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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Timothy P. Sullivan ’81, P’13,’16, President Charles Ayres ’77, Vice President Robert Chartener ’76, P’18, Vice President Martin Kelly P’24, Treasurer Raymond J. McGuire ’75, P’21, Vice President Roger K. Smith ’78, P’08, Vice President Rhonda Trotter ’79, Vice President U. Gwyn Williams ’84, P’17,’19, Secretary Joseph P. Baratta P’24,’29 Kevin Brown P’26 Anne Bruder, Head of School, ex officio Rafael Carbonell ’93, Co-President of the Alumni Association, ex officio Mike Collette ’80 Margarita O’Byrne Curtis Anne Matlock Dinneen ’95 Thomas J. Edelman ’69, P’06,’07 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 John Khoury ’95 Julia Tingley Kivitz ’01, Co-President of the Alumni Association, ex officio Annika Lescott-Martinez ’06

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS Nisa Leung Lin ’88, P’30 Michael J. Mars ’86 Mary Pat McMahon Naveen Nataraj P’24,’26,’30 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 Lawrence Flinn Jr. ’53, GP’22 Robert R. Gould ’77 John Grube ’65, P’00 Elizabeth G. Hines ’93, P’27 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

Neetu Ahluwalia ’93 Caroline Barlerin ’91 Rafael Carbonell ’93, Co-President of the Alumni Association Julia Chen ’16 Ernesto Cruz III ’01 Chris Dorr ’81 James Freeman ’88 Whitney Gulden ’12 Cameron Hough ’09 Temitayo Ifafore-Calfee ’99 Julia Tingley Kivitz ’01, Co-President of the Alumni Association Robert Kuhn ’75 Richardine Mamam Nbiba ’23 Scott Meadow ’73, P’02 Keith Merrill ’02 Daniel Pai ’19 Colin Pennycooke ’89 Mark Pierce ’67, P’13 Sarah Thornton-Clifford ’76, P’07,’23 Alexandra Treyz ’04 Madison West ’05 Lisa Bjornson Wolf ’82 Whitney PakPour Zeta ’04

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Anne Bruder, Head of School Tim Sullivan ’81, President, Board of Trustees Brooke Harlow ’92, P’28, Past Co-President, Alumni Association Paul Mutter ’87, P’26, Past Co-President, Alumni Association Aaron Oberman ’92, P’24,’27, President, The Hotchkiss Fund

ON THE COVER: At Wylie Commencement, Warchol ’23, center, members and of Quinn the Class Spillett of 2026 ’23, right, threw hats emblazoned in participated with an “Adieu! alumni”lacrosse in honor game of retiring at Hotchkiss Head of onSchool May 31Craig in honor W. Bradley. of Photo retireeby Chris Darryl Burchfield Gangloff.P’08,’10,’18, instructor in English and longtime coach. Both alumni currently play at Colgate University. Photo by Brian Wilcox.

SUMMER 2026 FEATURES

Enduring Gratitude

M A G A Z I N E

Jon Fazzone ’94, P’29,’29 is opening doors for others

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dr. Anne Bruder

INTERIM CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Guided by Each Other

Danielle Sinclair

Craig W. Bradley’s leadership was focused on bringing joy

EDITOR

Darryl Gangloff MAGAZINE DESIGNER

Julie Hammill

CONTRIBUTORS

Twenty Years in Harmony

Asher Blake ’28, Catherine Calamé, Bella Chen ’29, Annabelle Chu ’28, Hope Reisinger Cobera ’88, P’24, Robert Chartener ’76, P’18, Anne Day, Eliott Grover, Roberta Jenckes, Izzy Liang ’29, Aly Morrissey, Erin Reid P’01,’05, Mason von Jess ’19, Brian Wilcox

Thanks to generous gifts, Hotchkiss inspires musicians

Gathering Around the Table

PLEASE SEND INQUIRIES AND COMMENTS TO:

The Dining Commons dedication celebrates the new space

The Hotchkiss School 11 Interlaken Road Lakeville, CT 06039-2141 Email: magazine@hotchkiss.org Phone: (860) 435-3122

Alumni Authors 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 and Class Notes.

Two young alumni find purpose through storytelling IN THIS ISSUE 2 4 5 8 9

From the Head of School From the Board of Trustees Enduring Gratitude Town Hill Society Spotlight Campus Connection

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Athletics Progress Toward Equity Class Notes In Memoriam Parting Shot SUMMER 2026

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart A

“My time at Hotchkiss has been the honor of a lifetime.” — CRAIG W. BRADLEY

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S I WRITE THIS FINAL LETTER to you as head of school, I find myself thinking less about milestones and more about moments. Schools are often measured in years, graduating classes, campaigns, and even headships. Of course, these things matter. Yet memory sometimes makes its own choices. When I reflect on my time at Hotchkiss, what comes first to mind are not major institutional accomplishments but countless conversations, performances, competitions, walks across campus, Family Weekends, Reunions, and hundreds of ordinary days that Elizabeth and I have treasured here. Years from now, above all, I will remember Hotchkiss students.

One of the great privileges of leading a boarding school is that students are not simply at the center of the School’s mission. They are at the center of daily life. This is true not only for me but for every adult in this community. Students greet us in the hallways, share meals with us, invite us to concerts and games, challenge us with thoughtful questions, and remind us every day why we do what we do. Over the past decade, I have had the opportunity to know hundreds of remarkable young people whose curiosity, kindness, courage, creativity, and growth have continually inspired me. Watching students discover a passion, overcome a setback, support a friend, or gain

confidence in themselves has been among the greatest joys of my professional life. I have long believed that schools should be places of both high expectations and genuine happiness. Young people should certainly be challenged. They should work hard, think deeply, and strive for excellence. But they should also laugh with friends, discover new interests, spend time on sports fields and in the woods, and experience the delight of learning something unexpected. If there is one hope I have for every Hotchkiss student, it is to leave here not only well prepared for college and meaningful professional work but also for a rich and rewarding life. Outcomes such as these are not the work of any single individual. They are the work of the community. To our extraordinary faculty and staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to students. Your expertise is matched only by your compassion. Your work changes lives, often in ways that are not fully apparent for years to come. To parents and families, thank you for entrusting Hotchkiss with your children. It has been an honor to partner with you during one of the most formative periods of their lives. To alumni, thank you for your enduring belief in this School. Your generosity, encouragement, and engagement ensure that future generations of students will enjoy the same opportunities that shaped your own lives. To the trustees with whom I have served, thank you for your wisdom, stewardship, and steadfast commitment to Hotchkiss’s future. And to every Hotchkiss student who has passed through Scoville Gate during the last 10 years, thank you for the privilege of knowing you. You have taught me as much as I could ever hope to teach you. Your optimism, humor, resilience, and generosity have enriched my life beyond measure. As Elizabeth and I prepare for the next chapter of our lives, we do so with hearts full of gratitude. We will miss the

Right, All-School Presidents Dwyer Illick ’26 and Serena Nam ’26 celebrated Craig W. Bradley at his final Commencement. Below, members of the Class of 2026 held “Adieu!” hats in Bradley’s honor.

beauty of this campus, the changing seasons in Lakeville, and the familiar rhythms of School life. Most of all, we will miss the people and the friendships that have become such an important part of our lives. During Commencement, I quoted a French proverb that has long held deep meaning for me: La gratitude est la mémoire du cœur. Gratitude is the memory of the heart. Elizabeth and I will carry with us more memories than we could possibly count. They are memories of people, of shared experiences, and of a community that welcomed us generously and became our home. I am profoundly grateful to you all. Thank you for the trust you placed in me. Thank you for the friendships we have

shared. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this remarkable school. Nothing better reflects the extraordinary generosity of this community than the successful completion of the Ever Forward campaign, which has raised more than $300 million. Your gifts to the campaign are a tangible expression of your enduring love of Hotchkiss, and they will expand opportunities for generations of students to come. My time at Hotchkiss has been the honor of a lifetime. All good wishes,

Craig W. Bradley SUMMER 2026

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BY ROBERT CHARTENER ’76, P ’18

The Board of Trustees met on Jan. 30 and 31 and on May 1 and 2, 2026, in Lakeville. Here are some highlights from the meetings. Admission and Financial Aid Session – The Trustees attended a session led by Erby Mitchell, assistant head of school and dean of admission and financial aid, during which admission and financial aid policies were analyzed. There was a detailed discussion of the difficult balance of reconciling the demands between attracting students with exceptional talents (i.e., academic, athletic, musical, etc.) and building a diverse but cohesive community. Hotchkiss received 2,269 applications in 2025-26, an increase of 8 percent over the 2,103 applications received in 2024-25. We admitted 338 students (14.9 percent), a decrease from the prior year. Of those admitted, 204 enrolled (110 male and 94 female), or 60.3 percent. Approximately 32 percent of the student body receives financial aid, and 26 percent of financial aid recipients receive full financial aid. International students will make up 19 percent of the School next year. Interestingly, 31 percent of incoming students are repeating a grade. Budget – The board reviewed the 202627 budget and approved a 4.7 percent tuition increase (versus 6.5 percent the prior year), a decrease in the financial aid budget from 30.5 percent to 28.7 percent, and a 2.5 percent increase in salaries. While the financial aid “discount rate” is higher than it was before COVID, the Trustees accepted the recent reduction because of the necessity of preserving the integrity of the School’s physical assets. College Placement – We learned that Hotchkiss had a very good year for college placement. Ivy+ (i.e., Ivies plus MIT and Stanford) admits totaled 27.4 percent of the Class of 2026, which is the highest level in several years. The most popular colleges were Harvard (nine matriculants); Yale, University of Chicago, and Georgetown (seven each); Tufts (six); and Brown, Columbia, Penn, and Princeton (five each). Over 90 4

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percent of our students applied to at least one “early” program. Faculty Salaries – Craig Bradley made it a priority to improve faculty compensation during his tenure. We rank sixth in endowment per student among the 40 Association of Business Officers of Preparatory Schools members, but a few years ago were in the middle of the pack in terms of faculty salaries. We are now in the top quartile, which has increased the percentage of offers accepted by our firstchoice teaching candidates. Investment Results – The Hotchkiss endowment turned in strong absolute performance in calendar year 2025, returning 14.1 percent and ending the year with a market value of $664 million. Over the past decade, the endowment generated an annualized return of 8.7 percent, helping to support the School’s operating budget while preserving and growing its purchasing power after inflation. Public equities had an exceptionally strong year in 2025 with the School’s portfolio returning 19.2 percent. Private investments in venture capital and private equity also delivered solid gains, rising 12.8 percent for the year; private investments have generated a 19.7 percent return for the endowment since inception, substantially outperforming the 9.6 percent return for the public market equivalent. Overall, the endowment remains diversified and well positioned to navigate a wide range of economic and political environments during a period of technological change. Guided Art Walk – Student artists guided the trustees on a tour of works displayed in the Main Building. The Trustees were impressed by the high standard and wide variety of artworks produced by Hotchkiss students. After dinner with members of the performing and visual arts faculty, the trustees attended rehearsals by the Hotchkiss Philharmonic

and the Hotchkiss Dramatic Association (Romeo and Juliet). The standard of both was exceptionally high. Celebration Honoring Craig Bradley and the Dining Commons – The Trustees enjoyed meals in the new Dining Commons, which opened on Dec. 1, both on time and on budget. The Trustees hope that all alumni will come to see the new facility, which maintains the beautiful central section of the original Delano & Aldrich building but adds an expanded section to the east with large windows overlooking the courtyard between the Science Building and Wieler. There is also a beautiful serving area to the north. In May, there was a celebration of the Dining Commons. Bradley was resoundingly thanked for his leadership in bringing the project to fruition. Unveiling of Craig Bradley’s Portrait – The Trustees attended the unveiling of a portrait of Bradley, painted by Palden Hamilton. Bradley is sitting in one of the Windsor chairs that he has built. Sidewalk to Lakeville – The State of Connecticut has granted $800,000 to fund a sidewalk from Hotchkiss to the center of Lakeville, and Hotchkiss has agreed to match with $800,000, which will be provided in large part by donations from senior parents. The sidewalk has been fully approved, and construction should start in the summer of 2027. Faculty Retirements – There were significant retirements in 2026. In addition to Craig Bradley, retiring faculty included 37-year English teacher Charlie Frankenbach P’12,’16, 30-year chemistry teacher Dr. Richard Kirby P’08,’09,’14,’15, 27-year English teacher Thomas Herold P’17,’20,’24, and 19-year math teacher Matthias Weiss. They and other retirees were honored with a Head of School Holiday on April 30.

ENDURING GRATITUDE

Fearless and Unflinching How four years in Lakeville shaped a life defined by rigor, growth, and a commitment to opening doors for others. B Y E L I OT T G R O V E R

N THE FALL OF 2024, Jon Fazzone ’94, P’29,’29 was minding his own business when his eighth-grade daughter blindsided him. She wanted to apply to Hotchkiss. “I was against it,” Fazzone says with a broad smile. He works from home in Shanghai and is the primary caregiver for his two children. “I thought I had four more years in that role, and I wasn’t really happy about losing half my job responsibilities.” But his daughter was adamant. She had accompanied him to Hotchkiss reunions over the years and was captivated by the campus and its academic reputation. “Part of me was hoping she would just get rejected, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about making this decision,” he laughs. But when Yanlin ’29 was accepted, he knew he could not deny her the experience that had guided his own life. That journey was made possible by Fazzone’s parents. Growing up in Sherman, CT, he attended the local school, where he was an exceptional but discontented student. He invented illnesses and got into “low-level, boredom-related” trouble. Sensing his ennui, his parents encouraged him to consider an independent school. Education was a defining force in the family. Fazzone’s late father, Dr. Roger Fazzone, was teaching at Dutchess Community College in 1979 when he accepted a part-time role as a school psychologist at Maplebrook School in

From left, Yanlin ’29, Huilin, Jon ’94, and Michael Fazzone ’29.

Amenia, NY, a boarding school that serves students with learning differences. Over the next four decades, Dr. Fazzone held a number of roles at Maplebrook, including head of school, helping to stabilize and transform the institution. Central to that work was R.I.S.E. (Responsibility Increases Self Esteem), a positive behavioral intervention system he developed that emphasizes autonomy and goal-setting as a path to confidence. Fazzone and his siblings spent much of their childhood on the Maplebrook campus—sitting in on classes, joining sports practices, and forming relationships with students. Now a trustee, with a brother who serves as the school’s business manager, Fazzone has pursued a lifelong commitment to supporting students with learning differences.

His father’s emphasis on learning shaped his own development. “He never spoke down to me when I was a kid,” Fazzone says. “Sometimes you’ll get adults who really simplify things and assume kids can’t grasp ideas, but he pushed me in my thinking in a way that was really useful.”

Learning to Rise

After being accepted to three area boarding schools, Fazzone was drawn to the rigor of Hotchkiss. “It was obvious to me that this was going to be a place that would challenge me,” he says. It did. His prep year delivered a swift recalibration. He had never needed to work especially hard for strong grades, but suddenly he was in classrooms where every student was highly capable, and every course demanded an hour of homework each night. SUMMER 2026

ENDURING GRATITUDE

The shift forced him to develop “They expected you discipline. It took time to find his footing, to rise to the class. but he never doubted he was in the right place. “Sometimes I felt I couldn’t do it, but It allowed for an I never felt that I wouldn’t soon be able to academic, intellectual, do it,” Fazzone says. In his advisor, the physically imposing yet and character growth soft-spoken Latin teacher Bob Sohrweide, that, to me, is just he found a mentor whose door was always unparalleled.” open. It was clear, he says, that all his teachers were invested in his progress. — JON FAZZONE ’94, P’29,’29 “When they saw you struggling, they moved in quickly to help you work through it,” Fazzone says. “But they expected you to rise to the class. It allowed for an academic, for students to attend the show. “History intellectual, and character growth that, to may not repeat itself, but sometimes it me, is just unparalleled.” rhymes,” Fazzone says. By his lower-mid year, Fazzone felt After four years in Lakeville, his comfortable in his coursework. His athletic undergraduate work was a breeze. He trajectory followed a similar, if longer, continued his studies at Bucknell University, arc. A soccer standout in Sherman, he where he triple-majored in English, barely made the thirds team as a prep and economics, and classics, subjects he had remained there the following year before developed a passion for at Hotchkiss. earning a spot on junior varsity as an upperYears later, while attending Columbia mid. As a senior, he was the final player Law School, a fellow Bearcat pursuing his selected for varsity. law degree remarked that it felt easy by “Literally the last person,” he says. comparison. “With the warning that if I did not put “I think that tells you something about in the same effort I had during tryouts, I the quality of the education we received,” would be off the team in a second.” Fazzone says. By the third game, he was a starter on defense, tasked with marking the opposing team’s fastest forward. At season’s end, he received the W. David Coughlin Award, recognizing the player who shows the most improvement while demonstrating good sportsmanship. Fazzone is quick to admit that sportsmanship was not his defining trait (“I was a very intense player,” he says) but the award captured how far he had come. Beyond soccer, he participated in basketball, lacrosse, and the St. Luke’s Society, helping build connections between Hotchkiss and Maplebrook by organizing scrimmages and bringing students to campus for cultural events. When Yanlin worked on the makeup crew for a recent production of Frankenstein, she reached out to her uncle at Maplebrook to arrange Jon Fazzone ’94 played soccer at Hotchkiss. 6

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A World Opens

At Bucknell, Fazzone studied East Asian economics, eventually focusing on China. As graduation approached, he began to consider living overseas. To set that plan in motion, he took a job with a company that placed English teachers in schools across China. After two weeks of training, he was thrown into the deep end, teaching in Shanghai. “I loved it,” Fazzone says. In college, he had volunteered as a mentor at a local public school and relished the opportunity to build connections with students. The role required only 16 hours of teaching each week, leaving ample time to explore. One day, he was approached by representatives from a film studio looking for foreigners to appear as extras. “I’m from a small town of 2,500 people,” Fazzone says. “We have one stop light, which we’re very proud of.” He jumped at the chance to work on a movie set, far removed from the world he knew. He started getting more offers and began doing voiceover work for films, which expanded into recording for textbooks and corporate training. After his first year, he left teaching to pursue that work full-time, later hosting a local television show, Speaking English at the Movies, and taking a role at Motorola training executives. He met Huilin, his wife, on his third day in Shanghai. At the time, China required an English proficiency test, and Fazzone’s voice was used for the listening portion of Huilin’s exam.

Balancing Acts

As the prospect of marriage and a family came into focus, Fazzone decided it was time for a change. He pivoted to industrial investment consulting, helping overseas companies navigate the Chinese market. When the couple began considering a move to the United States, law school emerged as a viable path. “I had no burning desire to be a lawyer,” Fazzone says, noting he also weighed a business degree, “but I thought law school

might be more flexible in terms of what I could do overall.” He often thinks about a guest speaker who visited Hotchkiss during his uppermid year. The speaker told students that their professional lives would look very different from their parents’, who joined the workforce and stayed with a single company until retirement. Fazzone’s generation, the speaker predicted, would have several careers over a lifetime. “That turned out to be prescient,” Fazzone says. “I think the Hotchkiss education was uniquely suited to prepare us for a world in which this happens.” He started his law career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where the firm’s rotational structure allowed him to work across disciplines, from securities law to mergers and acquisitions and bankruptcy. While he thrived in the intellectually rigorous environment, the long hours prompted another shift. As he and Huilin thought about starting a family, he knew he wanted to be more present at home. Since 2013, he has worked at IBM, focusing on anti-bribery and anticorruption efforts. His role has evolved from investigative work to developing AI and machine-learning tools that detect and prevent fraud. After Huilin received an MBA from Cornell, she accepted a dream position in Singapore. Fazzone approached IBM about staying on, and the company agreed, provided he maintained East Coast hours. “That turned out to be this amazing blessing,” Fazzone says. He worked evenings. When the alarm rang at 7 a.m., he made breakfast for the kids, walked them to school, and greeted them when they returned. “In their first year in Singapore, I spent more time with them than I had in the first six years of their lives,” he says. When they moved to Shanghai, that rhythm continued until Yanlin left for Hotchkiss. In the fall, her twin brother, Michael ’29, will join her, with high hopes of making an impact on the soccer team. “He was more skilled at the age of 10 than I was as a varsity Hotchkiss player,” Fazzone says. While the transition to empty nesting will be difficult, Fazzone is grateful that

Jon ’94, left, and his mother Kathy, right, celebrated as Yanlin ’29 moved into her Hotchkiss dorm.

his children can share the experience that shaped him so profoundly. Former Headmaster Robert Oden once dubbed his class “The Fearless and Unflinching Class of 1994,” a name that has endured. Fazzone estimates that roughly 60 percent of the class remains active in a group chat, a reflection of bonds that have only strengthened with time. “That’s another one of the wonderful things about Hotchkiss,” Fazzone says. “It becomes this global network.”

