Tim Helfrich '96 (left) Ahmad Cantrell '07 (right)

Tim Helfrich ’96 and Ahmad Cantrell ’07 have returned to the Island this fall as members of the Loomis Chaffee faculty.

Tim comes home to roost after many years as an educator, an entrepreneur, and a professional musician. A fixture on the varsity soccer team at Loomis, Tim joined the varsity team at Davidson College where he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree. After graduation, Tim played in a band called the Cast Iron Filter. With the band, Tim recorded and released three albums and played more than 150 live shows per year for a number of years. Afterwards, Tim started the Summit Coffee Company in Davidson, N.C. While continuing to manage the business, Tim began a career in education at the Woodlawn School in Mooresville, N.C., where he coached soccer, served as program director for the Senior Capstone and Leadership Program, taught all levels of English, and served as the athletic director. Tim has joined the Loomis Chaffee English Department faculty this fall and teaches sophomore and junior English. Additionally, Tim is coaching boys varsity soccer and working with the Admission Office. Tim lives on campus in Carter Hall with his wife, Beth, and their four children, Zoe, Cora, Miles, and Levi.

Tim says Loomis remains for him a place for discovery and growth as well as a supportive and collaborative community.

“One of the greatest pleasures in returning to the Island has been reconnecting with many people who were important players in my experience here,” says Tim. “I [am able to] have breakfast each morning with Joe Neary and attend department meetings with Sally Knight, Jeff Scanlon, Berry Moos, and Fred Seebeck. The walk down to the Meadows each afternoon for a few hours of soccer isn’t too bad either.”

Ahmad returns to the Island as an assistant director of admission, and he is one of three current faculty members from the Class of 2007. While at Loomis, Ahmad served as a resident assistant, was an active member of PRISM, and was a member of the varsity football, basketball, and track teams. Ahmad earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and worked in the insurance industry for several years after graduation. Prior to his return to Loomis, Ahmad taught third grade at Achievement First Elementary School in Hartford, and served as a case manager for Community Residence Inc., which provides community-based support services. Ahmad lives in East Hartford and is a dorm affiliate in Batchelder Hall.

“It’s an honor to be back on the Island and working for the institution that helped me accomplish so many of my goals,” says Ahmad. “I now have the opportunity to share my experience and help other students become involved in a community that supports and encourages students to be their best selves.”