Rafael Carbonell ’93, Co-President of the Alumni Association, ex officio
Margarita O’Byrne Curtis
Anne Matlock Dinneen ’95
Patricia Barlerin Farman-Farmaian ’85, P’21,’24
Elizabeth J. Ford P’11,’13
Harry Gruner ’77
Alex Hurst ’97
Ignacio Jayanti P’26,’29
Martin Kelly P’24
John Khoury ’95
Julia Tingley Kivitz ’01, Co-President of the Alumni Association, ex officio
Annika Lescott-Martinez ’06
Nisa Leung Lin ’88
Michael J. Mars ’86
Mary Pat McMahon
Naveen Nataraj P’24,’26
Aaron Oberman ’92, P’24,’27, President, The Hotchkiss Fund, ex officio
Carlos Pérez ’81
Thomas R. Seidenstein ’91, P’24,’29
Richard M. Weil ’81, P’23,’25
EMERITI
Howard C. Bissell ’55, P’82
John R. Chandler Jr. ’53, P’82,’85,’87, GP’10,’14,’16,’22,’27
Thomas J. Edelman ’69, P’06,’07
Lawrence Flinn Jr. ’53, GP’22
John Grube ’65, P’00
Dan W. Lufkin ’49, P’80,’82,’88,’23
Robert H. Mattoon Jr.
Robert A. Oden Jr. P’97
Kendra O’Donnell
Jean Weinberg Rose ’80, P’18
John L. Thornton ’72, P’10,’11,’16
Rebecca van der Bogert
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
AS OF JULY 1, 2025
Neetu Ahluwalia ’93
Caroline Barlerin ’91
Rafael Carbonell ’93, Co-President of the Alumni Association
Julia Chen ’16
Ernesto Cruz III ’01, VP and Co-Chair, Admission and Engagement Committee
Chris Dorr ’81
James Freeman ’88
Whitney Gulden ’12, VP and Chair, Nominating Committee for Membership
Cameron Hough ’09, VP and Co-Chair, Nominating Committee for Awards
Temitayo Ifafore-Calfee ’99
Julia Tingley Kivitz ’01, Co-President of the Alumni Association
Robert Kuhn ’75, VP and Co-Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Richardine Mamam Nbiba ’23
Scott Meadow ’73, P’02
Keith Merrill ’02, VP and Chair, Communications Committee
Daniel Pai ’19, Chair, Young Alumni Task Force
Colin Pennycooke ’89, VP and Co-Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Mark Pierce ’67, P’13, VP and Co-Chair, Admission and Engagement Committee
Sarah Thornton-Clifford ’76, P’07,’23
Alexandra Treyz ’04
Madison West ’05
Lisa Bjornson Wolf ’82
Whitney PakPour Zeta ’04, VP and Co-Chair, Nominating Committee for Awards
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Craig W. Bradley, Head of School
Robert R. Gould ’77, Co-President, Board of Trustees
Brooke Harlow ’92, P’28, Past Co-President, Alumni Association
Elizabeth G. Hines ’93, P’27, Co-President, Board of Trustees
Paul Mutter ’87, P’26, Past Co-President, Alumni Association
Aaron Oberman ’92, P’24,’27, President, The Hotchkiss Fund
ON THE COVER: Wylie Warchol ’23, center, and Quinn Spillett ’23, right, participated in an alumni lacrosse game at Hotchkiss on May 31 in honor of retiree Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18, instructor in English and longtime coach. Both alumni currently play at Colgate University. Photo by Brian Wilcox.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Craig W. Bradley
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS
OFFICER
Hope Reisinger Cobera ’88, P’24
EDITOR
Darryl Gangloff
MAGAZINE DESIGNER
Julie Hammill
CONTRIBUTORS
Joan Baldwin P’03, Catherine Calamé, Robin Chandler ’87, Robert Chartener ’76, P’18, Anne Day, Warren Edwards ’27, Eliott Grover, Jeffrey Hinz, Roberta Jenckes, Daniel Lippman ’08, Aly Morrissey, Randy O’Rourke, Taylor Pang ’27, Sophia Piao ’25, Erin Reid P’01,’05, Larry Rulison ’90, Brian Wilcox
PLEASE SEND INQUIRIES AND COMMENTS TO:
The Hotchkiss School 11 Interlaken Road Lakeville, CT 06039-2141 Email: magazine@hotchkiss.org Phone: (860) 435-3122
The Hotchkiss School does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, race, color, sexual orientation, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, athletics, or other School-administered programs, or in the administration of its hiring and employment practices.
Hotchkiss Magazine is produced by the Office of Communications for alumni, parents, members of the faculty and staff, and friends of the School. Letters are welcome. Please keep under 400 words. We reserve the right to edit and publish letters.
All-School Presidents Eleni Kontokosta ’25 and Isaiah Stephens ’25 implore the Class of 2025 to “stay connected” at Commencement.
A Joyful Summer and a Promising Year Ahead
AS ALWAYS, THE SUMMER MONTHS have been busy on campus. Following a beautiful send-off for the great Class of 2025, more than 400 people gathered for a grand celebration of retiring community members Teal Atkinson, Ana Hermoso P’16, Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18, and Robin Chandler ’87. Chris and Robin were also honored during competitive alumni lacrosse and field hockey games. Soon after, we were delighted to see members of classes ending in 0s and 5s for Reunion, including a special gathering for alumni from the Greater Opportunity (GO) Program to
mark its 60-year anniversary. Also in June, we welcomed educators from across the country for a conference focused on open discourse in secondary schools. Shortly thereafter, dorms filled with middle school students taking part in a robust Summer Portals program.
While all this was going on on campus, Hotchkiss students in the MacLeish and Hersey Scholars Programs once again traveled to New Haven, CT, and Cambridge, MA, to conduct original research in the libraries of Yale and Harvard. We were also very excited to
launch “Euclid to Einstein,” a new research scholar program being conducted in partnership with Cornell. The inaugural group of students traveled to Ithaca, NY, to undertake research within Cornell’s exceptional holdings of historical math documents.
Looking more broadly around the world, student cohorts flew to Tanzania to experience cultural immersion in partnership with The Girls Foundation of Tanzania; to Spain to study Spanish language and culture; and to Italy as part of the Hotchkiss in Italy Music Program.
“I plan to savor every moment I have the privilege of spending with students, my good colleagues, and immersing myself in this incomparable place.”
— HEAD OF SCHOOL CRAIG W. BRADLEY ON HIS UPCOMING RETIREMENT
Meanwhile, the first three young alumni selected as MacArthur Fellows—who spent the last year traveling the globe on fully funded journeys—returned to Lakeville to pass the baton. The second group of Fellows have now embarked on their own year-long international adventures, and we look forward to their reports from the field.
Much work, of course, is being done on campus. If you’ve driven by on Route 112, you will have seen the brand new turf on Sprole Field. In parallel, construction on the new Dining Commons continues on schedule. We look forward to enjoying the first meal on Dec. 1! As part of the transition to the new facility, we are delighted this summer to welcome CulinArt as the School’s new dining partner. Even before the Dining Commons opens, CulinArt will begin serving a variety of delicious offerings as the school year gets underway.
We continue to take great strides in the Ever Forward campaign, and we are deeply grateful to all who continue to
support this critical fundraising effort. With more than $247.5 million raised, we are in the final stretch, and the strong momentum continues!
In July, we wished outgoing Co-Presidents of the Board of Trustees Liz Hines ’93, P’27 and Bob Gould ’77 farewell and welcomed Tim Sullivan P’13,’16 as the new president of the Board. Tim has been hard at work throughout the summer, leading the rigorous search for Hotchkiss’s next head of school.
Given the pace of work and the speed with which time passes, it won’t be long before students are back and Hotchkiss once again comes fully to life. The start of School is my favorite time of year. In late August and early September, I will be thrilled to welcome all the new Bearcats alongside every returning student.
This year will be different for me. After 10 years as head of school, 2025-26 will be my last. While I look forward to many good things to come in retirement, I know that the months
between now and Commencement for the Class of 2026 will pass all too quickly. I plan to savor every moment I have the privilege of spending with students, my good colleagues, and immersing myself in this incomparable place.
Thank you, once again, to all of you who support Hotchkiss in so many ways. Whether that is by entrusting your children to us as students, participating in parent and alumni events, networking with peers and classmates, returning for Reunions and other gatherings, supporting the School financially, or all of the above, we remain deeply indebted to every member of the Hotchkiss community.
I wish you a joyful close to what I hope has been a beautiful and relaxing summer. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the year ahead!
All good wishes,
Craig W. Bradley
Left to right: Campus was bustling with Summer Portals programs, including a theatrical performance. The inaugural MacArthur Fellows—from left, Elise Nam ’20, Jack Louchheim ’20, and Jacob Zweiback ’24—recently returned from their adventures. Talented Hotchkiss musicians enjoyed an unforgettable journey in Italy this summer.
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BY ROBERT CHARTENER ’76, P’18
Ever Forward Campaign – Hotchkiss officially launched its Ever Forward campaign on April 15. This campaign, which has been operating in a quiet phase, seeks $250 million for financial aid, faculty support, program excellence, and campus renewal (primarily the Dining Commons). We are well on track and look forward to reaching our goal in 2025-26.
Admission – Erby Mitchell P’21, assistant head of school and dean of admission and financial aid, reported on new students who will be attending Hotchkiss. Consistent with our return to requiring standardized testing, we experienced a 7 percent decline in completed applications from last year, and we admitted 15.7 percent of the applicant pool. Our composite yield of 57 percent was down slightly from 2023-24 (59 percent), and 38 percent of domestic students identify as students of color. Our percentage of international students (those people requiring visas) was 22 percent, and our percentage of students receiving financial aid is 23 percent. We set out with a targeted enrollment of 608, and the current figure is somewhat higher at 625.
College Placement – Director of College Advising Serena Oh Castellano reported that many of the most highly selective universities returned to requiring standardized testing. Colleges are relying more heavily on early decision and early action pathways; 95 percent of Hotchkiss’s seniors submitted an early application. The top colleges where Hotchkiss seniors will matriculate are Columbia, Georgetown, and the University of Chicago (each with seven students); Northeastern and Tulane (five); Boston
University, Bowdoin, Colgate, and Cornell (four); and a large group including Brown, Duke, Harvard, and Yale with three each.
Facilities Improvements – The trustees toured the Dining Commons, still very much under renovation but scheduled to open (within budget!) on Dec. 1. Major projects for the summer include the replacement of artificial turf at Sprole Field and the much-needed renovation of the bathrooms in Dana. The nearobsolete campus-wide fire alarm network will also be upgraded. The School completed the purchase of a house on Route 112 and adjacent land that are contiguous with Hoyt Field.
Interim Chief Financial and Operating Officer – Maria Kimsey was appointed to serve as the School’s interim chief financial and operating officer. She is experienced with the financial affairs of secondary schools, having served for 18 years as CFO of Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. She is assuming responsibility for our transition to new ERP software, provided by Sage Intacct, and she will also oversee the transition of dining services to a new vendor, CulinArt LLC, which took over from Tory Hill on Aug. 1. All Tory Hill employees will keep their jobs and will continue to build relationships with the local farmers who currently supply the majority of our food.
Retirement Dinner – The Trustees had dinner with several retiring faculty members, including Ana Hermoso P’16 (34 years at Hotchkiss), Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18 (34 years), Robin
Chandler ’87 (30 years), and Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77, P’08,’10,’18 (20 years). They were generously thanked for their decades of service to Hotchkiss. Paul Oberto P’24,’25, who left the School after 25 years for a new opportunity, was also appropriately honored for his long tenure.
Board of Trustees Changes
– There were several changes in the composition of the Board of Trustees. Tim Sullivan ’81, P’13’16 was elected the next president of the Board, and, after six years as co-presidents, Liz Hines ’93, P’27 and Bob Gould ’77 retired. Liz and Bob presided during a majority of Craig Bradley’s years as head of school, and they oversaw the School’s response to COVID, the introduction of the Hersey and MacLeish Scholar Programs, the renovation of the Dining Commons, and several other buildings and facilities, the introduction of rowing, and numerous other developments on campus. They were resoundingly thanked for their diligent leadership during this period. Chris Redlich ’68, a trustee since 2017, also stepped down and was thanked enthusiastically for his efforts to clarify Hotchkiss’s pursuit of excellence and its direction for the future. Cristina Mariani-May ’89, P’23’25, CEO and president of Banfi Vintners, is also retiring from the Board. Three new trustees were elected: Kevin Brown P’26, the executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at Dell Technologies; Harry Gruner ’77, a founder and the executive chairman of JMI Equity; and Mary Pat McMahon, vice provost and vice president of student affairs at Duke University.
Photo by Sophia Piao ’25
Notes of Joy
How a Hotchkiss family is turning their grandmother’s passion for music education into a lasting legacy
BY ELIOTT GROVER
IT TAKES A RARE KIND OF TALENT to shine without access or opportunity. As a young girl, Sherry Lynn Brown-Marfuggi GP’22,’29 received an honorable mention for playing piano in her church’s pageant. It was a remarkable feat considering she was entirely self-taught.
“Can you imagine what she could’ve done if she ever had lessons or if she had a piano at home?” the pageant director told the audience.
“That stuck with her,” recalls Sherry’s daughter, Barbara Hennessy P’22,’29. “That was the first time she understood what she was missing—and what other kids could be missing.”
Growing up in a family with limited means, Sherry spent hours in the church basement, practicing on the only piano she could access. Formal instruction was never an option. “Her family not only couldn’t afford lessons, but they didn’t understand the value of what it would mean to bring the arts into one’s life,” Barbara explains. “So they didn’t quite understand why money, if they had it, would be spent there.”
Sherry’s approach to music, self-directed and resilient, became a throughline in her life. She was the first in her family to receive a high school diploma––earning her GED as an adult––and instilled in her children a deep belief in the transformative power of education. Barbara carried her mother’s belief into her own academic journey. After graduating from high school, Barbara attended Tufts University as a firstgeneration college student. “They took a chance on me, and that changed my life,” she says. Meeting professors during office hours, engaging with a dynamic curriculum, and learning alongside a diverse student
body was an eye-opening experience. She went on to earn her law degree and is now vice president and associate general counsel at Aetna.
“I was on that journey with my mother’s help,” Barbara says. “Although she had not been through that process herself, she understood that education was the key to being successful and was an important foundation to be able to give back to others.”
That understanding would shape not only Barbara’s future, but that of the next generation as well. As Barbara’s own children—Grace Hennessy ’22 and Patrick Hennessy ’29—grew up, their grandmother remained a steadfast
“What stuck out about Hotchkiss is that it’s a family.”
BARBARA HENNESSY P’22,’29
champion for their learning.
“She always was extremely supportive of our children, making sure they were in independent day schools and then independent boarding schools,” Barbara says. “She was a critical part of carrying that mantle even though she did not have those experiences herself.”
From left, Matt Hennessy P’22,’29, Barbara Hennessy P’22,’29, Patrick Hennessy ’29, and Grace Hennessy ’22.
Music Program Brings
Family to Hotchkiss
Barbara, a singer and multiinstrumentalist, inherited her mother’s love of music and passed it on to her children. In their household, music wasn’t simply background noise; it was a practice, a discipline, and a source of joy and opportunity. “We actually came to know Hotchkiss because of its music program,” Barbara says.
When Grace began exploring boarding schools, her French horn teacher connected her with Fabio Witkowski, the Joanne Eastman Sohrweide Chair, head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, director of music technology, and instructor in piano. After visiting Hotchkiss with her father, Matt Hennessy P’22,’29, Grace called her mother on the drive home. Barbara could hear the excitement in her daughter’s voice. “They had gotten such a wonderful feeling about this place,” she recalls.
That spring, Barbara attended an admissions revisit day and immediately understood what Grace had sensed. “There were plenty of good schools that met our needs academically, but Matt and I didn’t feel like they necessarily cared about our child in the same way,” she says. “What stuck out about Hotchkiss is that it’s a family. You’re going to leave your child in the care of someone else, but they’re going
to be watching, and they’re going to be caring, and they’re going to challenge your child beyond what they think they can do.”
During her time at Hotchkiss, Grace received the Dana/Spencer Family Scholarship. The experience deepened the family’s connection to the School. “That was incredibly meaningful,” Barbara says. “Not only because it was given so freely, but because it really showed that Hotchkiss had made an unwavering commitment to her.”
Barbara and Matt watched as Grace stepped fully into her potential. “She took some chances in classes I don’t think she would have necessarily taken if left to her own devices—or if she hadn’t felt safe taking those risks,” Barbara says. “People joke and say, ‘Once you go through Hotchkiss, college is easy.’ I think that’s definitely true.”
Now entering her senior year at Wellesley College, Grace is majoring in art history and Middle Eastern studies. Barbara credits Hotchkiss with nurturing both the confidence and curiosity that continue to shape her daughter’s path. “The work is very doable,” she says, “because Hotchkiss prepared her so well.”
When it came time for Patrick to begin his boarding school search, Barbara and Matt let him take the lead—even as they quietly hoped he’d choose Hotchkiss. “I was worried he wouldn’t pick it simply because his sister went there,” Barbara says.
But any doubts vanished on revisit day. As soon as they arrived on campus, Patrick found a group of students and quickly melted into the flow of school life. “Within minutes, he had hooked up with a group of guys,” Barbara recalls. “They were wandering around, and he couldn’t care less if I was there or not—except that I was his ride home,” she adds with a laugh.
Like his sister, Patrick plays the French horn, along with other instruments. Barbara looks forward to watching him perform but doesn’t expect to be a constant presence on campus even though their home in Hartford is less than two hours from Lakeville. “I’m hoping he lets us come visit,” she laughs. “I thought I’d be visiting Grace all the time, and I wasn’t. She didn’t need it. I want to be there for them, but I also want them to take advantage of this opportunity to start to think about how to be a grownup.”
As the school year approaches, the whole family is preparing—logistically and emotionally—for Patrick’s next chapter. “I’m excited because I know what awaits him,” Barbara says. “And I think he’s excited because he doesn’t know yet.”
