Born a Maverick

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Isaac hanging out with friends on a fall afternoon his senior year.

It is a bit of a secret that is known only by alumni from the ‘80s and ‘90s. 

Nestled in the woods on MSA’s 1,100-acre campus, along a rocky creek just out of sight from Old Main, there is a cluster of trees with initials scattered across them. Their bark tells stories carved by young hands decades ago. For alumni from the ‘80s and ‘90s, these carvings are more than youthful graffiti—they are reminders of formative years of their lives and countless adventures on the Hill. Many of the initials stretch upward now, just beyond reach. It’s a quiet truth these woods seem to understand—that trees grow, that time stretches, and that what was once within arm’s length is now the property of memory.

Well, that is true for all of the initials except one. 

At the base of one particularly regal tree, two sets of initials tell a story of legacy. “IP” belongs to MSA senior Isaac Pipes, carved just beneath “CP,” the mark of his father, Chase Pipes (Class of ’02). Nearly eighteen years ago, Chase returned to the woods of his boyhood to carve his son’s initials below his own. For Chase, MSA’s 1,100-acre campus wasn’t just a school; it was home. Arriving as a 5th grader, one of his first acts was to etch his initials into the tree’s smooth bark with friends. Years later, as a new father, he brought Isaac back to that same tree. With each deliberate cut, he wove the past and future together, knowing that one day his son would walk these same trails as a student. 

Of course, Chase was right. Isaac entered MSA as an eighth grader and has spent five years wandering the same forests, halls, and classrooms as his father. Their experiences at Miller School are unique but, like the tree with their initials, they are rooted in traditions of life on the Hill. 

Over the past five years, Isaac has become a leader on campus. He entered MSA as a spirited and mischievous boy, but has since grown into a respected young man who leads by example. As a Resident Assistant and Admissions Ambassador, Isaac not only guides his peers but also takes pride in sharing the MSA experience with prospective students. On campus tours, he enthusiastically tours groups through Old Main, Caton Hall, and other landmarks, but he always emphasizes his favorite aspect of MSA—the friendships he has forged. 

"At MSA, it’s easy to make friends and even easier to create lifelong connections,” Isaac shared. In the dorms, he actively seeks out new students, welcoming them into his friend group or simply spending time with them. “What struck me most about Miller is how inviting the community is and how everyone looks out for each other. As a leader, I feel it’s important to keep that spirit alive.”

Isaac’s ability to build community may be something he inherited from his father. Like Isaac, Chase Pipes was a leader during his time at MSA, serving as a Resident Assistant and captain of the wrestling team. Throughout Isaac’s childhood, Chase often shared stories of his close friendships from Miller School and even took Isaac on trips to visit his old classmates. “I grew up knowing my dad’s Miller School friends—they’re like family to me,” Isaac reflected.

While Isaac enjoys spending time with his friends on campus, he is equally committed to personal growth. A regular in the school’s weight room, he has been steadily building strength since his freshman year. Now a disciplined bodybuilder, Isaac spends two to three hours a day training. “Weight training has taught me patience,” he shared. “You don’t get strong in a few weeks. It takes time to slowly build your muscles and improve. Trusting the process and being patient applies to most things in life that are challenging.”

Isaac’s time at MSA has been defined by steady growth. Much like the tree with his and his father’s initials, his growth is rooted in MSA’s past and will continue to reach upward in life beyond the Hill.