Reunion Weekend Ann Bakewell Woodward ’86, President of the Alumni Association:
T
he CUI SERVIRE EST R EGNARE Award recognizes the service of an outstanding younger alumnus or alumna who, through his or her exceptional contribution to the School or the world, has truly lived up to the School’s motto. This year’s award goes to Betsy Wright Hawkings, a member of and key volunteer for the Form of 1981. Betsy has served as a chief of staff for members of Congress for nearly two dozen years. Working for her hometown Congressman, Christopher Shays of Connecticut, for two decades, Betsy took a leading role in establishing the 9/11 Commission and helped build the coalition to enact the Congressional Accountability Act, which applied labor, civil rights, and workplace safety laws to Congress. She also helped Congressman Shays advocate against the use of torture and on behalf of women’s human rights around the world. Following Shays’ retirement, Betsy served as deputy executive director of Amnesty International USA, leading their campaigns against the torture and physical abuse of women globally, until joining the staff of Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio in early 2010. In addition to overseeing his office operations, Betsy focused on helping Congressman Turner prevent and protect victims of sexual assault in the military, and protect the child custody rights of deployed service members. Betsy is a 1986 graduate of Williams College, where she was named a Mead Scholar of American Studies. She graduated from Groton cum laude and was a National Merit Finalist in 1981. Along with members of her form she is a founder of the Form of 1981 Memorial Fund at Groton, which supports student financial aid. Betsy has served the School as a form agent since 1996, raising nearly half a million dollars in this position. She has been a career advisor, an admission interviewer, hostess for Groton events in her home, and was a founder of the Groton Women’s Network. Betsy has recently taken on a new challenge as chief of staff to Congressman Bobby Schilling of Illinois. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, David, and their two sons, Harry and Charlie. Please join me in congratulating Betsy on her wonderful and impressive service to our country, her community, and to the School.
Groton’s 2011 Cui Servire Est Regnare Award recipient, Betsy Wright Hawkings ’81 (left), receives a gift from Ann Bakewell Woodward ’86, president of the Alumni Association.
“The Cui Servire Est Regnare Award recognizes the service of an outstanding younger alumnus or alumna who, through his or her exceptional contribution to the School or the world, has truly lived up to the School’s motto.”
1986 formmates pose for a quick reunion picture.
Quarterly Fall 2011
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