Gift Supports Student Musicians
For Barbara, the story of her children’s education at Hotchkiss is inseparable from the story of her mother. Sherry passed away in 2022 after a long illness. She didn’t have
Grace Hennessy ’22 played the French horn in the Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra. She was drawn to Hotchkiss for its music program.
Patrick Hennessy ’29 plays the French horn and is excited to arrive at Hotchkiss in the fall.
“Hotchkiss had provided so much to my daughter, and the School had produced such great results for her. [The gift] felt right because Hotchkiss has meant so much to our family.”
BARBARA HENNESSY P’22,’29
many opportunities to visit Hotchkiss in person, but she followed Grace’s journey intently, asking questions and celebrating each milestone. “She was always so impressed with the education that my daughter received,” Barbara says.
In her final days, Sherry spoke often about the chances she never had and the importance of creating them for others. “Right up at the end, she said, ‘I really want to make sure that people understand that you can still come from nothing, you can still be a woman, you can still find a way to give and make sure that kids get this education,’” Barbara shares.
After her passing, the family considered how to best honor her wishes. The decision to make a gift from Sherry’s estate to the Hotchkiss Music Lesson Fund felt natural and deeply fitting. The fund, which supports music students who receive financial aid, reflects what Sherry yearned for as a girl and what she championed throughout her life. The gift aligned with Sherry’s belief in self-improvement through education and her conviction that music is not an extracurricular luxury but a vital form of expression and growth.
“It felt to me like the right combination of everything she wanted to achieve,” Barbara says. “It felt like this was going to be a place where students who really wanted to engage in music studies or better themselves with independent school education would be
able to do that and not be denied. It felt right because Hotchkiss had provided so much to my daughter, and the School had produced such great results for her. And it just felt right because Hotchkiss has meant so much to our family.”
The gift ensures that students who show musical promise won’t be held back by financial constraints—that talent will be met with training and interest met with encouragement.
Sherry never studied music formally; but through this gift, she becomes part of a legacy of musicianship at Hotchkiss. Future students will sit down with
instruments and step onto stages because of her belief that access matters—and that talent, when paired with opportunity, can fully flourish.
Barbara finds herself imagining those future performances. The prospect of returning to campus, of hearing a young musician excel thanks to her mother’s generosity, fills her with quiet pride.
Her joy takes on a more personal hue as she recalls her last trip to campus for Patrick’s revisit day. “It felt just as special coming back as it did the first time I saw it,” Barbara says. “As it will forever.”
The late Sherry Lynn Brown-Marfuggi GP’22,’29 with her grandchildren, Grace Hennessy ’22 and Patrick Hennessy ’29. A gift from Sherry’s estate supports the Hotchkiss Music Lesson Fund.
A Young Philanthropist Makes an Impact
Meet
Town Hill Society Member Daniel
Pai ’19: “Hotchkiss fanned the flame and helped me become who I was always meant to be.”
BY CATHERINE CALAMÉ
Daniel Pai ’19 is a management consultant and the youngest member of the Town Hill Society. He is a member of Hotchkiss’s Alumni Association Board of Governors, where he is chair of the Young Alumni Task Force.
How did you end up attending Hotchkiss?
When it was time for me to consider schools, I applied to seven! I can 100 percent genuinely say that Hotchkiss was my top choice. I actually remember praying about it, too. It’s hard to describe, but it almost felt like I knew this would be my home.
What stands out about your time at Hotchkiss?
Hotchkiss fanned the flame and helped me become who I was always meant to be. Character development was a big part of my time here. Yale taught me how to think, but Hotchkiss taught me how to be human. Service is a big part of that, especially with the St. Luke’s Society, of which I enjoyed being a member. Come my lower-mid year, I ran for class council and didn’t think I’d get it, but I did!
A year later, I received the Newlin Prize, and it pushed me to take advantage of more service opportunities, including starting the Alumni Student Relations Team.
I was also elected All-School co-president with Caitlin Reilly ’19 and was the School’s
JOIN THE TOWN HILL SOCIETY
first tuba player. I had the opportunity to attend Tanglewood and learn from Mike Roylance, the principal tubist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra (only at Hotchkiss is this possible). These moments are big for me, and there are so many in between, but really, the best memories are the funny conversations that happened outside of the classroom.
What did you do after graduating?
I went to Yale and majored in global affairs. In my head, I was going to join the music program at Yale, but all the wind instruments became mute due to COVID, so I didn’t play. As an extension of my commitment to service, I participated in the Elmseed Club, and we provided free consulting services to local businesses. I was very involved with Yale Students for Christ (YSC), where I learned what it means to share faith, hope, and love in a broken world. Now I’m a management consultant while volunteering in New Haven for the local community and YSC.
Members of The Town Hill Society have named Hotchkiss as the beneficiary of bequests, gifts from retirement accounts, gifts of life insurance, and life-income gifts such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder unitrusts. These gifts, no matter the size, provide Hotchkiss with critical and lasting support.
How has Hotchkiss shaped your life?
If it wasn’t for Hotchkiss—and also crediting my great, great grandfather, who was a pastor/author who pressed his readers toward love and service—I would not be so servicefocused and be an ardent giver.
Why did you implement a bequest to Hotchkiss?
I wanted to show my love for Hotchkiss and give back to the School that gave me so much. I included Hotchkiss in my life insurance plan through my employer, Blue Ridge Partners. It was easy.
What would you say to other alumni about giving back?
It matters. It’s meaningful. Every dollar counts. Some think that Hotchkiss does not need money, but it does, and we can attract the strongest students when we all pull together.
What excites you most about Hotchkiss today?
Head of School Craig W. Bradley has positioned us very well to become a School that promotes open discourse. I’m confident that the next head of school will carry this torch even further for the next generation of Hotchkiss students.
Read the full Q&A go.hotchkiss.org/danielpai
We would be honored to discuss with you how your own Town Hill gift can allow you to bridge your current financial situation with the gift you dream of making to Hotchkiss. Contact Director of Gift Planning Brent Alderman Sterste at giftplanning@hotchkiss.org or (860) 435-3263, or visit hotchkiss.giftplans.org to learn more.
Hines and Gould Reflect on Their Transformative Era of Board Leadership
Elizabeth G. Hines ’93, P’27 and Robert R. Gould ’77 served as co-presidents of the Hotchkiss Board of Trustees for six years, leading the School through pivotal years of growth and change. They passed the baton to new president Tim Sullivan ’81, P’13,’16 on July 1. Below, they look back on their shared leadership and the lasting impact of their tenure.
Why did you decide to join the Board of Trustees?
GOULD: My involvement as an alumnus began when I joined the Investment Committee at the invitation of Tom Edelman ’69, P’06,’07 in 2009. I succeeded Tom as chair of the committee in 2016, and there were three reasons I joined the Board at that time. First, it is a requirement that the chair of the Investment Committee be a trustee, and I relished the challenge of leading the Investment Committee and hopefully seeing the endowment perform
well. Second, I thought I could make a contribution to the Buildings and Grounds and Finance areas, where I had some experience. Finally, with respect to historical sexual misconduct, I wanted to ensure that Hotchkiss would fully reckon with its past, ensure the safety of current students, and, to the greatest extent possible, help its survivors.
HINES: I was approached by thenPresident of the Board John Thornton ’72, P’10,’11,’16 after I gave the School’s
Architectural rendering
commencement address in 2004. John made an outstanding case to me for why a variety of voices were needed at the Board level, and why my voice, in particular, was necessary at that time. I found that I couldn’t refute his arguments, and, frankly, that I was excited about the possibility of giving back in a significant way to an institution that had taught me so much. I knew that it was an opportunity to learn how to run an organization from a host of truly great leaders, and I have never regretted my decision to get involved.
From left, Elizabeth G. Hines ’93, P’27, Head of School Craig W. Bradley, and Robert R. Gould ’77. Photo by Warren Edwards ’27
What are some of your favorite memories from your time on the Board?
GOULD: In the spring of 2023, it was clear that we needed to accelerate fundraising for the Ever Forward campaign. I spoke at the trustee meeting, quoting Shakespeare’s “there is a tide in the affairs of men…” from Julius Caesar, imploring fellow Trustees to recognize this as a critical moment for us to lead philanthropically, and many responded. We authorized the Dining Commons construction project a few months later, and, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of alumni, parents, and friends of the School, the overall capital campaign was gaining momentum on its way to meet—and I hope surpass—the $250 million goal.
During Trustee weekends, Craig [Bradley, head of school] invited Liz [Hines ’93, P’27] and me to stay at Frank House. Former Trustees Kendra O’Donnell and Becky van der Bogert would also be there, and both are among the greats when it comes to school leaders. Kendra is the former head of Phillips Exeter, and Becky led Palm Beach Day and was the superintendent of the Winnetka public schools. Breakfast conversations with Craig, Kendra, Becky, and Liz were a master class in the leadership of educational institutions.
Other highlights include seeing the revised drawings for the Memorial Hall renovation, knowing that we had finally found the right solution both architecturally and programmatically; watching Mamma Mia in the renovated auditorium; dinners for retiring trustees; Craig calling a holiday in my and Liz’s honor; going to classes with students; and watching the squash teams. The Courage Garden ceremony was among the most meaningful moments in my entire life. I will never forget the emotions I felt as we walked down to the garden through a gauntlet of students. Finally, I always cherish the opportunity to walk around campus and see students who are intense and engaged but also happy and playful.
HINES: Though I have a host of wonderful memories, the very best of them all relate to students. I have loved every opportunity I have had to sit at a table with a group of students I do not know and get to know them better—to learn about what brought them to Hotchkiss, about what they feel is going right, and where they feel we can be doing better. I loved watching our students shine in productions like Mamma Mia, Little Shop of Horrors, and Chicago; getting a view of the depth of their scholarship through presentations by the MacLeish and Hersey Scholars; cheering the basketball team on the Khoury Court; and finding myself completely transported by the music of the Hotchkiss Philharmonic. I take none of that for granted. There are so few high schools on this planet that could hope to produce such high-caliber creativity and ingenuity among a group of young people, and I have felt blessed to have operated in proximity to these very talented young people for so long.
“There is so much love for Hotchkiss from so many corners, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play some part in helping it thrive.”
ELIZABETH G. HINES ’93, P’27
I will also say that the opportunity to work so closely with Bob Gould ’77 and Craig Bradley has been the gift of a lifetime. We really tried to embody, in all of our interactions, the ethos of our motto: “Guided by each other, let us seek better paths.” I can’t say enough about how powerful and productive it is to work with individuals who lead from a place of humanity and always listen for understanding (not just to respond).
What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time on the Board?
GOULD: The partnership between Liz, Craig, and me has been a source of tremendous learning and joy during the past six years, and our unwavering commitment to each other is something I will always treasure.
I believe that Hotchkiss has come closer than any other independent school to honestly reckoning with the sexual misconduct that occurred in our past, acknowledging what happened, apologizing to those impacted, and taking tangible steps to protect students today. By doing so, I believe we have enabled the School community to move forward, not to put those issues behind us, but to acknowledge them and carry that history as a cautionary beacon. This reckoning was far harder than I ever imagined when I agreed to serve as co-president. Those impacted included friends and classmates. The Courage Garden dedication ceremony and the existence and use of Courage Garden are symbols of the strength of our School.
HINES: The first was the rewriting of our mission statement in 2017. That process, which I was allowed to essentially design from scratch, ended up involving the voices of nearly 2,000 constituents of the School, who we reached out to through in-person focus groups, surveys, and more. The committee that worked to finalize the language we use today was among the most productive and thoughtful groups of individuals I’ve ever worked with, and I remain exceptionally proud of what we were able to accomplish together.
The second, of course, is having served on the search committee that selected Craig Bradley as our head of school. Craig’s accomplishments in his role have lifted Hotchkiss in extraordinary ways. I couldn’t be more proud of the humane, focused, joyful way he has led this School, and being a part of the group that brought him to Hotchkiss is something I will always reflect on with a sense of fulfillment.
I continue to believe that the Courage Garden dedication, and all the work connected with it, was the most consequential event of my time as a trustee at Hotchkiss. Coming to terms with that history was essential, and it was terribly hard, for no one more so than the survivors. But I believe with all of my heart that the School is a better place for having finally dealt with that pain head-on, and I am grateful to every person who stood in their truth and helped the School community begin to heal.
What are some goals or dreams you have for Hotchkiss in the future?
GOULD: I believe Craig has been a very effective head of school and that his 10-year tenure has been an unmitigated success for the School. Our goal as co-presidents, and the focus of our efforts over the past two years, has been to position every aspect of the school to attract an outstanding next head of school. We selected Tim Sullivan ’81, P’13,’16 to lead the search committee, chose Isaacson, Miller as search advisors, rebalanced budgets, pushed fundraising, and pressed on the Dining Commons schedule. All of this good work benefits the School while also demonstrating that the opportunity to lead Hotchkiss is the most exciting leadership opportunity among independent schools.
I hope that the Hotchkiss science programs continue to develop so that we can attract the most promising young students who dream of careers in computer science, data science, or quantum. And I hope that we continue to create additional endowed scholarships that enable the School to accept students on the basis of what they can offer to the community and what they will gain from the experience. Finally, I hope that we continue to attract a Board that represents all constituencies within the Hotchkiss community while also bringing the expertise necessary to oversee all aspects of the School and the commitment to devote the resources—both time and money—necessary to support the School.
HINES: My dreams for Hotchkiss are, in some ways, the same as they were when I joined the board 21 years ago: that the School continue to push itself toward excellence in all things, while attracting— and making itself accessible to—the broadest array of talented kids from around the country and the world. The future of education in America is fraught at this moment in time, and I suspect it is going to take both clarity and courage to ensure that Hotchkiss and its peer schools remain true to their values. I believe Hotchkiss has people in place around the Board table and in senior administrative roles who are up to the challenge. And I have no doubt that our new head of school will be someone who can lead this institution thoughtfully and passionately into the next era, always with a focus, first, on what is best for our students. It’s an exciting time to be a Bearcat.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
GOULD: I would like to give a shoutout to the Class of 1977. We were at Hotchkiss during the period of transition to coeducation, and we were not necessarily the most united class at the time. But our class has made outsized contributions to both Hotchkiss and the larger world. Allison Janney and Alisa Kenny-Guyer have won the Alumni Award. With Harry Gruner
joining the Board this spring, five ’77s (Chris Meledandri, Gruner, Charlie Ayres, Anne Armfield, and I) have served on the board, and Carlos Garcia, Keith Holmes, Valerie Mars, Mark Miranda, Gigi Priebe, and Nonie Reich have served on the Board of Governors. The reckoning with past sexual misconduct and the Courage Garden project were led by members of the class of ’77. Martha Bryan, Margaret Simpson, and Carolyn Eaton all played leading roles, joined by Fred Wacker—whose firm designed and ultimately built the garden— Andy Luke, and Anne Armfield. Thank you to all the ’77s who have given back to Hotchkiss. I can’t wait to see everyone at our 50th in the spring of 2027. Please come back. We have a lot to celebrate.
HINES: I’d like to say thank you to every individual who took the time to call, write, or grab me at an event for a conversation over the course of these years. Every interaction with a Hotchkiss constituent has led me to understand more about what it means to be connected to this School, and it has revealed to me how deeply we all feel about what this place is and can be. There is so much love for Hotchkiss from so many corners, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play some part in helping it thrive.
Lead with Empathy, Learn for Life
Commencement speeches, music, and shared memories honor the bonds that shaped the Class of 2025.
BY CATHERINE CALAMÉ
UNDER A PARTIALLY HAZY SKY, Hotchkiss marked the Commencement of the Class of 2025.
The day before graduation, families and friends arrived on campus to enjoy many Hotchkiss traditions. Student musicians performed one last time during the Senior Music Recital. Class of 2025 Co-Presidents Anna Ruiz ’25 and Yuv Banker ’25, along with Nouri Badrous ’25, Eleanor Helm ’25, and James Potanin ’25, shared moving student reflections at the Baccalaureate event. To end the night, students received rounds of applause during the Senior Awards and Cum Laude Ceremony.
On May 30, Head of School Craig W. Bradley addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and the lifelong love of learning. “This is a triumphant day. The hard work—your hard work—is done,” Bradley said.
He discussed “natural intelligence” in the context of artificial intelligence. “Natural intelligence is not defined or limited by computation,” he said. “Natural intelligence is the source of meaning and creativity. I smile as I reflect on a few recent displays of natural intelligence at Hotchkiss, such as the Senior Art Walk, the Senior Recital, and the MacLeish and Hersey Scholars presentations.”
As Bradley looked at the Class of 2025, he said, “I hope you will take delight in learning for the rest of your lives.”
All-School Presidents: ‘Stay Connected’
All-School Presidents Eleni Kontokosta ’25 and Isaiah Stephens ’25 thanked everyone who helped make their Hotchkiss experience memorable. “A huge thank you to the preps, lower mids, and upper mids for reminding us to always lead by example,” Eleni said.
“Thank you to our parents, guardians, and other support systems,” Isaiah added. “Without your constant encouragement,
endless amounts of love, and persistent phone calls, none of us would have made it this far.”
They reflected on the challenges of the pandemic and noted that the members of the Class of 2025 share the qualities of resilience and perseverance. Isaiah said, “Although freshman year was filled with isolation and loneliness, that didn’t stop us from bonding and getting closer to one another. We began holding ‘two to fives’ during our class meetings—a new idea where individuals would speak to the class about their stories, their passions, their triumphs, and dreams.”
Eleni added, “These talks gave our class the chance to not only understand one another on an intimate level, but helped us to learn the skill of openness and empathy.”
Eleni noted that the qualities they learned as a class served them on a larger scale. “Our openness taught us to reach out to our friends and teachers when we needed help, and our empathy taught us how to stay conscious and mindful of others and support them throughout their process.”
The duo summed up their speech with words of wisdom. “As our time comes to an end, our message is this: stay connected,” Isaiah said. Eleni echoed that sentiment: “No matter how far we go, or how different our lives become, remember that 168 candles will always burn brighter than one.”
Cellist Max Salzinger ’25 and pianist Victoria Fang ’25 then performed for the final time as Hotchkiss students.