Full Circle

Fazzone’s connection to Hotchkiss today is sustained not only through meaningful relationships but also philanthropic support. As a student, he attended with the help of the Delos A. Blodgett II ’15 Scholarship, which covered roughly half the cost of tuition—a level of support he did not fully understand at the time. “My parents kept me in the dark,” he says. “But I came to understand it was hugely important.” In the years since, he has given consistently to The Hotchkiss Fund and recently made a Town Hill Society planned

“I trust the School in the education of my children, so I think I can trust them with the allocation of my funds.” — JON FAZZONE ’94, P’29,’29

gift. “My parents always instilled in me the importance of being a part of the community that you live in and giving back to that community in whatever way that you can,” Fazzone says. He has chosen to give through unrestricted support. “To me, it’s about trust,” he says. “I trust the School in the education of my children, so I think I can trust them with the allocation of my funds.” Today, that opportunity has come full circle. The education that once shaped his own path is now shaping his children’s, and, through his giving, helping make that path possible for others. SUMMER 2026

TOWN HILL SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT

Supporting the Next Generation Meet Town Hill Society Member Christina Claudio ’04: “Hotchkiss was a supportive environment and one that helped my mind really start to flourish.” B Y C AT H E R I N E C A L A M É

Christina Claudio ’04 was first introduced to Hotchkiss as a Prep for Prep participant and is now a proud alumna. She attended Harvard University and the Wharton School, lives in Delaware, and works at JPMorganChase. Why did you choose to attend The Hotchkiss School? I chose Hotchkiss because it felt like the right place from the start. I visited with the Prep for Prep program on a chilly day, and no one was outside. But when we went inside the Main Building, there was an explosion of activity and warmth. I remember the feeling of things just clicking and feeling comfortable in the space. Liz Bird ’03 was my student guide for the day, and in one of her classes, someone challenged the teacher. I held my breath, thinking, “Uh oh, this kid is going to get in so much trouble!” But instead, the teacher opened up the table for debate. I couldn’t believe it! Everyone was talking, and you couldn’t hide because that table was round! How has Hotchkiss helped to shape your life? Hotchkiss was where it all really started for me. It opened up a world of possibilities I hadn’t ever known existed. I tried new

sports, I was challenged to expand my thinking and justify my ideas, I traveled abroad for the first time, I made lifelong friends, and I had faculty that truly cared about me. Since Hotchkiss, I’ve held onto so many friends who always make me laugh and keep me humble. It was the best four years of my youth, and I would relive it again, exactly the same way, if I had a chance! Why have you chosen to support Hotchkiss financially through the Town Hill Society? When I think about the legacy I want to leave behind, it’s ensuring that the institutions that were fundamental to my growth continue to provide similar experiences for other young people. I believe our world needs more leaders who are willing to be fearless, hold onto their moral foundations, and question everything. Giving to the Town Hill Society is my way of ensuring that

JOIN THE TOWN HILL SOCIET Y 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.

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Hotchkiss continues to partake in the development of our society’s young people even after I am gone. What would you like other alumni to know about giving back to the School? There are so many ways to give to the causes you care about that you can start small and then focus your attention over time as you learn more. You can give your time as a volunteer, mentor, or trustee, or you can give donations to the parts of student life that you feel fondness for. I think it’s important to support one’s passions in life, and for me, it’s important to ensure that others get to grow up in a similarly supportive environment that allows them to find their passions. Start somewhere, and then if it feels right, keep exploring. If it doesn’t feel right, ask for help and try again! What excites you the most about Hotchkiss today? I have loved seeing Fairfield Farm come to life and the School’s continued focus on sustainability! Hotchkiss plays a central role in creating thoughtful, morally grounded, and well-rounded future leaders, and I think all the investments made to date in faculty hiring and facility improvements will set it up for continued success.

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 Interim Executive Director of Leadership Giving Brent Alderman Sterste at giftplanning@hotchkiss.org or (860) 435-3263, or visit hotchkiss.giftplans.org to learn more.

CAMPUS CONNECTION

Bill Fenton Receives Lufkin Prize, the Highest Honor for Educators BY DARRYL GANGLOFF

ILL FENTON P’26,’26 , director of the Hotchkiss Observatory, director of the Class of 2017 EFX Lab, instructor in physics and astronomy, and head coach of varsity volleyball, received the Lufkin Prize on May 12. Established in 2006 thanks to the generosity of Dan Lufkin ’49, P’80,’82,’88,’23, the Lufkin Prize is awarded annually to a faculty member of character, commitment, and skill who serves as a role model to Hotchkiss students. It is the School’s highest honor for our outstanding educators. Head of School Craig W. Bradley reflected on the purpose of the prize and the role teachers play in the life of the School. “Being a teacher is not just a job. It is a calling. A vocation. It requires expertise, tremendous dedication, care, patience, and energy, especially in a highly demanding, residential school like Hotchkiss,” he said. Dean of Faculty Shannon Clark introduced Fenton, highlighting the breadth of his work at Hotchkiss since his arrival in 2006. Over the past two decades, Fenton has served as a teacher, dorm head,

coach, director of the Observatory and EFX Lab, and Summer Portals program director for astronomy and electric guitarbuilding workshops. Clark praised his intellectual curiosity and creativity. “Constantly looking for new ways to engage his students and learn with them, Mr. Fenton models a life in which ‘fun’ is defined through inquiry, discipline, and learning,” Clark said. “His students describe him as remarkable, compassionate, and understanding.” One student wrote that Fenton “pushes his students to come to conclusions on their own, always knowing how to give just enough support to foster both learning and independence. He has been the backbone of my experience at Hotchkiss.” During his remarks, Fenton blended humor and gratitude as he reflected on his path to Hotchkiss and the community he has found here. He spoke about his love of puzzles and challenges as a child, his years studying physics, and the journey that brought him back to northwest Connecticut to teach. He grew up about 30 miles from Lakeville, and he was excited to apply for a

Hotchkiss instructor position. “I think when I first got here, I thought of it as a job,” Fenton said. “But somewhere along the way, it became a life.” He reminisced about raising his family on campus and getting his first passport to travel the world. “I’ve taken students to Chile to see a total solar eclipse and spent time in places I never would have imagined visiting.” He described the joy he finds in helping students work through challenges in the classroom, the Observatory, and the EFX Lab, encouraging them to “build things and figure them out, which, for me, still just feels like solving puzzles.” Fenton returned repeatedly to the importance of community. He celebrated Hotchkiss faculty members who continue to inspire him, including David Thompson P’27, Liz Dittmer, Nathan Seidenberg, Bridget Dixon Moon P’13,’16, Douglas Kneeland ’98, Tom Herold P’17,’20,’24, and Christopher Oostenink P’17,’20. He described how each of them contributes to the spirit and strength of the School. “The magic is the people,” Fenton said. “The faculty, staff, and students in the classroom, on the fields, in the MAC.” Throughout his speech, Fenton asked the crowd for the collective nouns for animals, from “a crash of rhinoceroses” to “a parliament of owls.” He tied this lesson into his closing remarks. “How do you define this amazing group of people?” he asked. “That live and work together? That teach and learn together? That solve puzzles together? Take care of each other? It turns out, if they’re Bearcats, it’s called a sleuth. A sleuth of Bearcats. I don’t know exactly how that name came to be, but I like to think it’s because we’re all figuring things out together.” Fenton ended his speech by thanking Lufkin and the Hotchkiss community. “I’m really grateful I found my way here to be part of this sleuth of Bearcats,” he said. “Thank you to my sleuth at Hotchkiss.” SUMMER 2026

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CLASS OF 2026 MARKS COMMENCEMENT WITH GRATITUDE B Y C AT H E R I N E C A L A M É

NDER CRISP BLUE SKIES, 178 graduates crossed the

Commencement stage on May 29, celebrating the memories and milestones that shaped their high school years. The ceremony also marked Head of School Craig W. Bradley’s final Commencement before retirement. He was applauded for his decade of leadership as an honorary member of the Class of 2026 and received his own surprise diploma under a sea of floating hats and confetti. “Today is for you in a very real sense, and for me in a symbolic one, the day we graduate from Hotchkiss!” Bradley said.

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Bradley: The Elements of a Good Life

“On an almost daily basis for the past 10 years, I have walked past the panel in the English Wing that poses the question: ‘What are the elements of a good life?’” Craig asked the crowd. Bradley encouraged graduates to carry forward the habits they developed at Hotchkiss, especially gratitude. Quoting pioneering deaf educator Jean Massieu, Bradley shared the proverb, “La gratitude est la memoire du coeur,” which means, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” He urged the Class of 2026 to cherish the people and

experiences that shaped them and to carry those habits into the next chapter of their lives. “I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to lead this School over the past decade and to have known you and many of your families,” Bradley concluded. “I will miss you and look forward to cheering you on from afar as you go out and make your mark in this world.”

Commencement Speaker Abby Fanlo Susk ’12

All School Co-Presidents Celebrate Their Class

All-School Presidents Dwyer Illick ’26 Commencement Speaker and Serena Nam ’26 reflected on the Abby Fanlo Susk ’12 Shares friendships and shared experiences that Rules for Success defined the Class of 2026. Following a performance by violinist Dwyer opened with humor, recalling Yobin Kim ’26 and pianist Emma Liu how he once had to convince friends that ’26, Commencement Speaker Abby Fanlo Hotchkiss was “neither Hogwarts nor a Susk ’12, Ph.D., encouraged graduates to reform school for bad boys” before realizing define success on their own terms. that “the lives we live today really did start Susk serves on OpenAI’s Product when we first got to campus.” Policy team after previously leading He reflected on a class that helped restore policy and strategy for the U.S. traditions after the pandemic while supporting Department of Defense’s Responsible one another through academic challenges, AI Division. She began her career in homesickness, and the college process. technology policy at Meta. Serena described how Hotchkiss gradually “At Hotchkiss, there were became home. clear expectations that helped “For many of us, “It has been the me understand how to move Hotchkiss was the greatest privilege through this place and do well,” first place we spent a she began. “But as I stepped into to know you not long time away from home,” she said. “But just as classmates, the world beyond Hotchkiss, I wanted someone to hand me somewhere along but as family.” that same kind of rulebook and the way, Hotchkiss promise that if I followed it, I — SERENA NAM ’26 became home.” would be successful in college, She encouraged and in life after it. I imagine some of you classmates to remember the small may feel some version of that today. And moments that made the experience maybe that feeling is even stronger for meaningful, from conversations in dorms you, because you are graduating into a to looking up at the stars and leaning on world where definitions of work, expertise, friends after difficult days. and success are changing fast. But here is Both speakers thanked the faculty, families, the thing: that rulebook does not exist. and classmates who shaped their journey. It never really did. The world has always “The people you met on your first day changed faster than any neat formula for here are not the ones you’re graduating with success can keep up with.” today,” Dwyer said. “Those people have Rather than chasing a moving target, grown, and learned, and changed.” she advised graduates to spend their Serena closed by celebrating the lasting time focusing on what success means bonds forged during their time together. “It to them and writing their own rules for has been the greatest privilege to know you getting there. not just as classmates, but as family.”

Her advice centered on four principles: know what matters to you before someone else’s definition of success drowns out your own; do something every day that scares you, because growth comes from embracing discomfort; stay true to your values, especially when it is difficult; and revisit your personal rules as your life evolves. “The world will hand you a thousand definitions of success,” Susk said. “Reject the ones that are not yours, and go build the life that is.”

Hat Toss and Confetti Wish Bradley Adieu

After the graduates received their diplomas, Tim Sullivan ’81, P’13,’16, president of the Board of Trustees, offered a surprise tribute to the retiring head of school. “Hotchkiss is forever indebted to you for the leadership you have brought, the traditions you have nurtured, the changes you have ushered in, and the hundreds and hundreds of students who have been educated and cared for under your watch,” Sullivan said. “Your legacy will last here forever.” Sullivan then presented Bradley with a Hotchkiss diploma as an honorary member of the Class of 2026. “On the count of three, let’s all toss our caps in honor of Mr. Bradley as we wish him adieu!” Hats emblazoned with adieu soared into the air as graduates cheered and released confetti, sending Bradley into retirement with a joyful farewell. PHOTOS

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CAMPUS CONNECTION

GUIDED BY The Craig Bradley Years His decade of leadership was focused on bringing joy to Hotchkiss. B Y H O P E R E I S I N G E R C O B E R A ’88, P ’24

HEN CRAIG BRADLEY ARRIVED at

Hotchkiss in the summer of 2016, he was the fourth head of school in five years. There were strategic priorities to address, students to enroll, faculty and staff to support, money to raise, and a community eager for leadership. Yet one of Bradley’s first questions during the search process was not about finances, enrollment, or governance. He wanted to talk about joy. As members of the search committee recall, this revealed something essential about him. While Bradley understood the serious responsibilities of a head of school, he also believed that schools are places

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where young people should thrive, grow, and find happiness. “Isn’t Hotchkiss a high school?” he remembered asking. “Isn’t it supposed to be fun?” Dual commitments to excellence and joy would come to define his tenure. Bradley retired as Hotchkiss’s 16th head of school on June 30, 2026, after 10 years of service. He leaves behind a School that is academically stronger, more financially secure, physically transformed, and clear in its mission. Yet the most enduring aspect of his legacy may be less tangible. That is a culture strengthened by steady leadership,

a commitment to excellence, and an unwavering focus on students. “He’s always smiling and always excited to see us,” Joy Zhang ’29 said. “It shows he cares about people as individuals, and that means a lot to me.” Ryan Lee ’28 agreed. “He truly made the Hotchkiss experience as special as possible.” THE ROAD TO LAKEVILLE Bradley was raised in Winchester, MA, by parents who dedicated their careers to public education. He received a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Dartmouth College and later received the St. Andrew’s Society of New York Scholarship. He earned a master’s in English from the University of Edinburgh. Bradley returned to Dartmouth as a class dean. During this time, he met his future wife, Elizabeth Webb, Ph.D., a Dartmouth alumna, fellow kayaker, and future Hotchkiss science teacher. Bradley left Dartmouth to become dean of students at Kenyon College, after which he returned

“PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING ME ABOUT MY LEGACY. THE REAL LEGACY IS WHAT STUDENTS WILL DO WITH THEIR LIVES.” — C R A I G W. B R A D L E Y

EACH OTHER to New England as the dean of student affairs at Bowdoin College. Yet it was by way of Paris that he arrived in Lakeville. He was fresh off a decade spent with the Aga Khan Development Network, where he had helped establish residential schools across East Africa and South Asia. The experience broadened a worldview already shaped by a lifetime of learning and exploration. Despite the international scope of his career, he immediately felt at home at Hotchkiss. He had first visited the campus in 2009 while researching leading boarding schools. He found himself struck by the warmth of the community. Those impressions helped persuade him to leave an exciting international career for a boarding school in northwest Connecticut. The decision would become, in his words, “the most interesting and rewarding position of my career.”

STABLE LEADERSHIP When Bradley arrived, Hotchkiss needed a steadying influence, thoughtful leadership, and the wisdom of someone who would take the time to listen before acting. Over the next decade, he did exactly that. Working closely with trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and students, he earned a reputation for careful judgment, a balanced hand, and an ability to bring people together. His approach was grounded in a genuine respect for Hotchkiss and its people. “I would certainly describe Craig’s period as head of school as transformative,” said Bob Gould ’77, former co-president of the Board of Trustees. Jeannie Weinberg Rose ’80, P’18, a former member of the Board of Trustees, echoed those sentiments. “What he did for our School in 10 years is an incredible legacy,” she said.

LEADING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES Every long headship includes moments that test a leader. For Bradley, none was more consequential than the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, just as Hotchkiss was entering the quiet phase of its ambitious Ever Forward campaign, the world shut down. Schools everywhere faced uncertainty. Many institutions paused major initiatives and focused exclusively on immediate challenges. Bradley, his leadership team, and the Board were committed to protecting the community’s health and well-being. Drawing on guidance from public health experts, implementing extensive testing protocols, and communicating transparently, Hotchkiss navigated the pandemic while maintaining in-person education and avoiding major outbreaks. Hotchkiss emerged from the pandemic stronger in many ways. Applications SUMMER 2026

CAMPUS CONNECTION difficult topics in educational settings. In parallel, Bradley focused on the faculty and staff. “The excellence of a place is defined by the excellence of the people,” he often said. “I have great respect for our faculty. Teaching is a tremendous commitment. Many spend their full working lives in this community, educating and caring for students,” he said. “I also want to thank my administrative colleagues. They are highly capable professionals, and I’m immensely grateful to them.” Over 10 years, Hotchkiss attracted and retained outstanding teachers across disciplines, strengthening one of the School’s defining assets. The School also launched the Walter Crain Fellowship Program in collaboration with the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. Through this program, Hotchkiss recruits fellows who aspire to leadership roles in independent schools, have demonstrated a commitment to working with diverse populations, and are effective at fostering inclusive learning communities.

“HE TRULY MADE THE HOTCHKISS EXPERIENCE AS SPECIAL AS POSSIBLE.” — RYA N L E E ’ 28

surged. The School’s reputation grew. Culturally, the experience reinforced a sense of shared purpose. ACADEMIC INNOVATION AND INTELLECTUAL VITALITY Throughout his career, Bradley has described himself first and foremost as an educator. His deepest satisfaction came not from construction projects or fundraising milestones, but from seeing students learn and grow. Under Bradley’s leadership, Hotchkiss expanded opportunities for advanced research and inductive learning. A partnership with Dr. Seung Kim of Stanford University brought the Stan-X program to campus, through which students engage in genetic research 14

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with fruit flies that contributes to the world’s body of scientific knowledge. Partnerships with Yale, Harvard, Cornell, and Princeton created scholar programs that enable students to conduct original research using world-class archives and collections. These, along with other innovations in programming, have become distinctive features of the Hotchkiss academic experience. The School also deepened its commitment to pluralism, civil discourse, and intellectual curiosity. Bradley consistently argued that education should teach students how to think rather than what to think. Under his leadership, Hotchkiss developed new approaches to open dialogue and hosted national conversations about discussing

A CAMPUS ENHANCED Walk across campus today, and the evidence of Bradley’s tenure is everywhere. Historic dormitories were renovated. Hurst Hall underwent a comprehensive restoration, including the dedication of the Common Room and of Memorial Quadrangle to all alumni killed in war. Walker Auditorium, athletic facilities, and the Edsel Ford Memorial Library received major improvements. Most visible of all is the beautiful new Dining Commons, which students already cite as central to their daily experience. Bradley rarely spoke about buildings simply as construction projects. Instead, he viewed them as community spaces and as investments in people. THE EVER FORWARD CAMPAIGN AND THE BRADLEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND Perhaps no accomplishment better illustrates the scope of Bradley’s tenure than Ever Forward. When the Ever Forward campaign launched in 2020, it was Hotchkiss’s first

comprehensive campaign in nearly three decades. As of its closing on June 30, the campaign raised more than $300 million against a $250 million goal, making it the most successful fundraising effort in School history. The impact has touched every aspect of campus life: financial aid, faculty support, academic innovation, facility improvements, and long-term institutional strength. Bradley frequently emphasized one priority above all others: access. He argued repeatedly that attracting talented students regardless of financial circumstances was essential to Hotchkiss’s future. Under his leadership, a commitment to financial aid grew stronger, helping ensure that more students could benefit from a Hotchkiss education. The creation of the Craig W. Bradley Scholarship Fund is a fitting reflection of that commitment and of the high esteem in which the alumni community holds Bradley.

During Bradley’s tenure, Hotchkiss also confronted difficult aspects of its history, including the legacy of sexual abuse. The dedication of Courage Garden, made possible by the unwavering commitment of a group of alumni, and the School’s continuing commitment to survivor support and institutional accountability reflect a determination to address the past honestly while ensuring the safety of current and future students. Bradley approached these efforts with what colleagues describe as moral clarity and compassion. “I think a mantra of his leadership was to maintain the intellectual and academic strength of the School, but infusing a little bit more lightheartedness and joy,” said Rick Hazelton P’19,’22, director of the Center for Global Understanding and Independent Thinking and dean of summer programs.

A SENSE OF BELONGING Not every accomplishment can be measured in dollars raised, buildings completed, or rankings earned. Some of the most important changes are cultural. Throughout his tenure, he worked to cultivate a stronger sense of belonging for every member of the community. His language often returned to a handful of recurring ideas: joy, gratitude, community, friendship, curiosity, and purpose. “I love calling the Head of School Holidays,” he said with a smile. “That’s joyful for all of us.” In interviews and informal conversations alike, many describe Bradley as unusually accessible for a head of school. He knew names, attended performances and games, and genuinely enjoyed spending time with students. Trustees often joke that while Bradley managed campaigns, strategic plans, and Board meetings, students remained his favorite part of the job. “I take huge pride in the students. When I’m talking about the School, I often talk about them. Their moments of mastery and excellence inspire me because I know the discipline required to achieve them,” he said. “People have been asking me about my legacy. The real legacy is what students will do with their lives.”

