AROUND THE QUADS
Class officers Cole Poyfair, Greer Davis, and Breyon Howard enjoy Commencement along with their classmates. Photo: John Groo
New Frontiers for the Class of 2015 “Y
OU literally see the world changing on your handheld devices, and a whole new set of frontiers opening up before you … and there will be many more,” remarked Commencement Speaker Henry Kravis ’63 at the 99th Loomis Chaffee graduation ceremony. “This can be unnerving or exciting. What will it be?” Henry asked. “I chose Ne Cede Malis — Yield Not to Misfortune — and I highly recommend it.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Christopher Norton ’76 opened the ceremony by referencing the Loomis family’s journey that began with their emigration from England in 1638 to settle on the “confluence of the Farmington and Connecticut rivers. Their journey is an inspiration to all of us, and it is fitting that we celebrate the completion of your journey on the very land from which theirs began,” he said.
Gathered on the Island between the Head’s House and the Homestead on May 24, the 187 members of the Class of 2015, surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and staff, listened to Henry’s words of reflection and encouragement as they anticipated the next steps of their personal journeys.
Senior Class Speaker Thomas Elcock Jr. drew from Loomis Chaffee’s history as well, pointing out differences in the experiences of Loomis students a century apart. In contrast to Tom’s own Internet search for inspiration, he considered what the writing process entailed for the first graduation speaker 99 years ago.
Dappled with sunshine and blessed with moderate temperatures, the ceremony unfolded with beloved tradition amidst bridled excitement, unleashed at last with a roar as the final seniors received their diplomas.
“I imagine he scoured books like The Odyssey and The Iliad looking for inspiration, and he wrote with a fountain pen. … And at some point, Dean www.loomischaffee.org | 3