Commencement Speaker Lisa Brown ’78: ‘Improve the World’
“I came to Hotchkiss in the second year they admitted girls, and I was so excited. I was leaving home and stepping into a new and different world,” Commencement speaker Lisa Brown ’78 said. “But I found my place. I learned some life lessons that launched me as a better person into the world of college and beyond.”
She is now a partner with the international law firm WilmerHale and chairs its Higher Education Practice. She previously held senior legal and leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Education, Georgetown University, and in the Obama administration.
“No matter how far we go, or how different our lives become, remember that 168 candles will always burn brighter than one.”
ALL-SCHOOL CO-PRESIDENT ELENI KONTOKOSTA ’25
She said she relates to how each graduate has felt during their time in Lakeville. “You have grown into individuals who are ready for the next challenge, and you are ready. Choose how you want to use your Hotchkiss education to engage with the world around you and how to use your education to improve the world around you.”
She encouraged students to use their passion to make a difference, whether by joining existing efforts or starting their own. She emphasized the importance of civic engagement, staying hopeful about change, and using education to fight for what matters with respect and thoughtfulness.
“Hotchkiss has taught you how to collaborate with others and how to engage with those with whom you disagree,” she said. “Through open discourse forums co-hosted by a bipartisan group of Hotchkiss political clubs, you had civil conversations about controversial issues on which you had very different opinions. These experiences don’t just make you ready for college. They make you ready to be leaders.”
She ended her speech with this guidance: “Take today to celebrate, and then take the amazing education you have been given and be a force for positive change. Lead with empathy. And don’t forget to have fun along the way.”
Applauding Outgoing Board Co-Presidents
Former Board of Trustees Co-Presidents Liz Hines ’93, P’27 and Bob Gould ’77 wished the campus community a fond farewell. Their term ended on July 1 (see p. 9).
“This institution has never been stronger. In meaningful ways, we have Liz and Bob to thank for that,” said Bradley. “I’m deeply grateful for their partnership and wanted to take this moment to thank them.”
Students then received their diplomas. At the end of the ceremony, all Bearcats stood united, looking forward to the future with optimism and pride as they sang Fair Hotchkiss for the first time as alumni. As always, they were arm in arm.
Commencement speaker Lisa Brown ’78
World Premiere
Alumnae Write and Direct New Play to Cap HDA Season
BY TAYLOR PANG ’27
THE HOTCHKISS DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION (HDA) ended its 202425 season with the world premiere of R.I.P. Lunch (the last male white rhino at the zoo), a new play written and directed by alumnae as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of coeducation.
R.I.P. Lunch was written by Mallory Weiss ’11, a Brooklyn-based playwright. She wrote and directed her first play as a senior at Hotchkiss, and she returned to campus as the Nalen Lecturer to speak about her craft in 2023. “I fell in love with theatre when, during my senior year, they were performing Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl in the Black Box. I
saw it and became obsessed,” she said. Her new play is set in the fictional Greenwood Zoo, which is home to three of the last four white rhinos on the planet. Lunch, the only male rhino in the zoo, dies, leaving one of the female rhinos pregnant and the zookeepers wondering if the species will survive. She said the story is about the inextricable nature of endings and beginnings and how we hold loss and love simultaneously. “It was an emotional play for me to write,” Weiss said. “I had been going through a heartbreak, and I originally sat down to make myself laugh. The characters showed me a way through
Documentary Screening Honors Women of Hotchkiss
Alumni and friends enjoyed a special screening of the documentary Women of Hotchkiss: The First 50 Years in New York City on June 24 in celebration of 50 years of coeducation at Hotchkiss. The film begins with the founding of the School by Maria Bissell Hotchkiss and touches on how the School thrived under Headmaster George Van Santvoord, Class of 1908. It then delves into the roles that former Headmaster Bill Olsen ’39 and his wife, Jean Olsen, played in bringing girls to Hotchkiss. The film is narrated by award-winning actress Allison Janney ’77, and the voices of current students are woven throughout. The School is grateful to the generous donors who made the documentary possible. More screenings are currently being planned.
that hard time and taught me how to heal.”
The play was co-directed by local playwright, actor, and dance instructor Darcy Boynton ’08 and Stephanie Hahn, instructor in theatre and humanities. Boynton was deeply involved in theatre as a student. “I tried to do theatre for every co-curricular. I was on the HDA board and worked both onstage and backstage,” she said
Boynton and Hahn have collaborated on local productions before; they were directing Salisbury Central School’s fall show when MK Lawson, instructor in theatre and humanities, invited them to direct R.I.P. Lunch
Weiss worked alongside Boynton and Hahn to prepare the play. “Since it is the first time it is being produced, I feel a responsibility to make sure we really understand the play and Mallory’s vision. It has been a gift to have her with us,” Hahn said.
The actors began rehearsing in March in preparation for the production, which ran May 9-11. Carla Oudin ’26 said, “Because R.I.P. Lunch is a new play, there was more character development than usual because the characters were brand new. There was no previous performance to base them on.”
Although Olivia Kwon ’26 performed in the musical Chicago in the fall, this was her first time acting in a mainstage play. “It helped to take theatre classes every year and be in some Black Boxes,” she said. “Carla, my co-star, is a very experienced actress, so I learned a lot from her.”
A version of this article originally appeared in The Hotchkiss Record.
VIEW PHOTOS
A Crossword Puzzle Concludes the 50th Anniversary of Coeducation
BY ROBIN CHANDLER ’87
In a final nod to the commemoration of 50 years of coeducation, this special crossword puzzle reflects on the inspiring legacy of the girls and women who ushered in a new era for the School.
ACROSS
2. What is the last name of the first female graduate of Hotchkiss?
3. Jean was also known as the “Mother of Coeducation”
5. “ Girls” was the first all-female a cappella group started in 1983
9. Last name of the first athlete to earn 12 varsity letters
10. It’s also known as Lakeville Lake
14. Frank was one of the first HDA productions in fall 1974
15. Which dorm did all 89 pioneers live in during the first year of coeducation?
16. Maiden name of the first female board president
17. What was most important to Mrs. Hotchkiss when she agreed to provide funding for the founding of the School?
18. Last name of the first female All-School president in 1980
19. Last name of the alumna actress who narrated the 50th documentary
1. The first official dorm given by Mrs. Hotchkiss in honor of her family
2. Name of the gymnasium in 1974
4. Name of the first dorm funded by a woman
6. Last name of the first female Hotchkiss Trustee
7. Last name of the 2025 graduation speaker
8. Last name of the first female assistant athletic director
9. Last name of the first female dean of faculty
11. The fields where the girls soccer and field hockey teams played in fall 1974
12. Gina is the first alumna to win an Olympic gold medal
13. The number of paddle tennis courts in 1974
14. Hotchkiss is known as the “Mother of Hotchkiss”
A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE
Retirees Reflect on Their Service
Four long-time members of the Hotchkiss community were celebrated at a retirement dinner on May 31. Below, they look back on their time at the School in their own words.
TEAL ATKINSON 30 YEARS
Science Department Lab Supervisor and Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer
WHEN I FIRST ANSWERED AN AD in The Lakeville Journal for a part-time lab technician in 1995, I had no idea how Hotchkiss would shape my life. That part-time job changed to a full-time job when construction began to double the size of the Griswold Science Building. Once the building was completed in 1999, I began transforming the position of the lab technician, and my career blossomed. I implemented a safety culture and protocols that were not previously defined. I became a certified chemical hygiene officer (CCHO), helped strengthen and update the Chemical Hygiene Plan, built a science safety website, and became the central go-to person for ordering everything from chemicals to laboratory equipment and more. The School and my department were extremely supportive.
Over the years, I wore many different hats. I served as a dorm affiliate replacement many times, helped students with a variety of projects, spent early mornings swimming in the pool, joined the 6 a.m. crew that worked out at the Mars Athletic Center several times a week, and took spin and yoga classes. I feel like I got to understand the Hotchkiss community and all of its many members in a variety of unique ways. I felt part of an ever-changing mix of personalities, passions, cultures, and ideas that made Hotchkiss a wonderful and vibrant place to work. No two days were ever the same!
When I started at Hotchkiss, my daughter, Raimie Utterback, was in second grade, and Hotchkiss quickly became her second home, too. She often joined me at work on snow days or School holidays that didn’t align with the Hotchkiss schedule, and as she got older, she would often babysit faculty children and care for their pets. She chose not to attend Hotchkiss so she could devote more time to her passion for working with horses. However, Hotchkiss re-entered her life in 2009 when she joined the Mathematics Department, her first teaching job after college. It was the perfect first job as she rejoined the community she already felt such a part of. This opportunity launched her career, and she is still actively involved in boarding school life.
I am fortunate to live very close to campus, so it was easy to return on weekends and outside of the work day for plays, musical performances, and to use the athletic facilities. I have spent many hours walking in the Hotchkiss woods and walking my dog with the Science Department “dog pack” on the Class of ’49 Fields in all sorts of weather. The adults would walk and socialize, and the dogs would run free and play. The members of the Science Department have become my extended family.
In the past three decades, I have worked under six different heads of school and seen thousands of students graduate and go on to wonderful careers. Now, after 30 years, it is time to start my next chapter. I know I will miss the daily interactions with my Hotchkiss family, but it is wonderful to know that I can continue to embrace all that this wonderful community has to offer during my retirement years, albeit in a different way.
CHRIS BURCHFIELD P’08,’10,’18 34 YEARS
L. Blair Torrey Jr. ’50 Chair, Lufkin Prize Recipient, and Instructor in English
WHEN THE RHYTHM AND BLUES BAND Sly and the Family Stone took their 1971 single, “It’s a Family Affair,” to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, they may well have been crooning about life at Hotchkiss for the Burchfield family.
When my wife, Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77, P’08,’10,’18, accepted a position in the Admission Office in 1986, little did we know the years would pass so swiftly and with such enduring influence. And when I was lucky to be hired four years later, after the birth of our first child, the family bond was sealed.
The Hotchkiss family we have been a part of thrives on the good will, humor, intellect, and loyalty of its students, faculty, and staff. We are forever thankful for and continually enriched by our relationships with decades of Bearcats, young and old. We take with us memories of babysitters, athletes, volunteers, advisees, colleagues, musicians, actors, scholars, medical professionals, and more.
And for this family, there was no better place to raise one. Our four children all count their years growing up on this campus as “the best childhood ever!” With an abundance of green grass, lakes, woods, athletic and arts facilities, a dining hall, plus older brothers and sisters, they couldn’t imagine growing up any other way.
Brimming with the energy of the student body, the constant ebb and flow of campus life, and our beautiful surroundings, the Burchfields leave Lakeville with full hearts. Thank you to the many members of the extensive Hotchkiss family who have brought joy, adventure, and love to our own. It truly has been a family affair!
ROBIN CHANDLER ’87 30 YEARS
Communications
Project Manager and Former Co-Athletic Director
MY JOURNEY WITH HOTCHKISS
began 57 years ago. Just days after I was born, my parents brought me home to a second-floor faculty apartment in Van Santvoord. That space, nestled above the campus grounds, was my first home. From the very beginning, Hotchkiss wasn’t just a school—it was my world.
Growing up on campus was a magical experience. It often felt like living in a country club, with perfectly manicured lawns, athletic fields everywhere you looked, and Lake Wononscopomuc just a short walk through the woods. I was surrounded by hundreds of older students who often looked out for us younger faculty children. We “fac-brats,” as we were affectionately called, thought we ruled the school. Each evening after dinner, impromptu stickball games broke out on the Memo/Buehler quad. They typically pitted underclass students against seniors, and occasionally, one of us little kids
would be handed a bat and given a shot. Those were thrilling moments that planted the earliest seeds of my dream—to one day be one of them, a Hotchkiss student.
That dream became a reality in the fall of 1983. I arrived on campus not as the faculty child peeking in from the outside, but as a fully enrolled student. It was exhilarating and intimidating all at once. My heart pounded with excitement, but I also carried fear. I remember my father was concerned that the academic demands might be too much for me. But once I was here, I was hooked. There was no turning back.
As the years went by, my report cards reflected a journey of frustration, perseverance, and eventual progress. While academics posed a significant challenge, athletics offered me refuge and purpose. The field, the rink, and the diamond were my sanctuaries. Each practice—whether on freshly mowed grass or cut ice—was
where I felt most confident. The laughter of my teammates and the encouragement of my coaches kept me grounded. They offered more than just guidance; they provided stability, motivation, and life lessons I carry with me to this day.
Looking back, I see that those four years molded me in more ways than I ever could have imagined. My academic struggles taught me the importance of self-advocacy and perseverance. Sports taught me about teamwork, leadership, and resilience. My teachers and coaches didn’t just instruct, they mentored. And through their belief in me, I found a version of myself I didn’t yet know existed.
After college, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my story with Hotchkiss wasn’t finished. I dreamed of returning, of becoming the kind of teacher and coach who had once changed my life. That opportunity came in the fall of 1995, when I was hired to replace
my former coach and mentor, Kelly Stone, as the assistant athletic director. I also taught Latin 150 and coached varsity field hockey, ice hockey, and softball—the same three sports I had once played across all 12 seasons of my student life.
Taking over as head field hockey coach from Kelly was one of the greatest honors of my career. She had been tough and demanding, but she had also believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. For four years, she pushed me to reach my potential. Her influence shaped my student years, my college experience, and the professional path I later chose.
As the years passed, I mentored young athletes, encouraging them to embrace their passions and remain resilient in the face of challenges. My office in the Mars Athletic Center, with 30 years’ worth of championship plaques, photographs, and handwritten notes from former athletes, told stories of perseverance and triumph over adversity. These students taught me as much as I taught them.
Having lived more than 50 years on this campus—from the curious 6-year-old watching the first brave young women arrive in 1974, to being a student who followed in their footsteps, and finally, as a faculty member helping to shape future generations—I feel nothing but gratitude. I’ve witnessed, and tried to contribute to, a legacy of courage, leadership, and empowerment for the women of Hotchkiss. Now, it’s time for my next chapter. As I step into the unknown, I carry with me the most important lesson Hotchkiss ever taught me: resilience. Life is unpredictable. You’ll lose opportunities you thought were guaranteed. You’ll face heartbreak and setbacks. But those moments are not endings—they are invitations to grow, adapt, and move forward with grit. So, I take a deep breath, lean into uncertainty, and walk forward with hope. Thank you, Hotchkiss. Thank you to everyone who shaped my journey. I will always be a grateful Bearcat and forever a very proud woman of Hotchkiss.
ANA HERMOSO P’16 34 YEARS
The Audrey Meyers Mars Teaching Chair, Lufkin Prize Recipient, and Instructor in Spanish
WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOTCHKISS 34 years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. I came with a deep appreciation for the culture and language I had grown up with and a passion for teaching it, but little did I know how profoundly this place would shape my life.
Hotchkiss has not just been somewhere I have taught; it has been where my life has happened. It is here that I met colleagues who have become lifelong friends, where I have grown into a professional and a mentor, and where I have found a community. It is here where I fell in love, raised a family, and built a life that has been full and rich and grounded in purpose. My personal life and my professional one are intertwined in the most beautiful way.
I am deeply grateful for the generations of students who have challenged me, surprised me, made me laugh, and taught me as I taught them. I have learned that humor, patience, and empathy go as far as any lesson plan. I have learned that teaching a language is about opening minds, building bridges, and expanding hearts.
I am incredibly honored to be part of the School’s legacy. To have played a small role in the journey of so many young people is something I do not take lightly. And while I’m stepping away from the classroom, I take with me a lifetime of memories: early morning classes and late-night dorm duties, trips abroad and conversations over meals, the rituals of the school year and the unpredictable magic of daily life among teenagers.
As I close this chapter, I do so with a heart full. Life took me down a path I hadn’t planned, and I am so glad it did. Thank you to every student, colleague, and family member who has been a part of this journey. Teaching at Hotchkiss has been the joy and honor of my life.
PHOTOS
Applauding Retirees at Head of School Holiday
Head of School Craig W. Bradley declared May 15 a Head of School Holiday in honor of Hotchkiss’s retirees. Together, they represent 226 years of service to the School community.
Teal Atkinson, Science Department Lab Supervisor and Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer
John Bryant, Director of Facilities
Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18, L. Blair Torrey Jr. ’50
Chair, Lufkin Prize Recipient, and Instructor in English
Robin Chandler ’87, Communications Project Manager and Former Co-Athletic Director
Ana Hermoso P’16, The Audrey Meyers Mars Teaching Chair, Lufkin Prize Recipient, and Instructor in Spanish
Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77, P’08,’10,’18, Director of Community Partnerships
Gail Massey, Accounts Payable Associate
Jeffrey Navin, Senior Financial Analyst
Dave VandeBogart, Post Office Associate
Alumni Athletes Return to Celebrate Retiring Coaches
ONCE A BEARCAT, always a Bearcat! Alumni lacrosse and field hockey players returned to campus on May 31 to compete in honor of retirees and longtime coaches Robin Chandler ’87 and Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18.
PHOTOS
VIDEO
From left, Teal Atkinson, Ana Hermoso P’16, Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18, Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77, P’08,’10,’18, Robin Chandler ’87, and Dave VandeBogart pose for a photo during the Head of School Holiday in May.
Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77 Earns Round Square Medal for Transformational Work
CAROLINE KENNY-BURCHFIELD ’77
P’08,’10,’18, who retired from her role as director of community partnerships at Hotchkiss this year, received Round Square’s King Constantine Medal. It is presented to an exceptional individual from every one of Round Square’s 260+ member schools in 50 countries who has done outstanding work in their community to embrace the Round Square IDEALS of international understanding, democracy, environmental stewardship, adventure, leadership, and service.
David Thompson P’27, director of international programs, said, “She has profoundly impacted students in this community, and her work leading St. Luke’s Society has shifted how we see ourselves as an institutional citizen of our community and how our community sees us. The number of community partners
who know they can depend on Hotchkiss to show up and contribute has grown by leaps and bounds. The student heads of St. Luke’s have been given ample opportunity to practice leading, communicating, and following through on ideas and commitments. In short, her work has been transformational.”
