We are excited to celebrate the extraordinary success of the Infinite Horizon campaign and humbled by the collective support of our entire Emma Willard community. Thanks to the incredible generosity of so many, we surpassed our original fundraising goal in January and have impacted the lives of students and faculty in many positive ways.
What began as a bold aspiration has now become an extraordinary achievement, and while celebrating this success is certainly a moment to cherish, it’s crucial to understand that our journey isn’t over. Reaching our initial goal is a monumental accomplishment, and it’s also a call to keep going because the needs we are addressing through this campaign don’t end when the fundraising goal is met. In fact, the success of this campaign
CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIRS
Linda Gill Anderson ’77
Wendy S. Graham ’85
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Susie Hunter ’68
Vicky Thompson Winterer ’61
JoAnne Als, MD ’78
Kalisse Anderson, JD ’97
Kathie Berry ’53 P’76 ’81
Julie Massry Knox ’98
Elisabeth "Lisa" Allen LeFort ’72
opens up new opportunities to expand our impact and amplify the importance of girls’ education for centuries to come.
We are very focused on meeting an urgent need for scholarships and student opportunity funds. We will invest in faculty housing and in our teaching and learning programs to ensure a world-class curriculum. Plus, wellness needs for our students grow more every year.
The imperative to go beyond our goal is clear! Let’s keep this momentum going—together, we can reach beyond the horizon and create lasting change that will benefit Emma Willard School for years to come. With your support, there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we are united by purpose and passion. •
Sally Klingenstein Martell ’85
Diane Wynne Mercer ’61
Betts Howes Murray ’73
Megan Toohey Scremin ’00
Rev. Cyndi Skripak ’78
EMPLOYEES
Ann Dejnozka
Evangeline Delgado
Meg McClellan
Luke Meyers
Jenny Rao
Preserving Our Campus
Lydia Day Hart ’70 and Honorary Trustee Doug Hart P’01
Lydia and Doug Hart have established an endowed fund in honor of 16th Head of School Trudy E. Hall to provide annual support for the maintenance and upkeep of Emma Willard's iconic Mount Ida campus. The Harts are parents to C. Beckett Hart ’01, who attended Emma Willard during Trudy Hall's headship (1999–2016)—a time when Doug also served as a member of the Board of Trustees.
"Of course, Beckett and Lydia have a close connection to Emma Willard, but, over the years, I've also become very attached to the school and was especially appreciative of Trudy Hall's leadership during my time on the Board," shares Doug about the inspiration for the family's generous gift. "Lydia and I wanted this fund to be named for Trudy, to make sure in our small way that she would be remembered and honored for perpetuity."
Serving in a leadership role for the school was never part of Doug's plan as the parent of an Emma student, he openly admits. Before joining the Board, Doug notes that he at first just tried to "keep his head down" and make contributions to the annual fund. However, his expertise as an investment manager and role as a co-founder of Penobscot Investment Management soon led Doug to become a parent trustee before ultimately being tapped to join the school's investment committee.
"I was quite surprised but was assured it would be a two-year assignment, so after talking to Lydia, I agreed to join the committee," recounts Doug, who remembers he soon found himself chairing the committee. "I developed so much love for Emma Willard and its mission that when I was then asked to join the Board full-time, I just said yes!"
As with many volunteer positions of leadership, serving as a trustee gave Doug a deeper understanding of the operational needs of the school. He describes one particularly impactful
visit to campus when trustees were given a tour of the Mount Ida physical plant: "What we observed was many, many millions of dollars in deferred maintenance needs and, from that day on, it's been important to me that we contribute with the hope that Emma Willard someday has the funds and resources to drop the word 'deferred' from our lexicon."
Doug would go on to serve for over 14 years on the Emma Willard Board, the entirety of which he partnered with Trudy Hall and also helped lead through one of the most uncertain financial times for the school.
"The economic crisis in 2008 and 2009 really wreaked havoc and we had very real problems trying to figure out how to move Emma Willard forward...even asking whether or not we could move forward. And I remember saying to Trudy, 'It's easy being a trustee when everything is going well—the real work of the Board begins when things are not going well.'"