THE MEASURE OF A DECADE As he prepared for retirement, Bradley reflected on a question displayed in the English Wing: “What are the elements of a good life?” It is the sort of question he appreciates—philosophical, practical, and rooted in education’s deeper purposes. His own answer emphasizes habits: reading, reflection, friendship, gratitude, intellectual curiosity, meaningful work, time in nature, and service to others. Those

values have shaped his life and, in many ways, his leadership. Looking back across 10 years, Hotchkiss can point to record admission results, expanded academic opportunities, historic fundraising, a commitment to financial aid, renewed facilities, and national recognition. Those accomplishments matter. But perhaps Bradley’s greatest contribution was helping Hotchkiss become more fully itself. He arrived at a moment when the School needed steadiness and vision. He leaves behind an institution with a stronger sense of mission, a clearer understanding of its values, and confidence in its future. As Craig and Elizabeth leave Lakeville for the rivers, forests, and adventures that await them in retirement, they will leave behind more than completed projects and institutional milestones. They will leave a community that is stronger, more joyful, and more deeply connected than the one they found. “I quite like the simple pleasures of the place,” he said. “I enjoyed sitting at a table with students at dinner. It’s spontaneous, and I really appreciated those conversations. I love the diversity of this community. There’s a lot of joy in this for me, truly.” Guided by each other, Hotchkiss sought better paths. For 10 years, Craig W. Bradley helped show the way.

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A Lasting Lesson Three beloved retiring faculty members reflect on decades of teaching, coaching, and mentoring students. From left, Tom Herold P’17,’20,’24, Charlie Frankenbach P’12,’16, and Dr. Richard “DK” Kirby P’08,’09,’14,’15.

CHARLIE FRANKENBACH: LITERATURE, HOOPS, AND FLY-FISHING B Y B E L L A C H E N ’29

HARLIE FRANKENBACH P’12,’16, the

Russel Murray Bigelow Teaching Chair, Lufkin Prize recipient, and instructor in English, taught and coached at Hotchkiss for 37 years. He is a former head of the English Department and served as the interim dean of faculty in 2023-24. He has coached varsity and JV basketball and led the fly-fishing cocurricular. What led you to teach at Hotchkiss? I taught at Loomis for two years after college. After that, I went to graduate school and got married to my wife, Lauren. Our really dear friends, John and Christy Cooper P’08,’11, had gotten their jobs at Hotchkiss the year before. I was in graduate school in Indiana when they called and told me there’s a position here that I should apply for. I got a job as a

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half-time study skills teacher, as well as teaching two courses of English. I also began to coach boys varsity basketball. I filmed football and lacrosse games. And to really age myself, I umpired thirds baseball! Lauren and I moved into Buehler, and that was how my career here started. What are some notable teaching moments that have left a strong impression on you? There are so many of those moments. There’s one particular moment I keep coming back to, which has always stayed with me. I had an honors class years back, during the year my dad passed away. I could sense that they knew I was not my normal self. I remember in the midst of it thinking that they were really being remarkably understanding for

TOM HEROLD: A FAMILY AFFAIR B Y I Z Z Y L I A N G ’29

young people. I hope I didn’t bring my troubles into the classroom, but at some level, you’re always bringing yourself to it, especially since we were studying works that sometimes went directly to the theme of family. I come back to that as a moment that highlights the remarkable synergy between students and teachers in this community. For me, it reaffirmed the fact that the students who come here are exceptional people. They were remarkably empathetic and understanding. A large part of why I love to teach is because we learn from the students all the time. For example, I like to footnote past students and their perceptions in class when we study King Lear or Faulkner. What are your plans for your retirement? My wife and I are moving to Rhode Island, and one of our daughters is getting married. I would like to fish as often as possible. Besides that, I have little to no idea—kind of like how I started teaching 40 years ago! I’ll keep reading books. It’s going to be interesting to read and not always be thinking, “How would I use this book in a classroom setting?” What advice would you offer to students? So much of this seems cliché, but it’s very, very true—how quickly your time at Hotchkiss goes, so be mindful of that fact. Something I say all the time is to not wait for a Hotchkiss experience to happen to you. Students need to make their own Hotchkiss experience happen. Pursue your interests, but also be wide open to the myriad interests that can happen if you throw yourself into different things and meet many different people. And fun should always be somewhere in the mix.

OM HEROLD P’17,’20,’24, instructor

of English, has been a teacher for more than 40 years. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1983, he began his career at Rectory School in Pomfret, CT, where he taught English and social studies and coached soccer and lacrosse. He then taught at Hill School in Pottstown, PA, for 10 years and at Culver Academies in Culver, IN, for three years before coming to Hotchkiss in 1999. This year marks his 27th at Hotchkiss. He has coached boys varsity soccer, JV boys and JV girls soccer, and JV boys lacrosse. He also served as a class dean from 2006 until 2014, as dean of the classes of 2010 and 2014. He is married to Jane Herold P’17,’20,’24, who works at Hotchkiss as the Marie S. Tinker Chair and director of the Class of 1964 Teaching and Learning Center. For 11 consecutive years, from 2013 to 2024, they were also Hotchkiss parents, and all three of their children are alumni: George Herold ’17, Leslie Herold ’20, and Jack Herold ’24. What led you to teach at Hotchkiss? When I started exploring teaching positions elsewhere while still at Culver, Jane and I were interested in returning to the Northeast. We knew the boarding school world very well. Prior to coming to Hotchkiss, I had many connections with colleagues and friends from working at other schools. There are two people I should mention: John and Christy Cooper P’08,’11, both at that time longtime Hotchkiss teachers. I got a phone call from Christy about an English opening at Hotchkiss. When we came to Hotchkiss, Jane and I were brand new parents. We had an eight-month-old baby boy, our son George, and it was a really wonderful time in our lives together as a couple. As new parents, we knew we wanted to be part of a boarding school community, and Hotchkiss seemed the perfect fit.

Tom and Jane Herold P’17,’20,’24

We moved into Coy Dormitory. Chris Oostenink and Carita Gardiner P’17,’20, who also lived in Coy back then, were very welcoming. The boys who lived in Coy were great—not just the prep and lower-mid boys who were living in the dorm, but the proctors as well. We fell in love with the School through our experience as residential faculty. What have been some of your favorite classes to teach? I’ve enjoyed all the courses that I’ve gotten to teach and all the students of different ages. With ninth-graders, it’s a very exciting time, as they get to know their new school and learn to adjust to the challenges of high school. Being someone who can help students learn about the possibilities here and discover more about themselves and what they might accomplish is really fun and inspiring. What do you think the School stands for? I think it stands for the pursuit of excellence and also finding personal fulfillment by taking on new challenges and learning more about yourself. I see that over and over. It’s a consistent theme. What will you miss most about Hotchkiss when you retire? I’ll miss the companionship of my fellow teachers in the English Department—working together, supporting each other, and learning from each other. Though I’ll no longer be a working colleague, I’ll still have those relationships and friendships. What advice would you offer to students? Don’t forget to have fun. Your high school years will go by quickly, and you don’t want to spend your entire time grinding away in an empty classroom in the English wing. SUMMER 2026

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Honoring Retirees April 30 was a Head of School Holiday in honor of this year’s retirees.

Craig W. Bradley Head of School

DR. RICHARD “DK” KIRBY: PASSING THE BATON B Y A S H E R B L A K E ’28

R. RICHARD “DK” KIRBY P’08,’09,’14,’15, Independence

Foundation Chair, Lufkin Prize recipient, and instructor in chemistry, taught at Hotchkiss for 30 years. He coached varsity track and field and multiple soccer teams for more than 20 years. Kirby earned a B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of the West Indies and an M.S. in industrial and technical management from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). He joined Hotchkiss in 1996 after teaching at Wesleyan University and CCSU. In 2005, he led both the girls and boys varsity track teams to win the Founders League Championship. The boys won in 2004, as well. What led you to teach at Hotchkiss? In my first year at the University of Guelph, when I was only in my 20s, I was diagnosed with cancer. That was a life-changing event for me, so I decided to come closer to my family. I was meeting with a professor who taught me as an undergrad, and he said, “You should try applying for one of these schools.” As it turned out, Hotchkiss had a chemistry position. My training was primarily in chemistry, so I decided to take the job here.

Versions of these articles originally appeared in The Hotchkiss Record.

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What do you think the School stands for? Hotchkiss has a tradition of excellence. I think it is a place where gifted and talented students are able to excel—not only in math and science, but in the arts. The thing that I am most proud of is excellence in so many different ways: on the volleyball court, on the basketball court, and on the track. Some kids come in who have never done track, but they pick it up, grow, develop, and excel. Throughout your career, what have been some of the most notable moments interacting with students? I had a student in honors chemistry who was failing tests. But she stuck with it, and she ended up with an A-. The next year, she was in an advanced chemistry course I was teaching. This particular student ended up at Harvard. It’s those situations that stand out most: it’s not always the student who’s getting 99.9%; it’s the student who is struggling and sticks with it. What is your relationship with track and field, as a sport you participated in and one you coach? What I say to my track team is, “Prepare, and when you go out on the track, do your best. And if you do your best, it’s going to be good enough, and the scoreboard will take care of itself.” Even if we are the best team in New England or the worst team, it doesn’t matter. We can go out there and do our best, and improve, and participate.

Brenda Catalano Assistant to Alumni Engagement Charlie Frankenbach P’12,’16 The Russel Murray Bigelow Teaching Chair, Lufkin Prize Recipient, 2021, Instructor in English Thomas Herold P’17,’20,’24 Instructor in English Shirley Hoffkins Admission Administrative Assistant Richard Kirby P’08,’09,’14,’15 Independence Foundation Chair, Lufkin Prize Recipient, 2013, Instructor in Chemistry Wendy MacKenzie Associate Director of Human Resources Andrew Murphy Housekeeper Dave Paton Campus Safety and Security Officer Phyllis Schneider CWCC Preschool Teacher Nicholas Seiser Energy Management and HVAC Technician Charlie Tokarz Instructor in Saxophone Mike Traggio ’91, P’20,’22,’26 Director of the Forrest E. Mars Jr. Athletic Center Matthias Weiss Instructor in Mathematics, Director of Scheduling

Generations Together Grandparents Day welcomed families to Hotchkiss for a day of connection and celebration. Grandparents enjoyed musical performances, attended classes, toured the Dining Commons, and, most importantly, spent meaningful time with their grandchildren.

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Twenty Years in Harmony Thanks to generous gifts, the Esther Eastman Music Center and Katherine M. Elfers Hall continue to shape student musicians, inspire artistic excellence, and connect Hotchkiss to the international world of music. By Darryl Gangloff

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or two decades,

Esther Eastman Music Center and Katherine M. Elfers Hall have served as the heart of music at Hotchkiss. These breathtaking facilities give students the opportunity to practice, perform, collaborate, and discover a love of the performing arts. The community applauds the 20th anniversary of these spaces, which have welcomed worldrenowned musicians, acclaimed speakers, alumni, families, and thousands of students. More importantly, they have transformed the music program at Hotchkiss. That transformation began with a bold vision and extraordinary generosity. The Esther Eastman Music Center was established through the philanthropy of Barbara Walsh Hostetter ’77 and her husband, Amos Hostetter, and named in memory of Barbara’s grandmother, Esther Stiles Eastman. Katherine M. Elfers Hall was made possible through the generosity of William Elfers ’37, P’67 and William R. Elfers ’67 in memory of Katherine M. Elfers. These gifts reshaped the campus’s physical landscape and the future of music education at Hotchkiss. “In my history here at Hotchkiss, this is one of the most visionary and impactful gifts,” says Fabio Witkowski, the Joanne Eastman Sohrweide Chair, head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, director of music, and instructor in piano. “It was transformational from the ground up.”

A Vision Takes Shape

Fabio arrived at Hotchkiss in 1999. At that time, the music program occupied a handful of rooms in the basement of the Chapel. Talented students and dedicated faculty were making music, but the program lacked the facilities needed to flourish. “Barbara wanted to help change Hotchkiss through music, and she did,” Fabio recalls. He noted that Barbara’s mother, the late Joanne Eastman Sohrweide, was a longtime music teacher at Hotchkiss, and that the love of music runs in the family.

The School broke ground on the facilities in 2003 following a major fundraising campaign. Barbara encouraged others to join the effort, helping create momentum for a project that would benefit generations of students. The result was a space that now provides strong programs for student musicians. The Esther Eastman Music Center contains practice rooms, teaching studios, rehearsal spaces, and gathering places that support daily musical life. The crown jewel is a Fazioli F308 concert grand piano. The building contains Elfers Hall, an intimate performance venue renowned for its acoustics. Fabio says Elfers was among the first concert venues designed using advanced acoustic modeling technology that allowed architects and musicians to hear how the space would sound before it was built. “Everyone comes here and says the same thing: that close experience is amazing,” he said. “From jazz to voice to full symphonic music, everything sounds glorious there. There is nothing like the sound of a big, live orchestra in Elfers Hall!” Over the past two decades, Elfers Hall has become one of the School’s premier cultural spaces. Distinguished artists, including pianists Lang Lang and Boris Berman, violinists Midori and Daniel Hope, the Guarneri String Quartet, and many others, have performed at the venue. Countless notable speakers, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, have delivered talks to students on Elfers stage. “Everyone knows about this place. We’ve had the A-list of musicians,” Fabio says. “The combination of the program and the facilities really inserted Hotchkiss into the world music scene.” The facilities also helped attract a new generation of young musicians who seek both conservatory-level training and a rigorous academic education.

“The combination of the program and the facilities really inserted Hotchkiss into the world music scene.” — FABIO WITKOWSKI

Fabio and Gisele Witkowski toured the construction of Katherine M. Elfers Hall in October 2004.

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The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra brings outstanding professional musicians to campus to perform alongside Hotchkiss students.

“I have always loved the centrality of the building and the lyrical, musical sound that lingers through the corridors as students pass through.” — BARBARA WALSH HOSTETTER ’77

“A lot of people may not realize that we have students of many different levels in the music program,” says Gisele Witkowski, instructor in piano. “Almost half of the student body takes music at home, which is very significant. We have students who want to become professional musicians, and we can prepare them to go to Yale, Harvard, Juilliard, New England Conservatory, and other outstanding institutions.”

A World-Class Stage

In 2018, the Hostetters established the Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra, which brings outstanding professional musicians to campus to perform alongside Hotchkiss students. Young musicians also study with

visiting professors from leading universities and conservatories through master classes. “Students are sharing the stage with professionals. It’s a fantastic opportunity,” Fabio said. Isabella Deng ’27 agreed. “Serious musicians can grow at Hotchkiss in ways that simply aren’t possible at most high schools. The Hotchkiss Philharmonic exposes us to professional symphonic repertoire, and we perform notable pieces alongside professional musicians,” she said. “Each year, around 20 student musicians perform at Carnegie Hall, which is always an especially proud moment for me. After months of practice and guidance from my mentors, I am able to share the music I’ve been working on with confidence.” Emma Liu ’26 praised the Hotchkiss music faculty. “It cannot be overstated how far Fabio and Gisele Witkowski go to build a music program of the highest caliber. They have elevated Hotchkiss music into a conservatory-level program that rivals any high school in the country,” she said. Reflecting on the anniversary, Barbara emphasizes the many ways the building serves the community. “It is fascinating to think about all the unique relationships different people have with a building such as the Esther Eastman

Hotchkiss Hosts Inaugural International Piano Competition The inaugural Hotchkiss International Piano Competition welcomed exceptional young pianists from around the world to campus May 15-17 for three days of performances in Katherine M. Elfers Hall. Competitors performed before a jury led by Artistic Directors Fabio and Gisele Witkowski, alongside Gloria Chien, Olga Kern, Leonel Morales, and Álvaro Teixeira Lopes. The competition culminated with the announcement of the Yang-Hamabata Grand Prize winners: Sylvie Chiu (U.S., age 10), Brendan Li (Canada, age 13), and Jamil Sadizade (Azerbaijan, age 18). The event was made possible through a generous gift from Murong Yang ’06, who studied piano and played violin in the orchestra during her four years at Hotchkiss.

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Music Center,” Barbara said. “For a music student, the building is a safe haven where they can practice for countless hours on a daily basis. It is also home to a music program that connects students and teachers from all over the world, where timeless memories of rehearsals, lessons, or master classes will connect those involved for the rest of their lives. At its broadest, it is a place where an entire community comes to appreciate music written today or centuries ago, performed by the next generation of young musicians. We are delighted to notice that the music that unites all these different experiences has had a profound impact on Hotchkiss during the past 20 years. We look forward to the next 20 years of music at Hotchkiss, hoping that the curiosity, creativity, sensitivity, and empathy music brings to campus will continue to enrich the lives of the entire community.”

Music at the Heart of Main Building

Located in Main Building, the Esther Eastman Music Center and Elfers Hall are woven into everyday campus life. Students heading to classes hear rehearsals in progress, gather for concerts and guest lectures, and experience music as a natural part of their day. The habits students develop in rehearsal, such as careful listening, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, extend beyond the music program into their academic classrooms. “One thing that sets the music program at Hotchkiss apart is how it pushes students to pursue their art in exactly the way they want. From independent projects to co-curricular time, students are encouraged and empowered to explore their artistic passions across all disciplines,” Emma said. “Music doesn’t exist in a silo at Hotchkiss,” Barbara emphasized. “I have always loved the centrality of the building and the lyrical, musical sound that lingers through the corridors as students pass through.”

Reflecting on 20 Years

The anniversary celebration also offered the Witkowskis an opportunity for reflection. In May 2005, before the building’s formal

Gisele Witkowski Awarded the Jonathan D. Walsh ’80 Chair Hotchkiss honored Dr. Gisele Witkowski, instructor in piano, with the Jonathan D. Walsh ’80 Chair during a ceremony in May. She was recognized for her extraordinary contributions to music education and student mentorship. The endowed chair is a gift of Barbara Walsh Hostetter ’77 and Amos Hostetter and is named in memory of Barbara’s brother, Jonathan D. Walsh ’80. The gift continues the Hostetters’ longstanding commitment to music at Hotchkiss. They previously endowed the Joanne Eastman Sohrweide Chair, named for Barbara’s mother, who was a longtime music teacher at Hotchkiss. Fabio Witkowski, head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, holds that chair. Walsh spent three years at Hotchkiss as a day student. He played piano and guitar, sang in the chorus, and held leading roles in multiple Hotchkiss Dramatic Association productions. He won the chorus prize in 1980. He also ran and skied cross-country, played softball, sailed, and wrote for The Whipping Post. After leaving Hotchkiss, he went on to earn a B.A. and master’s degree from the University of Connecticut, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He became a professor of French studies at Wheaton College, where he also served as department chair. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 61. Dean of Faculty Shannon Clark presented the chair to Witkowski, praising her 25 years of service to Hotchkiss and her lasting impact on generations of students. “At her core, she is above all else a teacher who works tirelessly to support, inspire, and mentor Hotchkiss students,” Clark said. Students describe Witkowski as a teacher whose enthusiasm and care leave a lasting impression. As one student shared, “Dr. Witkowski brings the most energy, dedication, and enthusiasm I’ve ever seen into every piano lesson.” Another described her as “a mentor, a cheerleader, and someone her students know they can always turn to for inspiration.”

dedication in October of that year, the duo performed the first concert in Elfers Hall. Their piano recital helped introduce the new venue to the community. Twenty years later, in October 2025, they returned to the same stage and performed the same program. For Gisele, the experience was deeply emotional. “It goes so fast,” she says. “It was a great opportunity to play some of the music we performed before, but now with our interpretation 20 years later.” Performing in a hall that has become their professional home brought a flood of memories. “This is our house. Our students were there, and our friends were there. It felt very special,” she said. The anniversary concert served as both

a celebration and a reminder of how much has changed since those early days. The music program is now recognized internationally for its quality, ambition, and sense of community. Neither Fabio nor Gisele sees the anniversary as a conclusion. Looking around the Esther Eastman Music Center and Elfers Hall at the students filling its practice rooms, classrooms, and stage, Fabio’s thoughts quickly turn to the future. “There’s this great thing in the mind of a musician,” he says. “You just played the concert. What’s next? How can the next one be better and bigger and more challenging and more rewarding?” Then he smiles. “I still feel we’re just at the beginning.” SUMMER 2026

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BE A L LE C T UR E

Michael Steele Urges Students to Focus on Service BY DARRYL GANGLOFF

ICHAEL STEELE, former lieutenant

governor of Maryland and former chairman of the Republican National Committee, challenged students to think deeply about service as this year’s Beal Lecturer on April 7. “The Beal Lecture is an extraordinary gift to the School,” said Keith Moon P’13,’16, who coordinates the lecture series. Moon is the E. Carleton Granbery Teaching Chair, Lufkin Prize recipient, and instructor in English, history, and Russian language. He noted that the series was established in 1983 with the hope that the Hotchkiss community would benefit from hearing visiting speakers address issues of national or global concern. “I’ve always tried to listen to both sides of the political aisle throughout my life,” Moon continued. “I’d encourage you to adopt a similar approach.” Steele is co-host of The Weeknight on MS NOW and has appeared on Meet the Press, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Daily Show, and Face the Nation. He also hosts The Michael Steele Podcast. Steele’s talk in Katherine M. Elfers Hall moved between humor, autobiography, and civic challenge. He told students that the country is living through a defining moment that will demand courage and

engagement from the next generation. He urged the crowd not to get stuck on partisan labels, but to focus instead on solving problems and listening to others. “Part of the American experience and spirit is how we approach problems and how we approach the idea of solving those problems,” he said. Throughout the evening, Steele returned to the idea that service is active. He asked students to think about the role they will play in their communities and what kind of imprint they hope to leave. “That’s the American journey, and it’s part of the legacy that each generation is asked to address and to leave behind. How will you do that?” Steele shared his dream of becoming both a priest and a doctor. He nearly failed out of Johns Hopkins University as a biology pre-med student after his first year, then worked his way back through determination and a clear sense of purpose. “I had to discover what I was capable of doing and not give too much thought about how hard it would be. I hope you realize from my journey that it wasn’t easy. It was hard.” Steele said he began to expect more of himself after realizing what he was capable of accomplishing. He returned to

Johns Hopkins and graduated on time with a degree in international studies. That personal story became part of a larger message about responsibility and public life. Steele said that while academic achievement matters, so does a willingness to serve others, especially in moments of uncertainty or division. “You’ve got a country to fix. You’ve got a community to help,” he said. He looked around Elfers Hall. “In this room is a future county council member, a future mayor, a future governor, and perhaps a president. What does your service look like?” During the question-and-answer session, Steele left the stage and walked through the aisles in Elfers, answering students’ questions directly. He continued the discussion in the Faculty Room with a smaller group of students and faculty members. Steele closed with a message for students as they prepare for lives beyond Hotchkiss. “Please be your best you every day,” he said. “Be an example to everyone, whether they know you or not, because that’s how we turn a lot of corners in this world. That’s how we help strengthen the country rather than weaken it.”

