Honoring Our Founders: Celebrating Sandy Kreischer Smith and the Legacy of MPA

September 29, 2026

from Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement Recently, Mounds Park Academy welcomed founding families, faculty, staff, board members, alums, and current school leaders for a special Founders Celebration honoring co-founder Sandy Kreischer Smith. The morning brought together generations of the MPA community to share memories, celebrate the people who brought the school to life in 1982, and unveil a newly commissioned portrait of Sandy, painted by MPA alum Qwilleran Duvall ’10. The portrait will hang alongside fellow co-founder Bob Kreischer’s newly reframed portrait at the Lower School entrance, honoring their shared vision and the remarkable community they helped establish.

Founding faculty member Anne Atchison opened the celebration by reflecting on MPA’s earliest days and the relationships that have sustained the school for more than four decades. “Our story is in one place; our history and destiny are intertwined,” she shared, recognizing the founding members and current leaders gathered together for the occasion.

Anne recalled arriving at MPA as a 24-year-old teacher, excited, uncertain, and wondering whether the school buses would actually show up. What she discovered was much more than a teaching opportunity. “What I didn’t know then was that I wasn't just starting a career; I was finding a family.”

That sense of belonging became central to MPA. Bob and Sandy envisioned a school where academic growth and the joy of learning could coexist, teachers had the freedom to innovate, and students were encouraged to explore their many interests. As Anne reflected, “We built a home where a student can comfortably be an athlete, an artist, a scientist, and a debater all at once.”

Anne’s remarks honored the founding teachers, staff, board members, and families who believed in an unproven idea and worked together to make it a reality. She also remembered Bob and other beloved members of the founding community who are no longer with us, acknowledging their lasting influence on the school. Longtime colleague Joanne Olson continued the celebration by sharing her memories of Sandy’s leadership and the extraordinary role she played in establishing the school. Recalling her own arrival at MPA in the summer of 1982, Joanne described Sandy’s determination and willingness to take on whatever responsibilities were necessary.

“From my first days at MPA, Sandy was there EVERY DAY doing EVERYTHING that was needed to be done,” Joanne recalled.

From managing admissions and welcoming prospective families to overseeing the school’s finances, Sandy’s contributions extended into nearly every aspect of MPA’s early operations. Joanne also reflected on the Sandy Kreischer Smith Leadership Award, established by the Board following Sandy’s retirement, to recognize her contributions to MPA. The award is presented annually at graduation to a senior woman who demonstrates leadership qualities.

Sandy then shared her own account of MPA’s beginnings, drawing from her book, “The Power of Declaration.” Her stories brought the audience back to the spring and summer of 1982, when a vision for a new independent school began to take shape.

“With no evidence that it could be done, Bob and I announced to the world that we were starting an independent school on the northeast side of the Twin Cities,” Sandy recalled. She shared memories of the early informational gatherings, families opening their homes to introduce others to the school, and the individuals who stepped forward to help make the dream a reality. Among them was Harvey Kaplan, whose legal expertise and negotiations helped secure MPA’s original location. Sandy also recognized Jim Gardner, Karen and George Benz, and the many others whose contributions were instrumental in establishing the school.

Sandy reflected on her own journey, from managing admissions as a volunteer to later serving as business manager. Her resourcefulness, determination, and commitment to the school helped establish the foundation on which MPA continues to grow.

The celebration culminated in the unveiling of Sandy’s portrait alongside Bob’s newly reframed portrait, a tribute nearly four years in the making. Sandy recalled the unexpected phone call from Dr. Bill Hudson, retired head of school, informing her that the Board of Trustees had decided to commission her portrait to hang alongside Bob’s. Seeing that vision become a reality, surrounded by so many of the people who helped build MPA, made the occasion especially meaningful.

MPA extends its sincere appreciation to Qwilleran Duvall ’10 for creating this beautiful portrait; to Dr. Bill Hudson, Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, and the Board of Trustees for making it possible; and to everyone who helped plan and host the celebration. We are especially grateful to Anne, Joanne, and Sandy for sharing their stories and to the founding families, faculty, staff, board members, and alums who returned to campus. Their presence made the morning a meaningful reunion and a reminder of the relationships that have shaped MPA throughout its history.

As Sandy concluded her remarks, she offered a simple expression of gratitude: “Thank you for coming. Thank you for caring.”

More than four decades after MPA first opened its doors, the vision established by Bob, Sandy, and the founding community continues to shape the school. With their portraits displayed together at the Lower School entrance, future generations will have a daily reminder of the people whose courage, commitment, and belief in education made Mounds Park Academy possible.