Trudy turned to Doug and his financial expertise to help assuage the concerns of an understandably unsettled faculty and staff by addressing them directly in an open forum. Making sense of the
Lydia Day Hart ’70, Honorary Trustee Doug Hart P’01, and Beckett Hart ’01
economic headwinds and the role the Board would play in navigating Emma Willard through the storm proved a seminal moment in Doug's tenure as a trustee.
"The Board really pulled together and worked hard alongside Trudy to get us through what was a really uncomfortable time. I felt we seized the opportunity to take a situation that everyone was very scared of and turned it into something people could understand in context and feel some reassurance that the school was operating effectively."
Today, while the school's financial future is far more secure due to the doubling of its endowment and the unprecedented success of its Infinite Horizon fundraising campaign, Doug notes that it's the high-quality education for girls that remains the north star for Emma Willard.
"What I think Emma Willard does so well is to offer young girls of all different backgrounds—whether financial or societal or intellectual—this unique opportunity to thrive within a supportive community. I think most boarding schools are not that way; in fact, I know my former boarding school was certainly not that way."
In addition to his many years supporting students as a member of the Board, Doug can also point to members of his own family as exemplars of the Emma experience. Lydia remains a dedicated alumna and made the family's last multi-year pledge of support in 2020 in honor of her 50th Reunion. Beckett works in corporate development, strategy, and operations, is a mother to two sons, and is active in many athletic pursuits, including biking, running, and rowing.
"I know my daughter and my wife both acknowledge that what Emma Willard gave them is a tremendous sense of self-confidence," reflects Doug. "As they've each gone out into the world, this school truly prepared them to live with purpose, to work hard, and even take some risks. And what more could you ask for?" •
Sustaining
Our Beautiful, HistoRIc Campus
STRUCTURES ON MOUNT IDA
have gravitas and grace, weight and wit, majestic spaces and calming nooks, exquisite carpentry and enduring stonework. To be here is to feel rooted in history—and elevated by a sense of possibility.
YOUR GIFTS TO CAMPUS PRESERVATION ENSURE MOUNT IDA THRIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
Exceeding Our Goal for Greater Impact
Infinite Horizon: The Campaign for Emma Willard School was publicly launched in May 2022 with a goal of $175 million raised by June 2026. At the end of January this year, we shared the incredible news that we had raised $178.2 million to date, surpassing our goal more than a year ahead of schedule! More than 3,000 alumnae, parents, faculty, staff, and friends have invested their philanthropy in Infinite Horizon.
While we celebrated this momentous occasion, we know that there is still work to be done. This campaign was envisioned in response to an ambitious five-year strategic plan, Leading with Purpose, to strengthen Emma Willard’s longstanding commitment to girls’ education and empowerment. In light of that, we will continue to raise funds to address the unmet needs articulated in that plan. These include:
CAMPUS ENHANCEMENTS AND PRESERVATION
We have identified key deferred maintenance needs through a campus-wide assessment. We will also attend to environmental sustainability in our facilities and programs.
FACULTY HOUSING INITIATIVE
Phase 1 planning is underway, with a ceremonial groundbreaking scheduled in early May and construction beginning in June. The scheduled completion date for this phase is June 2026. We have raised $9M in gifts and pledges toward our $10M goal.
UNRESTRICTED EMMA FUND
We rely heavily on the annual fund to address operating budget needs each year. We will prioritize The Emma Fund and work toward annual goals to support our operating budget.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
We will strengthen our endowment for experiential learning opportunities and expand our travel programs and student engagement with the wider world.
CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
We will continue to invest in comprehensive professional development and leadership training programs for faculty. We will expand our Curriculum Innovation Program, which has already inspired growth, review of pedagogy, and new partnerships for our school.
CENTER FOR RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING
We will fund an institutional researcher on adolescent girls’ development and wellbeing. The data from our research will inspire plans for our Center. We will also identify space dedicated to cultivating mindfulness, exploring spirituality, and enriching spiritual life.