The Beal Lecture series was established in 1983 in honor of Thaddeus R. (Ted) Beal Jr. ’35 by his close friend, classmate, and former trustee John Shedd Reed ’35, P’73,’81, GP’85,’89,’05,’08,’12,’14,’18. Beal was the stepson of longtime and much-revered headmaster George van Santvoord, Class of 1908. Reed created the series because he believed that The Hotchkiss School community would benefit from exposure to visiting speakers addressing issues of national or global concern.

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L A M B E RT LEC TU R E

Poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil Combines Nature and Science into a Unique Creative Voice B Y C AT H E R I N E C A L A M É

REATIVIT Y THROUGH POETRY

and prose came to Hotchkiss on May 12 as the School welcomed awardwinning American poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil for the annual Lambert Lecture. She is The New York Times best-selling author of the poetry book Night Owl and two illustrated collections of essays: Bite by Bite and World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, & Other Astonishments, which was chosen as Barnes and Noble’s Book of the Year and named a finalist for the Kirkus Prize. She is a professor of English and creative writing at the University of Mississippi. English teachers incorporated Nezhukumatathil’s work into their classes throughout the year. Two students shared reflections on the impact of her writing. “I was especially drawn to how she blends the natural world with human

emotions, finding in animals, oceans, and unnamed creatures a mirror for our deepest experiences,” said Nabiha Rahim ’26. “In Naming the Heartbeats, she asks, ‘But what is it called when creatures on this Earth curl and sleep, when shadows of moons we don’t yet know brush across our faces?’ The question reflects how deeply intertwined humans are with the natural world.” Jahlani Jackson ’27 said Nezhukumatatathil draws upon memory throughout her work. Jahlani said he is most drawn to the piece Correspondence, the final poem in the book of poems Night Owl. “I see this in many of her works as a proxy for our own humanity,” he said. “We saturate our world with elusive meaning, with tokens of wealth and pleasure, losing sight of the most potent knowledge, that which exists beside and within us, in the birds, triggerfish, coral, axolotl, and the curious child at our center.”

Poetic Process Nezhukumatathil thanked the Hotchkiss community for the opportunity to share her work. “I’m going to give a special shout-out to the Lambert family for making this happen,” she said. “It’s such a special gift to honor someone in this way, the gift of poetry for young adults that I hope lasts for the rest of your lives. I tell my own students, who range from freshmen to seniors in college, that you can never feel alone, no matter where the world takes you, if you’ve got poetry with you.” Students asked about Nezhukumatathil’s process and how she discovered poetry in college. “I write everything longhand, and I do what’s called margin-to-margin writing. So I don’t know the shape; I don’t know if I’m writing an essay or a poem until much later,” said Nezhukumatathil. “If I feel like my sentences are unfurling really long, I know that is an essay. If I feel like I want there to be tension, I feel a hesitation or a pause, or I want to create mystery a little bit, that’s going to be a poem. That’s part of the excitement about writing; I don’t know what’s going to come out of it.” The night inspires many artists, and the same is true for Nezhukumatathil. “We write about our obsessions, and for me, it’s night,” she said. “Nighttime was a place where the magic happened. It’s a quieting down. For me, night is transformative.” Nezhukumatathil said she feels like a poem or an essay is incomplete until she feels like she has traveled without leaving her chair. “I need to be a slightly different person or have a different outlook on the world when I get to the end of something,” she said. She imparted words of wisdom to students who may feel pressured to achieve beyond their expectations. “I would just say to anybody who’s making anything, feel like a student for the rest of your life, and you will never, ever be bored or lonesome. I promise you.”

Established in 1981 by the late 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 Lambert Fund brings distinguished writers of poetry and prose to Hotchkiss to work with students and engage the broader community. John Lambert ’81, P’29, and his wife, Ramona, were in attendance for Nezhukumatathil’s talk. SUMMER 2026

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Gathering Around the Table The dedication of the Dining Commons celebrates a space that is the new heart and hearth of Hotchkiss, thanks to the generosity of donors. B Y C AT H E R I N E C A L A M É

INING AT HOTCHKISS holds countless memories for generations of community members. Connections over shared meals, celebrations, and everyday moments have long been central to the Bearcat experience. Now, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of hundreds of donors, the new Dining Commons provides a large, bright space that is the new heart and hearth of the School. The community gathered to celebrate the official dedication of the Dining

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Commons on May 1, 2026. The first meals were served on Dec. 1, 2025, and since then, the space has been praised for its cuisine and beauty. “This event was long in the making. And by long, I mean decades,” Head of School Craig W. Bradley said at the dedication ceremony. “The original dining room was built in 1948. Since that time, the facility had not been renovated. With a few exceptions, the old Dining Hall was the only Dining Hall any living Hotchkiss graduates had experienced.”

Bradley explained that alumni provided input during the design of the new space. Their clear feedback was, “Do everything you can to preserve the character of the main Dining Hall. We have so many happy memories of sitting in that space among our dear friends with Maria Bissell Hotchkiss looking over us from above the fireplace.” The thoroughly modern facility has indeed retained Hotchkiss’s character. Classical Georgian style brings light and warmth to a familiar and well-loved

“It is a familiar space, yet a new, larger, and brighter space.” — CRAIG W. BRADLEY

DINING COMMONS IMPROVEMENTS l Seating has increased from

342 to 525

l All new furniture, including tables,

chairs, and booths

l New, modern servery and kitchen l Spacious access points avoid

overcrowding at peak times

l The new Trustee Dining Room

expands seating capacity and brings more natural light into the space

l The Farman-Farmaian Dining Room,

connected to the Lt. Col. James Lindsay Luke Foyer, expands capacity

l Complete overhaul of all mechanical,

electrical, and plumbing systems

l Numerous collaboration rooms

provide spaces for group study, classes, and meetings

l New student activity spaces on

the lower level

l College Advising offices occupy

the lower level

l Redeveloped lawn provides space

for social gatherings and events

l The new southeast terrace has

outdoor seating

space that has retained many touches from the past: wood paneling, paintings, round tables and wooden chairs, flags representing the home country of every current Hotchkiss student, an expanded Lt. Col. James Lindsay Luke Foyer, and refurbished oak paneling commemorating decades of Hotchkiss award winners. It also features new meeting spaces and a large servery with many food stations. “It is a familiar space, yet a new, larger, and brighter space,” Bradley said. “It is a space where current students continue to

gather and deepen friendships. It is a place where teachers, coaches, advisors, and students sit down together and do their work. It is our most active and vital community space.” Dining Commons features several commemorative plaques and etchings, including words of gratitude under a painting of Maria Bissell Hotchkiss that honor the 1,800 alumni, parents, and friends who made the original 1948 building possible. Continued on next page

l The new northeast entrance provides

better connectivity to campus life

l The new south entrance connects

to the restored and updated Lt. Col. James Lindsay Luke Foyer

l New trash/recycling and loading

dock area

l A projection screen displays away

games and events to support community and school spirit

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CAMPUS CONNECTION

“The new menu and servery are amazing because they offer many food options. The hot food menu varies, which I love, and it’s helpful that the supplementary stations—like the sandwich bar or the pizza oven—are consistent options. In addition, the Bissell Dining Hall is a beautiful space where the community loves to pass time together.” — Pippa Clark ’28 “I remember one of the first days the Dining Hall was open, and it was also one of the first days snow began to fall in Lakeville. Watching this from the huge windows inside the servery was a beautiful moment, and it led me to really appreciate the space’s aesthetics. The pizza oven is simply incredible; day after day, I found myself going back to it, and yet I still never got tired of it. I’m looking forward to when we will meet again in this amazing space in the fall.” — Cooper Grace ’27

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Thankful for Community

“Tonight, we gather to thank the 218 donors who have made the new Hotchkiss Dining Commons a reality,” Bradley said at the ceremony. “Thanks to your tremendous generosity, as well as that of many other parents, alumni, and friends of the School, we have opened this stunning facility.” Bradley acknowledged that there are many people to honor and thank for their generosity. In particular, he celebrated Smoky Bissell ’55, P’82, who served as board president from 1993-96. “His generosity in support of this project, and of the School, has been exceptional,” he said. Bissell Dining Hall is named after his father, Howard Bissell Jr. ’31, who gave his four sons a Hotchkiss education. “We also thank all of the parents who gave so generously to the 2024 and 2025 senior parent gifts, and we thank all those whose names are engraved on plaques all around this space and those who have given anonymously,” Bradley continued. “And we would not be enjoying this lovely evening in the historic new Dining Commons, sitting within Bissell Dining Hall, alongside the Trustee Dining Room, were it not for Tom Edelman ’69, P’06,’07 and his herculean work on behalf of this School.”

Tim Sullivan ’81, P’13,’16, president of the Board of Trustees, expressed his gratitude to those involved in the Dining Commons project while also paying homage to Bradley for his decade of service to Hotchkiss. “Our campus truly has been transformed by this amazing space,” said Sullivan. Bradley also thanked many alumni, faculty, and staff members who made this project possible, including Josh Hahn, assistant head of school and head of strategic initiatives, who led the project from the outset; John Grube ’65, P’00, a former trustee and longtime leader of the Building, Grounds, and Environment committee of the Board; and Alex Hurst ’97, Grube’s successor in that role. He also applauded members of the facilities, alumni and development, and CulinArt teams. “So many individuals and teams made outstanding contributions, working late nights and over breaks to ensure that the Hotchkiss community would be well-cared for in this beautiful new facility,” Bradley said. “Welcome to the Hotchkiss Dining Commons, et bon appetit!” PHOTOS

Honoring Achievements Frankenstein Actor Wins Best Performance Award

Steven Hicks ’26

Students Honored for Computing Excellence Five Hotchkiss students were recognized by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) for their computing-related achievements and interests. Pahal Bhasin ’26, Sia Reddy ’26, Helen Cao ’28, Irene Gong ’28, and Chloe Kong ’28 are all Connecticut winners of the award, earning the highest distinction from NCWIT in the state. Sia is a national winner for this year’s NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award. She is one of only 40 national winners. Pahal is also an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient. She is one of seven Connecticut students, and among just 200 nationwide, to receive this honor.

Steven Hicks ’26 won the Halo Award for best performance in a leading male role in a contemporary play for his impressive role as the Creature in the Hotchkiss Dramatic Association’s production of Frankenstein. The play was performed in February and co-directed by Derek Brashears, director of theatre, resident designer, technical director, and instructor in theatre, and William Becker ’26. The Semina DeLaurentis Halo Awards is Connecticut’s largest high school theatre awards program. Since 1993, the Halo Awards have rewarded and elevated more than 100 Connecticut high school theatre programs in all aspects: actors, singers, technical crew, directors, and more.

National Recognition for Student Artists Valentina Castro ’27 and Saron Yassin ’27 earned National Gold Medals in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, placing them among the top young artists in the country. Valentina was recognized for her ceramics piece the world will end at the kitchen table, and Saron for her mordançage work The Ascent. Out of more than 110,000 submissions, only about 2 percent of students receive national recognition.

Valentina Castro ’27

Saron Yassin ’27

Debaters Shine on the World Stage

From left, Helen Cao ’28, Chloe Kong ’28, Irene Gong ’28, Pahal Bhasin ’26, and Sia Reddy ’26.

Andrew Roraback ’27 won second place in the impromptu speaking competition at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Bristol, UK, this April, defeating Andrew Roraback ’27 competitors from 18 countries in the annual tournament. Andrew was joined by debate team captains Teo Everts ’26 and Shaye Lee ’26. Teo advanced to the finals of the parliamentary debate competition before being eliminated, and his combined scores across all competitions earned him 15th place overall out of 109 competitors. SUMMER 2026

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15th Annual Hotchkiss Film Festival Showcases Emerging Filmmakers from Around the World

HE HOTCHKISS FILM CLUB hosted the 15th Annual

Hotchkiss Film Festival in Walker Auditorium on April 25, marking 15 years of a student-founded tradition centered on sharing the work of young filmmakers. This year’s festival brought together more than 50 submissions from seven New England schools, with 17 films selected for a program that ranged from documentary storytelling to narrative work and inventive “super shorts.” Led by club heads Trey Ramirez ’26 and Leon Li ’26, and guided by Ann Villano, instructor in photography, film, and related media, the festival continues to reflect its original mission of creating space for student voices in film. Trey began his filmmaking journey by creating videos for the varsity boys basketball team and is an Honors Film student. Leon brings a reflective, critical lens to his work as a filmmaker in the Hotchkiss Film Club. Alumni filmmakers Brian Ryu ’13 (who co-founded the festival with Carla Frankenbach ’12) and Luke Gardiner ’21 returned as judges, evaluating films across categories including overall achievement, storytelling, and visual craft. “When I was a student, the Hotchkiss Film Festival, the Film Club, and Ms. Villano were seminal in inspiring me to chart my path toward doing this crazy thing we call filmmaking,” Gardiner told The Hotchkiss Record. “It is a real privilege and genuine joy to be invited back to campus and

Brian Ryu ’13, Cooper Grace ’27, Trey Ramirez ’26, Warren Edwards ’27, and Luke Gardiner ’21 at the 15th Annual Hotchkiss Film Festival.

return the favor: uplifting students from Hotchkiss and beyond as they explore film.” The evening recognized standout work from across the program. Cooper Grace ’27 received the Grand Jury Award for Fish Out of Water, Warren Edwards ’27 earned Best Cinematography for Becoming a Unit, and Trey Ramirez ’26 was awarded Best Super Short for his experimental film Paradise Waits. Additional honors went to Katherine Antoniou of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts for Railroad Flowers: A Memoir (Best Visuals) and Chloe Yeu of Milton Academy for Daughter of Sound (Best Story).

A COMMUNITY THROUGH A HISTORIC LENS

HOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS IN THE CL ASS OF 2028 created large-format

film portraits of Hotchkiss community members dressed as figures from mid-19th-century Lakeville and Salisbury. A selection of the portraits is on display in the English Wing.

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PHOTOS

From left, Colleen MacMillan by Rosie Muzaurieta ’28, Darryl Gangloff by Leo Hackett ’28, Maggie Crain by Emma Ohler ’28, and Greg Lock by Braden Holland ’28.

Macroeconomics Class Explores Financial District Through Alumni Connections BY DARRYL GANGLOFF

TUDENTS IN JARROD SISK’S

macroeconomics class traveled to New York City in April, connecting with alumni and exploring careers in entrepreneurship and finance. Their day started with a visit to Rowan’s headquarters to meet Louisa Schneider ’95, founder and CEO of the ear piercing and jewelry business. Their piercings are performed exclusively by licensed nurses, and all of their products are hypoallergenic. Students learned about entrepreneurship and how to start a business from scratch. “The students asked thoughtful questions on everything from conducting market

Above, a panel of alumni spoke with students about jobs in the financial industry. Below, students visited Rowan’s headquarters to meet founder and CEO Louisa Schneider ’95.

research ahead of a business proposal, to the importance of a consistent marketing strategy, to how to prioritize within a growing business,” Schneider said, noting that everyone at Rowan felt “inspired by their curiosity and perspective.” The classmates then headed to Blue Owl Capital, where a panel of alumni spoke about various jobs in the financial industry,

including direct lending, credit, private equity, investment banking, and investment analyst roles covering industries from health care to entertainment to sustainability. Panelists included Kate Albright ’12, Aaron Casella ’17, Adam Casella ’06, Daniel Desouza ’16, Thomas DeSouza ’13, Fred Frank ’12, Stephen Langer ’12, Brooke Macy ’16, Cordelia Peters ’14, Nicholas Piccone ’12, Charlotte Dillon Ross ’10, Alden Schade ’14, and Paul Trethaway ’09. Students journeyed down to the financial district, toured the New York Stock Exchange floor, walked through the district to learn about its history, and finished with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. “It allowed us to bring the real-world experience of the Financial District into the classroom,” Sisk said. PHOTOS

THANK -A-DONOR DAY:

Superhero Edition Grateful Bearcats came together on May 21 for Thank-a-Donor Day to write postcards to the superhero donors who support The Hotchkiss Fund. The entire Hotchkiss community is so thankful to every generous caped crusader who supports the School.

SUMMER 2026

ATHLETICS

Mia Tan ’28, left, prepares a serve, and Eli Seol ’26, right, returns a volley.

Tennis Teams Serve Up Success B Y M A S O N V O N J E S S ’19

OTCHKISS TENNIS DOMINATED

the 2026 season, going 42-3 as a program across all six teams during the regular season. Both boys and girls varsity squads won their Founders League title outright, touting replica 8-0 league records and 11-1 regular-season records under the leadership of Tennis Program Director Edgar Giffenig P’12,’15,’19 and Head Coaches Josh Smith (boys) and Maja Clark P’28,’30 (girls). Hotchkiss has been firmly among the most competitive tennis programs over the past 20 years, winning a combined eight NEPSAC Championships (three for boys, five for girls) and regularly qualifying for the tournament. However, the blanket of overall consistency is sewn with the stories of each individual season. And during the breakpoint moments this spring, the Bearcats broke through, highlighted by girls varsity tennis’s run to the NEPSAC Finals. For boys varsity tennis, this season was a storyline of redemption. After not qualifying for the postseason for the first

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time since 2018 last year, the team leaned on senior play to navigate an early-season gauntlet. Opening with five matches in 10 days, the team built confidence that led to a 4-3 victory over perennial powerhouse Hopkins for the first time in recent memory. Their momentum continued, carrying an undefeated record into the 11th match at Deerfield. They lost 4-3 in a midweek classic that featured multiple super tiebreakers. The heartbreak fueled the team in their next match, defeating Choate 4-3 in the regular season finale and de facto Founders League Championship to secure both the league title and the #5 seed in the NEPSAC Class A Tournament. Coach Smith highlighted the internal competition for lineup spots and the players’ ability to embrace their roles and support one another on match days, both clear ingredients for their success in tight matches. Many players had already learned how to navigate adversity.

Smith applauded the work of Coach Dave Werner and the JV program. “Over the past several years, a number of JV players have successfully moved into varsity roles, including captains. I believe the meaningful opportunities to develop are one of the strengths of our tennis program,” Smith said. Girls varsity tennis had their own cadence to the season. The team’s lone regular-season blemish came early against a formidable Hoosac squad. The team cruised in April, earning 62 of a possible 63 points in their seven wins. During their pivotal match at Greenwich Academy, the team proved they could deliver in the clutch moments, winning 5-4 in a super tiebreaker. They followed that with another 5-4 victory at Taft, learning the adjustments needed for post-season play while still stacking wins to secure the league title. Girls tennis has qualified for the NEPSAC Class A Tournament every year since 2015 but has not advanced past the quarterfinals since 2019. This playoff run was different as #2 Hotchkiss cruised past Loomis Chaffee 5-0 in the first round and handled #3 Hopkins 5-2 in the semifinals before ultimately finishing as runner-up to #1 Phillips Andover. Coach Clark said the team fully engaged in the process and was dedicated to putting in extra work as a group. “As the team became closer as trusted friends and teammates, their tennis kept finding new gears. It was very exciting to see it come together. We also peaked in intensity and ability right at the end of the season when it mattered most,” Clark said. “It was a memorable season not only because of the result, but also how we got there. The success came on the backs of each and every player.”

HIGH FIVE FOR GIRLS LACROSSE Girls varsity lacrosse captured their fifth consecutive Founders League title, beating Taft 5-4 in a triple-overtime thriller. The team avenged a regularseason loss to Choate with an 8-7 victory in the tournament semifinals en route to hosting the championship game.