Hotchkiss Honors Staff and Faculty at Awards Ceremony
THE ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY AWARDS ceremony honored staff and faculty members for their service and named the winners of three awards. “Running this School is an extensive undertaking. This work is done by 359 employees who have collectively provided 3,548 years of service,” Head of School Craig W. Bradley said. “Students, I strongly encourage you to take a moment to thank the Hotchkiss faculty and staff for all they do to make your experience here so fulfilling.”
Staff Recognition Awards
Brenda Catalano, assistant to alumni engagement, received the Margot Hooker Award.
Enrique Perez, assistant housekeeping supervisor, received the Robert and Candice Barker Staff Recognition Award.
Craig Naclerio, Instructor in physics and chemistry and Redlich dorm head, received the Safe, Seen, and Supported Award.
Milestone 25th Anniversary Honorees
Kristin Allyn P’18, associate director of the Cynthia White Children’s Center and preschool room head teacher
Marie Bushey, executive assistant to the head of school
Jessica Craig, director of prospect development
Peg Hsia P’27, senior associate director of admission
Paul Oberto P’24,’25, former director of the Stan-X Program and instructor in biology and chemistry
David Thompson P’27, director of international programs, head coach of ultimate
Gisele Nacif Witkowski, instructor in piano
From left, David Thompson P’27, director of international programs, Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77 P’08,’10,’18, retired director of community partnerships, and Craig W. Bradley, head of school.
From left, Enrique Perez, Marie Bushey, Jessica Craig, Peg Hsia P’27, David Thompson P’27, Gisele Nacif Witkowski, Paul Oberto P’24,’25, Brenda Catalano, and Craig Naclerio. Not pictured: Kristin Allyn P’18.
Wendy Levithan Receives Lufkin Prize for
Exemplary Leadership
Honored for her decades of service and moral guidance, Levithan reflects on humility, impact, and the meaning of belonging.
BY DARRYL GANGLOFF
“The prize is about all of us.”
WENDY LEVITHAN P’23
WENDY LEVITHAN P’23, the Edgar Cullman ‘36 Teaching Chair and instructor in French, received the Lufkin Prize on May 13 during a ceremony in Katherine M. Elfers Hall. This distinguished award, established by Dan Lufkin ’49, P’80,’82,’88,’23, is presented annually to a faculty member who serves as a role model for students and consistently demonstrates a commitment to ethical character and moral leadership.
Head of School Craig W. Bradley emphasized that the Lufkin Prize recognizes faculty members who consistently demonstrate a deep commitment to students’ daily lives.
“Among the many great pleasures and privileges that I enjoy as head of school is the opportunity each year to honor an outstanding member of the Hotchkiss faculty through the awarding of the Lufkin Prize,” Bradley said, highlighting that faculty members are advisors and coaches beyond the classroom. “This level of care and commitment is remarkable, and it is evident in each and every teacher at Hotchkiss.”
Dean of Faculty Shannon Clark acknowledged Levithan’s dedicated service to the Hotchkiss community since joining the faculty in 1998. Clark shared the sentiments of colleagues who described Levithan as “trusted,
admired, generous, committed, thoughtful, deliberate, gentle, and full of integrity.”
Clark also applauded Levithan’s various roles at Hotchkiss, including teaching French, leading immersion travel programs, and her leadership as head of the Classics and Modern Languages Department.
“In my own conversations with Ms. Levithan this year, I have been struck by her intellectual fortitude, her quiet reflectiveness, her love of teaching, and above all, her steadfast devotion to the bienêtre of her beloved students and colleagues.”
A central theme of Levithan’s acceptance speech was her reflection on “little people” and “big people,” a concept she used to articulate the diverse ways individuals contribute to the Hotchkiss community.
“When I heard my name spoken by Charlie Frankenbach, he might as well have said, ‘the Lufkin Prize recipient this year is Wendy Levithan for the little people,’” she said, noting her surprise at being recognized. She explained that “big people are people who help you get to the heart of the matter, who teach us to stop still in awe,” and who make others feel valued, while also acknowledging that everyone experiences moments of both “big” and “little.” She humorously recounted a conversation with her mother about the “little people,” which prompted her to reflect deeply on the award.
Levithan also introduced the concept of “being bittle,” which she described as having “the courage to recognize and acknowledge our own littleness … and to move beyond it,” while also recognizing that “being big requires humility.” Levithan proclaimed, “It doesn’t matter how we identify or express ourselves … we’re all part of the bittle tribe.”
She expressed deep gratitude to her colleagues, her family, and the entire Hotchkiss community. “This prize is about all of us. Yes, I’m the one who’s speaking in this moment, but to me, there are two clear implications: one, as an active ‘big little’ person, I am worthy of this prize; and two, I could be any one of my colleagues who engages in ‘big little’ ways with this community,” she said.
“And finally, Hotchkiss, including everyone in this hall, this beautiful hall, those who have gone before you, and those who will come after you—thank you for all of my and your shared ‘big little’ moments, past, present, and future. Making this place and this community my work and home has been an adventure that I could not be more fortunate to have embraced,” she said.
“Et enfin, ce discours est terminé. Merci.”
CEREMONY
Former Lufkin Prize recipients, from left, Keith Moon P’13,’16, Richard Kirby P’08,’09,’14,’15, Carita Gardiner P’17,’20, Ana Hermoso P’16, Sarinda Wilson P’14,’17, Charlie Frankenbach P’12,’16, and Chris Burchfield P’08,’10,’18.
Dan Lufkin ’49, P’80,’82,’88,’23, left, listens to Levithan’s speech with his wife, Adrienne Lufkin P’23. He established the Lufkin Prize.
Poet Laureate Ada Limón Enthralls Students During Lambert Lecture
BY CATHERINE CALAMÉ
AS THE CURRENT POET LAUREATE of the United States, Ada Limón raises the national consciousness of poetry in this country. She shared her passion with Hotchkiss students on May 5 for the annual Lambert Lecture series.
Limón is the author of six poetry collections, including The Carrying, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry, and her latest book, The Hurting Kind. She is also the author of two children’s books: In Praise of Mystery and And, Too, The Fox. She was awarded a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in
October 2023, and she is a TIME magazine Woman of the Year.
Her signature poet laureate project is called You Are Here and focuses on how poetry can help connect us to the natural world.
Katie Fleishman, head of the English Department and instructor in English, thanked the Lambert family for bringing the community together each year, and she applauded John Lambert ’81, P’29 and his wife, Ramona, in the audience. The Lambert Fund was established in 1981 by
Students speak with U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.
U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón shares how poetry can help connect us to the natural world.
Paul C. Lambert ’46, P’76,’81, GP’13,’29 and his wife, Mary, in memory of their son, Christopher Lambert ’76, who died in 1979. The fund brings writers of prose and poetry to Hotchkiss to work with students in the English Department and offer an evening for the community.
Fleishman said it is “a gift” to have Limón on campus to help celebrate 50 years of women at Hotchkiss. “Like light moving across the landscape, her words reveal to us something that was there all along, but that perhaps we had never truly beheld,” she said. “Thank you, Ms. Limón, for the many ways, large and small, that you have illuminated our world.”
In introducing Limón, Albert Chen ’26 and Lucy Radtke ’25 offered their reflections on the impact of her poetry.
“In my English class, we read Limón’s book The Carrying. I love how Ida Limón embraces grief,” said Albert. “In After the Fire, she writes, ‘Funny thing about grief, its hold is so bright and determined like a flame, like something almost worth living for.’ Grief and sadness in my life are feelings that I typically try to escape, to fix, to remedy. From Limón, I am learning that grief is an essential part of the lived experience, that it is the fight that is worth living for, not the victory.”
Lucy concurred about the impact of Limón’s writings, adding, “Limón’s poetry
“I really have always wanted to write poetry that anyone could grasp and understand.”
U.S. POET LAUREATE ADA LIMÓN
possesses a unique ability to take two seemingly opposite ideas and express them as one, accessing meaning that ordinary language cannot reach. In The Quiet Machine, she writes, ‘There is the silence that comes back a million times bigger than me, sneaks into my bones, and wails and wails and wails until I can’t be quiet anymore.’”
Lucy added, “In describing silence as deafening, she brings together two sides of a complex feeling that is difficult to describe. Through an engagement with the seemingly mundane, she demonstrates that things and people we encounter are not as disparate as we make them out to be.”
Limón read 12 selections and helped students understand that poetry is full of open opportunities.
“One of the things that I really wanted to do, and have made it my goal, was to make sure that I wasn’t writing poetry just
for other poets,” Limón told the crowd. “I really have always wanted to write poetry that anyone could grasp and understand. For me, part of my art form is to deeply connect. And many times, if I’m being more specific and more personal, and if I’m getting the music right and figuring out where that music works and doesn’t work, it’s having a deeper resonance. It actually is a container for the musical instruments— the body and the breath. And if I do that right and well enough, it will transform into something that you might be able to catch in the air or off the page.”
One of Limón’s poems that resonated with students was Instructions on Not Giving Up, which is about finding strength and perseverance by taking lessons from trees. “More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’s almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate sky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the trees that really gets to me,” she read aloud. Limón’s poetry is out of this world— literally. Her poem In Praise of Mystery is engraved on a NASA spacecraft, the Europa Clipper, which launched on Oct. 14, 2024, and is currently traveling to the second moon of Jupiter.
“NASA asked me to write an original poem that would go to an icy moon that they believe has all of the ingredients for life,” Limón explained. “I didn’t know at the time that it would be engraved in my own handwriting on the side of the spacecraft, but it is, and I am very thrilled that it’s up there. At the same time, I really wrote the poem for everyone here. Every NASA scientist will tell you that this planet really is the best planet. The one that we’re on is pretty miraculous.”
From left, Katie Fleishman, head of the English Department and instructor in English, Albert Chen ’26, Lucy Radtke ’25, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, John Lambert ’81, P’29, and Head of School Craig W. Bradley.
BEARCATS DOMINATE IN SPRING SPORTS
1: Varsity sailing captured the New England Schools Sailing Association (NESSA) Girls Championship (Herreshoff Trophy) and triumphed at the NESSA Fleet Racing Championship (O’Day Trophy). They also competed at the International Schools Sailing Association (ISSA) National Championship. 2: Girls varsity tennis are the Founders League champions and went undefeated in league play. 3: Hotchkiss track and field brought home first place with standout performances: Bastien Sever ’26 in the 3000m, Brandon Dunn ’25 in discus, and Kristian MaxwellWimberly ’25 in discus. 4: Girls varsity lacrosse are the 2025 Founders League and Tournament Champions after an epic 11-10 comeback win over Choate Rosemary Hall. 5: Stella Goss ’26 dominated the javelin with a throw of 125'1" and brought home the NEPSTA title at the 2025 Track & Field Championships.
Bearcats Roar During Athletic Awards Ceremony
ATHLETIC AWARDS FOR ALL 2024-25 seasons were presented during a ceremony in Walker Auditorium on May 28. Students received awards for their performance, effort, and spirit in baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, mountain biking, rowing, sailing, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis, track and field, ultimate, volleyball, and wrestling.TO: Family supports track award. Caption: Director of Athletics Dempsey Quinn and students thanked the donors who endowed the Dana/Spencer Family Track Award.
Dana/Spencer Family Supports Girls Track Award
The Girls Track Award, which was created in 1977, has been endowed thanks to generous donors and will now be known as the Dana/ Spencer Family Track Award. The School thanks donors Lee Spencer P’08, Alice Dana Spencer P’08, and their daughter, Faith Dana Spencer ’08.
The Dana/Spencer Family Track Award is presented annually to the member(s) of the girls track team who, in the opinion of the captains and the coaches, contributed most in loyalty and sportsmanship to the success of the team. The Dana/Spencer Family Track Award is supported by the Dana/Spencer Family Track Award Fund, an endowment that supports the girls track and field team. The endowment and the award are named in honor of Faith Dana Spencer ’08, her head coach Richard Kirby P’08,’09,’14,’15, and her teammates on the Hotchkiss girls track teams from 2005 through 2008.
This year’s recipients are Tessie Connell ’25, Sawyer Eaton ’25, Gabby Mensah ’25, and Emily Wang ’25.
Director of Athletics Dempsey Quinn and students thanked the donors who endowed the Dana/Spencer Family Track Award.
AWARDS
Educators Convene at Hotchkiss to Strengthen Open Discourse
BY DARRYL GANGLOFF
HOTCHKISS WELCOMED 45 educators from across the Northeast, MidAtlantic, and Texas in June for the third annual Open Discourse Conference. Teams of teachers and administrators heard from experts on open discourse and developed concrete programming to navigate complex conversations in their schools.
“The conference was an inspiring three days where faculty from a wide range of schools came together with the common goal of supporting open inquiry and the discussion of diverse viewpoints in their schools. Hotchkiss faculty, and those from other schools, departed the workshop inspired and with clear initiatives to support greater openness on their campuses,” said Richard Hazelton P’19,’22, who co-designed the event for Hotchkiss. He is also the director of the Center for Global Understanding & Independent Thinking (CGUIT) and dean of summer programs.
The Hotchkiss delegation included faculty across most disciplines, along with key administrators. “Coming out of the conference, the Hotchkiss team plans to implement a process in which each
department will develop classroom norms that foster open discourse and deeper, productive learning,” Hazelton said.
The conference opened with Dr. Judy Pace, professor emerita at the University of San Francisco and author of Hard Questions: Learning to Teach Controversial Issues, who introduced a framework for “contained risk-taking” in teaching. She guided participants through Structured Academic Controversy, a tool used by instructors to teach difficult topics.
Attendees put this protocol into practice throughout the remainder of the event.
Dr. Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, head of school at Princeton Day School, discussed “bioethics: discourse using scientific evidence and discourse about scientific evidence.” She said open discourse is dependent on strong academic skills and agreements within a community, and it can thrive in a setting where belonging is prioritized.
Multiple small-group sessions over three days brought together participants to set a vision for nonpartisan open discourse in their classrooms, share strategies, and build community support for these efforts.
Reflecting on the experience, Liz Perry, assistant head of school for academics at St. Luke’s School and co-designer of the conference with Hazelton, said, “Independent schools have a responsibility to teach students how to navigate challenging conversations responsibly and respectfully. For this conference, we intentionally brought together teams of educators from 12 independent schools who are all working toward that critical goal, and the energy was tremendous.”
Left: Dr. Judy Pace, author of Hard Questions: Learning to Teach Controversial Issues, opened the conference. Right: Dr. Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, head of school at Princeton Day School, discussed bioethics.
Many educators gathered at Hotchkiss to discuss open discourse.
Creating Community and Celebrating Identity with BLISS
Hotchkiss hosted the annual Black Link of Independent Schools Summit (BLISS) on May 18. This powerful, student-led event brought together Black students from across New England to create solidarity, connection, and support. Friends from Taft, St. Paul’s, Miss Porter’s, Salisbury, Millbrook, and Indian Mountain School came to campus for a day filled with inspiring workshops and meaningful conversations.
Student organizers Amy Deme ’26, Zayda Gordon ’25, Justin Kearse ’27, and Jayden Morgan ’25 made it all happen.
“Working on BLISS and honing in on work that elevates the Black student experience is important to me. Meeting students from other schools and building onto our inter-school community was empowering,” Justin said.
“All of the work and communication necessary to direct BLISS was well worth the effort. I am very grateful to Hotchkiss for letting us host this conference, allowing us to create a community that spans across New England that reminds our many attendees and supporters that they are seen, appreciated, and valued in private education,” Jayden said. —Darryl Gangloff
Students Share Art and Research at Troutbeck Symposium
A group of Hotchkiss studio art, ceramic, and history students represented the School at the fourth annual Troutbeck Symposium in Amenia, NY, in May. Middle and high school students from 20 regional public and independent schools gathered at the student-led historical education forum to listen, present, and discuss findings of their original research and art projects uncovering local histories of communities of color and other historically marginalized groups. Since its founding in 2021, the Troutbeck Symposium has empowered more than 1,000 students and dozens of educators to uncover and share local histories that have been lost, buried, or ignored.
PHOTOS
Above: BLISS organizers Jayden Morgan ’25, Zayda Gordon ’25, Amy Deme ’26, and Justin Kearse ’27. Left: Anthony St. Clair ’25 hosts a workshop on hair care
Photos by Warren Edwards ’27
HOTCHKISS IN FOCUS THROUGH HER LENS
From her prep year to graduation, Sophia Piao ’25 spent her entire Hotchkiss career taking beautiful photos of every angle of campus, the trails, and Lake Wononscopomuc for the Hotchkiss Landscape Instagram.
BY DARRYL GANGLOFF
What is the history of the Hotchkiss Landscape Instagram, and when did you start taking photos?
SOPHIA PIAO ’25: It was created seven years ago by a member of the Class of 2019 and went through a couple of different students before it stuck with me in my prep year. It’s meant to be a photo a day as it fits your schedule, without being stressful. Through the Clubs Fair and co-curriculars, I had a wonderful group of seniors who were all very outdoorsy and showed me all the coolest spots on campus. By the spring of 2022, I had just entered the outdoor program, and that was the first time I’d ever really been through the trails in the woods and other parts of campus more extensively. That was perfect timing for me to start with Hotchkiss Landscape. It was especially exciting because it was my first time walking through all parts of the woods, so it felt like I was exploring. I really enjoy taking photos of the little waterfalls in the woods.
PHOTOS BY SOPHIA PIAO ’25
Is a new photographer taking over now that you’ve graduated? Yes. I’m going to leave them anonymous per the guidelines. I didn’t stick very hard to being anonymous. After all, there’s a limited number of people who will go on a trek to the woods on a cold February day like I do.
What are some of your favorite spots on campus?
I love walks in the woods. I enjoy the ranger cabin on the trail.
There are rocks that you can stand on in the lake, and those are really nice for taking photos.
The art studios in Main Building have been a huge benefit for me in more ways than one. The view is really good. It’s probably one of the most scenic places to sit and work.
My photos are not always big, wide shots. I like zooming in on things people might not normally notice, like campus architecture, flowers, and the sky. Variation is nice. I enjoy it. Some of my photos will have very few details in them because I don’t want too much happening all at once. I study studio art, and one of the first things you learn when drawing or painting realism and techniques associated with that is that you do not need to draw every single detail.
