“We are all interconnected” is a spiritual mantra that has been circulating in the minds of Taft students for about a year now, and we can all attribute it to one of our favorite Morning Meeting speakers: our very own Reverend Ganung, whom we affectionately call Rev. G. It is quite rare that everyone in Bingham is calm and contemplative at 9:20 in the morning, but somehow each time Rev. G. begins speaking, we become exactly that.
Rev. G. has been an ordained minister in churches and a school chaplain at a couple of other schools before coming to Taft. He has long studied world religions, with a focus on Eastern religions, and has traveled extensively to temples, churches, and monasteries around the world. At Taft, he coached hockey and baseball and served as a dorm parent, and was also responsible for bringing to our community an astonishing array of speakers like Cornel West, Angela Davis, and Tibetan monks. He also considers himself an avid fly-fisherman and guitarist, both of which activities you may have seen him doing near the pond or at Spring Sunset, and both of which he will surely be doing more of during his retirement in Vacationland.
But his extraordinary impact on Taft is best evidenced not by a biography but by the notes we received from his students and advisees:
“Baseball’s Florida trip is PRIME Rev. G…. During those six days, you are bistroed with wisdom, vibes, and banger songs you never even knew you needed to hear (shout out to the ‘Boom Booms’). Rev. G. Van is something of the past and the cornerstone of ‘glad it happened, not sad it is gone.’ Thank you, Rev. G. Retirement is long-awaited. Enjoy all that Maine has to offer!”
– Owen Palmer ‘26
“Nobody goes about their job with more passion than Rev… I have never met a better human being.”
– Carson Lowry ‘26
“Every time I hear about a current event in the news and go to Rev. about it, he is either completely aware and informs me, or he is enthusiastic about learning more. His consistent energy is inspiring!”
– Joanne Akhibi ‘26
“Last year, Rev. G. took me and his two other advisees out to Fino’s to celebrate the summer and graduation. It was a lot of fun as we shared conversations about the school year and our goals for the future. Rev. G. truly cares. He listens to what you have to say and is always there to help. I wish only the best for Rev. as he enjoys retirement with his family, and I am forever grateful that I met him. Love you, Rev. G.”
– Evan Douglas ‘27
Congratulations, Rev. G.! Thank you for all you have done to make Taft more welcoming and peaceful. You will be missed.
Photo courtesy of Taft School