Golfing Glory Girls varsity golf captured a share of the Founders League title with Taft. Both teams shot a 165 during the championship tournament at Hotchkiss. Boys varsity golf won the Kingswood Oxford Invitational at the Country Club of Farmington to close out the season. The field consisted of 28 teams, and Walker Sventy ’28 (pictured) earned firstplace medalist honors, shooting 69 (-2).

Back-to-Back Champion

Signing Day Ceremony In May, 44 student-athletes participated in a signing day event, sharing excitement toward their next step with friends, families, and coaches. The participants represent 13 sports from 32 colleges, with more than one-third playing at the Division I level.

Stella Goss ’26 repeated as NEPSAC girls javelin champion with a throw of 129.6 feet. She also won the Founders League title along with three other track and field teammates: Cooper Grace ’27, boys 3000m; Valentin Graf ’29, boys pole vault; and Charlotte McCoy ’29, girls pole vault.

PHOTOS

SUMMER 2026

PROGRESS TOWARD EQUITY

Amr Arquob ’14 Reflects on Arab American Background B Y A N N A B E L L E C H U ’28

MR ARQOUB ’14 RETURNED

to Hotchkiss to share his experiences at the School and beyond as an Arab person in America. During an All-School Meeting on May 5, he highlighted the importance of understanding Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) identity in a multifaceted manner and looking beyond what is presented in the news. Gigi Bazos ’27 and Sophie Kaspar ’26, co-heads of the MENA affinity space, introduced Arqoub. He was born and raised in Palestine, first coming to the United States to attend Hotchkiss as a new upper mid. After Hotchkiss, he studied neuroscience at Trinity College in Hartford, where he won the Priscilla Kehoe Prize in Neuroscience for his outstanding research. He has since built a dynamic career driving brand leadership and innovation across the consumer packaged goods industry. He has navigated the U.S. immigration process and remains in the United States, currently based in New York. There, he works as an innovation director at Freshpet, using technology and innovation solutions to advance pet health and longevity, a personal mission inspired by his dog, Oscar. He also serves on the Forbes Technology Council, contributing to the advancement of applied AI in the U.S. “When speaking with Amr, what stood out most was his emphasis on the complexity and importance of identity,” Gigi said. “As students who share MENA backgrounds, this resonated with us, particularly because those identities are often misunderstood, overlooked, or even politicized. He reflected on the challenges of coming to terms with his own identity, and how even a simple statement like ‘I am from Palestine’ can be perceived as 34

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political rather than personal.” Sophie added, “Today, he is here to explore what it means to hold a MENA identity, to speak to the nuances within that experience, and to share how his journey has shaped his perspective.” “Where are you from?” Arqoub asked at the start of his talk. “It’s a simple question for most people. But for me, figuring out how to answer it was an evolution, an experiment, one I could only begin once I knew what it felt like to be safe.” Growing up, his reality was restricted by “physical barriers,” such as navigating heavily guarded checkpoints. Then he came to the U.S. “I remember my very first time on an airplane. I remember landing, stepping out of the terminal, and waiting for the checkpoint. But there wasn’t one. There was just open space. And in that space, for the first time in my life, I felt a strange, entirely new sensation: safety.” That safety allowed him to share his culture and “embrace others without fear.” This openness heavily influences his collaborative approach to business and innovation today. When providing an example of a Middle Eastern cultural practice, Arqoub described a time he invited a classmate to Palestine during his senior year and surprised him

with Arabic hospitality. “If you find yourself a guest at an Arab home, you should consider yourself very lucky,” he said. Speaking specifically about his adjustment to the School, he talked about the difficulty of adapting to the English curriculum. “I basically didn’t sleep for a whole semester because of The Scarlet Letter,” he said. “The fire alarm went off one point in Coy, and I slept through it. I don’t think my English would have been at this level if I didn’t spend those nights trying to understand what was going on.” He thanked the Humphrey family, including John Humphrey ’67, for being his host family. “They were my safe harbor while I figured out how to navigate this completely new world,” he said. He also mentioned the importance of food, recalling spicy meals with Abdoulaye Fall, instructor in French, and times when Tom Drake, instructor in history, took him to KFC when he missed Palestinian fried chicken. Despite the challenges of coming to America, Arqoub said, “I left this campus with an expanded worldview and a profound sense of belonging.” He ended his talk by thanking Hotchkiss faculty and staff members. “My life reflects the beautiful, diverse community that I first discovered on this campus,” he said. “Hotchkiss gave a child the exact safety he needed to be simply himself.” Arqoub’s talk was part of a larger celebration of Arab American Heritage Month, which included Middle Eastern food in the Dining Hall and an open MENA dinner. Darryl Gangloff contributed to this article. A version originally appeared in The Hotchkiss Record.

Affinity Groups Host Gala Men of Color at Hotchkiss (MoCaH) and Café, two student affinity groups, gathered for their annual gala on May 15 and enjoyed an evening of celebration, reflection, and community.

Students Attend Asian Footsteps Conference On April 26, 19 Hotchkiss students attended the 15th Annual Asian Footsteps Conference at the Winsor School, where they participated in and led affinity groups and workshops. “I am so proud of our Hotchkiss Pan Asian students for their positive energy, leadership, and spending a whole Sunday to lead and serve others,” said Pierre Yoo P’21,’23, co-director of pluralism and community and instructor in chemistry.

Art and History Students Share Work at Troutbeck Symposium A group of studio art and history students represented Hotchkiss at the annual Troutbeck Symposium in Amenia, NY. Middle and high school students from 20 regional public and independent schools gathered at the student-led historical education forum on April 23 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.

Speaker Shares His Father’s Story of Holocaust Survival All-School guest speaker Andrew Laszlo Jr. shared the powerful Holocaust survival story of his father, an acclaimed film cinematographer who was honored at the U.S. Capitol for the 2004 Days of Remembrance Memorial. The conversation continued that evening at a program hosted by Hillel student leaders. Though his original visit during International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January was postponed until March due to snow, his talk left a lasting impact on the Hotchkiss community. SUMMER 2026

ALUMNI AUTHORS

Finding Purpose Through Storytelling Navajo author and filmmaker Brian Lee Young ’05 has published his first young adult novel, a coming-of-age story inspired by his years at Hotchkiss. BY DARRYL GANGLOFF

HEN AUTHOR BRIAN LEE YOUNG ’05

stepped onto the stage in Walker Auditorium this spring, the moment felt surreal. “Never in my life as a Hotchkiss student would I imagine I’d be speaking at an AllSchool Meeting,” he told the crowd. “Thank you all so very much for having me back into the Hotchkiss community. It’s been an amazing experience coming back here.” Two decades after graduating from Hotchkiss, Young returned as an acclaimed author and filmmaker. His new novel, Shards of Silence, draws directly from his years in Lakeville. During his visit, he spoke with the entire School, visited classes, and met with smaller groups to discuss writing, identity, perseverance, and the power of storytelling. Young is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, and storytelling has become both a profession and a purpose. His first two novels, Healer of the Water Monster and Heroes of the Water Monster, introduced middlegrade readers to contemporary Navajo life through speculative fiction and adventure. Shards of Silence, released on May 5, marks his first young adult novel. The coming-of-age story bridges the generational divide between a Navajo teen at an elite prep school and his greatgrandmother’s experience at a federal boarding school for Indigenous students. “My book is based largely on my time here at Hotchkiss,” he said. Young shared a story of when his maternal grandmother visited him at

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Hotchkiss. He played JV football and had some bruises on his arms from tackling players. She was concerned. “That was the first time I realized that as a person of color, my decision to leave my community not only affected me, but also my family and friends,” he said. That moment inspired Shards of Silence. Growing up on the Navajo Reservation in Fort Defiance, AZ, Young described a childhood rooted in community and the land. Summers were spent helping his family care for cattle in Nazlini, AZ. “It’s beautiful, in a lot of ways. I’m so very fortunate to have been able to grow traditionally on my reservation,” he said. Arriving at Hotchkiss as a lower mid

was an extraordinary opportunity made possible by Patricia Redd Johnson, former senior associate dean of admission. Young credited Johnson with recognizing his potential while she was recruiting students in Arizona. “She came to my English classroom during my freshman year and told me, ‘If you have the grades and the drive, I will find the scholarship for you,’” he recalled. “I kicked into gear.” That opportunity ultimately opened doors far beyond Lakeville. After graduating from Hotchkiss, Young attended Yale University, earning a bachelor’s degree in film studies before pursuing filmmaking and screenwriting. As an undergraduate, he won a fellowship with the prestigious Sundance Ford Foundation with one of his featurelength scripts. He has worked on several

short films, including Tsídii Nááts’íílid – Rainbow Bird and A Conversation on Race with Native Americans, for The New York Times short documentary series. He was a participant of the Sixth Annual Native American TV Writers Lab with the Native American Media Alliance, where he learned to write television scripts. He has also worked as a cultural consultant on Jamie Lee Curtis and Russell Goldman’s graphic novel, Mother Nature. Young later earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Columbia University, a goal he achieved only after multiple unsuccessful applications. “I applied for the first time, and guess what happened? No,” he told students. “I tried the next year—no, again. They finally said yes to me the third time.” The lesson, he said, has shaped every stage of his career. “For every one yes I have ever received in my life, I have experienced 100 no’s,” Young said. “Hard work and determination will carry you extremely far in life. I’ve learned through failure how to pick myself up, how to stand up, and how to keep going.” That persistence has defined his path as a writer. While pursuing a career in filmmaking, Young often found himself encouraged to alter his stories to make them more commercially appealing. Rather than compromise the authenticity of his characters, he turned to writing books. “I had a dream that would eventually become my first book, Healer of the

“I hope you’re able to cherish your Hotchkiss experiences in the same way that I am able to do now.” — BRIAN LEE YOUNG ’05

Water Monster,” he said. “When I started writing it as a book instead of a script, all those expectations of appeasing film executives disappeared.” His first manuscript was rejected repeatedly by literary agents, but instead of giving up, he continued refining his craft. Today, Young has published multiple novels, contributed to anthologies, and is already writing several additional books. Young encouraged students to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than signs of failure. “There are valuable lessons in failures,” he said. He also spoke warmly about the educators who helped shape his own journey. Former English teacher Sarah

Brian Lee Young ’05, right, with Sarah Tames, his inspirational former English instructor.

Tames played a particularly important role, writing the recommendation letter that helped him gain admission to Columbia University. She attended his Hotchkiss talk. “Reach out to your teachers, everyone,” Young urged students. “They are amazing resources.” Young acknowledged that, like many students, he experienced challenges while living away from home. Yet with time and perspective, he has come to see those years through a broader lens. “I wanted to let you all know that the experiences that you’re having here are hard. But they can also be beautiful. They will shape you into very powerful adults who can have very meaningful impacts in your communities, in your cultures, and in your families,” he said. “I hope that you’re able to cherish your Hotchkiss experiences in the same way that I am able to now.” His appreciation for Hotchkiss today reflects not only the friendships he formed but also the perspective he gained. A student asked Young about his favorite Hotchkiss memory, and he recalled playing the grand piano in the new Esther Eastman Music Center, which opened during his senior year. He also enjoyed hanging out with friends. “Having access to my friends every single day was one of the best things that I experienced.” As he left students with encouragement to embrace their own journeys, Young also offered the philosophy that has guided his own. “What gives me purpose is healing my tribe—my community—through storytelling.” SUMMER 2026

ALUMNI AUTHORS

From Lakeville to the Today Show Emma Brodie ’07 came to Hotchkiss determined to become a writer. Now, her new novel has earned national acclaim. BY DARRYL GANGLOFF

MMA BRODIE ’07 ARRIVED in Lakeville as a lower mid with one goal. “I knew going into Hotchkiss that I wanted to be a writer,” she said. Her dream is now a reality. This spring, she appeared on NBC’s Today with Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones to discuss

her second novel, Into the Blue, a decadesspanning love story that follows two people who are continually drawn to each other despite a devastating twist of fate. Her interview marked a remarkable moment in a career that she has pursued with a singular focus since childhood.

The epic novel, which was published through Hager’s Thousand Voices imprint, was also selected as a Reese’s Book Club pick by actor Reese Witherspoon, catapulting Brodie’s story to a national audience. During her Today appearance, Brodie received a surprise video message from Witherspoon herself. “I loved every page,” Witherspoon said. Brodie said the whirlwind has been exhilarating and surreal. “The Reese piece was a huge surprise,” she said. “It was an absolute shock and such a thrill. I’m still honestly reeling.” Into the Blue explores what it means to diverge from the script to forge your own story. Brodie began forging her story in Hotchkiss classrooms.

A Lifelong Mentor

In Lakeville, Brodie immediately found a place where her ambitions were encouraged. Carita Gardiner P’17,’20, Class of ’42 Teaching Chair, Lufkin Prize recipient, dean of the Class of 2027, and instructor in English, took Brodie under her wing. She mentored Brodie through a special independent project during her senior year. “I had the opportunity to start writing a full-length novel at Hotchkiss, which was amazing,” she said. “It was a multigenerational archaeological thriller about the Oracle of Delphi.”

“I knew going into Hotchkiss that I wanted to be a writer.” — EMMA BRODIE ’07

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Gardiner remains her mentor today. “Carita was the second person to read Into the Blue. That’s a lifelong friendship. I have so many friends who have come out of Hotchkiss.” The resources at Hotchkiss extended beyond writing. Brodie organized full-scale ballet productions of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, involving dozens of classmates, including members of the football team. “They just gave me the auditorium,” she recalled with a laugh. “Hotchkiss is a place where I was really allowed to flourish.”

Emma Brodie ’07, right, with Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager.

spontaneous on the page,” she said. “And it’s a very different art form from writing. I took improv classes when I first moved to New York as a way of making friends. Revisiting it was my way of getting back into the creative water and relearning how to have that joy and spontaneity.” By the time she reached the novel’s later chapters, she found herself writing with a freedom she had not experienced in years. “It was an amazing experience to ride that wave,” she said, acknowledging that she misses the characters she spent years creating.

Lasting Lessons

Nearly two decades later, Brodie still sees Hotchkiss woven throughout her work. She points specifically to a bioethics course taught by Lou Pressman P’98 that introduced ideas she would later revisit in Into the Blue. “I can trace a direct line from the book to the stuff we were talking about in that bioethics class,” she said. “It is crazy how much influence that time in my life had on my current self and on what I’ve made since then.” Even unexpected memories found their way into her fiction. The novel opens in a video rental store. “One of my favorite things about Hotchkiss at the time was that they had all these DVDs in the library,” Brodie said. “It was like unlimited movies.” In another unexpected connection, eagle-eyed viewers watching her Today interview spotted something stuck to the mirror in her childhood bedroom: her Hotchkiss Revisit Day nametag, hanging next to a photo and quote from Witherspoon in Cosmo Girl. “That nametag was from when I decided to go to Hotchkiss,” Brodie explained. “I put it on the mirror as a way of saying, ‘I’ve made this decision.’”

Finding Her Joy

After graduating from Johns Hopkins University’s Writing Seminars program, Brodie built a career in publishing, eventually becoming an executive editor at Clarkson Potter while continuing to write fiction. “I think editing is really helpful for writing,” she explained. She published her American Book Awardwinning debut novel, Songs in Ursa Major, in 2021. It fulfilled her lifelong dream, but it also left her emotionally drained. “It was a really vulnerable experience,” she said. “I honestly wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to do it again.” It took nearly two years before she felt ready to begin writing Into the Blue, which follows aspiring comedy writer AJ Graves and actor Noah Drew across a decade as they navigate friendship, chemistry, and a devastating secret that will send their lives careening apart, even as fate continues to draw them together. Brodie found unexpected inspiration in improv comedy. “As AJ learned how to improvise, I was sort of relearning how to play and be

A Whirlwind Publication

Unlike her debut novel, Into the Blue took years to develop. Then everything changed almost overnight. Originally scheduled for publication in July 2026, Into the Blue was moved up several months after Witherspoon selected it for Reese’s Book Club. The accelerated timeline led to national media appearances, including her visit to Today. Fortunately, working with Hager and her imprint eased many of her nerves. “She’s wonderful,” Brodie said. “She’s been part of all the conversations from the beginning, so I’ve gotten to know her and really trust her.” Brodie’s career has been unfolding since she was a teenager, filling notebooks at Hotchkiss, working one-on-one with a trusted mentor, and discovering what could happen when someone believed in her ambitions. Looking back, she sees those years as the beginning of the creative life she continues to build. “I love Hotchkiss,” she said. “It was an incredible opportunity in so many ways.” SUMMER 2026

Celebrating 1s and 6s Thank you to the Classes ending in 1 and 6 for returning to campus for your Hotchkiss Reunion in June. It was a joy to welcome you home for a weekend filled with conversation, connection, and memories.

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SUMMER 2026

Imagining Life After Work During Reunion, Kip Meyer ’80 helped alumni prepare for their third act B Y K I P M E Y E R ’80

I Biomass Facility Named in Honor of Tyree Family

URING JUNE REUNION, Hotchkiss’s state-of-the-art Biomass Facility was named the Tyree Family Sustainable Energy Center in honor of the Tyree family. Attendees enjoyed a dedication ceremony featuring remarks by Bill Tyree ’81, P’14 and a tour of the central heating facility. Since the Tyree Family Sustainable Energy Center came online in 2013, it has saved more than $6.5 million in energy costs and over 40,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDe) in energy emissions. The building has been recognized with numerous awards for both design and function and, most importantly, has served as an important learning tool for students to understand energy and sustainability as well as many other ecological, economic, and entrepreneurial lessons.

From right, Bill Tyree ’81, P’14, Kathryn Tyree P’14, and Craig W. Bradley.

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F YOU ARE OVER 55, you have probably been working for decades, and it may feel even longer. As you inch closer to celebrating all that hard work, there is a most important question: What will you do after you stop working? This was the topic of a roundtable discussion in the Edsel Ford Memorial Library during Reunion in June. Alumi gathered not to talk about finances or health, but something even more important—time. You may live another 20+ years after you stop work. How will you make that time fulfilling and meaningful and, very realistically, the best years of your life? The word “retirement” does not excite everyone. Alternative terms are popping up: next chapter, life after work, rewirement, third act. Whatever label you use, the most important thing is to have a plan (or at least the idea of a plan) for honoring your time. Why is a plan important? People who retire without a plan statistically have more health issues. And the only divorce rate going up in the U.S. is for people over 50. Retiring is a huge change, so thinking ahead about retirement and talking about retirement together with your partner can make a real positive difference. During the roundtable, the group discussed a critical question: “What do you want your retirement to feel like?” The question is asked this way because when we focus on what we want retirement to feel like, it opens up possibilities. If the question instead were, “What do you want to do in retirement?” that would lead to

a bucket list. Asking the question about feeling opens up thinking, such as how might I stay energized, curious, connected, spiritual, helpful, kind, and grateful? It can help if you think about life in three acts. Our first act is mostly our school years, particularly elementary school through high school. Everything is new. We are discovering, experimenting, and becoming. Failure is not really a thing. Play is a priority. Our second act is mostly about work, family, and relationships, and can stretch from our 20s into our 60s. Our third act is what happens next. As we transition toward our third act, we discover big challenges. Our circle of friends gets smaller. We may move to a new place. We spend more time alone. We are in charge of our daily schedule. It is the lessons from our first act that come back into play in our third act when we are discovering ourselves anew, making new friends, being curious, worrying less about “shoulds,” and giving ourselves permission to have fun. Ask yourself, “What does a great day feel like now and how do I have more of them?” During the roundtable, someone said they wanted retirement to feel like summer camp. Scheduled time mixed with free time. An activity in the morning. Quiet time after lunch. Another activity in the afternoon. Making new friends. Trying new things. Giving back. Mine your memories of Hotchkiss. Hotchkiss was a big part of your first act. What has stuck with you all these years? What worked? What might you have done differently? Maybe think of retirement as a do-over? You are wiser and braver now. There is something called the “Becoming Principal.” There is who I am today, and there is who I am becoming. We are always in a process of becoming who we will be tomorrow.

Alumni Panelists Discuss Energy and Athletics at Reunion The Spectrum of Power An Exploration of the Vital Coexistence Among Liquid Fuels, Electron Grids, and Molecular Hydrogen Technology

Shelly Leman ’96, managing director of Bermuda Electric Light Company, Seth Terry ’86, CEO of New Day Hydrogen, and Wade Tornyos ’96, director of Planning at Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, discussed the challenges, opportunities, and synergies in the energy sector. The talk was moderated by Josh Hahn, assistant head of school and director of strategic initiatives.

Rosters, Reality, and Recruiting Inside Today’s College Athletic Landscape Mark Lewis ’86, boys varsity squash coach at Middlebury, Brian Phinney ’01, head hockey coach and associate director of admission at Belmont Hill, Chamberlain Mathis ’16, Harvard women’s soccer player, Henry Wilder ’20, hockey player at Boston College, Colorado College, and the Lyon (FR) Hockey Club (pro team), and Nina Flinn ’21, Georgetown women’s squash player, discussed athletics in college, the recruiting landscape, and walking on to a team.

