The Distinguished Alumni Award was established to bestow recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement. The award is a meritorious reflection on the school and provides inspiration and encouragement for our young students.
The 2025 Distinguished Alum: Erinn "Ebs" Burnough ('98)
The portrait of a Maclay Graduate describes an independent thinker, confident communicator, creative problem solver, who is engaged and connected in the greater community. Erinn ‘Ebs’ Burnough embodies this portrait in every way. During his time at Maclay, Ebs served as Senior Class President, Editor-in-Chief of the Andalusian, and was an active member of Brain Bowl, Youth in Government, Civitan, Key Club, and the Charter Debate Club. He was recognized with the prestigious Lomax Teal Award as the Outstanding Junior of the Year, served on the Honor Council, and found his love for theatre as a member of Company. His senior quote, borrowed from Booker T. Washington, foreshadowed the life he would go on to lead: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
After graduating from Maclay, Ebs attended Northwestern University, where he earned his degree in Theatre and launched a career that would span politics, public policy, the private sector, and the arts. He worked at Sotheby's as his first job after Northwestern, and then joined political campaigns and traveled around the country. He moved to New York City and worked for the Service Employees International Union on political campaigns, later serving as the Vice President for politics and legislation, overseeing their growth in DC, Maryland and VA. Following a time at the White House as Social Secretary, he launched a lifestyle brand for cosmetics entrepreneur Aerin Lauder.
Today, Ebs is a film, TV, theatre, and podcast host, director and producer. He serves on several corporate boards and not-for-profits, including currently chairing the board of the Sundance Institute. He is also the CEO of Hatch House Media, a production company. Additionally, he is the senior advisor to Mrs. Wordsmith, an education technology company that teaches children how to read. His work continues to influence culture and inspire audiences, reflecting the creativity, leadership, and commitment to service that were evident during his years as a Marauder.
Most recently, Ebs directed Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation, a new documentary world-premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The film examines how Jack Kerouac’s iconic novel On the Road still resonates today, weaving together the stories of modern-day travelers, cultural observers, and those influenced by the author to explore what it means to prioritize experience over material success and authentic connection over digital convenience.
Ebs is married to Pierre Lagrange and they have four children, Bernie, Frankie, Paul and Margaux. He lives in London, England, and spends a great deal of time traveling for work and fun.
Tickets for the Distinguished Alumni and Athletics Hall of Fame Luncheon on Saturday, October 11, 2025, 12pm at the Dining Hall & Performance Center. Tickets are on sale now for $50 and can be purchased here.
Distinguished Alumni
Candidates will have distinguished themselves through personal or professional achievement, must have attended or graduated from Maclay, and may not be a current member of the Alumni Board.
This award will be given to recognize Maclay alumni for any or all of the following areas:
- Notable achievement in a professional field
- Service to his or her community, state or nation
- Service to the arts, sciences, or humanitarian causes
- Loyal member of the Maclay Community
The Alumni Board, in conjunction with the Alumni Office, will solicit nominations each year from alumni, parents, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends of Maclay School. From those alumni nominations, a Selection Committee reviews the names and determines the most appropriate person for that year. The Selection Committee submits a slate to the Alumni Board and the Board votes on the slate. The approved slated is submitted to the Head of School for final approval. There will be one Distinguished Alumni Award recipient each year who will be honored at a ceremony on the Saturday after Homecoming each year.
Established in 2014, the Maclay School Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest award presented by the Maclay School Alumni Association.
The Selection Process
The Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is determined by a selection committee with a vote of the Alumni Board and final approval by the Head of School. Sitting on that committee are: Alumni Association Executive Board members (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), an At-Large Alumni Board member, and Administrators/Faculty members, current or retired, and the Alumni Coordinator. The Executive Board members serve a two year term; the At-Large Board member is elected by the Board each year at their February meeting; and the Administrator/Faculty members serve 3 year terms with the option to renew. The Selection Committee submits a slate to the Alumni Board. The Board votes on the slate and the approved slated is submitted to the Head of School for final approval.