Do you have any suggestions for ways new and returning students can enjoy the Hotchkiss landscape? Walk in the woods. Try rock climbing and participate in the outdoor programs. They’re really good here. You won’t know if you like a club unless you try. Do as much as you can with the wonderful landscape.
What are your plans after Hotchkiss?
As an artist, I’m excited to work at two art galleries over the summer. I will attend The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in the fall. I am passionate about urban planning, particularly with transit access, so I think being in New York will be great for me.
How does it feel to be ending your run on the Hotchkiss Landscape Instagram?
It’s great to be able to look back on all of the photos I’ve taken. It’s just so nice to see that a project that started as a fun thing to do has continued on for seven years and counting.
@hotchkisslandscape
CELEBRATING the ART OF GIVING
How Alumni, Families, and Friends Have Enriched Hotchkiss Special Collections
BY JOAN BALDWIN P’03, CURATOR OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
IN 1931, ROBERT OSBORN, Hotchkiss’s first studio art teacher, wrote, “It is hoped that by means of a permanent School collection, and by loan exhibits, that interest in the arts may be furthered, and that a more intelligent approach to art may become part of a boy’s education while he is in school.” Almost a century later, Osborn’s dream is fulfilled. Hotchkiss has an art collection, which is an exciting experience available to all students.
Before Osborn arrived, Hotchkiss had already begun collecting art and rare books, believing in the power of real things and the stories they hold. Today, when students study a book or a painting as an example of material culture, they draw evidencebased conclusions and ask questions about its role and importance in the world.
The School formalized its myriad collections between 2008 and 2012, writing its first collections policy and creating the position of curator. Known as Hotchkiss Special Collections, the program works under the Arts Department umbrella, modeling teaching with objects, and offering students and faculty opportunities to engage with work by world-renowned artists, writers, and photographers. The collection includes more than 1,500 works—paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs—and an additional 1,200 printed volumes, as well as graphic materials, maps, and photographic folios. The majority of rare books are from Western Europe and the Americas, with an emphasis on early travel narratives, 20th-century printers, and Beat writers like Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac.
Every year, generous individuals support Hotchkiss Special Collections. These pages include a sampling of pieces donated since 2020 by alumni, former faculty, and community members.
Pegasus by Gray Mercer ’79, a gift from the artist
In 2020, Gray Mercer ’79, a sculptor based in New Mexico, gave Hotchkiss Pegasus. Recently conserved by Williamstown Art Conservation Center, the winged marble horse now anchors the south end of the Edsel Ford Memorial Library’s newly renovated Reading Room.
Heures Pour Les Penitens Blanc, a gift from Carolyn Demeray P’93 and Nicole Demaray Lavery ’93
In 2021, Carolyn Demaray P’93, former French instructor, and her daughter, Nicole Demaray Levery ’93, gave Hotchkiss Heures Pour Les Penitens Blanc, published in 1654, and a handwritten letter by French Nobel Prize winner André Gide. Part of a tradition of increasingly personalized and private Christian devotion, the 17th-century book once provided monks a structured series of prayers throughout the penitential year. The book and the letter are both part of the School’s rare book collection, which is housed in the Edsel Ford Memorial Library and available to the Hotchkiss community.
Letter from André Gide, a gift from Carolyn Demaray P’93 and Nicole Demaray Levery ’93
Chinese
scrolls, a gift from a generous parent
A parent attended the prep philosophy class of Emma Wynn P’28 during the 2023 Family Weekend. He was so impressed with the breadth and depth of the discussion that he donated a group of Chinese scrolls, backed with silk, to Special Collections. The scrolls were used by Parth Jain ’24, who curated an exhibit on rare books titled Pause Awhile in the Main Building Rotunda during his senior year.
Below the Eyes 1048 by Linda Stein, a gift from Thayer Hochberg and Edwin Hochberg
Neolithic Chinese pot, a gift from Rita Frost, widow of Frank Caro ’56
Special Collections received another Chinese gift in 2023, this time from Rita Caro, widow of Frank Caro ’56. The urn dates to 23002000 BCE, the Machang phase in Neolithic China. It is one of three pieces of Chinese ceramics gifted to Hotchkiss by Caro, a longtime gallery owner and specialist in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) decorative arts.
by Nathaniel
Persephone by former art instructor Marjory Reid, a gift from the artist
In 2024, artist Linda Stein collaborated with Thayer Hochberg and Edwin Hochberg to donate three of Stein’s prints to Special Collections. They were an important gift because the vast majority of the collections represent the work of white, male artists, and Stein is a feminist artist. This year was also marked by a gift from Nathaniel “Tate” Klacsmann ’01, an artist and printmaker based in Hudson, NY. Klacsmann has participated in shows in both the Rotunda and Tremaine Art Gallery and was a guest instructor in Hotchkiss’s studio art program. Special Collections also received a gift from former art instructor Marjory Reid. The collection includes one of Reid’s paintings, but Persephone, a pen and graphite drawing, highlights her technical skills in a new way.
Owl
“Tate” Klacsmann ’01, a gift from the artist
Alumnae Weave School Spirit Into New Fashion Line
Fashion veterans launch Fair Hotchkiss , a stylish new apparel collection born from Bearcat pride and creative passion
BY DANIEL LIPPMAN ’08
ANEW HOTCHKISS-THEMED fashion line made its debut during the June reunion, thanks to the creativity of talented alumnae who work in the industry.
Z’hara Green ’08 is head of fashion expertise at Chanel, and Carla Tamer ’08 is senior product director for kids lifestyle footwear at Nike and used to work for the Converse shoe brand. They attended Athletic Alumnae Weekend in October 2024 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of coeducation at Hotchkiss. While they were in Lakeville, their husbands told them that they loved Hotchkiss, but they wanted to see merchandise that was fresh and relevant to them.
That discussion led Green and Tamer, with the help of Faith Briggs Rose ’06, to launch the Fair Hotchkiss apparel collection in a pop-up store held in the School’s snack bar on June 14. The “capsule collection” consists of a sweatshirt in beige and navy colors, a hat, and a T-shirt. The gear “embodies the spirit and style of the Hotchkiss community,” according to their announcement.
They reached out to Director of Alumni Engagement Caroline Sallee Reilly ’87,
who greenlit the idea after speaking with Terri Moore, the faculty advisor for FASH (Fashion and Style at Hotchkiss). The trio started a weekly virtual meeting on Saturdays where they designed the pieces using Adobe Illustrator. All of the embroidery was done in Los Angeles, and the clothes are made abroad, including in Nicaragua.
“When you are passionate about something and then you start working in the industry, it can take away a little bit of that passion because you lose the creative side of it,” said Green. “This became a creative outlet for Carla and me.”
Tamer and Green were best friends at Hotchkiss and remain so to this day. “There were a couple of moments when we would text each other after and say, ‘Wow, this is so fun doing this creative work with you.’ It’s great seeing your friends in an element that they’re specialized in, that you don’t see on a regular basis,” Tamer said.
They said one of the best parts of making the collection was the research they conducted for the graphics by viewing the Hotchkiss archives to look at old yearbooks
and photos. Archivist and Records Manager Rosemary Davis gave them access to a wealth of Hotchkiss history. Their hat features the famous Hotchkiss bulls sculpture by Peter Woytuk, while the sweatshirt has the Hotchkiss Minerva seal along with the year of the School’s founding and the year it started admitting women. The T-shirt features an illustration of Main Building.
Z’hara Green ’08 Carla Tamer ’08
Faith Briggs Rose ’06
They said they have received a positive reaction from alumni, whom they enticed with margaritas at their makeshift store during reunion weekend. Green and Tamer made almost 130 pieces of apparel on their first go-around and sold about half of the merchandise. Green said one of the highlights of the whole experience was that other people who work in fashion stopped by and told them they didn’t know that
other people who went to Hotchkiss also work in the industry.
Since Green and Tamer work on the business side of fashion, they reached out to Briggs Rose to help with the design element of the apparel. She is a documentary filmmaker in Los Angeles and was Green’s proctor in Bissell when she was a lower mid.
“Beauty, fashion, and self-styling are ways that we tell the world around us who we
“Showing students what’s possible is the most important part of this project.”
Z’HARA GREEN ’08
are,” she said. “While the word fashion often has a negative and superficial connotation, the reality is that the creation of a personal aesthetic can also signify a lot about individuals and cultures. To be able to create a collection that expands the options available for the Hotchkiss community and to create something that is for and by that community was a special opportunity.”
Since she was the first person in her family to attend boarding school, Briggs Rose said that one of the most shocking aspects of starting at Hotchkiss was the students’ clothes. When she got to campus, she felt that everyone had the same brands and a preppy style that she had never seen before.
Connecting Students to Fashion
The new apparel collection has also served as a way to connect current Hotchkiss students interested in fashion to Green and Tamer. The two felt like there was a lack of programming around fashion when they were at the School a decade and a half ago.
“Being able to help the next generation of students who are interested in or have a passion for style and fashion, and showing them that they are really going to be part of creating the collection with us, is very inspiring,” said Tamer.
“You can’t dream something that you’ve never seen before. It’s just impossible,” Green added. “And for us, I think just showing students what’s possible is the most important part of this project.”
During the course of designing the collection, Green and Tamer spoke over Zoom to student clubs FASH and Females in Finance. Ophelia Cham ’25, who was co-head of the Females for Finance club
“To be able to create a collection that expands the options available for the Hotchkiss community … was a special opportunity.”
FAITH BRIGGS ROSE ’06
and served on the board of FASH, raved about them. “They were amazing, super supportive, and inspiring,” she said.
While FASH members were unable to assist with the apparel launch due to the accelerated timeline leading up to Reunion, Green and Tamer want to continue this project and help club members create their own designs. “We would like to engage with them starting in the fall and winter,” Green said.
They are also excited to connect Bearcats to the fashion industry. Green has invited Cham to the Chanel offices once the Hotchkiss graduate is settled at New York University. Green also introduced Cham to a high-level member of the Chanel team to learn more about the luxury brand. Cham even wrote an email entirely in French during their exchange as part of her senior project in her French class.
Green, who has been at Chanel for more than a decade, has fashion in her blood. Her grandmother and great aunt were both dressmakers, and her mother made all the
merchandise for a music festival her family had in Jamaica.
Tamer said she had always been aware of the importance of fashion and style. Growing up in Germany and England as a child, she felt especially attuned to the need to adapt to local style.
They both said that Hotchkiss has greatly helped them in their careers, and Tamer especially gives her recently retired field hockey coach Robin Chandler ’87 a lot of credit for teaching her how to be a good teammate and person.
“How to work hard, how to be agile, working under high stress—that translates anywhere and anytime,” Tamer said. “Hotchkiss kind of forces you to not be dependent on your parents to fix it for you. You have to solve problems on your own.”
Daniel Lippman ’08 is a White House and Washington reporter for POLITICO and can be reached at daniel@politico.com.
Global Journeys, Personal Growth
Meet the Second MacArthur Fellowship Cohort
BY DARRYL GANGLOFF
HOTCHKISS IS PLEASED to announce the second cohort of the MacArthur Fellowship: Christian Finlay ’20, Devin Goldstein ’21, and Olya Sukonrat ’21. Created through the generosity of Andrew MacArthur P’23 in honor of his father, Bill MacArthur ’59, the Fellowship funds an international gap year opportunity for three Hotchkiss graduates.
These three Fellows will spend a year abroad engaged in a project that features service, learning, internships, cultural immersion, and adventure. The Fellowship will support their ongoing growth and education by helping them set goals, develop independence and confidence, solve problems, learn about different cultures, and explore their personal interests in new environments.
The inaugural MacArthur Fellows—Jack Louchheim ’20, Elise Nam ’20, and Jacob Zweiback ’24—recently returned from their year-long journeys and thanked the MacArthurs for the opportunity of a lifetime during a gathering on campus in June.
Christian Finlay ’20
Cornell University ’25
Over the next year, Christian Finlay ’20 plans to study the intersection of humanitarian efforts, developmental finance, and public policy to understand short-term and long-term strategies to foster sustainable peace in post-conflict societies.
Through time spent in Jordan, Kenya, and El Salvador, he will work and volunteer in organizations that approach situations in vastly different manners,
aiming to gain an appreciation for the stakeholders at every stage.
“With the suspension of USAID and foreign spending at large, many humanitarian relief organizations are undergoing a sharp contraction. Millions will be affected, and there may be no better time to witness the evolving process of sustainable reconstruction,” he said.
Devin Goldstein ’21
University College London ’25
Over the course of her fellowship year, Devin Goldstein ’21 will develop a deeper understanding of China and the broader East Asian region through both language immersion and early career experience. She will begin in mainland China, living with a host family and working as an au pair while studying Mandarin intensively. This phase is meant to strengthen her fluency and give her a grounded understanding of daily life, social dynamics, and local perspectives that aren’t accessible from the outside.
Later in the year, she will be based in Hong Kong, where she plans to explore the region’s financial and investment landscape. Her interests lie at the intersection of emerging markets, development, and capital investing, and she hopes to gain practical exposure to how these systems operate in East Asia. She will build on her academic work in institutional economics through an internship in equity research,
while also exploring other opportunities in impact finance and sustainabilitydriven investing. She also plans to spend time in Taiwan and possibly South Korea to observe how different historical and political trajectories shape economic models across the region.
“This year is ultimately about building a base of language, context, and professional insight, all focused on a part of the world to which I am deeply connected,” she said.
Olya Sukonrat ’21
Columbia University ’25
As a writer and multidisciplinary artist, Olya Sukonrat ’21 will complete residencies, collaborate with creative collectives, and volunteer with art museums and galleries to expand her understanding of contemporary and local art in a non-American context.
During her fellowship, she plans to spend six months in Europe, in Greece and Germany, and six months in Asia, in Japan and Indonesia. By dividing her time between both continents, she aims to explore local handicraft traditions and cultural and heritage preservation.
“Through immersive engagement, I hope to enrich my own artistic practice and gain a deeper insight into how communities sustain creative lifestyles,” she said.
From left, Olya Sukonrat ’21, Christian Finlay ’20, and Devin Goldstein ’21 are the second MacArthur Fellowship cohort. APPLY FOR THE MACARTHUR FELLOWSHIP
LARRY RULISON ’90 REALIZES HIS DREAM OF
Winning Winning Winning Family Family Family
Feud Feud Feud
LARRY RULISON ’90, A BUSINESS WRITER at the Times Union, appeared with his brothers and sister-in-law on the popular game show Family Feud in May. They emerged victorious, and Rulison and his brother, Ted, won their family $20,000 in the Fast Money round.
“Name an animal print that looks good on the animal but not on grandma,” host Steve Harvey asked Rulison for the final question. “Zebra,” Rulison responded, winning to enthusiastic applause.
The Rulisons lost on their second episode, but that didn’t dampen the thrill of appearing on their favorite game show. “It was amazing,” Rulison said. “I loved the experience.”
Rulison was unable to attend his 35th Hotchkiss reunion in June, but his friend Steve Chinatti ’90 made sure he was there in spirit. “Steve played my Family Feud episodes at the reunion. That was really cool since I couldn’t make it. I really enjoyed that,” Rulison said, reminiscing about his friendship with Chinatti and Ben Strong ’90. “The three of us were best friends at Hotchkiss. We used to be roommates in Boston after college!”
Rulison reflected on his love of Family Feud in the Times Union Enjoy his article. —Darryl Gangloff
BY LARRY RULISON ’90 Originally published in the Times Union
I grew up in Syracuse, a child of the 1980s.
On some dreary winter days—and there were plenty of those—when I had a sore throat or maybe a fever, my mom would hold me out of Salem Hyde Elementary for a sick day. The best part of my sick day was that I was able to park myself in front of the small television set we had in the sunroom of our Colonial-style home and watch daytime TV.
Among the lineup of game shows on weekday mornings in Syracuse was Family Feud, with host Richard Dawson. That wildly popular show first aired in 1976, and the British-born Dawson would have playful fun with the wide variety of families who would appear on the show to face off against each
Larry Rulison ’90, second from left, appeared on Family Feud with his three brothers, from left, Ted, Parker, and Rob. At the far right is Rob’s wife, Tanya.
“I thought to myself, what a great thing this would be for our family members to come together, unite us, and see how we can do as a family.”
TED RULISON, BROTHER OF LARRY RULISON ’90
other. The basic premise involved the families trying to guess the answers of themed surveys.
Oh, how I wished I could appear on Family Feud even back then. The show was funny and unpredictable—and exciting. And you got to play the game with your actual family.
Last year, my childhood dream to appear on Family Feud came true.
I am the oldest of four brothers: Rob, Parker, and Ted. Rob lives in Grosse Pointe Park outside of Detroit, and Parker and Ted live in Syracuse still. So we competed on the show as the Rulisons from Syracuse. Since you need five contestants on Family Feud, either related by blood or by marriage, Rob’s wife, Tanya, rounded out our team.
My brother Ted, who at 45 is the youngest of the Rulison brothers, is also a big Family Feud fan. He watches almost every night. At the end of one of the episodes, he saw a promo telling fans how to apply to appear on the show. Anyone can apply on the Family Feud website.
Ted was the one who signed us up to audition. Yes, you audition. Our process started in November 2023 with a virtual online audition, which was a lot of fun, basically playing a round of the Family Feud game so the producers could get a feel of our chemistry and personality as a family.
I thought we had a good initial tryout, but I honestly never thought we would actually make it onto the show!
“I thought to myself, what a great thing this would be for our family members to come together, unite us, and see how we can do as a family,” Ted said during a recent video interview I did with my brothers and Tanya.
Like me, Ted wasn’t sure we would even be invited down to Atlanta, where they tape the show at Tyler Perry Studios, a sprawling, 330-acre complex of studios and movie sets.
“Once I became aware that Family Feud has 8 million viewers an evening, I thought it was a long shot, and we would just put in the application and see where
it goes,” Ted said. Family Feud is now hosted by comedian, author, and radio host Steve Harvey, who has held the job now even longer than Dawson. In person, Harvey was very funny, and it was an amazing experience getting to meet him.
“(The experience) was a wide range of emotions,” Ted said. “I was pretty excited. I was pumped. And at the same time, I was extremely nervous. I think I got a little more nervous each day, even though I was practicing at home, watching each episode. At first, it was more of an excitement and a confidence, kind of like an ego boost. But then, as we got closer and closer, it was a little bit more nerve-wracking.”