FINANCIAL AID & STUDENT OPPORTUNITY FUND
We will continue to prioritize our work in supporting financial aid and opportunity funds to create equity in the Emma experience during the final months of the Infinite Horizon campaign. •
$180,467,233 as of April 30, 2025
enduRIng impact
Dr. Kate Viret ’83 in her own words
ON STAYING CONNECTED
Sharing one’s adolescent years away from home with other girls creates an extraordinary bond that endures over time. I have a core group of friends from Emma Willard who get together regularly. Whenever I return for Reunions or cross paths with others from my class, even if we weren't particularly close as students, there’s a strong sense of connection.
Emma Willard served as the gateway to a rigorous academic journey for me. The school gave me so much—academically, socially, and personally—that I feel inspired to give back, ensuring other girls have the opportunity to experience something just as formative and impactful.
ON CHANGE AT EMMA
What remains unchanged at Emma Willard is the school's deep commitment to girls’ education and the powerful bonds forged among its students. The sense of sisterhood and dedication to intellectual growth continues to be a hallmark of the school’s culture.
As for what has changed, I am impressed by the expanded opportunities available to students today. During my time at Emma, there were aspects I wish I could have experienced—such as the enhanced athletic facilities (I became a swimmer in college), the orchestra (I took private violin lessons but had no orchestra to join), and the vibrancy of non-academic life. Weekends at the school often felt quiet and isolated, but today’s students seem to have a richer, more well-rounded experience.
ON IMPACT
Leaving home at fourteen to attend Emma Willard was bound to shape who I would become. What made Emma truly special was its warm, welcoming environment, especially the approachability of the faculty and the dedication of houseparents and other staff members. This nurturing atmosphere provided me with a solid foundation, allowing me to focus on my studies and build confidence as a learner. Emma Willard opened academic doors for me, leading me to Smith College (BA) and then Cornell University (MBA). I went on to earn a second master’s degree and ultimately, a doctorate. The school equipped me with both the skills and the academic self-assurance to pursue higher education and continue growing intellectually.
ON GIVING TO EMMA
Supporting the Infinite Horizon campaign was an exciting opportunity to give back to the school in a more substantial way than my annual contributions. By supporting faculty housing, I feel I am contributing at a foundational level, helping to strengthen the school’s infrastructure. When faculty members feel valued and wellsupported in their living arrangements, they are more likely to thrive in their work. There were a few very special faculty members during my time at Emma who went beyond their roles as teachers to support my emotional development. To me, providing quality housing for faculty is essential to fostering a vibrant and effective emotional and academic learning environment at Emma Willard. •
Read more about the Faculty Housing initiative on the back of this newsletter.
Investing in our mission
Claudia Thompson ’71 and Roger Boothe
Through a documented bequest, Claudia and Roger established The Claudia G. Thompson Endowed Scholarship, and they will designate a gift to the Trudy E. Hall 16th Head of School Endowed Fund for Campus Preservation.
Why you have stayed engaged with Emma Willard School?
Going to Emma and having four full years as a boarding student was one of the best things I ever did for myself in my life. That time was a period of tremendous growth for me. I had a bit of a tough family life, and joining this new community, with its strong academics combined with an incredibly supportive faculty and administration, helped me learn to become my own person. When I think back to how much all of them nurtured me in different ways—gently challenging me at times, yet always encouraging me—I am still amazed. On top of that, there were all these adolescent antics they put up with! I was there for the tail end of the Bill Dietel era, and the school itself had gone through amazing transitions of its own in the 1960s. It was a very energetic time, full of hope and promise. I am so grateful for the education, the care, and the support I received at Emma. It fostered my inquisitiveness, my independence, and my aspiration to be a thoughtful contributor to my community.
How has Emma Willard influenced the person you are today?
Virtually all my teachers launched me on the road to becoming a much better critical thinker. I had the opportunity to experiment with the arts, especially photography, and to develop a passion for things I loved to do that weren’t necessarily part of a formal curriculum. As a junior, I took the lead to organize events and programs for the very first national Earth Day in 1970, and my initiative to was respected. In short, I had so many
opportunities to explore and to grow. I deeply appreciated the tremendous friends and classmates with whom I had long conversations, sometimes deep into the night. Overall, I think the rich and respectful experience of community on campus during those years helped me to appreciate the importance of civic discourse and the value of seeking “the public good.” My desire to be a “good citizen” may have roots in my personality, but it was certainly nurtured at Emma and I think that is important today.
