 ROLLAND M. TEEL DISTINGUISHED ALUM: MS. GUSTAVA "GUSTY" TALER '74

Gusty Taler photo for DA page

Gusty Taler ’74 is an attorney, nonprofit executive, organizational consultant, and lifelong advocate for expanding access to justice. She has devoted more than four decades to strengthening nonprofit organizations and community institutions, developing innovative approaches to service delivery, and creating opportunities for vulnerable individuals and families who might otherwise go unrecognized.

A member of the first class of girls admitted to Severn School in 1971, Ms. Taler graduated in 1974 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, where she was a member of the fourth class of undergraduate women admitted to the university. She later received a master’s in public relations from American University’s Kogod School of Business, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Ms. Taler served for 17 years as Chief Operating Officer of Maryland Legal Aid, where she helped transform the organization into one of the nation’s largest providers of free civil legal services. During her tenure, she expanded statewide services, secured millions of dollars in public and private funding, and developed innovative programs that broadened access to justice. Among her signature accomplishments was the creation of Lawyer in the Library, a highly acclaimed community partnership that brought free legal assistance directly into neighborhood libraries across Maryland and served as a model for similar programs nationwide. Earlier in her career, she founded the Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence Project at The Women’s Law Center of Maryland, offering culturally responsive legal services for foreign-born survivors of domestic violence.

Following her retirement from Maryland Legal Aid, Ms. Taler served as Interim Deputy Director of Rising for Justice in Washington, D.C., and now consults with nonprofit organizations on leadership, strategic planning, organizational development, and resource development.

Ms. Taler also served as Chief of Staff for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, a partner in a private law practice, a mediator, a legislative aide in the Maryland House of Delegates, and a consultant to numerous nonprofit organizations. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked in communications and public affairs for corporate, non-profit, and government entities. She has held leadership positions on numerous civic and professional boards and commissions and is a Fellow of both the Maryland Bar Foundation and the Baltimore City Bar Foundation. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including ’s Influential Marylander Award in Civic Leadership and Top 100 Women Award. Throughout her career, Ms. Taler has remained committed to building strong institutions, mentoring future leaders, and advancing public service.

For Ms. Taler, however, one of life’s greatest gifts has been the enduring friendships she formed at Severn more than fifty years ago. She credits the school with providing not only an exceptional education, but also the confidence, curiosity, and commitment to service that have shaped her life and career.

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Past Years

2024
Mr. John R. Quinn '87
2023
Dr. Katherine Graw Lamond '96
2022
Ms. Randi Silverman Stern '83
2021
Ms. Kate Orff '89
2019
Mr. Jay Manickam '92
2018
Mr. Kent L. Holtgrewe '73 †
2017
Ms. Catherine Herrick '86
2016
Mr. Michael K. DeStefano '84
2015
Mr. Leroy M. Sparks '71
2014
Ms. Wendy E. Jones ’83
2013
All Severn School Veterans
2012
Mr. Steven R. Schuh ’78
2011
Ms. Catherine Merrill ’87
2010
MajGen Joseph D. Stewart, USMC (Ret.) ’60
2009
RADM Edward K. Walker Jr, USN (Ret.) ’50
2008
MajGen Kenneth W. Weir, USMCR (Ret.) ’48
2007
Ms. Anne ‘Sandy’ Barbour ’77
2006
Mr. Gary W. Koch ’71
2005
Mr. J. Caleb Deschanel ’62
2004
Mr. Bruce A. Hawtin ’54
2003
The Honorable Richard D. Bennett ’65
2002
Mr. Nicholas Goldsborough ’52
2001
LtGen W. H. Sterling Wright ’26 †
Mr. Alester G. Furman III ’35 †
2000
Mr. Charles F. Lynch ’44 †
1999
Mr. Frederick Drum Hunt ’30 †
1998
Mr. John K. Hopkins ’63
1997
CAPT Slade D. Cutter, USN ’31 †
Ambassador William H. G. FitzGerald ’27 †
1996
CDR Edwin Malloy Jr., USN ’36 †
1995
ADM James R. Hogg, USN (Ret.) ’52
1994
CDR Robert B. Pirie Jr, USN (Ret.) ’50
1992
Dr. Bruce Scott Old ’30 †
1991
Mr. Stephens F. Millard ’51
1990
Mr. Thomas J. Peters ’60
1989
CDR Lance E. Massey, USN ’26 †
RADM Richard R. Pratt, USN ’32 †
1988
Mr. John Drew Betz ’37 †
1987
Mr. Charles R. Zimmerman ’25 †
Mr. Paul Hobbs Massey ’67 †
1986
Mr. Roger S. Ahlbrandt ’30 †
Lt Gen Henry W. Buse Jr, USMC ’30 †
1985
RADM Herbert E. Schonland, USN ’20 †
RADM Bruce McCandless, USN ’28 †

† indicates honorees who are deceased