CONNECTIONS
News and notes from the alumni community
Why I Volunteer
The author with her children Charlie and Josie.
By Sally Brown Russ ’81
M
DAN COURTER
y relationship with Phillips Exeter Academy began in 1978 with a letter of acceptance from Lewis Hitzrot. I arrived on campus in September, brimming with excitement and nervousness. Could I ever hope to get the grades my parents were expecting? Would I get along with my roommate? It was thrilling to join this community of talented faculty and impressive peers. You probably felt much the same way when you embarked upon your journey with the school. Being a student at Exeter is like climbing a steep mountain. But as I tell my children who are current students, the view from the top makes it all worthwhile. After reaching the summit (graduation), your relationship with the school levels out and your path going forward will be forever loaded with friendships and connections and celebrations. And Exeter does have celebrations! In any given month there are parties and outings for Exonians all over the world. Volunteers help make many of these events happen (just look at page 40 for a story about the president of our New York alumni association, and see photos on pages 42 - 47 of student and alumni gatherings, many of them hosted by dedicated volunteers). These diverse social get-togethers share the common thread of celebrating our connection to this amazing institution and to one another. It’s been a privilege to continue my association with Exeter for over 30 years through volunteer roles ranging from planning reunions to organizing alumni dinners and hosting ice cream socials for students from my area. Even making fundraising phone calls has been a pleasure because I’ve reconnected with folks who climbed the mountain with me. To a person, we are all proud of our connection to Exeter. A recent highlight has been attending the annual fall Exeter Leadership Weekend (look for photos in the next issue of the Bulletin!), when class officers and correspondents, regional association leaders, admissions representatives, reunion volunteers and Parents Committee members come back to school to hear about what is new on campus, share ideas and network with one another. I encourage you to get involved if you aren’t already. I have met wonderful classmates, connected with fellow current parents, and rekindled friendships from my teenage years. Volunteering for Exeter has enriched my life, and here’s the best part: It’s been overwhelmingly FUN! E Sally Brown Russ ’81 lives part time in Exeter and in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Mark Russ. They have three children: Jack ’13, Charlie ’16 and Josie ’16.
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