Just like everyone else, I watched the episode for the first time on May 6, except I was at a viewing party Ted organized in Syracuse, where I saw two of my childhood best friends.
Family Feud asked us not to reveal too much of the behind-the-scenes “magic” that makes the show so special.
What I can say is that making TV is hard work, but it was a lot of fun, and getting to appear on Family Feud and meet Steve Harvey was awesome. I had a blast.
WATCH RULISON ON FAMILY FEUD
ONCE A BEARCAT,
Reunion Weekend
Welcomes Back 0s and 5s
Hotchkiss was delighted to welcome back alumni from class years ending in 0 and 5 for a festive and heartfelt Reunion Weekend in June. The celebration included screenings of the documentary Women of Hotchkiss: The First 50 Years, a trip down memory lane with memorabilia from the archives, fun at Fairfield Farm, campus tours, alumni panels, and the chance to reconnect with friends.
ALWAYS A BEARCAT
Reflecting on 60 Years of
the GO Program
The Greater Opportunity (GO) Program launched at Hotchkiss 60 years ago to provide teenage boys from disadvantaged backgrounds with a transformative academic and cultural experience. The summer enrichment camp ran for nine years and educated boys from neighborhoods in New York and Connecticut. Alumni gathered on campus in June during Reunion Weekend to celebrate the milestone anniversary, reflect on the lifelong benefits of the program, and honor its founder, Father David Kern.
GENEROUS AND GRATEFUL BEARCATS
Young Alumni Kick Off Summer with Inaugural Event
More than 100 Bearcats packed Grey Lady in New York City on June 18 for the inaugural Young Alumni Summer Kick-Off. These generous donors shattered the goal and raised vital funds for The Hotchkiss Fund.
Thank-A-Donor Day: Safari Edition
Thank-a-Donor Day was a roaring success on May 16. Grateful Bearcats came together to write heartfelt postcards to the generous donors who support The Hotchkiss Fund, which covers 12 percent of Hotchkiss’s operating budget. Students also enjoyed safari swag (because they are wild about our donors).
Young Alumni Summer Kick-Off
Community
THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Board of Governors and the Office of Alumni Engagement thank all alumni, parents, students, and friends who volunteered for our various Days of Service.
BEIJING Lionel Hong ’08 organized a Day of Service in Beijing on June 1. Students, alumni, and families led children on a tour of Keystone Academy, played sports, and enjoyed lunch. “Our new Hotchkiss students demonstrated fantastic leadership,” Hong said.
BRONX Julia Tingley Kivitz ’01 organized a produce party packathon with Grassroots Grocery in Bronx, NY, on June 7. Bearcats unloaded, sorted, and packed excess produce from the Hunts Point Market to be delivered to families in need.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Whitney PakPour Zeta ’04 organized a cleanup event with District Cleanups in Washington, D.C. on May 17.
NOMINATE ALUMNI FOR AWARDS
THE ALUMNI AWARD recognizes individuals who, through personal achievement, have brought honor and distinction to themselves and Hotchkiss. The Nominating Committee of the Board of Governors of the Alumni Association seeks candidates who have made significant contributions within their fields and earned the recognition of their peers on a national or international level. Recent Alumni Award recipients include Alissa Keny-Guyer ’77 and Dr. Barbara Mahon ’78.
THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD honors the service contributions of Hotchkiss graduates to their respective communities, whether local, national, or international. The award seeks to recognize individuals who, in the estimation of the Nominating Committee of the Board of Governors of the Alumni Association, demonstrate through their volunteer and/or vocational endeavors an exemplary sense of caring, initiative, and ingenuity. Recent Community Service Award recipients include Temitayo Ifafore-Calfee ’99 and Elizabeth Irvin ’93.
DOWNLOAD THE APP OR USE THE DESKTOP VERSION! For security reasons, your previous Hotchkiss alumni database credentials have not been transferred to the new platform. You can register as a new user by linking your Facebook, Google, or LinkedIn accounts, or by using your email and a password you create.
Beijing
Bronx
Dr. Barbara Mahon ’78
Alissa Keny-Guyer ’77
Elizabeth Irvin ’93
Temitayo Ifafore-Calfee ’99
Snack Break
In the above photo, students and faculty hung out in the snack bar circa 1980. The current snack bar in Main Building is a popular spot. In fact, alumnae just launched a new Fair Hotchkiss fashion line in the snack bar during June Reunion (see p. 34).
April 2025 Alum of the Month:
P’27 ’85
Deirdre Lord ’85,
DEIRDRE LORD ’85, P’27 is focused on her goal of contributing to an improved energy industry. She is an energy entrepreneur and customer advocate who serves as CEO of The Megawatt Hour, a platform she co-founded in 2010 for finance professionals, energy and facilities managers, and consultants seeking better energy outcomes.
Lord’s extensive family lineage at Hotchkiss goes back to the 1920s. “I never expected to end up in Lakeville, but I have vivid memories of my grandfather (Oswald Lord, Class of 1922, P’52,’55, GP’83’83,’85, GGP’27) telling my brothers how much they would love Hotchkiss. By the time I entered secondary school, Hotchkiss was coeducational. I wanted to move from an all-girls school, so I decided to visit my twin brothers, Charlie and Tim, Class of 1983, on campus.” She was so impressed that she became the first girl in the Lord family to attend Hotchkiss, noting, “My grandfather took great pride in that milestone.”
Hotchkiss brought learning to life for her. “I still remember amazing English classes. I valued talking about literature with my peers and unearthing meaning and context. I also loved AP bio with Jim Morrill P’87,’89 and found him to be brilliant. The late Walter Crain P’86,’89 told me that I was ‘a fine math student,’ which was the first time I’d heard that!” Former faculty member Jennifer Bryan was also important to Lord, and they have remained in touch.
Lord was part of a talented varsity soccer team that lost only one game in three years, and she also ran track. “It was a wonderful combination of personal challenge and amazing team spirit.”
Her school and career choices were heavily influenced by a childhood spent outdoors and compounded by her mother’s example. “She modeled activism, starting an environmental group in New York
City in the 1970s,” Lord explained. She decided to pursue a B.A. in English and environmental studies at the University of Vermont (Phi Beta Kappa), followed by a master’s from the University of Delaware in energy and environmental policy.
Lord’s first job was at the International Institute for Energy, where she implemented energy-efficiency technologies and private sector partnerships in developing countries. She worked at several other energy companies before moving to Constellation NewEnergy. From there, she left with two colleagues to found Juice Energy to provide green power for commercial companies.
Electric companies deregulated in the late 1990s, allowing people to purchase energy from secondary providers. Lord hoped that making the environmental impacts of delivering energy more transparent would lead to different consumer behaviors, both at the commercial/industrial level and at the residential level. She established The MegaWatt Hour platform in response to a need to link markets to customers. “Our customers are happy and well-served by the work that we do, which is incredibly gratifying.”
In terms of demand, consumption, and its impact on the environment, Lord says, “I believe that change comes when individuals feel the effects of inaction. People all over are now experiencing forest fires and floods—the extreme impacts of climate disruption. Perhaps all these experiences will continue to motivate changes in behavior and consumer preferences and start to help us rewrite the stories that we tell ourselves about consumption and growth.”
For the past 10 years, Lord has shared her energy expertise by serving on the boards of several organizations, including Clean Choice Energy, established to make clean energy accessible to everyone, and GreenerU, a design-build firm that helps organizations achieve climate neutrality and sustainable operations.
Lord values her time at Hotchkiss but notes it was not without its challenges. “When I first left the School, I had very little perspective about the sexual misconduct [that took place at the School]. I decided to remain involved and later supported Courage Garden. I was impressed by the bravery of the survivors, who have so lovingly committed to improving life at Hotchkiss for current and future students. The School’s commitment to transparency and student safety will ensure that these things never happen again. Courage Garden is a tribute to the fearlessness of our survivors whose stories need to be remembered forever.”
Her relationship with Hotchkiss is stronger than ever, evidenced by her son, Charlie ’27. “He has found the School to be a wonderful fit, and our shared experience of Hotchkiss feels special. I think I can speak for Charlie that we both made our decision with a real sense of independence and with respect for our family history.”
May 2025 Alum of the Month: Alison
Silberman ’96 ’96
ALISON SILBERMAN ’96 has always wanted to serve others. When her younger brother was diagnosed with cancer, her focus shifted to service that is both professional and personal. She is now the chief executive officer of Stupid Cancer, the leader in adolescent and young adult cancer advocacy, research, and support. “I have been afforded incredible opportunities in my life, so it is my responsibility to give back,” she said.
Silberman’s father, the late Alan Silberman ’46, P’94,’96, frequently shared stories of his days at Hotchkiss. Yet attending Hotchkiss wasn’t something she had planned on until her sister, Lauren, joined the Class of 1994.
Hotchkiss provided her with a broad range of opportunities. “I tried golf, skied, ran track, and volunteered at the Town Hill School, among other things.” Silberman appreciated the rigorous academics and the dedicated faculty and staff members, but found most meaningful the community itself—one that supported all of those aspects, resulting in a strong foundation for her future endeavors.
After graduating from Colby College with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government, she earned her M.S. in urban planning from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
Silberman’s first job was working as mayoral program coordinator for the Bloomberg administration, collaborating with state and local leaders to address the city’s criminal justice policy priorities. She then became director of field engagement at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, increasing the organization’s national presence and advocacy efforts, followed by a job as senior program director at Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit founded to support people impacted by the terrorist attack on 9/11.
Her brother Bobby’s diagnosis shifted her perspective and inspired her to pursue patient advocacy. Though significant strides in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care have been made over the past 18 years, she notes there’s still much work to be done. In fact, many may not be familiar with AYA cancer. The affected community remains underserved and underrepresented in healthcare. An estimated 89,500 young adults (age 15-39) are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Two million live in survivorship, compounding the growing need for resources and networking services.
“This group faces unique issues as their diagnosis occurs during critical years of personal and professional development,” says Silberman. “Stupid Cancer not only supports these patients, survivors, and caregivers but also advocates to ensure their voices are heard and their needs addressed. By ending isolation, educating our community about resources, and helping them navigate treatment and survivorship with dignity on their terms, they can get busy living.”
AYAs face distinct challenges in survivorship, including financial hardships exacerbated by nonmedical costs (such as childcare and student loans), reproductive health concerns and family planning, and poor long-term health outcomes.
She notes the incredible strides made since former President Nixon declared a war on cancer that launched the U.S. to the forefront of drug discovery, saving millions of lives. “But much of that has come to an abrupt halt, along with significant academic research to help us understand and improve the many quality-of-life issues that affect millions of cancer survivors. We are seeing the rapid dismantling of structures that support innovation, science, and research. Cutting critical support services like Medicaid will have devastating impacts on
the cancer community.”
Success for Stupid Cancer means connecting AYAs with others who truly understand their experience and providing resources tailored to their age-specific needs. “Being diagnosed with cancer as a young person can be devastating. But when individuals come together, it creates an incredible sense of healing and connection.”
Despite the challenges, Silberman is optimistic. “The fact that we are even talking about young people with cancer is an advance! Many hospitals have dedicated AYA programs or staff in their oncology units. We need to push for research that focuses on the unique biology of some of these cancers that are prevalent in this age demographic to better understand how we can treat them more safely with less toxicity and side effects.”
She still draws on things she learned at Hotchkiss. “I experienced a blend of healthy competition and creative collaboration; these skills have been invaluable to me. I ultimately found that understanding those around you, finding common ground, and working together are the most meaningful skills for long-term success,” she said. “I went to Hotchkiss at a time when female participation was a given. The presence of women and girls at Hotchkiss for the past 50 years has added to and enriched the perspective of all students.”
July 2025 Alum of the Month: Stuart Gillespie ’01
STUART GILLESPIE ’01 welcomes the opportunity to fight for the environment every chance he gets. He serves as a staff attorney at Earthjustice, based in Denver, CO, and while he specializes in protecting public lands and wildlife, much of his work focuses on waterways. “These waterways are often at the center of our communities and ecosystems,” he explains. “As temperatures rise, water supplies shrink, which can and is causing a cascade of problems across the West.”
Gillespie entered Hotchkiss as a lower mid, joining two of his best friends already there. “It was special to spend three more years with them. We’d been together since preschool. Hotchkiss was a challenge, though, both in academics and sports— exactly what I needed.”
The natural environment surrounding Hotchkiss felt like the polar opposite of New York City, where Gillespie was raised. “What a beautiful place! At Hotchkiss, I explored the outdoors, running on every trail I could find as part of the crosscountry team.” He sustained an injury during his senior year, which led him to borrow a friend’s road bike to cross-train. “Soon, I was riding the Housatonic hills and Berkshire mountains around School.”
He matriculated at Harvard, where he earned an A.B. in economics (cum laude) while minoring in French. He stayed active in cycling, making the U.S. national team, and moved to Europe to race road bikes. This led to a contract racing for a professional cycling team. “That journey started in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut at the intersection of Interlaken and Sharon roads,” he said. While Gillespie was racing, he read A Civil Action, a story about a young lawyer
fighting against two corporate giants in a high-stakes environmental lawsuit. “The book holds out the promise of a legal system that can protect communities and the environment by bringing polluters to justice. It is also a cautionary tale about the shortcomings in the system and just how difficult it is to obtain justice. That challenge inspired me.”
After retiring from racing, he went to law school to study environmental law. “Now, I still get the thrill of competition, albeit in court,” he said. “A big difference is that I now compete for someone else—my clients. That’s immensely rewarding.”
Hotchkiss unexpectedly helped to define his trajectory within environmental law. “I read a 2016 Alum of the Month profile on Erik Grafe ’92 and his work with Earthjustice, Alaska. Erik spoke passionately about his work and how he used his Hotchkiss education to help protect the environment. That resonated with me, and a few months later, I applied for a job opening at Earthjustice. I have since tried to live up to that ideal.”
Gillespie gives the Great Salt Lake in Utah as an example of the critical importance of waterways. “It is the largest saline lake in the Western hemisphere,
supporting a dazzling array of over 10 million birds. The lake, however, has declined precipitously in recent years due to excessive upstream diversions of water that deprive the lake of its life-sustaining flows. If it continues to shrink, the ecosystem will collapse, threatening one of North America’s largest migratory bird colonies. It will also precipitate a public health crisis,” cautions Gillespie. “As water levels recede, mercury and arsenic in the lakebed—once safely underwater but now above ground—are sent into the air each time strong winds blow. That dust blows into the Wasatch Front, home to over 2 million Utah residents. One Republican lawmaker said the state is sitting on ‘an environmental nuclear bomb’ if state officials don’t take appropriate action.”
He continued, “We filed a lawsuit in 2023 on behalf of community health groups who argue that the state has violated its obligation to protect the lake under the public trust doctrine. It’s a compelling case that builds on legal precedent to protect an iconic place and the public health of millions.”
He credits Hotchkiss for helping to define his path. “The School helped me with every aspect of writing; taught me how to think logically and to explain my thoughts; showed me how to work with and listen to others; and taught me how to persevere and do the best I can. I’m thankful to the fabulous teachers who shaped my time there, who so often went above and beyond to help their students. I’m also thankful to my parents, who supported me in my decision to go to Hotchkiss. Now that I’m a parent, it’s tough to imagine my kids (Ellherie, Finn, and Gwyn) leaving home.”
Photo of Stuart Gillespie ’01 by Spenser Heaps for Earthjustice
’04
June 2025 Alum of the Month: Carla Reeves ’04
CARLA REEVES ’04 has built a distinguished career in employment law, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor, skilled litigator, and advocate. As a director at the law firm Goulston & Storrs, she combines legal expertise with a commitment to service, both to her clients and to underserved communities. Her leadership and contributions to the field of employment law have earned her recognition both locally and nationally. Reeves’s journey began on the South Side of Chicago, IL, where she was encouraged to consider boarding schools through a scholarship program for high-performing students from inner-city schools. “The idea of stepping out of my comfort zone to try something more challenging intrigued me. I still remember my first visit to campus and the time and effort Pat Redd Johnson and others put into making me feel welcomed. It was hard leaving home, but as I reflect on my experience, I know I made the right decision.”
A core group of faculty members proved key to her experience at Hotchkiss, including Lufkin Prize winner Charles Frankenbach P’12,’16, Athena Fliakos ’95, Paul Oberto P’24,’25, Al Bertsch, and Nate Seidenberg. Reeves found community and some of her closest friends through one of her favorite extracurricular activities, the Black and Hispanic Student Alliance (BaHSA), an organization for which she served as co-president.
She made the decision to pursue law while attending Union College, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Union, she was introduced to her first attorney mentor and interned at a large law firm headquartered in Chicago. During the academic year, she worked as an intern in the City of Schenectady’s Office of Corporation Counsel while also gaining
experience as a teaching assistant in the Political Science Department through a Future Professors Program. “These experiences, taken together, helped to solidify my interest in pursuing a career in law,” she said.
Reeves earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School on an accelerated track. While in law school, she served as a judicial intern to then-Chief Magistrate Judith Dein of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and as a legal intern for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Solicitor. She also supported trial teams as a law clerk in the Boston office of a midsized law firm, where she later practiced as a complex commercial and business litigation associate. Reeves then practiced as an employment litigation associate at another mid-sized law firm in Boston before joining Goulston & Storrs in 2016.
Reeves’s work is a wide-ranging combination of advising employers on compliance with federal and state employment laws, litigating employment and other business disputes, conducting investigations, and delivering customized workplace trainings. She helps clients mitigate the impact of government investigations and enforcement actions, including those involving agencies such as the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and state Attorneys General offices.
Though Reeves’s employment practice has always been dynamic, the current legal landscape has posed unprecedented challenges. In her work in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion, she dedicates substantial time to reminding employers of what the law is and to helping them develop risk-informed strategies for navigating new enforcement priorities. She says, “This work is challenging and requires courage in this climate, but it is
too important to abandon.”
