Greetings from campus!
Well, that was blast! The last month brought a flurry of activity on Payson Avenue with Commencement exercises followed by Reunion! We welcomed the class of 2023 to this vast and diverse collection of alumni that are spread throughout the world. It was an honor to be around this group as they concluded their student journey. They are certain to become leaders in our alumni community in short time. Let's welcome them!
This was my first reunion since I returned to the school, and the energy was incredible throughout. Attendees spent the days strolling campus and attending events. At night, following some fantastic meals, we retired to the fire pits and Adirondack chairs for some relaxation and camaraderie. What really struck me was the relationships between these classes, whether it has been 5 or 65 years since they graduated. Williston Northampton will always be a place to congregate and celebrate each other. Come back for your next Reunion, sit around the firepit, and reconnect with old friends.
June 30 marks the end of our fiscal year. If you have not had a chance to make your gift to the Williston Northampton Fund, this is your last chance to be counted! Support from alumni fuels the school’s momentum, so please consider supporting our students and faculty with your gift. Now that I am on campus, I see firsthand the Williston Northampton Fund in action, enriching the student experience. Thank you for your continued support!
We hope you enjoy your summers and keep Willy near and dear to your hearts! Send photos and updates from your travels, we'd love to hear more from all of you! (Especially if you have some Willy gear on!)
Stay Wild, Cats!
Steve Hoyt '95, P'25, '25 Director of Alumni Engagement
Notes From Campus
Commencement was held on Saturday May 26, and we welcomed our latest class of alumni, the class of 2023! S.A. Fogelman '10 was the commencement speaker and she delivered an honest and inspiring speech about failure and growing from it. See photos from the day here and read and watch S.A.'s speech here.
Since we shared the sad news of longtime Williston faculty member Dick Gregory’s passing, the outpouring of emotions and memories has been remarkable. So many alumni and faculty have sent in memories of what a profound effect Mr. Gregory had on them at Williston and beyond. To see some of these memories please visit our Remembering Dick Gregory page on our website.
We also recently shared news on the passing of Barbara Baker, '61 P '89, '92 in June. Ellis Baker '51 and Barbara were mainstays on campus and committed so many years to the Williston Northampton community. Visit our In Memoriam page to view the obituary and to share your thoughts. A service will be held in the fall.
We said "happy retirement" to Chief Financial Officer Charles B. McCullagh Jr. P '10, '13, who spent 23 years successfully guiding the schools finances. Watch Head of School Bob Hill remarks and as Chuck received the Distinguished Service Award at reunion.
Reunion delivered on its promise as we brought back classes from the 3's & 8's including the class of 1973 for their 50th reunion. The energy and excitement was palpable throughout the weekend. After full days and nights, alums retired back to the fire pits in front of their dorms. See photos from the entire weekend here.
This year's Alumni Awards recognized the 11 exceptional individuals. Awardees were recognized for career achievement as well as their continued support of Williston Northampton. The following received awards:
Founders Award, Michael G. Hirsch '73, Williston Northampton Medal, Elizabeth Wells McIlvain '73, Alumni Trailblazer Award, Kimberly Lindsey Gordon '03, Distinguished Service Award, Charles B. McCullagh, Jr. P '10, '13, Daniel and Jane Carpenter Award, Class of '68 Reunion Committee: Theodore S. Babcock '68, James E. Cain '68, Marc M. Griggs '68, Kent B. Haberle '68, Rockwell "Chip" Keeney, III '68, Donald R. Klock '68, Paul F. Wainwright '68. Click here to watch the entire ceremony and hear these incredible acceptance speeches. Read more about the award winners here.
The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony took place Saturday afternoon at Reunion. We welcome eight new individuals and one well deserving team into the hall. Watch video of their induction and acceptance speeches here or read more about the inductees here.
Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees, Chuck Vernon '62, 1967 Boys Soccer Team, Lou Arp '73, Shawn Benoliel Lawrence '78, Keith W. Brown '78, Jamie Gass '87, Christopher John Miller '93, Spenser Allaway '08, Coach William J. Lossone (Veteran Category)
The Spring/Summer Bulletin should have made it to your mailbox by now. If you haven't received it, you can view it online (and don't forget to update your information so you don't miss the next issue!)
BUILD IT FORWARD—Earlier this fall, we asked two dozen alums, ranging from the class of 1965 to the class of 2013, an open-ended question: What did Williston Northampton build in you? Their answers ran the gamut—creativity, leadership, opportunity, character, and more—but all shared a common theme rooted in their formative experiences at the school and their desire to build the same opportunities for the next generation of students. New videos will be rolling out over the next few months. Please enjoy the latest videos below with Mary (Tullis) Engvall '81 and Yemi Lawani '96. Click here to watch more videos.
Alumni Spotlight
Staging New Stories: Miranda Gohh '13
“Williston was a place to really nurture your passions and to surround yourself with like-minded people,” she says. “It did prepare me to develop the work ethic that I would need and the communication skills that I needed to do what I’m doing now.”
“I fell in love with theater because it’s a tool for connection. When else do we all get together in a room and experience a story from start to finish and have our minds and hearts changed?”
Alumni Spotlight
A Love for Stories: Christina Djossa ’10
Christina Djossa ’10 has a knack for bringing stories to life. As an award-winning writer and audio producer, she has covered an incredible array of topics, including gay referees in Brazil, inclusivity in national parks, and beached whale dissection, just to name a few. A member of the New York Times Opinion Audio team since 2020, Djossa is known for her expertise in developing and piloting new shows. This year, though, she made the switch to a more established format—the hugely popular Modern Love podcast, which contends with one of the most complex topics there is: love. We recently caught up with her about this new role.
Read the full article here
Alumni Events
It was great to see everyone at Reunion! We had an amazing time and it was a pleasure to celebrate 1973's 50th reunion. You can view photos and videos to relive all the memories. Keep checking back as more content is being added. Thank you to everyone who made this year's Reunion one of our most successful yet! If you haven't had a chance, please fill out our survey so we can make next year even better! Speaking of next year, 4's and 9's, you are up next! Save the Date June 7-9 2024!
On June 20 we held the NYC Young Alumni Donor Appreciation Evening. Thank you to all the young alums who came out to see us at City Winery. We appreciate your support of the Williston Northampton school this year! Photos are coming soon, check back on our Flickr gallery.
We will be releasing our event calendar shortly. As always, check our events page here on a regular basis to stay updated. We are looking forward to a fun-filled year!
Send us notes or photos for the next issue of the Bulletin! Click here to submit! Extra points if you are rockin' your Willy gear. Show that Wildcat pride wherever your summer travels take you!
Only 5 days left to make an impact this year!
Our fiscal year draws to a close on June 30, and your gift to the Williston Northampton Fund ensures that the school's academics, arts, athletics and community will continue to enrich the student experience and transform lives. Help build it forward by making your gift today online or by Venmo.
Wondering how the Williston Northampton professional network works? Search our alumni LinkedIn or join WillistonConnects to find alumni who share your professional and personal interests. On WillistonConnects, members of the community are ready and willing to offer advice and perspective no matter where you are in your career journey. And with nearly 1000 members and growing, the Williston Alumni LinkedIn group and affinity groups like the Alumni of Color LinkedIn and the Women of Williston LinkedIn are your go-to resources for professional contacts. Tap into the power of your Wildcat Networks!