What do you hope to see Emma Willard accomplish with your support?
That is so easy to answer! As a scholarship student myself, I depended upon substantial financial aid to be able to attend EW. In addition, I worked many additional jobs, both during the school year and summers, to help pay my tuition. I know how important every drop of aid is. I am so grateful for the life-changing experience I had, and want to help open up those same opportunities for other deserving young women.
And then there is the fantastic historic campus that deserves care, maintenance, and “preservation.” But that is not a static proposition. Isn’t it fabulous to see the former chapel, originally born as the gymnasium, now become part of the Alice Dodge Wallace ’38 Center for the Performing Arts, featuring the Klingenstein Concert Hall? What a great example of adaptive re-use this is—of
taking a beautiful historic building, preserving its architectural character, and renovating it for a new era! All this takes money—certainly for basics such as bricks and mortar, but it also requires investments for achieving excellence in planning and architectural redesign. I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband, Roger Boothe, who served as the Director of Urban Design for Cambridge, MA, for 35 years, and he has taught me much about the complexities of architecture as it also shapes community. We both care deeply for the historic EW campus and are thrilled to support this very important goal.
What or who inspired the generosity of your support and service to Emma Willard School?
I would love to be able to go back and have a conversation with each and every one of the key teachers, houseparents, and senior administrators who helped me find my own path, and just say “Thank you!” There were so many of them, in different roles—Bill Dietel, Ben Shute, John Willis, E.C. Spears, Jack and Marcia Easterling, Jane Kirstel—I could go on and on and on. And all these key figures in my young life were all pretty different people in their own right. So, I think one unique aspect of Emma Willard for all of us who attended has been the opportunity to find the “elders” who click with our needs in multiple and different arenas. As part of that, having faculty who live on campus is so valuable. Most had their doors open to me, and were very welcoming when I needed to talk about some issue, whether intellectual or personal.
I also think the context of the school in its entirety, with its striking and unique campus, inspires many of us. “Ye gray walls protecting” is just one the emotions it evokes. This beautiful campus does make us feel safe. It also exudes sturdiness and strong character. It seems noble in the best sense of the word. And then there are those wonderful Gargoyles to make us laugh and ask us to not always take ourselves so seriously. It is no wonder some notable films have been shot here.
What excites you about the future of this school?
Wow! It is clear that we are facing very challenging times—for our country, for democracy and freedom, for the sustainability of life on this planet as we know it. And we still live in a very male-dominated world. Yet, it is interesting to see, in my lifetime, so many strong female leaders who have arisen both globally and locally—here and abroad. While there have always been exceptional women throughout history, increasingly women are having a big positive impact in the public sphere and in their communities. I don’t want to stereotype the capacity for leadership as being female or male. But I believe having more women “in the room” is critical to solving the huge problems we face, and that it very often improves the deliberative process. We need many more women leaders at every level of politics and society, so that we can address the pressing challenges of our age. Emma Willard provides a foundational education for these young women and for that future. •
Grand
Faculty Housing
WE BREAK GROUND IN MAY!
Our goal of $10 million will fund the first phase of building.
For many Emma Willard School faculty, this campus is more than just a workplace— it's their home. The opportunity to live on campus helps faculty build relationships with boarding and day students that extend far beyond the classroom. Whether as coaches, club advisors, mentors, or role models, Emma Willard's on-campus residents are the heart of our community.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE OR WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT FACULTY HOUSING, CONTACT US AT 866-833-1814 OR GO TO INFINITEHORIZON.ORG/GIVE
Double the impact of your gift!
Many employers will match gifts of philanthropy made to nonprofit organizations, providing an additional benefit to our school. Please check with your employer to learn more and initiate your corporate match today!
Questions? Contact the Office of Advancement at 866-833-1814.
To make a gift, scan the QR code, contact the Office of Advancement at 866-833-1814, or visit: infinitehorizon.org/give