Reeves’s achievements in the area of employment law include her selection as a 2025 “Go To” Employment Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly; recognition by Chambers and Partners USA and the National Law Journal; and her recent invitation to join the American Employment Law Council. In June, Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys selected Reeves to receive its Ida B. Wells Award, which recognizes Black women attorneys who have made significant contributions to the legal profession. She maintains an active pro bono practice, providing employment and other advice to nonprofit organizations dedicated to survivors’ rights, health equity, alleviation of poverty, support for individuals experiencing homelessness, and access to education and justice. Reeves also provides foundational employment law trainings to small women- and minorityowned businesses. In recognition of her pro bono work, Reeves has received awards from Lawyers for Civil Rights and the Volunteer Lawyers Project.
“Hotchkiss offered me early opportunities for leadership, strengthened my advocacy skills, and helped me learn to build relationships across differences,” Reeves said. She draws on these lessons and skills every day and has leveraged them in her work in the legal and broader communities.
IN MEMORIAM 44
ALAN GOODRICH KIRK P’76,’79 died on April 20, 2025, in Trappe, MD, surrounded by family members. He was 98. Alan was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Joan Carr Kirk, who died on March 18, 2025, also in Trappe. Alan grew up in Morristown, NJ, one of five brothers. His younger brothers, twins Richard and Donald, were members of the Class of 1948. At Hotchkiss, he excelled in academics while also playing ice hockey and football. During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marines, crossing the Atlantic Ocean several times to carry troops and supplies to Europe. He graduated from Princeton in 1950. Soon after that, he was drafted into the Army at the beginning of the Korean War and was sent overseas to fight against the invasion of South Korea. As soon as he returned from Korea, he married Joan in Carmel, CA. The couple settled in Philadelphia, where Alan started at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, graduating in 1956. Upon graduation, he accepted a position at Penn Law as Assistant Dean until 1962. He then worked as an attorney at Rorer Pharmaceutical. He and Joan lived in Radnor, PA, and began raising a family. Working as a lawyer in Philadelphia, he was also very active in local Republican politics. He accepted a job at the Interior Department, where he eventually rose to the position of assistant to Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickle. There, he became involved in several national issues, including the 1969 Native American takeover of Alcatraz Island. In 1971, he moved on to the newly created Environmental Protection Agency, where he was appointed deputy general counsel. He was instrumental in the creation of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and other critical legislation that brought the country into a more enlightened time when the health of the environment became synonymous with human health. In 1975, he became the senior vice president and general counsel at the Potomac Electric Power Co. (PEPCO). Over the next two decades, he was involved in numerous clubs and activities. He played golf into his early 90s and became a popular docent at the Washington National Cathedral. A book lover, he founded the “Literary Luncheon” series at the Metropolitan Club and passed the baton after 300 successful luncheons. He enjoyed driving his children to their athletic games and was always busy with projects on the property he and Joan bought in McLean, VA, where they lived for 50 years. The family spent nearly every summer vacationing in Buzzards Bay, MA, a place he truly loved. Alan was a true gentleman—wise, loving, and understanding, quick to find humor and joy, and a dedicated defender of democracy and the environment. He was beloved by all, led by example, and forged and maintained lifelong friendships too numerous to count. He is survived by his children: Augustus; Jennifer, Class of 1976, and her partner, Steve Labonte; William, Class of 1979, and his former wife, Carolyn Kirk; Alison and her husband, Chris Long; and six grandchildren.
49
TIMOTHY BERDAN “TIM” BLANCKE passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, at Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Massachusetts, less than two weeks before his 94th birthday. Tim was a very kind, loving, and generous man who thought highly of both his family of origin and the family he went on to create. Born in Montclair, NJ, he spent his childhood in Davisville, RI, during World War II when his father, Leo Blancke, joined the Navy and was a personnel officer for the Seabees. At the war’s end, the family returned to Montclair, but soon moved to Essex Fells, NJ. By the time Tim
arrived at Hotchkiss in 1946, he already knew he wanted to be an engineer. He went on to graduate in electrical engineering from Cornell University. After graduation, he spent two years in the Army in the 25th Signal Battalion. He met his wife-to-be, Shirley, in Essex Fells through friends who invited Tim to entertain a “nice English girl,” who was about to return home after a year of graduate study at Radcliffe. After six months of correspondence, Tim traveled to London, and they got engaged. In his first job at Curtiss-Wright, NJ, he acquired an interest in developing sensitive electronic measuring instruments; this led to his career. Subsequently, at Engelhard Industries, he worked on precision instruments and corrosion protection for ships. He moved his family to Concord, MA, in 1966 to take a position with the Rotek company in Watertown, where he worked on high-precision calibration instruments. He went on to HewlettPackard, where he spent most of his 22-year career as a product development engineer in the Medical Products Division. He developed patient-monitoring systems for hospitals that were used in operating rooms, ICUs, coronary care units, and catheterization labs, a job that he loved. He also became a troubleshooter for other engineers’ designs. In retirement, he took courses at Northeastern in computing and became a “computer nerd,” teaching himself encryption and website development. For 20 years, he taught GED math and computer skills in Concord’s two prisons as a volunteer for Concord Prison Outreach. He also served on the Town Planning Board for five years, including as chair. He helped to preserve a beautiful wooded area from developers; it is now a town conservation area where people take walks. He loved dogs, and during their married life, he and Shirley had seven golden retrievers. Tim and Shirley enjoyed travel, taking many trips around the world, as well as water sports and music. Tim leaves his wife, Shirley, to whom he was married for 64 years; his daughter, Clare Burhoe; his son, Brian; and Clare’s twins, Joshua and Raef. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters.
DONALD R. “DON” LIEBESKIND died on Jan. 5, 2025. He was born in Waterbury, CT, in January 1931. After graduating from Hotchkiss, he entered Princeton University. At Princeton, he sang in the Freshman and Varsity Glee Clubs, joined the Charter Club, and majored in politics, writing his thesis on “The Withdrawal of the British from India (1942-1947).” After graduating from Princeton in 1953, he earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University. He became president of Musler Liebeskind, a women’s retail clothing and
accessories enterprise in Connecticut, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1995. He was also president of Temple Israel, a board member of United Way and St. Mary’s Hospital, a director of development for the Jewish Federation of Waterbury, and a volunteer for the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Waterbury. He was married to Patricia Liebeskind for 47 years. After her death, he married Anita Rosenbaum Liebeskind, who survives him. He is also survived by his four children, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several stepchildren and step-grandchildren. His brother, Steve, is a member of the Class of 1955, and a deceased brother, Jim, was in the Class of 1951.
JOHN ALDEN (“JACK”) NORTH JR., 93, of Brattleboro, VT, died peacefully on Feb. 9, 2025. Jack was born in Hartford, CT, on April 30, 1931, and grew up in West Hartford. He graduated from Trinity College and married his first great love, Jean Elizabeth Pressley, in 1953 at the Trinity College Chapel. They moved to Simsbury, CT, in 1956, where they raised their three children, Jay, Sterling, and Susan. They moved in 1996 to Brattleboro, VT. Jack served two years in the U.S. Navy as a recruit instructor and history teacher at the Recruit Training Center in Bainbridge, MD, and aboard the USS Kearsarge during the Korean War. He was president and co-founder of Baker & North Inc. Advertising Agency in Hartford, CT, for 30 years. It was nationally recognized for dedication, leadership, and excellence in all aspects of advertising and public relations. He oversaw the business at the executive level and was also a copywriter, art director, graphic designer, illustrator, and salesman, as well as a radio and television producer. He produced a popular television quiz show called What in the World? that showcased local celebrities answering questions on world geography. Jack served as chairman of the Easter Seals Society of Connecticut and as a past president of the Greater Hartford Advertising Club. He was a trustee of the Connecticut River Watershed Council and served as director of the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Hartford, Child and Family Services of Connecticut, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Hartford, and the Connecticut Foundation for Independent Schools. Jack was a member and chairman of the Simsbury Zoning Board of Appeals for 25 years. In Vermont, he continued his volunteer work as a trustee and past president of the Ames HillMarlboro Community Center and as chairman of the Trustees and Deacons of the Marlboro Meeting House. He also served as chairman of the board of the Southern Vermont Natural
History Museum. An avid fly fisherman, he enjoyed his annual excursions to the Allagash in Maine. He was an extraordinarily talented gardener and an accomplished golfer, sporting a 2-handicap at one time. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Jean P. North, who died suddenly in 2000. He lost his second great love, Ruth C. White, who died in 2017, with whom he played golf and traveled. Jack’s beloved son, Sterling Alden North, died in 2022. Jack is survived by two children, John (Jay) Alden North III and Susan Alden Flynn, as well as Susan’s husband, Shane Flynn, and their two children. He leaves Sterling’s family: his wife, Regina North, and their twin daughters and their families. He also leaves a cherished niece and nephews and their families. Jack was a true “people person” who appreciated old and new friends, charming them with his wit, wisdom, and fantastic sense of humor, because he loved to laugh and make others laugh. “He was a joy to know, a pleasure to meet, and a treasure to love.”
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FABYAN COURTENAY “COURT” MATHEY , 92, of Hot Springs Village, AR, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025. Court is remembered as a kind, loving, and giving soul who found inspiration in friendship, nature, spiritual growth, and serving the community. His life enriched many others through his gifts of time and caring. Born on July 14, 1932, in New York City to Cecil and Edith Mathey, he was educated at Hotchkiss and Princeton University and served in the U.S. Army at Camp Chaffee from 1954-56, receiving an honorable discharge as a Corporal. Court earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Arkansas in 1957, was named the outstanding mechanical engineering graduate of his class, and later received an MBA. After moving with his young family to Dallas in 1965, he worked as a CPA for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and then as controller and budget director for the Dallas Times Herald. Later in his career, he enjoyed working for the Deaf Action Center and serving as president of the Good Shepherd Community Daycare Center, both nonprofit organizations. As Scoutmaster of Troop 800 in Dallas, Court led the Scouts on two memorable 10-day wilderness trips to Colorado in the 1970s. He enjoyed camping, cycling, swimming, golfing, singing, and acting. His love for travel took him to Europe five times and across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 48 of the U.S. states. In retirement, he and his wife Shirley moved to Horseshoe Bend and later to Hot Springs Village in 2013. He was active in the Unitarian Universalist Village Church (UUVC), serving as
board president and receiving the Meg Koziar Distinguished Service Award in 2023. A dedicated volunteer, he gave his time to CASA, AARP, Pastoral Care for UUVC, and other local groups. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail, his second wife, Lynn, and his son Rob. His wife, Shirley, passed away on May 9, 2025. He is survived by son Courtenay II (Jackie), daughterin-law Karen Mathey, stepson Robert Brackett and family, grandchildren Jeff, Jackson, Faye, and Tara, and several great-grandchildren.
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ROBERT HARTSHORNE “BOB” TRASK JR. , 92, died on May 8, 2025, at Springfield Hospital in Springfield, VT, after a short illness. He was born on June 1, 1932, in New York City, the son of Robert and Rebecca (Bird) Trask. Growing up on the northern shore of New Jersey, he attended Eaglebrook School, Hotchkiss, Class of 1951, and Bowdoin College, Class of 1955, as well as the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. On March 20, 1982, Robert married Claire Snyder. Robert owned and operated the Signal Hill Farm in Londonderry, VT, raising dairy and, later, beef cattle. He lived in Londonderry for 60 years, moving to North Springfield, VT, in 2019. Robert had a wide range of interests, including the visual arts, genealogy, and stone antiquities. He was passionate about land stewardship and enjoyed spending time outdoors. Predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Lois (Good), he is survived by his wife of 45 years, Claire (Snyder); sons Monroe Trask, Benjamin Trask (MJ), and Nicholas; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and two nieces. He was predeceased by his beloved sister, Penelope.
JOHN “JACK” D. WALLACE , 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, died peacefully at home in Princeton, NJ, on May 1, 2025, with his wife, Happy, and children Chris and Margie by his side. Jack was born in Trenton on Feb. 12, 1933. He grew up in Princeton, attended Princeton Country Day, and graduated in 1951 from Hotchkiss, where he enjoyed drama, debate, and soccer. He attended Princeton in the Naval ROTC program, and, after graduating in 1955 with a degree in international and public affairs, served in the U.S. Navy, eventually becoming Admiral’s Aide to the Vice Admiral in command of the Atlantic amphibious fleet. After the Navy, Jack started a financial career with Hanover Bank and then Morgan Stanley in New York. In 1959, he married Happy Goebel. Jack’s career in banking took root close to home in Trenton, NJ. After early years on Wall Street, he joined First Trenton National Bank, a predecessor of New
Jersey National Bank and eventually CoreStates. He started as an assistant cashier and ended his career as CEO. After guiding the bank during the early years of interstate banking, he retired in 1993 so that he could focus on his family, a little bit of tennis and golf, and his favorite community institutions. While Jack loved advising and lending to businesses to help them grow, he took special pride in the town of Princeton and its vibrancy. Like his father, who was mayor, Jack served on the Princeton Township Committee and as mayor from 196970, and again in 1972. Many local nonprofit and educational organizations benefited from Jack’s leadership, including McCarter Theater, the Princeton Area Community Foundation, Princeton Day School (PDS), Princeton Senior Resource Center, Trinity Counseling, the University Medical Center at Princeton, and the Watershed Institute. At PDS, with 23 years on the board, Jack was exceedingly generous with his strategic guidance and financial support. Indeed, he was the School’s longest-serving trustee. In 1993, for his impact, Jack earned the school’s highest volunteer and career service award, which was subsequently renamed the John D. Wallace ’48 Alumni Service Award. After the profound loss of their son John, Jack and Happy decided to establish the John D. Wallace Jr. ’78 Memorial Guest Artist Series. This fund established Imagine the Possibilities, a schoolwide program that brings renowned authors, poets, and illustrators to the PDS community. He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret Cook Wallace and John H. Wallace, his younger siblings Bill and Penny Wallace, and his son John, who died from AIDS in 1990. In addition to his wife and children, Jack is survived by his son-in-law, Peter; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. In all, while his presence in the community was profound, his devotion to his family was boundless, and his love for his beloved Happy was unwavering.
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PETER MACK BLAUVELT died Jan. 27, 2025, at the age of 90. Peter served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57 and graduated from Cornell University in 1959 and Syracuse Law School in 1962. He began the general practice of law in 1962 with the firm of Brennan, Centner, Palermo, and Blauvelt, which in 1981 merged with Harter, Secrest, and Emery. In 1983, Peter was elected a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 198586, he served as the president of the Monroe County Bar Association. Peter concluded his legal career as town justice for the Town
of Sterling, NY, and served on numerous boards, including as board chairman of Cayuga Community College. Peter enjoyed everything in the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and boating. Predeceased by his parents, the Hon. Arthur Ervin and Eleanor Mack Blauvelt, he is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ann Melrose Blauvelt; children, Peter Blauvelt, David (Katrina) Blauvelt, Jon (Kelly) Blauvelt; and grandchildren, Carlyn (Jackson) Blauvelt Raad, Eva, Claire, and Cameron.
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PETER WALLACE ARNOLD P’78 of Charlestown, RI, died on June 28, 2025. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on Jan. 19, 1936, the son of Lyndon and Irene Johnson Arnold. Peter attended Hotchkiss from 1951 until his graduation in 1954, and Yale University, from which he graduated in 1958. At Yale, he was a “small group” singer and soloist in two undergraduate groups, the Yale Spizzwinks and the famous senior singing society, the Yale Whiffenpoofs. He began his career in banking at The First New Haven National Bank, interrupted by a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army. After 14 years, he was hired by the Washington Trust Company as senior vice president. He was subsequently called to work for Proctor Bank, Vermont, as senior vice president. He ended his 51-year career in banking with Hospital Trust/Bank of America. He served as president of four Estate Planning Councils in Connecticut and Rhode Island, chairman of the board of the School of Banking at Williams College, and as trustee of the American Banking Association National Trust Division. He was also president of the New England Bank Marketing Association. Working with D.E.M., Peter succeeded in placing a number of precious pieces of family property into permanent conservation, including a 50-acre farm abutting the old Arnold homestead in Charlestown, RI. An avid hunter and fisherman in his youth, in adulthood, he became a “diamond life sponsor” of Ducks Unlimited. He leaves his wife of 67 years, Sandra; a son, Deryck; two grandchildren, Ryan and Gillian; and three great-grandchildren, a spate of Arnold family who live in Charlestown in the Arnolda Colonies founded by his greatuncle and grandfather.
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WILLIAM HIGBIE PHILLIPS —adventurer, teacher, leader, visionary, and friend—passed away suddenly on April 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and curiosity.
Through his many life phases from Billy to Bill, Will to Willing, he was a man who truly lived out loud. He was a lifelong lover of the mountains and the sea, a passionate entrepreneur, a devoted teacher and mentor, and a charismatic connector of people. Will grew up in Bernardsville, NJ, the eldest son of Mary Higbie and Phil Phillips, and big brother to Ken and Michael. From an early age, he felt the pull of the natural world and the thrill of exploration. He followed his father’s footsteps to Hotchkiss and continued his education at Haverford and Tufts University, along with the real-life learning of service in the U.S. Army. His life was one of service, adventure, and meaningful connection. He found purpose in his work as a science teacher at Shady Hill School and then as a founder of the Habitat School and Outward Bound, always drawn to environments where he could challenge himself and inspire others. Whether hiking with the Appalachian Mountain Club, sailing open waters with the Pelagic Sailing Club, or diving deep into new ideas with REX Roundtable colleagues and friends, he brought the same energy: thoughtful, curious, joyful, and present. A plaque in his home reads, “When everything falls apart, that’s when the adventure begins.” Will embodied that spirit throughout his life, including one of his most profound early experiences: organizing a grassroots rescue mission following a catastrophic earthquake in Peru. Within 24 hours, he had rallied a coalition of doctors, nurses, mountaineers, Spanish speakers, tech companies, and even a ham radio operator. They traveled to the impacted communities and worked side by side with locals, clearing rubble, providing medical aid, and camaraderie. As they moved to the next township, the village leader shared this: “Thank you. You’ve been a message from God that the world will go on.” That drive to respond, to connect, and to lift others up defined how Will moved through the world. Will’s days were rarely ordinary. He filled them with bold ideas, deep conversations, and a heartfelt interest in every person’s story. He built a far-reaching network of kindred spirits, and within that circle, he was a beacon—a source of inspiration, energy, and love. As the quote by Emile Zola so perfectly puts it: “If you ask me what I came into this world to do, I came to live out loud.” And that, he did. He will continue to live on in the thoughts of his loving wife Mary; his daughters Laura, Katharine, Marion, and Anna; six grandchildren and one great-grandson; and a wide and devoted community of family, friends, and collaborators who were touched by his life and light.
