A member of the History Department, Mr. Coyle has lived in MDS with his cat, Freya, for three years. He especially appreciates the people and the scenic river. Fife and Kingsley are his favorite restaurants in town. One minor annoyance, he mentioned, was students leaping up and down the stairs, causing the dishes in his kitchen to shake. His favorite Kent tradition is Lessons and Carols, and his favorite memory is MDS students bringing back swag from award ceremonies.

Mr. Abrams is a member of the History Department and a Kent ’09 alumnus. This is his eighth year living in MDS and his fourth year as a dorm head. He lives with his wife, who works in Alumni & Development, and his children, Henrik and Edith. Mr. Abrams believes that the best part of MDS is the students’ contribution to the dorm culture and its calm atmosphere. However, he is not satisfied with the occasional noises and bumps from the upper floors at night. His favorite MDS memory is the annual dorm barbecue in the spring. Like the other dorm parents, Mr. Abrams also enjoys Kingsley Tavern in town. His favorite Kent School tradition is Rock Day.

Ms. Dillon, a UPenn Fellow who teaches English 1 and English 2, is in her second year living in MDS with her hamster, Chip. She is fascinated by the view of Mount Algo and the chapel. She believes that MDS students should be more mindful of leaving shoes in the hallway. Her favorite MDS memory is the end-of-year cookout at Senior Beach. In her spare time, she too enjoys eating at Kingsley’s in town. Her favorite Kent tradition is the Ring Ceremony.

This is the Shottons’ third year at MDS. Mr. Shotton teaches modern world history and U.S. history, while Mrs. Shotton teaches statistics. The family also has two dogs, Gadget and Chi. Mr. Shotton values MDS’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere. His favorite memory is when students came to chat with him while he was on duty. He said that he learned a lot from them. Their enthusiasm can be a bit much at times, as the stomping noises on the staircase are clearly audible. Their favorite restaurant is Shanghai Garden; Mr. Shotton’s a big fan of their Pepper Shrimp. He also appreciated the overwhelming positivity of the Tapping Ceremony when the newly elected Senior Council was announced and the whole community celebrated their peers’ successes.

The contributions, care, and effort of all dorm parents, housekeepers, and students create the welcoming atmosphere of MDS, making dorm life vibrant and relaxing for all (minus the noises from the hallways and stairwells!).