Alumni Reunion Reflections Alumni from the Classes of 1960, 1975, 1990, 2005, and 2020 share their Shipley stories—highlighting the traditions, teachers, and experiences that shaped who they are today.

Nancy Johnson Campbell ’60, P’85

65th Reunion

My reflections about Shipley go a long way back—I started when I was four years old and am now about to celebrate my 65th Reunion! Shipley had a four-year-old nursery class, which must have been the predecessor to what is now called Pre-K. I can still remember being in the enclosed glass porch of Brownell House and playing outside on the lawn along Montgomery Avenue. This was before Kindergarten moved to Howland House, where I spent first through seventh grades. I still remember most of my teachers in Lower School. I really enjoyed those years. That was when I realized how much there was to learn.

I remember starting Upper School in eighth grade and having to mix in with so many older students as a 15-year-old. I was always pretty shy, so it was a little intimidating. In ninth grade, boarding students joined our class, and it was fun getting to know them.

Miss Hoffman was my math teacher, and because of her, math became my favorite subject.

Miss Read, left. Mrs. Riely, right.

Miss Read taught me to be a lifelong reader—I still think of her when I hear someone mention a book she had us read. Mrs. Riely was another teacher who made an impact on me, combining reading with history.

It was Miss Speer who had the greatest impact on me.

I remember sitting on the floor of the “big room” in Howland House, listening to Miss Speer talk about her experiences in China. It was extraordinary to me that someone I knew could have lived the life that she did. I always looked forward to the assemblies when she would speak to us.

Howland House assembly

Life outside of the classroom included a lot of sports, but being a non-athlete, I was only at The Farm Fields when I was required to be there by Miss Yarnall. I was on the baseball squad but that was no big deal compared to field hockey and lacrosse.

I somehow managed to be elected to the Student Council and was a Townsend House Officer, where my main job was reminding classmates to pick up after themselves. I managed to learn more about the world around me by being a member of the Political Discussion Club and the Christian Association.

Political Discussion Club (left); Christian Association (right)

Not only did I spend so many years as a Shipley student, but I have lived just a few blocks away ever since, and have been involved as an alumna, a parent, and as an Alumnae Council member. My daughter was also a lifer at Shipley and her Kindergarten class was the first to have boys in it. Shortly afterwards there was no boarding department.

I have watched so many changes and many new buildings being erected and through it all, I have watched Shipley thrive.

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