SUMMER 2026

MacArthur Fellowship Supports Global Learning for Four Alumni H

OTCHKISS ANNOUNCES the third

cohort of the MacArthur Fellowship, the only one of its kind among peer independent schools. 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 recent alumni and graduating seniors. Fellows spend a year outside their home country engaged in a project that includes service, learning, internships, cultural immersion, and adventure. The Fellowship is designed to support ongoing growth and education by instilling competence in goal-setting, developing independence and confidence, enhancing problem-solving skills, fostering greater cultural competency, and helping Fellows gain a deeper understanding of what they want to learn in their post-secondary studies. For the first time, this cohort comprises four Bearcats—three alumni and one senior.

Previous MacArthur Fellows Second Cohort Christian Finlay ’20 Devin Goldstein ’21 Olya Sukonrat ’21

First Cohort Jack Louchheim ’20 Elise Nam ’20 Jacob Zweiback ’24

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From left, Andrew MacArthur P’23, Millie Perry, Junsik Eom ’21, Angela Choi ’21, Kira Ackerman ’22, and Asher Frankel ’26.

Kira Ackerman ’22,

Bowdoin College ’26 Kira Ackerman ’22 will study rivers in Canada (St. Lawrence), the Netherlands (Rhine), Ghana (Volta), and Japan (Inagawa/Kushiro) to explore how river management approaches and obstacles reflect the lifestyles and values of the communities that depend on them. Her project is a confluence of her passions as a geoscientist and visual artist, and her love of the outdoors.

Angela Choi ’21

Northwestern University ’26 Angela Choi ’21 will spend a year exploring the interface of health and environment before beginning her path toward medicine. She will begin her travels in São Paulo, studying how metals and particle pollutants are linked to dementia through pathological research, continue to the Andes, learning from rural community health workers, and finish in France, working with international health organizations and shadowing physicians.

Junsik Eom ’21

Cornell University ’27 Junsik Eom ’21 will spend a year in Japan researching traditional handicraft through site visits and craft residencies. By observing how craftspeople understand their work, relationship with nature, and sense of purpose, the project explores how craft traditions offer alternative ways to find meaning in human labor in the age of AI.

Asher Frankel ’26

Miles for Mental Health is a solo cycling expedition across Europe, from Norway to Portugal, raising awareness and funds for greater accessibility to youth mental health services. Through interviews with professional athletes, visits to mental health organizations, and community engagement across 13 countries, Asher Frankel ’26 will explore how other countries approach mental health care for young people. All funds raised will go through a restricted aid fund dedicated specifically to making counseling more accessible for those who can’t afford it.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Alumni Association Board of Governors

The Alumni Association Board of Governors Congratulates the Class of 2026!

Members of the Class of 2026 were formally welcomed into the Alumni Association during their induction dinner.

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Get Connected with Alumnet! hotchkissalumnet.org 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.

SUMMER 2026

CLASS NOTES

Go Blue! School Spirit Roars Through the Decades

Hotchkiss celebrated classes ending in 2 and 6 during Reunion in June. To keep the cheering going, turn back the clock to 1966 for this glimpse of a spirited pep rally. Do you recognize anyone in this photo? Let us know at magazine@hotchkiss.org.

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’69

February 2026 Alum of the Month:

Albert “Smitty” Smith III ’69 By Erin Reid P’01,’05

ALBERT “SMITT Y” SMITH III ’69 is a highly recognized Harlem-based architect whose journey to Hotchkiss began in the South Bronx after he was selected for the School’s inaugural Greater Opportunity (GO) Program. For more than 40 years, Smith has made significant, creative, and affordable architectural contributions to New York City’s urban residents. “I fell in love with housing rehabilitation,” he said. “I have rehabilitated over 100 residential buildings throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, and I have worked in all HPD Housing Rehab Programs since 1986. Additionally, I have worked on private residential homes, commercial, theater, restaurant, and church renovations. During my 40 years of practice, I have seen the benefits of revitalizing the blighted communities throughout the city. Currently, we are working collectively to upgrade the energy efficiency of many buildings that were rehabbed 15 or more years ago to improve the livability of the housing stock.” The GO Program was established at Hotchkiss 61 years ago by Father David P. Kern to provide teenage boys from disadvantaged backgrounds with a transformative academic and cultural experience. “I arrived at Hotchkiss on a bus with 50 other boys from various parts of New York City. Passing through the Scoville Gate, up that tree-lined drive past the architecturally beautiful Coy and Buehler dormitories, I realized I had entered a whole new world,” he said. “In my mind, Hotchkiss was perfect.” Prior to Hotchkiss, Smith attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, an all-male school with strong academic and athletic programs. The advent of open enrollment brought new complexities that challenged the school’s culture. “My focus and grades began to decline,” he said. “I had a strong bond with many of my boyhood

friends who also attended DeWitt Clinton, but only Robert ‘Doc’ Woodbine ’69 and I were beneficiaries of the GO Program. We had been together through elementary and junior high and remain best friends today.” The Hotchkiss admission office, in conjunction with the GO Program and the summer school teaching staff, offered Smith and Woodbine spots in the Class of 1969 as seniors. It was a year of tremendous impact. He recalls that there were many outstanding teachers and mentors at Hotchkiss. “But by far my most favored teacher was George Stone. He had a way of teaching math that made it feel as natural as breathing.” For college, Smith decided on Wesleyan, which at the time was an all-male institution with a liberal identity and a growing Black student population. He received a generous financial aid package. “It felt like a larger version of Hotchkiss. It was a perfect fit for me.” Smith took advantage of Wesleyan’s extensive liberal arts curriculum. While he initially intended to become an artist, he decided to major in architecture to acquire a more useful skill set and the ability to make a greater community impact. He then attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, receiving a master’s degree in 1976. During graduate school, Smith worked part-time for a small nonprofit community housing development organization, West Harlem Group Assistance Inc. (WHGA), where he cultivated his interest in rehabilitating residential buildings. It morphed into full-time employment. From there, he transitioned to another nonprofit, the Wildcat Service Corporation, which provided work-structured opportunities for hard-to-employ people, mostly people of color. “It was a difficult job, but I loved it because I felt empowered to help other people get a ‘greater opportunity,’ much

like the one I had with the Hotchkiss GO Program,” he said. William Ince, a highly respected minority professional engineer with the New York City Housing Authority, hired Smith as project architect for the rehabilitation of two adjacent six-story tenement houses to be combined into one building. “I have worked in all HPD Housing Rehab Programs since 1986. Most of my work was done with nonprofit community housing development companies, most notably with WHGA, where I did five major rehab projects, contributing significantly to the rehabilitation of Central and West Harlem communities.” Among his many social and professional successes, Smith is most proud of his three daughters, Natasha, Jade, and Sierra. “I have watched them grow into wonderful, loving, respectful women.” Over the years, Smith has had the privilege of mentoring several young architects and developers. “My advice to them is to prepare for a long and arduous career journey, but one that is worth the effort and can leave you satisfied with your choice. So, plan your work, and then work your plan.” SUMMER 2026

’85

January 2026 Alum of the Month:

Tom Prochnow ’85 By Erin Reid P’01,’05

TOM PROCHNOW ’85 traces a direct line from the reading, writing, and curiosity he developed at Hotchkiss to his career as chief intellectual property attorney for NHL Enterprises, L.P. Recently retired, he now serves as a mediator and expert witness while working on his first novel. He arrived at Hotchkiss from Lake Forest, IL. “One of my favorite teachers at Lake Forest Country Day School, John Virden ’64, P’89,’91, left to teach at Hotchkiss. Since I’d been carpooling with the Virdens for years, I knew if I went to Hotchkiss, I’d have a home away from home!” He also had family connections to the School. His uncles, Johnston Boyden ’55 and Thomas Boyden ’58, P’90, attended Hotchkiss, as well as his sister, Laura Prochnow Phillips ’89, and his cousin, John Boyden ’90. Tim Katzman introduced him to American Studies, which became his major in college. He also discovered a new passion in Lakeville. “I was bitten by the distance running bug as a lower mid, and I’ve been running ever since.” Prochnow says his own hockey career “fizzled out at age 10,” but his first experience watching hockey in person at Schmidt Rink left a huge impression. “I loved it! My time at Hotchkiss coincided with the winding down of the New York Islanders dynasty and the start of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, and we closely followed the NHL season. I vividly remember the tennis ball hockey games we played in the Tinker double of Frank Goodyear ’85 and Joe O’Brien ’85. The idiosyncratic rink size put stick handling skills at a premium!” He graduated from Harvard magna cum laude with a degree in American history and literature. He then decided on law school. “I felt it would be a good fit for

the reading and writing skills I’d honed at Hotchkiss and in college.” During the summer after his first year at Yale Law School, Prochnow interned in New York for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, a nonprofit that connects lawyers with low-income artists who require assistance with arts-related legal issues. “This was my first exposure to copyright and trademark law, and I really enjoyed how it connected my interests in literature, music, and the visual arts with practical legal issues.” The internship ultimately led him to Debevoise & Plimpton, a New York law firm that had a wide range of strong practice areas, including a prominent copyright and trademark practice. One of the founders was Eli Whitney Debevoise, Hotchkiss Class of 1917. “I spent nearly seven years there, working on copyright and trademark matters for many clients, including the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL. Eventually, the NHL asked if I would be interested in acting as a ‘lawyer on loan,’ working part-time as an in-house counsel for copyright and trademark matters. After six months, the gig turned into a full-time job.”

It was a dream job for someone interested in the areas of the law where he specialized. “I technically worked for NHL Enterprises, L.P., the licensing and marketing arm of the NHL, which handles intellectual property matters for the League and all 32 NHL member clubs. That included trademark and copyright disputes, enforcement against bootleggers selling counterfeit merchandise, and providing copyright and trademark advice to league and team executives. The NHL’s business grew enormously in the 25 years that I was there. When I retired at the end of 2024, I found it very gratifying to have been involved during such a transformative period in the NHL’s century-long history.” After retirement, he welcomed the opportunity to work on the novel that had been percolating in his mind for years. “The main character is a woman who experiences a health crisis that sends her on a journey to Africa searching for a cure and possible redemption, where she meets a mysterious man.” One of his background sources and inspirations is The Tree Where Man Was Born by Peter Matthiessen, Hotchkiss Class of 1945. He is also a certified mediator in the MediateArt Program at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, helping mediate art-related disputes involving visual artists, writers, painters, and musicians. Looking back on his time in Lakeville, Prochnow says, “Hotchkiss taught me to read and write effectively and cultivated in me intellectual curiosity, an interest in trying new things, and a personal appreciation of the natural environment. I still love getting lost in the maze of trails through the Hotchkiss woods.”

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CLASS NOTES

’91

March 2026 Alum of the Month:

Alisha Davis ’91 By Erin Reid P’01,’05

ALISHA DAVIS ’91 ’s extensive career in

print and broadcast television journalism has garnered her five Emmy Awards. Her work is wide-ranging and includes roles as a writer and producer at ABC News, reporter and editor for Newsweek, a news correspondent for MTV News, an anchor for E! News, and a prime-time entertainment anchor for CNN Headline News. “I get to spend my time asking questions and talking to experts to get answers about the most interesting things happening on any given day,” she says. “I can’t imagine anything better.” She was eager to attend a secondary independent school after being introduced to the concept at Greenwich Country Day School. “At that time, the school ended in ninth grade and sent roughly half its graduating class to boarding school,” she explains. “Additionally, I had a teacher, Ramsay Stabler ’73, who had gone to Hotchkiss and spoke highly of the experience. But my parents wouldn’t allow me to go away, so off I went to a local high school for 10th grade. Midway through the year, my parents finally agreed that I would get a better education at Hotchkiss and allowed me to apply. I was accepted and entered as an upper mid in 1989.” She cites the high quality of her Hotchkiss education for providing her with a strong foundation for her career. “I think it was the methods and ways that we were taught to think, question, analyze, research, and write at advanced levels throughout the curriculum that helped prepare me for journalism.” Playing varsity hockey was one of the highlights of her time in Lakeville. “I had a background in figure skating, but coaches John and Christy Cooper P’08,’11 said they could teach me the rest.” Davis matriculated at Harvard after Hotchkiss and majored in African American studies with a focus on contemporary 56

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culture and the arts. And though she initially wanted to become an academic and study African-American culture, she changed course after an internship at a college magazine. “I started out in print journalism for a news weekly, and I loved it, but I’ve discovered that I like the pace of daily journalism even better,” she said. Davis has been working for ABC News and Good Morning America for 20 years. Prior to that, she worked as a correspondent for Court TV’s entertainment news program Hollywood Heat and for MTV News, covering music and movies, as well as more serious topics such as politics and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. She also served as a co-anchor of E! News Live and has made guest appearances, playing a journalist on HBO’s The Sopranos and on the ABC sitcom Hope and Faith. Davis’s work has been widely recognized. She was featured as a journalist in a national print advertising campaign that appeared in more than two dozen top magazines, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly. She has been the focus of articles in many publications, including The New York Times, US Weekly, Ebony, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has also served as a celebrity judge for the Miss Teen USA Pageant, which was broadcast in more than 70 countries. “The industry has changed so much. I started out pre-internet. My first job was in print at Newsweek magazine. Now, print journalism and magazines have been decimated, legacy media are struggling, and most people get their news on their phones,” she said. “I think the biggest challenge facing journalism today is that society no longer seems to agree on a common set of facts. There can be many

different opinions about an issue, but in an increasingly bipartisan world, when we can’t agree on facts, we have a problem. Journalists default to ‘both sidesism’ and feel they have to present both sides of an issue. But there’s no value in reporting that one person says it’s sunny and the other person says it’s raining. You don’t learn anything about what’s actually going on.” Over her lengthy career, she has traveled to “so many amazing places and covered so many different topics, from hurricane recovery in Haiti to the Oscars red carpet. And, actually, I would say those were two of my favorites.” Davis is generous with her time and loves volunteering and mentoring young people. She values the two years she spent at Hotchkiss. “The resources, education, and opportunities available at Hotchkiss are unmatched. But it was the people at Hotchkiss and the time spent together with friends back in the dorms that I remember most fondly.”

’06

May 2026 Alum of the Month:

Ariel Stark ’06 By Erin Reid P’01,’05

ARIEL STARK ’06 has spent the last two

decades serving the United States through military leadership focused on space operations, acquisitions, and intelligence. Today, she serves as the User Needs Branch Chief at the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, VA. She credits her ability to balance multiple responsibilities to Hotchkiss. “At Hotchkiss, I had exposure to performance levels I had not imagined on my own.” Stark attended Hotchkiss to build on her strong academic performance in elementary and junior high school. “A close family friend, Danielle Ferguson ’97, introduced me to the idea. Attending Hotchkiss was a tough decision between building on my academic success from the comfort of my home in Brooklyn and building from an unfamiliar territory, Connecticut, via boarding school.” She credits Hotchkiss’s curriculum as the foundation for her undergraduate studies and career, both of which are heavily focused on engineering and technology. In Lakeville, she learned how to balance academics, athletics, and her campus social life. “Similar to Hotchkiss, the Air Force also values education, physical fitness, and robust social skills in its service members,” she said. Stark has many fond memories of Hotchkiss. “My advisor, Letty Roberts P’12,’15, welcomed me with open arms like family. I loved competing in track and field and basketball. Dr. Kirby P’08,’09,’14,’15 was an amazing coach and an inspiration. I learned a great deal from each event I attempted with varying levels of success until achieving my varsity letter for javelin, thanks to Ms. Nicholson’s awesome guidance,” she said. Stark’s time with Hotchkiss athletics led to a track and field scholarship at Tuskegee University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in

aerospace engineering. She signed up for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Tuskegee. She was awarded a Presidential Scholarship at Tuskegee, but the ROTC program offered her a full scholarship, including room and board, and guaranteed meaningful employment for at least four years. “I went on to pitch this same package deal to high school students during my first active duty assignment as a Gold Bar Recruiter.” Stark served as a summer intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which expanded her interest in space exploration and, more tangibly, developed and honed her coding skills. She later earned a master’s degree in operations and project management from Southern New Hampshire University. In her former role as the deputy for the Department of the Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) Space Division, she delivered U.S. Intelligence Community-inspired capabilities to improve space operations, such as missile warning, space domain awareness, and satellite communications. “My time as a space operator within Air Force Space Command directly correlates to the U.S. Space Force Mission Delta 4: ‘Execute global missile warning, missile defense, and battlespace awareness operations to defend the homeland, protect human lives, support the Joint Force, allies, and partners, and bolster space superiority against adversaries anywhere in the world.’ The familiarity made my decision to transfer services and join the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) relatively easy, and I’ve enjoyed witnessing where our service has expanded beyond my wildest dreams.”

The NRO is a vital and joint member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. Its primary mission is to design, build, launch, and operate America’s intelligence satellites and overhead reconnaissance systems, providing policymakers and military commanders with real-time global intelligence. In her current work at the NRO, Stark says the most challenging aspect is learning the many “exquisite” satellites, constellations, networks, capabilities, and systems, leveraging rapid-acquisition expertise. “I’m part of the 18-member Intelligence Community, where I’m afforded the opportunity to improve operations from the source. I appreciate my team’s support and the organization’s robust catalog of training opportunities, which help me perform at my best. I’m excited to see what’s next,” she said. She took from Lakeville a strong academic aptitude and the desire to learn more and incorporate more activities to find balance. “I trained under world-renowned pianists—the Witkowskis—and performed piano in Italy. Some of my greatest friendships were forged on the Lakeville campus and continue to this day.” Stark appreciates the numerous opportunities to travel the world through the military in defense of U.S. interests and has served overseas in Greenland and in the United Arab Emirates as well as stateside in the Florida panhandle, central California, Denver, and Colorado Springs, to name a few. “As I near retirement eligibility, I sought an assignment closer to the East Coast where my story began.” SUMMER 2026

’15

April 26 Alum of the Month:

Alexandra “Lexi” Vierling ’15 By Erin Reid P’01,’05

ALEXANDRA “LEXI” VIERLING ’15 has dedicated her career to helping individuals with neurodevelopmental differences. Lovingly inspired and motivated by her two brothers, Brendan and Kevin, she is a pediatric nurse practitioner who serves as head of medical services at Soar Autism Center in Denver, CO. “I have been interested in autism and neurology for a very long time,” says Vierling, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS. “As the oldest of three children with two younger brothers—one has autism and the other has a dual diagnosis of autism and Down syndrome—I have been deeply involved in their care.” Vierling never imagined herself at boarding school. “When some of my high school friends chose that route, I did some research and proposed the idea to my parents. They wanted me to have an experience that was my own, because a lot of my childhood was spent worrying about taking care of my brothers.” Hotchkiss provided the financial aid she needed through the H. Hunter Williams ’26 Memorial Scholarship. “I would not have been able to go without my scholarship. The experience was lifechanging and opened many doors.” Faculty members were her role models. “Jane Herold P’17,’20,’24 helped me with my college essay, which was about one of my brothers and how he inspired me. Charlie Frankenbach P’12,’16 and Charlie Noyes ’78, P’03,’07 also made a very big impact on my life.” Her long-standing interest in medicine, specifically neurology and brain function, took her to Vanderbilt University as a special education major. “I did research with a neurologist at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital who specializes in sleep and autism. I met many providers in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Vanderbilt and realized that was what I wanted to do.”