GEORGE “TOM” AYDELOTTE passed on Feb. 4, 2025, at his Mountain Lake, FL, home, where he had very happily taken up year-round residence in late 2021 after a partial recovery from a stroke in October 2020. Tom was one of the last and finest of the old-school gentlemen. He made that move from Deer Park, Greenwich, CT, where he and his wife, Dana, and his daughter, Lee, to both of whom he was devoted, had lived many years as a family. Tom was born Jan. 15, 1940, in Schenectady, NY, to William and Margaret Hanson Aydelotte. After succeeding at Hotchkiss, Tom attended Colgate University, where his principal extracurricular focus was leading the Colgate13, its fabled a cappella group. Tom was forever an appreciator of fine music. His business career and success revolved around the then-throbbing competitive advertising business in the 1960s and ’70s in New York. After breaking in with Benton & Bowles as a media buyer for Proctor & Gamble, General Foods and Texaco, he began his long affiliation with Grey Advertising, where he was executive vice president and also managed multinational accounts. He was then hired by Cheesborough Ponds as brand manager for its Vaseline and Ponds lines. Tom’s final chapter in the business world was as an executive search professional with his own firm, Ingram and Aydelotte, where, among other high-profile assignments, he recruited and placed the late Francis T. “Fay” Vincent Jr. ’56, P’85 as the commissioner of Major League Baseball. Tom and Dana were popular and enjoyed many enduring friendships in and around Greenwich (Round Hill Club, after Tom was president of the Stanwich Club), resulting from their golf enthusiasm. Tom was a low-handicapper, and Dana was a scratch handicapper. Tom’s prowess at tennis, paddle, and squash gave him great pleasure. Tom particularly enjoyed his work as a board member and key volunteer of The Wild Center, Museum of the Adirondacks, which kept his interest, particularly following Dana’s passing in 2002, which jolted him tremendously. Tom leaves his daughter, Lee (Jim Randall), whom he loved and brought him keen pride as a designer, and as she forged a career as a major factor in the Fairfield/Westchester-area estate sales business. Tom’s grandson, Jackson, also gave Tom pride as he flourished and became a gentleman. Tom is also survived by his sister, Margaret Mills, and her two children; his brother-in-law, Richard Lombard, and his daughter, Carter L. Sullivan.
THOMAS N. “TOM” BOYDEN P’90 died on Dec. 7, 2024. At Hotchkiss, Tom participated in tennis, hockey, and soccer, and served on the Mischianza staff. He was a member of the Science Conservation Club and served as chairman of the 1957-58 Faculty Club and the Council Committee. As a senior, he participated in the Student Government Conference and was named permanent class president. After graduating from Williams College and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, where he earned an M.B.A., he served in the U.S. Navy as a LT/JG from 1963-66. He worked as a senior trust administrator, retiring from the Northern Trust Company in Chicago, IL, in 2002. He was appointed by the Lake Forest, IL, mayor to the public elementary school district, serving as president for the last two years of his term. He enjoyed woodworking, dog agility training, and working on fixing his 40-year-old house. He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter Amy Boyden Kerth and son John Boyden ’90; nephew Tom Prochnow ’85, and niece Laura Phillips ’89. His brother, John Boyden ’55, predeceased him. In his recollections for the Misch II, Tom wrote that his favorite teacher was Robert Hawkins. “He taught me how powerful well-written words can be. … About 10 years ago, I wrote him to ask him to settle a disagreement on a writing issue that I was having with my secretary (she was right!).”
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GEORGE CHILDS KOHN , 84, of Madison, CT, passed away on May 5, 2025, at Shoreline Medical Center in Guilford, CT. Born on May 27, 1940, in Hartford, CT, George attended Hotchkiss from 1955-59. He earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963 as a member of St. Anthony Hall and an M.Ed. from the University of Hartford in 1968. He began his career as advertising manager with the West Hartford News before becoming a high school English teacher in Deep River, CT. He then worked as vice president and editor for Laurence Urdang Inc. from 1976-80, where he edited and compiled numerous reference books and encyclopedias. After starting his own research and editorial services company in 1980, he wrote and published reference books on a range of topics from the Encyclopedia of American Scandal to the Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence. His Dictionary of Wars was translated and published in multiple other languages and was selected as one of the New York Public Library’s “1986 Reference Books to Remember.” His Dictionary of Historic
Documents was similarly honored as one of NYPL’s “Outstanding Reference Books of the Year” in 1991. George was an avid golfer and loved to garden, walk, read, and spend time with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Peter Corbin Kohn; father, Phillip Corbin Kohn; mother, Elizabeth Childs Kohn; stepmother and stepbrother. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 58 years, Jutta; daughter, Christina Caplan (Lee); grandchildren Luke, Nicole, and Natalie; his two sisters, Betsy Kohn and stepsister, Kate Keser. His cousins, Clint Brooks ’56 and Jay Brooks, Jr. ’59 were also alumni. George will be lovingly remembered for his kindness, generosity, good nature, thirst for knowledge, and genuine interest in people and learning.
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CHARLES HENRY JOHNSON JR. , age 79, passed away on June 30, 2025, in Los Angeles, CA. Born on May 24, 1946, in New Haven, CT, Charles was the son of Helen T. Johnson and Charles H. Johnson Sr. He spent his formative years in Connecticut and graduated from Hotchkiss in 1964. He went on to attend Yale University, earning both his undergraduate and law degrees there. Charles participated in Operation Crossroads Africa in 1968, spending the summer in Ethiopia. It was an experience that sparked a lifelong love for travel and cross-cultural connection. While at Yale, Charles also joined the Peace Corps and served in Kenya. Among his many travels, France remained especially close to his heart. Charles devoted his career to the legal profession, applying his talents across government agencies and the insurance industry. He also served as a law clerk within the California judicial system, where he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to justice and public service. Known for his fun-loving nature and inquisitive mind, Charles brought laughter and warmth wherever he went. His sharp sense of humor was matched by a deep appreciation for music and cooking—two passions that filled his home with joy and flavor. Charles is survived by his spouse, Dawn Clark-Johnson; his cherished daughter, Shannon Johnson; and his younger brothers, Gary ’68 and Gerry. His life was a celebration of curiosity, compassion, and adventure.
JOHN ALEXIS VIERECK of Joshua Tree, CA, died March 31, 2025. He was born in New York, NY, on July 7, 1946. His parents, Anya de Markov (Moscow, Russia) and Peter Viereck (New York City, NY), met and married during World War II in Rome, Italy.
Shortly after his birth, the family moved to South Hadley, MA, where his father, who was a poet and historian, taught at Mount Holyoke College. John Alexis was educated at Eaglebrook School and Hotchkiss, Class of 1964. After Harvard, Class of 1968, he trained for the priesthood at Episcopal Theological School, Class of 1973, and was ordained in 1975. His family shared in a note to Hotchkiss that his years at the School “helped him prepare for a rich, gifted, and engaged lifetime of global service—and the family remains grateful for the formative role his educators in and outside the classroom played in his young life.” Coupled with an increasing sense of the divine, he developed a deep compassion for the wounded and felt called to pursue peacemaking on all levels, often under the radar. In the 1980s, having moved to Southern California, he spearheaded the Episcopal Diocese of LA’s ministry to the neglected community of children and adults with AIDS. Later, tiring of the inevitable encroachments of bureaucracy in ministry, he established the Chapel of Saint John, primarily in Joshua Tree, but also elsewhere. During his middle and older years, he engaged in global travel, with South Australia and its people becoming especially dear to his heart. He became an ordained Zen priest, covering in his lifetime a wide range of spiritual practices, blending diverse faith rituals (e.g., Zen Catholicism) with a unique freedom to seek the best, connecting all of life. In later years, he became vicar of St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church, taking great joy in friendships and in shepherding parishioners in the Holy Eucharist, Bible study, healing prayers, and joyful blessing of the animals. His passions over a lifetime included writing poetry, reading widely, relating deeply with people, networking, and ministering extensively. Embedded in all these endeavors were his reading and musing on Scripture, especially from the Gospel of Saint John, and his focus on Mary, mother of Jesus. Beyond his far-reaching spiritual ministry, he was also a prime participant and organizer of Starhenge13/ Mother’s Garden (California’s first and only Universal Peace Garden, linked to a global network of sound gardens dedicated to peace). Predeceased by his mother and father, he is survived by his younger sister, Valerie Viereck; two nieces and a nephew; and four great-nephews and three great-nieces. He knew both the joy and the pain of being married and divorced three times. He was blessed to spend his last years in meeting and sharing life, and an ongoing
spirituality and joie de vivre with the late love of his life, Annette Wochner.
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SEAN NASH , 53, of Chicago, IL, died on March 1, 2025, in Chicago. His passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him. A loving father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, Sean had an immeasurable impact on the lives of those around him. He was deeply devoted to his family and always made time for the people who mattered most to him. A Chicago native, Sean was born on June 22, 1971, to Lawrence Delmar Hall and Juanita Nash. After graduating from Hotchkiss in 1989, he earned his bachelor’s degree in classics at Stanford University in 1993. Sean’s passion for knowledge and strong sense of justice then led him to Northwestern University, where he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) in 1998. His career as a lawyer spanned several esteemed firms, including Wildman & Harrold, Holland & Knight, and Winston & Strawn. His areas of practice were primarily labor and employment and commercial litigation. Through his passion for fighting for others and his concentrated work ethic, he was able to reach positions such as the managing counsel at United Airlines and the vice president of human resources and in-house counsel at Johnson Service Group Inc. He later worked at companies such as Curaleaf, Carta, and Google. He served on the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board and was recently elected the vice chair of the board. His colleagues admired his intellect, dedication, and compassion, and his legacy of leadership/mentorship will continue among the many people he connected with. Outside of his career, Sean always had an appreciation for the arts. From cooking to sketching, painting, music, and even language, he enjoyed seeing the world through an artistic lens. His home was filled with laughter, good food, and the sounds of music. Sean was married to Dorian H. Nash for 22 years, and together they built a beautiful family. Though their paths eventually diverged, their bond as co-parents remained strong, and they shared a deep respect and love. Their two greatest joys were their daughters, Taylor and Maya Nash. Sean is preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Elzie Hall. He is survived by his loving parents, Lawrence Delmar Hall and Juanita Nash; his sisters, Sharon Bush (and nieces Sydney, Kayla, and Nina) and Jennifer Harris (and nephew Jalen, and nieces Jalissa, Jasmine, and Jada). His brothers Steve Nash and Russell Nash (and their families) were a constant source of love and support. He is also
survived by a host of other relatives, close family, and dear friends. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and love.
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NAILAH ELLIS TIMBERLAKE , a bright and beautiful soul who touched so many lives, died in the early hours of May 11, 2025, following a private and courageous journey with illness. She was a devoted daughter, a beloved sister, a proud and doting aunt and godmother, and a deeply cherished friend. Her warmth, wit, and compassion left an imprint on everyone fortunate enough to know her. Nailah was born with a spirited soul and a generous heart. Her laugh could fill a room, and her presence had a way of making others feel instantly seen and valued. She had a natural gift for bringing people together—always with kindness, quick humor, and a fierce loyalty to those she loved. She was a brilliant thinker and passionate learner, with a deep love of reading, language, culture, and ideas. Nailah began her educational journey at Hotchkiss, where her influence was deeply felt. She made history as the first Hotchkiss graduate to attend a Historically Black College or University—Spelman College—a decision she pursued with pride, purpose, and a clear sense of identity. At Spelman, she welcomed incoming freshmen with open arms and an open heart, and she remained engaged in the life of the school long after graduation. She later earned a Master of Science in sports management from Columbia University, a reflection of both her intellectual range and her drive. Nailah’s writing, like her conversation, was thoughtful, expressive, and often unforgettable. Her thirst for knowledge and her love for dialogue were among the many ways she made others feel inspired and understood. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Nailah joined the Zeta Nu Omega Chapter in 2010, and later served in the Epsilon Nu Omega Chapter in Denver and the Phi Nu Omega Chapter in Alexandria, VA. She led with heart, vision, and joy—whether as the membership chair leading the largest induction in chapter history, and the global impact target lead and sisterly chair hosting several fundraisers and member activities. She believed in the power of service, not just as a duty, but as a way to connect, uplift, and strengthen the community. She lived her values through action: volunteering with Habitat for Humanity projects across the globe, mentoring young people, working at food banks, and supporting organizations like the NAACP and Junior Achievement. If there was a need, Nailah was there without hesitation. Nailah was also a world traveler who found joy and meaning in exploring new places and
cultures. Her adventures took her far and wide, and wherever she went, she brought her sense of wonder, humor, and gratitude. She had a way of making memories that mattered and taking others along for the journey, even if only through her stories. She reveled in life’s beauty through deep friendships, creativity, and the simple joy of making others feel special. She was equally enchanted by big ideas and small moments. To know Nailah was to experience her magic: a vibrant mix of intelligence, laughter, heart, and grace. She is survived by her loving mother, Deborah Ellis Timberlake; her devoted brother, Nairobi; and her adored niece and nephew, Shelby and Devon, as well as her godchildren, Jayden and Ethan, who brought her endless pride and joy. Her extended family of Sorors, classmates, colleagues, and friends across the world will carry her memory and spirit with them always. Although our hearts are heavy, we are profoundly grateful for the time we had with Nailah for her laughter, her love, her wisdom, and her light. She made this world better, more full, and more beautiful. In light of her commitment to Hotchkiss and Spelman College, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Nailah be made to The Pat Redd Johnson Scholarship Fund at The Hotchkiss School. Make an online gift at www. hotchkiss.org/give/prj or make a check out to The Hotchkiss School and in the Notes section write “for the Pat Redd Johnson Scholarship in Memory of Nailah Timberlake” and mail to The Hotchkiss School, Alumni Office, 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039.
FORMER FACULTY AND STAFF
PETER ANDRES JENSEN of Copake, NY, entered the Heavenly Gates on March 31, 2025, to be with his longtime love, Mary Lou. He will always be loved and cherished by his family and three sons, Christian (Cathy), David (Alexis), and Kurt (Courtney), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peter, who grew up in the town of Copake, was the son of Walter Christian Jensen and Lula (Langdon) Jensen, as one of three sons (Thomas, predeceased, Eric) and protector of his only sister (Amy Lu, predeceased). He attended Roe Jan School and then his beloved University of Connecticut. While at UCONN, he worked an internship at Glen Afton Farms in Ontario, Canada, where he met the love of his life, Mary Lou. They returned to Copake to shepherd the Family Dairy Farm “Topeer-A Farms” and raise a family. The Jensen boys were raised with the same work
ethic and “get-it-done” attitude that Peter lived by—always challenged, but never down. Peter worked for J. Reiner and Sons and then at Hotchkiss for 16 years in Security and Central Receiving before retiring in February 2001. His wife, Mary Lou, who predeceased Peter, worked as an R.N. in the Hotchkiss Health Center. Peter joined the Copake Fire Company #1 later in life, but was very active as captain of the Fire Police and proudly served a term as fire commissioner for the Copake Fire District. Peter always enjoyed caring for his community and the “family atmosphere” of the Firehouse. During retirement, he enjoyed reading American history and watching UCONN girls basketball games. Peter and Mary Lou would travel throughout the Eastern United States and Canada, seeing family and friends along the way. He was always enjoying the life that was given and took nothing for granted. Peter and Mary Lou always enjoyed the company of family and friends. He would recall his many adventures with his brothers and sister, and from his farming days and showing dairy cows at fairs and the black and white shows.
RODNEY GUY PAGE , 83, passed away peacefully in Bend, OR, on April 22, 2025. An active outdoors person, teacher, skier, and dog-lover, Rod lived with kindness, humor, and a deep devotion to his family and community. Rod was born in Brownville, ME. The family soon moved to the family farm in Stockholm, ME, but his heart led him to education, not agriculture. After graduating from Ricker College with a teaching degree, Rod married his high school sweetheart, Leona Dickinson, and began his teaching career at Tilton School in New Hampshire. For 18 years, Rod taught advanced mathematics and computer science, coached cross-country and downhill ski teams, and was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Highlands Mountain. Later, he joined the Hotchkiss faculty after marrying Paulette Gladu. At Hotchkiss, he continued teaching computer science and coaching sailing and cross-country skiing, while volunteering for the local ambulance squad and ski patrolling at Catamount Mountain. Rod retired in June 2000. In retirement, Rod and Paulette spent summers in Jay, VT, and winters in Bend, OR. Paulette died in 2020 following a courageous multi-year battle. Rod is survived by his brother Jeff and wife Kristi; his children Joel and wife Susan, Joy and wife Joan, Jay and partner Tom, and Jonathan and wife Cori; four grandchildren; a stepchild; and two grandchildren. He also leaves behind many dear friends, former students, and neighbors who will miss his distinctive laugh and generous heart.
PARTING SHOTS
Summer in the Archives at Harvard, Yale, and Cornell
Students traveled to prestigious libraries over the summer to conduct archival research in English, history, and math as part of Hotchkiss’s University Scholars Programs: MacLeish, Hersey, and the newly launched Euclid to Einstein. They also bonded as Bearcats during fun activities and adventures. Scan the QR code to read more about their experiences and projects in newsletters created by the students.
SEPT. 26-28, 2025
CLASSES OF 1960 AND 1975
For more information, please contact Caroline Sallee Reilly ’87, director of alumni engagement, at (860) 435-3892 or creilly@hotchkiss.org. We look forward to celebrating with you! JUNE 12-14, 2026
CLASSES ENDING IN 1 AND 6
THE CLASS OF 1976 WIL REUNITE IN FALL 2026
LEARN MORE AT hotchkiss.org/alumni/events-reunions