After completing an accelerated nurse practitioner program, she took graduate courses during her senior year to become a nurse practitioner with the goal of specializing in developmental-behavioral pediatrics. “I completed a multidisciplinary training program, which was incredibly impactful, teaching me the importance of working in an interdisciplinary team to provide the best outcomes for patients,” she said. “Developmental-behavioral pediatrics is a very small subspecialty in pediatrics that focuses on the long-term medical and developmental needs of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. There are very few of these specialists in the country, and the wait to see one is often one to two years at academic medical centers. I am very passionate about increasing access for this population.” Developmental pediatrics provides support for challenging behaviors such as aggression and irritability, diagnoses and manages comorbidities, and assists with toileting, feeding, and sleep concerns. “We also offer genetic testing to help provide additional information to the child’s overall profile,” she said. Vierling points to significant changes in the past 10 years in the approach to some of these challenges. “There is much more information now about autism,” she said. “Some of this increased awareness is helpful, but it also comes with challenges related to misinformation. We follow evidence-based guidelines to help guide care for our kids.” Soar Autism Center provides playbased Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, occupational and speech therapy, and developmental pediatric medical services. “We’re very collaborative. We work together on every case to make sure we’re seeing the whole child and deliver high-quality care,” she explained. Vierling emphasizes the importance of finding a provider who dives deep into the

root causes of a behavior, rather than just looking at the surface. “Though much progress has been made in the field of genetics over the past several years, we now know that in some cases, children with autism have a known genetic cause that explains their symptoms. However, the most recent research has not identified a single cause. At the end of the day, there is a mix of genetic and environmental causes for autism and still a lot we don’t know.” She underscores the point: “If you’ve seen one child with autism, you’ve seen one child with autism. Every single kid is different.” Vierling likens her career to her Hotchkiss experience. “Everyone had their own unique interests, and we were encouraged to pursue them with passion and devotion. Hotchkiss has a legacy centered on graduates who inspire you to reach the top of your field,” she said. “Hotchkiss was challenging, but it shaped who I am,” she continued. “I made some of my best friends at Hotchkiss and learned to think critically and work hard. If I could go back and give some advice to 15-year-old Lexi, I would say, ‘Don’t give up on your goals, and you will reach them.’” SUMMER 2026

IN MEMORIAM

WILLIAM PAT TEE “BILL” MUNGER , recently of St. George, ME, died on March 18, 2026, at Falmouth House at Ocean View, Falmouth, ME. He was 106 years old. He was born on Jan. 17, 1920, in Fanwood, NJ, to Dr. Ray Thomas Munger and Grace Elizabeth Munger. Dr. Munger was chief of surgery at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, NJ. Bill attended The Evergreen School for his early elementary schooling and then attended The Wardlaw School. Bill then attended Hotchkiss, graduating in 1938, followed by Princeton University, Class of 1942. It was at Hotchkiss that he developed his interest in mechanics and electronics. After he was found to have an illicit homemade radio in his room, the School created a club for him and his friends, and Bill had his first lab bench. Bill and Jane Munger were married in Plainfield in December 1946. They lived in Morris Plains before moving to Morristown, NJ, and then Mendham, NJ, where they raised their four children. As his friends enlisted in the services, after graduation, Bill went to work at Wright Aeronautical. As he described it, when wrecks came back from overseas and feedback was reported from the field of war, Bill and his team would analyze the issues and design corrective solutions, known as “piston engineering.” When he tried to enlist, his enrollment was refused, and he was directed to continue what he was doing. After Wright Aero, Bill went to Reaction Motors, Inc. in Mahwah, NJ, in 1946. As chief project engineer of rocket pump development, he is credited with the development of the first U.S. all-turbine pump. His vision at the time was rocket transportation, where passengers would travel at “2,000 to 3,000 miles an hour 70 to 100 miles above the Earth.” Bill moved on to American Brakeshoe, Inc., which later became Abex Corp. His work focused at first on projects such as bar code tracking, then on the development of engineering firms that fit with the company’s business model. After retiring, he spent two years working part-time at Franklin Cole in New York City. A skilled woodworker, he built furniture for the home and a 15-foot wooden rowboat he called “Lark,” which he built in his basement on winter afternoons. He was an avid fly fisherman, angling in the Eastern and Western USA, Scotland, Iceland, Argentina, and Canada. A lifelong sailor, he covered the Caribbean, Scotland, Norway,

and the Eastern seaboard, in and out of many of Maine’s bays and coves. After retirement and following the death of his first wife, Bill and Patricia Locke were married in 1990. They purchased land in St. George, ME, where they kept “Kestrel,” his 35-foot Cape Dory, on mooring in front of their house. As he aged through his 80s and 90s and on to age 104, Bill loved to sit with Patsy on their front deck and watch the boats pass by on Penobscot Bay. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and four children: Grace Buckley of Denver, CO; Dorothy Torda, of Camden, ME; Ray Thomas Munger of Middletown, NJ; and Burke Marshall Munger, of Rockport, ME. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine greatgrandchildren, and three stepchildren.

PHILIP L ANGNER , the son of Westport Country Playhouse founders Lawrence and Armina Langner, and a towering figure in American theater history in his own right as a Broadway and film producer, died peacefully in his sleep on Aug. 17, 2025, one week shy of his 99th birthday. He spent more than 90 years at the center of American theater. His father founded the Theatre Guild in 1919, a few years before he was born. His father and mother then converted an old tannery and barn a few miles from their Weston, CT home into the Playhouse in 1931, when he was 5. At age 9, he saw the original Porgy and Bess on Broadway (produced by The Theatre Guild). Other highlights included conversations with Anna May Wong; making suggestions to Richard Rodgers on how to rewrite the play that became Oklahoma!; watching Tallulah Bankhead throw her scenery out into the audience; climbing trees with Humphrey Bogart; acting with Tyrone Power; attending the wedding of Olivia de Havilland at his parents’ house; staying with Charlie Chaplin in Switzerland; persuading Katherine Hepburn to help create Judgment at Nuremberg; and visiting with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Rome while they filmed Cleopatra. He served in the Navy during World War II. In the 1950s, he operated a theatre in London’s West End, where he worked with Hugh Beaumont, Sir John Gielgud, Dame Patricia Routledge, and Joan Collins, among others. He took over as president of the Theatre Guild from his father in 1962 and produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals. He also managed the Westport Country Playhouse for many years. He co-produced five movies, including the multi-Academy Award-winning Judgment at Nuremberg. He was married to

actress and Theatre Guild co-producer Marilyn Clark Langner. They presented 34 Theatre at Sea cruises around the world, featuring Broadway greats like Helen Hayes, Patricia Neal, Lillian Gish, Ed Asner, and Loretta Swit. He is survived by his daughters, Lola and Eve, and granddaughters Lauren Kennedy and Brielle Kennedy.

JOHN SAL ANT RODGERS passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 12, 2025, at the graceful age of 96. He was born on June 16, 1929, to Ethel Salant Rodgers and Dr. Mortimer Rodgers, brother of composer Richard Rodgers. John was the consummate New York gentleman with a twinkle in his eye, a pun in his pocket, and a song in his heart. He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School and served in U.S. Naval Intelligence, stationed in Wadi Sabu, Morocco, for three years. John was chairman of the board of the Salant Corporation and later of Metropolitan College of New York. In 1982, he married Janet Kaplan, and they shared a wonderful life of adventure travel, music (especially opera), and loyal friendships.

RICHARD HENRY LEE CHILDS , 96, of Spring Island, SC, passed away peacefully at his home on April 16, 2026. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, he lived a full and adventurous life, marked by curiosity, integrity, laughter, and deep devotion to his family. Richard was born on Feb. 6, 1930, in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of the late William and Mary Lee Childs. He grew up in the Shadyside neighborhood and spent childhood summers in Bay Head, NJ, which sparked a lifelong love of fishing, sailing, and body surfing. At Hotchkiss, he served as class president and distinguished himself as a natural scholar and athlete, competing in football, tennis, and basketball. He graduated from Yale, Class of 1952, where he majored in English and played on the tennis and squash teams. After graduation, he served as a junior commissioned officer in the Navy aboard the USS Mississippi, before earning his MBA from the Wharton School of Business. On Oct. 25, 1958, Richard married Lora Barzin in New York City. In 1959, they moved to Atlanta, GA, where Richard began a distinguished career in business and real estate. After leadership roles at Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Southern Iron, and Glass Rock, he transitioned into commercial real estate with LandMark. He later co-founded Land Concepts with partner

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IN MEMORIAM Mike Pou, developing Atlanta properties such as The Balconies, Andrews Square, and the Peachtree and Piedmont Shopping Center. Ever curious and entrepreneurial, later in his career, he pursued venture capital, investing in startup companies. Richard and Lora raised their family in Atlanta and spent cherished holidays and summers on Little Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia. In 1996, they retired to Spring Island, SC, where Richard embraced the beauty and tranquility of the Lowcountry. An avid fly fisherman, he traveled the world in pursuit of bonefish, trout, and tarpon and was happiest when casting a fly. Some of his favorite places included Spring Island, SC; Harbor Island, Bahamas; Wilson, WY; and Maine, each holding memories of family, friendship, and time wellspent outdoors. Richard is remembered for his gentle spirit, his silly sense of humor, and his rare ability to laugh at himself. He leaves behind a legacy of love, adventure, and kindness. He is survived by his loving wife, Lora Gene Barzin; his daughters Wendy Walter (John Walter), Lisa Bedell (Henry Bedell), and Lora Boniface (Barry Boniface); his grandchildren Morgan McKenzie Miller (Rhett Miller), Madison Childs Lee (Edward Lee), Brittany Lee Boniface, Colby Bedell, Wilson Bedell, and Mallory Bedell; and his great-granddaughters Anderson Miller and Evans Miller. CYRIL C. GSELL passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, at White Plains Hospital. Born on Jan. 3, 1930, in New York City, he leaves behind a legacy of warmth, intelligence, and friendliness that touched many. Cyril is survived by his wife, Bernice “Bonni” Gsell; daughter Wendy Gsell, stepson Kurt Krehbiel, stepdaughter Karen Keasler, her husband Andy Keasler, and grandchildren Karl Rands and Alex Keasler. Cyril’s life was one marked by dedication and love—a love for his family, his work, and his country. He married his first love, Heather Young, in 1954, and together they brought two children into the world, Wendy Anne and C. Charles Jr. Both Heather and Charlie predeceased Cyril. In 1994, Cyril was fortunate to find love once again and married longtime friend, Bonni Boice, with whom he shared many happy years. Cyril was a proud alumnus of Dartmouth College, where he completed his B.A. degree in 1952. His professional career began at R. Gsell & Co., a manufacturer and importer of watches, where he served as an executive from 1954 until 1986. His career continued with tenures at Elgin National Industries and Bulova Watch Co., from which he retired in 2002. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Cyril served from 1952 to 1954 during the

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Korean War, retiring as a Lieutenant JG. His service was a point of pride and spoke to his sense of duty and love for his country. He was a member of the Westchester Country Club, the Dartmouth Club of New York, the New York Athletic Club, and the Twenty-Four Karat Club of New York City. An avid skier, Cyril enjoyed the slopes of New England, Colorado, and Switzerland. His travels, both for business and pleasure, took him across Europe, Hong Kong, and the U.S., enriching his life with experiences and friendships. He was a devoted NY Giants fan, an avid reader, and a passionate golfer. JAMES “JIM” SPERBER of Westhampton Beach, NY, died on March 24, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Sissy, and his children. Born on March 27, 1929, he went on to Yale after graduating from Hotchkiss in 1948. With the advent of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Army in the summer of 1951 and graduated from Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry. With the ceasefire, he was released from active duty in October 1953, in time to complete his senior year at Yale and graduate with the Class of 1954. Two years later, he graduated from Wharton with an MBA in finance and joined the Guaranty Trust’s training program. In his 32-year career at Morgan Guaranty, he took on a wide range of assignments. These included corporate banking, where he headed the department responsible for the bank’s relationships with mining and construction/engineering companies (1968-79); and international banking, where he lived in Southeast Asia and was responsible for the bank’s activities in Australia/New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. Sissy (née Anne Nicol) and Jim were married in 1976. Two earlier marriages gave Jim a daughter, married with four children and living in Boston, and a son, who recently graduated with an MFA from the California Institute of Fine Arts. Jim and Sissy Sperber’s lifestyle found them splitting their time between two places. Three or four days each week, they enjoyed the pleasures of the village of Quogue on Long Island. The other three days were spent in the working environment of New York City. Jim, who retired in 1988 after 32 years with Morgan Guaranty Trust, worked (pro bono) with the National Executive Service Corporation, placing its pool of retired executives in management consulting assignments with not-for-profit organizations in the tri-state area. The rest of the time, spent in Quogue, they enjoyed the outdoor life (and tried to

improve their golf swings) and were involved in local club and village organizations.

PETER BULKELEY P’78, GP’15,’19 of Fenwick and Essex, CT, died on March 23, 2026. He was born in Hartford on June 30, 1931, the son of Houghton and Virginia Grover Bulkeley. Peter attended the Noah Webster and Kingswood schools before graduating from Hotchkiss in 1949. After graduating from Yale University in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army for two years, spending most of that time as an instructor at Ft. Sill Artillery School in Lawton, OK. Peter began his career with the Aetna Life Insurance Company. After being assigned to its New York City office, he met his future wife, Valerie, a Canadian guide at the United Nations. They were married in 1958 and relocated to Hartford in 1959, where they spent the greater part of their lives. Valerie predeceased him in 2023 after 65 years of marriage. At Aetna, Peter held assignments in all three of its insurance divisions before becoming vice president of Aetna International, a company he helped create. In the early 1980s, he was deeply involved in the privatization of the Chilean Social Security system and championed Aetna’s participation in that initiative. He also led Aetna’s expansion efforts in Spain and Hong Kong, establishing joint ventures with domestic banks. Following his retirement from Aetna, he continued consulting work and was appointed chairman of the State Insurance Purchasing Board by Governor Lowell Weicker. Peter was a 10th-generation direct descendant of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, who founded Concord, MA, in 1636. His family played a prominent role in Connecticut history, including his greatgrandfather, Eliphalet Adams Bulkeley, speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives and founder of Aetna, and his grandfather, Morgan Gardner Bulkeley, who served as mayor of Hartford, governor of Connecticut, and U.S. senator. An enthusiastic traveler, Peter and his wife visited 113 countries and took more than 20 cruises together. Through personal and business travel, he spent at least one night in all 50 states. An accomplished golfer, he first shot his age at 71 and did so more than 350 times thereafter. He won Senior Championships at both Black Hall and Ibis in Florida, captured the Fenwick Match Play Championship at age 79, and at age 80 recorded a career-best round of 31 at Fenwick. He played in the Fenwick Morgan Cup tournament for 75 consecutive years—a record unlikely to be broken—and in his final appearance at age 90, shot an 84, six strokes below his age. He was a member of

the U.S. Senior Golf Association; served as the 52nd president of the Connecticut State Golf Association; and was a founding member of the Connecticut Golf Foundation, which later became The First Tee of Connecticut. He maintained a deep and lasting connection to Hotchkiss, where he made lifelong friendships and gained formative life lessons. He and his wife served for decades as chairs of the Class of 1949 Reunions and were active in School life, including Grandparents Day during the years their grandsons attended. A dedicated family historian and genealogist, Peter contributed to the restoration of the Ancient Burial Ground in Colchester, CT, where generations of the Bulkeley family are interred. Of particular note was the discovery of a family tomb in 2001, which led to a yearlong study with the State Archivist and ultimately its full restoration. Every summer of his life was spent in the Borough of Fenwick, where he served as president of the Park Commission and the first chair of the Historic District Commission. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Lynde Point Land Trust and served for 75 years as a Trustee of St. Mary-by-the-Sea. He is survived by his son, Jonathan Bulkeley ’78, his wife Annetje, and his direct grandchildren, India Bulkeley, Hunter Bulkeley, Briggs Bulkeley ’15, and Gardner Bulkeley ’19, and two bonus grandchildren, Annabel van der Sluis and Mika van der Sluis. He was predeceased by his half-sisters, Hope Cameron and Nancy Bulkeley.

Diana Desmond Spranklin—as a single father. He led by example, modeling responsibility, consistency, and personal accountability. He was the grandfather of Samuel Bloom, Ellen McCullough (Bloom), John Spranklin, Desmond Spranklin, and Sarah Spranklin. In 1993, Frank married the love of his life, Nella Fischer. Together they traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad. Frank found particular joy in photography, carefully capturing the beauty of landscapes and everyday moments with patience and attention to detail. He warmly embraced Nella’s daughter, Gwynne Cavender, and her husband, Mike Cavender, as part of his extended family. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Tom Spranklin. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Desmond, and is survived by his brother, David Desmond. Frank was deeply engaged in his community in and around Washington, D.C. Active in the Silver Spring YMCA, he served as chair of the Branch Board of Management and received the YMCA’s Service Award in 1981. In retirement, he was a docent at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History and a devoted member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Silver Spring. Frank loved his family, his country, and everything in and about the great state of New Hampshire. He believed in personal responsibility, honest work, and treating others with fairness and respect. His life was guided by steady principles and quiet strength.

FRANK H. DESMOND of Niantic, CT, died on Feb. 20, 2026, at age 91. Born on April 17, 1934, in New Haven, CT, he lived a life defined by service, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right. A 1952 graduate of Hotchkiss, Frank graduated from Dartmouth College in 1956. He later pursued postgraduate studies at Boston University and Harvard, reflecting a lifelong respect for learning and thoughtful inquiry. In 1958, Frank began his distinguished career with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an inspector in the Chicago District Office. Over the course of his career, he rose to serve at the FDA headquarters in suburban Washington, D.C., as staff assistant to the director of the FDA’s Office of Compliance. His work required fairness, careful judgment, and strong ethical standards—qualities that came naturally to him. Frank married Nancy Anne Hedrick in 1958. Following their divorce in 1974, he devoted himself to raising his three daughters— Theresa Desmond, Kathleen Desmond, and

CL AY HANGER , a longtime resident of Steamboat Springs, CO, died peacefully on Dec. 11, 2025, with his wife, children, and grandchildren at his side. His death followed a tip-over accident while he was driving his backhoe. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1935, son of Dr. Irwin and Sarah (Baldwin) Hanger. He graduated from Hotchkiss in 1953 and, after graduating from Princeton University, served with U.S. Army intelligence in Berlin. After attending medical school for two years at Columbia University, Clay found that medicine was not the career path for him. He subsequently graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in mathematics. Clay and Carol Marsh were married in 1964 and lived in New York City before moving to Hayden in 1968 and to Steamboat Springs two years later. He taught and tutored math in all locations. Clay’s life was filled with a wide variety of activities, including racing sports cars, skydiving, shooting sports, skiing, and tennis, which

he played until his late 80s. He was an avid reader and lifetime learner and teacher with special interests in history, math, and board games, including chess and Go. He had a deep love for his family and greatly enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their athletic activities. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol, and by his children, Dr. Christopher Hanger (Sabrina Hurt) and Alexandra (Charles Jordan), and grandchildren Gillianne (Jonathan Williams), Gabe Jordan, and Sadie Hanger. ARTHUR GORDON RIPPEY III —Gordon to all, Gordie to his friends, and Dad to his three lucky sons—died on Nov. 21, 2025. He was born in Birmingham, MI. His parents, Arthur and Helen Rippey, moved Gordon, sister Cynthia, and brother Bruce to Denver in 1942. The birth of Colorado’s postwar ski industry captivated Gordon as a teenager, launching him into the great outdoors, where he truly belonged. The Eskimo Ski Club, Cheley Camp, Winter Park, and Aspen Mountain were joyous pursuits in those years, as his education took him back east, starting in prep school. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1957, completed Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, and went on to serve in the Colorado Air National Guard for six years, as he began his career. Gordon’s love for skiing, tennis, hiking, fly fishing, golf, sunshine, and blue sky was eclipsed only by meeting Sally Winters in 1955, a woman whom he simply and perfectly described as “the love of my life.” They were married in 1960 and moved to Oklahoma City, OK, returning to Denver in 1969, where they stayed for good. Gordon’s career as a sales and business development executive for constructionrelated industries covered a remarkable period of growth in Oklahoma and Colorado, and he always felt lucky to be part of that story. In retirement, Gordon served on a number of local boards, including the Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Medical Center, HealthOne, The Colorado Trust, and Great Outdoors Colorado. He greatly enjoyed serving as the master of ceremonies at the Denver Debutante Ball from 1993 through 2007. Yet family and friendships were what he treasured most, and Sally’s death in 2020 was his toughest burden to bear. Gordon is survived by his siblings, Cynthia and Bruce; sons, Glenn (Karré Whitney), Gregg (Marcia Toll), and Andrew (Carolyn Rippey); and grandchildren, Lane, Lucy, Henry, Charlie, and Ainsley Rippey, who affectionately called him “Pops.”

SUMMER 2026

IN MEMORIAM

THE VERY REV. RICHARD H.

MANSFIELD JR. of Avon, CT, loving husband of Sharon B. Kelley, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2025. Born on May 25, 1937, in Bronxville, NY, the son of Richard and Marjory Myles Mansfield, he was raised in Scarsdale, NY. He attended Eaglebrook School and Hotchkiss, graduated from Rollins College with a B.A. in 1960, and earned both a master’s and doctorate degree from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, graduating in 1963. Prior to being ordained, he taught history and theology at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, FL, where he also coached the tennis team. In 1965, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, NY, following his grandfather and great-grandfather into the priesthood. He served as an assistant rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Bedford, NY. He went on to serve as rector of Holy Trinity Church and as campus minister at both Miami University and Western College in Oxford, Ohio. He then became the dean of Bexley Hall Seminary, now Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, in Rochester, NY. He started his ministry at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford in 1982 and went on to be provost and dean until his retirement in 2002. He was instrumental in starting the Uyeki Forum on Racial Justice and the Memorial Garden at the Cathedral. Dick was a member of The Connecticut Old Guard and had served on the board of the Hartford Chorale. He marched with Martin Luther King, campaigned for Barack Obama, and was a true progressive. He and Sharon loved to travel, as they did many times, to Italy, Greece, Paris, Bermuda, and St. Croix. His greatest joy was spending the last 26 years with Sharon. Dick is survived by his wife, Sharon B. Kelley of Avon, CT, and her sons, J. Patrick Kelley (Dr. Emily Yee) of Washington, D.C., and Thomas J. Kelley (Kasie Coccaro) of Annapolis, MD. He was “PopPop” to his grandchildren, Teague Yee Kelley and Bridget Yee Kelley of Washington, D.C. He also leaves three sons and a daughter, Coleman, Richard, Bradley, and Catherine, from a prior marriage.

DANIEL WEBSTER GOODENOUGH died March 3, 2026, in Two Harbors, MN, at age 87. Dan was born in Detroit, MI, on Jan. 22, 1939, to Daniel and Margaret Goodenough. He loved summers at the Teton Valley Ranch

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in Wyoming. Over several years, Dan received a B.A. from Princeton University, an M. Div. from Bryn Athyn College Theological School, and a STM (Master of Sacred Theology) from Lutheran Theological Seminary. From age 16, Dan studied the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, an 18th-century scientist, Christian theologian, and spiritual explorer. He wrote many articles and papers and published one book, Divine Providence and Free Will in Human Actions (1986). He believed that Swedenborg’s writings heralded a new way of understanding how Jesus Christ is one God, and that true religion is lived. While in school in Bryn Athyn, PA, Dan met Ruth Parker from Toronto, Ontario. They married in 1963. After ordination into the General Church ministry in 1965, Dan served for two years as assistant pastor in Toronto. His passion for education then brought him back to Bryn Athyn, where he joined the faculty as a history and religion teacher in the secondary, college, and theological schools of the Academy of the New Church. He and Ruth raised five children in a home open to visitors, friends, boarders, and others. He loved to play guitar and sing folk traditionals and cowboy songs around the fireplace. He sailed every summer on Lake Huron and backpacked with the college outing club. For 10 years ending in 2002, Dan served as president of the Academy, championing the spiritual teachings brought to life both in and out of the classroom. Dan retired in 2002. He and Ruth moved to Big Horn, WY, where they hosted dozens of traveling friends. Dan served on the Big Horn Reservoir Water Rights Board, taught comparative religions at the Crow Rez College, and rode horseback in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains. In 2014, Dan and Ruth moved to Two Harbors, MN, to be closer to family. In recent years, Dan’s backpacking buddies gathered with him in Wyoming to complete an exploration started in the 1970s. Their mission was to definitively document the miraculous and brilliant 1877 escape of the Nez Perce tribe from the U.S. cavalry through seemingly impossible terrain. Distilling and explaining these findings dominated the last year of Dan’s life. The article he completed this winter will be published in a magazine of Western history in the fall. After Ruth passed in July 2025, Dan’s life continued quietly at home, with only slightly diminished energy. He continued to study spiritual matters and remained connected to friends and family. He died of heart failure while chopping wood. Dan is preceded in death by his wife Ruth,

son Danny, and parents. He is survived by his sisters, Liz and Pixie, and his daughters, Mary Goodenough, Vera Dyck, Katya Gordon, and Lamar Goodenough, and eight grandchildren.

HAMILTON B. “HAM” BROWN , retired physician, part-time geologist, community activist, and longtime resident of Taos, died peacefully at home on Feb. 3, 2026, surrounded by his children. He was 85. The cause was an aggressive form of cancer. Ham was born May 17, 1940, in Indianapolis, IN, to Hamilton Barksdale Brown and Deborah Childs Brown. He attended The Hotchkiss School (Class of 1958), Williams College (Class of 1962), and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (MD, 1965), where he met and married Susanne Bradley Brown, the mother of his three children. Following medical school and internship, he joined the U.S. Public Health Service and was assigned to Tuba City, AZ, on the Navajo Reservation. There he fell in love with the rugged Southwest and developed a lifelong interest in backpacking and backcountry camping. After completing a Master of Public Health at Yale School of Public Health in 1969, Ham joined the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. During this time, he founded the Centro Familiar de Salud (now First Choice Community Healthcare), providing primary care to low-income residents of Albuquerque. Hamilton had a deep sense of social justice. He not only believed in community medicine and public health, but he also committed his time and energy to such causes. In 1973, Ham spent four years working in Haiti, at a hospital in Grande Rivière du Nord, often providing emergency care by kerosene lantern. He also focused on training mid-level practitioners to deliver basic medical services to underserved rural communities. Later, after his children were in college, Hamilton returned to Haiti with his first wife, Sue Brown, to volunteer on the Plain Du Nord in Mombin Crochu. Returning to the United States, Ham devoted much of his time to nonprofit work. He joined the board of Oxfam America in the late 1970s. As his passion for environmental protection grew, he became active with The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico, eventually serving as chapter president. In 1990, Ham retired from medicine and moved to Taos with his second wife, Martha Worthington. The two enjoyed their life in rural New Mexico. In Taos, he became president of the Taos Land Trust, helping

preserve important tracts of land, including the area around Horseshoe Curve south of town. He also served as president of his local water system for more than 20 years. His early love of the Grand Canyon evolved into a late-career pursuit of geology, during which he taught occasional classes at the University of New Mexico Taos Campus and helped lead regional field trips. Ham had many personal passions. He loved working on his small homestead, keeping the land safe from forest fires. He cherished hiking in the mountains behind his home and trekking deep into the Grand Canyon. He was a dog lover and cherished each of the many dogs who shared his life, celebrating their companionship and grieving each loss. He remained a lifelong student and meditator, exploring various Eastern traditions. Tao Te Ching was one of his favorite spiritual guides, and he spent years working on and completing a fictional book about Laozi. He traveled extensively, including journeys to the Arctic, Antarctic, and China, in pursuit of learning and connection. Ham is survived by his two former wives, Martha and Sue; his children, Bark Brown (Kim Brown), his only daughter, Jessie Brown Macfarland (Chris Castillo), and his youngest son, Charles Brown; and his three beloved grandchildren, Madison and Colin Brown, and Ciara Macfarland. He valued his close relationships with his sisters, Ellen Macfarland, Katharine Blakeslee, and Nancy Moyle (Mike Moyle), along with his many nieces and nephews. PETER A. HAMILTON died on April 1, 2026, one month shy of age 86. He was born on May Day, 1940, in Hartford, where he had the unique experience of growing up in the Noah Webster House. At that time, it was a one-bathroom saltbox that had been in the Hamilton family for several generations. After graduating from Hotchkiss, he went to Princeton. He graduated from the former with numerous lifelong friends, from the latter with a degree in Classics, and after a stint in the Marine Reserves, he managed to monetize his two abiding interests, motors with wheels and music. He started first a trucking company and later a speaker company, successes both. Moving to Greenwich in the ’60s, Peter settled with his family in a house on a hill, where, for the next 50-plus years, he’d preside over sleepovers and Saturday morning waffles, Christmas parties and the world’s most delicious eggnog. He and his wife, Diana, who survives him, enjoyed nearly 40 years together. Peter was an original. Yes, proper New England pedigree and plaid pants at the

holidays, but also yes, Tammy Wynette, stock car racing, buying a houseboat, loving the Mets. His sense of humor was beyond dry; he could fix anything, his whistle could be heard three doors down, there wasn’t anyone he wouldn’t help out, and he was a devoted homebody. Peter would say the house was nothing without the people: daughter, Xan and husband, Nathan Means of New Zealand; son, Peter of Los Angeles; stepson, David Todd Allee of Florida; Diana’s sons, Christopher Constas and wife, and Michael Constas of Darien. And most especially, his grands: Caper and Persephone Hamilton Means, Shane Hamilton, Cosmo Constas, and Lucy and Matthew Constas. He answered to many names and titles: Peter, Dad, Papa Pete, Mr. Hamilton, Big Pete, Pop-Pop, Uncle Pete, all with the same steadfast generosity and trademark wit. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by sister, Kathy, and husband, Thomas Fleming of Florida; nieces and nephews, both regular and grand. He was predeceased by parents, Frederick W. and Jane Campbell Hamilton; and sister, Jane Hamilton Fisk.

JAMES MCCLELL AND BARRET T , 82, of Essex Fells, NJ, passed away on Dec. 5, 2025, after a lengthy illness. Jim was born in Palo Alto, CA, on Dec. 17, 1942. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Clarissa (Lissa), daughter Molly Stern, son Pete Barrett, and grandchildren Emma, Jacob, Jack, and Sam. He graduated from Brown University in 1965 with a B.A. in American civilization. At Brown, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and played on the varsity ice hockey team, which competed in the NCAA championship his senior year. After graduation, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Lyman K. Swensen for two years and was Officer-inCharge of a Swift boat in Vietnam in 1968-69. After returning to civilian life, he entered the golf course industry, eventually working for Robert Trent Jones Sr. for a dozen years. In 1985, he founded his own golf course irrigation firm, James Barrett Associates Inc., one of the first of its kind east of the Mississippi River. A respected industry leader, he gave tirelessly to support and grow the next generation of irrigation consultants. He served as chairman of the Irrigation Association (IA), on the IA Board of Directors, and as the American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) president. Over several decades, he contributed to certification, technical, and standards committees for both organizations. He authored sections of three irrigation textbooks, serving as the lead author of one. His commitment and expertise earned

him numerous honors, including the Irrigation Association’s Industry Achievement Award, the ASIC Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Roy Williams Memorial Award. Throughout his career, he designed irrigation systems for more than 300 golf courses across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, including Augusta National Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club, and the Maidstone Club. For decades, he coached for the Montclair Hockey Club and also served as its president. He was a longtime member of the Montclair Golf Club, where he served on the board, and a member and former president of the Keene Valley Country Club. He loved fly-fishing, spending time in the mountains of Keene Valley, NY, and relaxing with his beloved black labs. BENJAMIN DOUGL AS HILL JR. (“BENJI”) , 84, died peacefully on Feb. 15, 2026, in Rye, NY. Born in Paterson, NJ, on June 22, 1941, to Benjamin and Mary Dingman Hill, he grew up in Greenwich, CT. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood there with lifelong friends. During those spirited years, Benji discovered his lifelong love of athletics—playing ice hockey and skiing in the winter, spending summers on Cape Cod playing tennis with his siblings and cousins, and falling hard for the New York Yankees, whom he cheered faithfully throughout his life. He attended Hotchkiss and graduated from the New Preparatory School in Cambridge, MA. He started his college education at the University of Virginia and graduated from Fairfield University in 1968. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany. During this experience, he discovered an enduring fascination with foreign cultures and languages. His professional journey was as dynamic and stylish as he was. He started his career in fashion at Outdoor Traders in Greenwich in 1966 and went on to hold several positions within the industry before spending more than 30 years at Dooney & Bourke, where he was senior vice president on his retirement in 2016. Benji’s proudest accomplishment was his family. In 1989, he courted the love of his life, Patricia. He was a devoted father who was always present in his children’s lives. Benji delighted in becoming “Pops,” embracing grandfather-hood with pride and tenderness, despite his sickness. His family will honor Benji by thinking of him whenever they savor his favorite joys in life— languid afternoons basking in the sunshine, plunging into a brisk, salty ocean, smacking a tennis ball across a clay court, moon-dancing across a crowded dance floor, stepping out in

SUMMER 2026

IN MEMORIAM a bold and exotic ensemble, and, above all, embracing each day with his unmistakable joie de vivre. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 36 years, Patricia Ohlinger Hill, and his two loving children, Isabelle Perkins (Harrison) and Benjamin D. Hill III. “Pops” also leaves two cherished grandchildren, India Eleanor Perkins and Benjamin “Reid” Perkins. The eldest of the Hill siblings, he is survived by his brother, Timothy, and preceded in death by his brother, Nicholas, and sister, Maria. STERLING P. MILLER died on March 18,

2026. He was born on March 30, 1941, in Grosse Point, MI, and grew up on Long Island, NY. He graduated from The Hotchkiss School and Trinity College, earning a degree in school administration from Pepperdine University. He later earned additional credits at Hofstra University and the University of Pittsburgh. Sterling devoted his entire career to the field of education, beginning as a math and history teacher at Buckley Country Day School in Roslyn, NY, where he became head and served until 1980. He then became head of St. Edmund’s Academy in Pittsburgh for 10 years before attaining the position of upper school head at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, CA. In 1993, Sterling moved across the country to become the founding head of Canterbury School in Greensboro, NC. A teacher to the core, after retiring from Canterbury, Sterling continued to teach classes at Noble Academy, The Piedmont School, and in Greensboro’s public school system. A lifelong athlete, Sterling was a runner, skier, sailor, and a squash, hockey, and tennis player. He was a reader, a dog lover, and an expert handyman. What students, parents, colleagues, and friends most remember about him, however, is his attitude and zest for any challenge or opportunity. His unwavering optimism, unflagging energy, undimmable enthusiasm, and enviable fearlessness were evident in his every endeavor; qualities that led Canterbury School to name its highest student award in his honor. Many of the practices and traditions Sterling established at the school remain in place today, 35 years later. Sterling was predeceased by his brother, Jay Miller, and his daughter, Ashley Gravelle (2014). He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Lilly (Jim); son, Sterling P. Miller Jr. (Jennifer Whitaker); and grandchildren Sadie, Chase, Cody, Wyatt, Sterling III (Tri), and Piper. He is also survived by his sister, Audie Easter, and brother Jeff Miller.

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MICHAEL CAVALIER “MIKE” DURNEY , onetime deputy assistant attorney general of the Department of Justice, Tax Division, and prominent criminal tax attorney, died peacefully on Jan. 10, 2026, at his home in McLean, VA. He was 82. Born on May 20, 1943, in Oakland, CA, to Camille and Lt. Cmdr. James Durney, Mike lived briefly in New York City during World War II, while his father was in the Navy. He attended Piedmont High School in Piedmont, CA, before attending and graduating from Hotchkiss in 1961. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1965, he attended the University of California, Hastings College of Law (Class of 1968), where he was a member of the editorial board of the Hastings Law Journal. Mike was admitted to the California Bar in 1968. He was briefly married to Linda Lee Johnson, a fellow U.C. Berkeley student. He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1968 to work as a trial attorney at the Department of Justice, Tax Division, as part of the Attorney General’s Honors Program. After several years in the Tax Division, he joined the Washington, D.C. law firm of Hamel & Park. In 1986, Mike was appointed principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Department of Justice, Tax Division, where he later served as acting assistant attorney general. After two years, he returned to private practice. During his lengthy career, Mike became known as one of Washington, D.C.’s leading tax attorneys, assisting clients on hundreds of civil and criminal tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Justice. He was a former chairman of the Tax Section of the Federal Bar Association, a former member of the Court Procedure and Civil and Criminal Penalties Committees of the American Bar Association Tax Section, and former master of the J. Edgar Murdock (U.S. Tax Court) American Inn of Court, Washington, D.C. Considered an expert in his field, Mike coauthored one of the bestknown manuals on criminal tax procedure. He was married for 30 years to Ann B. Durney, a fellow Tax Division attorney who preceded him in death. They shared one daughter, Christine D. Mason. He later married Carla V. Durney, with whom he had a son, James M. Durney. A horseman, bagpipe player, and swimmer in his younger days, Mike grew to be an avid skier and golfer. He devoured any book on World War II. A 33-year member of Burning Tree Club, he was also a longstanding member of the Metropolitan Club and Congressional

Country Club, and he was chairman of the trustees of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School from 1989 to 1992. Mike is survived by Carla, his beloved wife of 23 years; daughter, Christine (David); son, James; sister, Camille Durney; two grandchildren, Brady Mason and Priven Mason; father-in-law, Robert Voetsch; brotherin-law, Robert Voetsch; and nieces, nephew, and cousins.

JOHN SEAMAN BAINBRIDGE JR. P’95,’96 , former Baltimore Sun reporter and accomplished attorney, died on March 19, 2026, at age 79, from complications of pancreatic cancer. A longtime resident of Butler, he had recently moved to Blakehurst Senior Living in Towson, MD. Born in Baltimore and raised in New York City and Connecticut, he was the son of John S. Bainbridge Sr., a Columbia Law School assistant dean and founder of the Ford Foundation program, Staffing of African Institutions of Legal Education and Research, which supported legal education in newly independent African nations. His mother, Katharine Barker Garrett, served as a military ambulance driver in Europe during World War II. He attended Hotchkiss and Colorado Rocky Mountain School, and later earned degrees from Columbia University and the University of Maryland School of Law. He joined The Baltimore Sun in 1973 as a city desk reporter and later covered federal courts. “John was a superb writer. He was meticulous,” said his friend, James Astrachan. “He could not tolerate any sort of misstatement and always strove for accuracy.” In 1984, he left journalism to join the law firm of Piper & Marbury, now DLA Piper LLP, and later served as an assistant state’s attorney. He also worked as a law clerk to Maryland Judge Howard S. Chasanow and became legal affairs editor for The Daily Record. He also contributed articles to Smithsonian Magazine, writing about subjects ranging from dart-poison frogs and leatherback sea turtles to the notorious prison islands of French Guiana, including Devil’s Island. In an Audubon Magazine piece, he described spending five weeks on a remote Venezuelan island observing green sea turtles. He authored two books. He co-wrote, with former Sun film critic Stephen Hunter, American Gunfight: The Plot to Kill Harry Truman - and the Shoot-out that Stopped It (2005). In 2022, he published Gun Barons: The Weapons That Transformed America and the Men Who Invented Them, a history of the U.S. firearms industry. In the book’s preface, he reflected on their place in American history, writing that while he appreciated their mechanical ingenuity, he remained “clear-headed

about their sometimes-unsavory part in the country’s history.” His son remembered him as “a man with an incredibly loving heart” who valued honor, fairness, and integrity. He was active in several civic organizations, including Paul’s Place, an outreach organization in Southwest Baltimore, and as a member of the board of the Robert Garrett Fund for the Surgical Treatment of Children, which funds pediatric surgery research at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. He also served on the board of the Maryland Center for History and Culture and was involved with the Oregon Ridge Nature Center. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Zang Bainbridge; three sons, George Bainbridge ’95 of Bel Air, Garrett Bainbridge ’96 of Brooklyn, NY, and Clayton Bainbridge of Richmond, VA; a daughter, Julia Bainbridge of Brooklyn, NY; and four grandchildren. He was previously married to Anne Mountcastle Bainbridge and Katherine Doyle Williams.

deeply engaged in cultural, educational, and charitable institutions. He served as chairman of the Winston Churchill Foundation, trustee emeritus of the Asia Society, treasurer of the American Friends of the Louvre, and vice chairman and treasurer of the French Institute: Alliance Francaise. He also formerly chaired investment committees supporting the Pasteur Institute and the Curie Institute. In recognition of his contributions to culture and international relations, he was honored by the French government as an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier of the Legion d’honneur. he is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Fox Gerschel; his three children, Nathalie Gerschel Kaplan, Karyn Gerschel Lamb, and Edouard Gerschel; and his grandchildren, Bella Kaplan, Lily Kaplan, Chloe Kaplan, Nelson Lamb, Sebastien Gerschel, and Oliver Gerschel.

PATRICK A. GERSCHEL P’86 , a

GAIR GILL BET TS , a longtime Remsenburg resident, died on April 24, 2026, after a courageous six-year battle from the debilitating effects of a COVID-related fall in November 2020. Gair was born in Southampton on Nov. 13, 1946, to Derick W. and Barbara G. Betts of Quiogue, NY. Gair grew up in Quogue and attended Westhampton Beach Elementary School. His prodigious athletic abilities were already evident; he was a star player and clean-up hitter for the Little League Yankees. After grade school, he attended and graduated from The Eaglebrook School in 1962, and from Hotchkiss in 1965, where he was a threesport letterman, and Princeton University (A.B. 1969), where he was a letterman in tennis and squash and squash captain his senior year. In 1970, he enlisted in the U.S. National Guard and served in the Army Reserves for seven years. He received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School (J.D. 1975) and was admitted to the Bar in 1976. He initially began his legal career as an attorney for the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society. In 1978, he served as the law secretary to Justice Lester E. Gerard of the New York Supreme Court for 10 years. In 1988, he joined and became a partner in the Riverhead law firm of Smith, Finkelstein, Lundberg, Isler & Yakaboski, from which he retired in 2021. Gair had a large, dedicated client base throughout his career. He acted as the principal counsel to the RemsenburgSpeonk School District and special counsel to the Westhampton Beach and Eastport School Districts and served as associate village justice

distinguished financier, real estate executive, and cultural leader with deep ties to Lazard Freres and international institutions, died in late December 2025 after a lifetime marked by professional achievement and public service. Born March 20, 1946, in Boston, he was the grandson of Andre Meyer, the legendary managing partner of Lazard Freres whose influence helped define modern investment banking. Educated at Hotchkiss and Cornell University, where he earned a B.A. in economics in 1968, and later at New York University with advanced coursework in accounting, finance, and economics, he began his career with an early international orientation. From 1969 to 1982, he was associated with Lazard Freres & Co., serving in a range of senior roles, from investment analyst to partner, and ultimately as vice chairman of Lazard Realty, where he played a meaningful role in the firm’s real estate activities during a period of growth and institutionalization. Prior to Lazard, he worked at NBC News in Paris as an assistant bureau manager. In 1980, he founded Gerschel & Company, where he served as chairman and chief executive officer. Over decades, he built a reputation as a disciplined, value-oriented investor with a global perspective, participating in and helping guide a diverse array of businesses across finance, insurance, technology, and real estate. His professional activities included involvement with enterprises such as Executive Risk, later acquired by Chubb; Tishman Speyer; and Ultimate Software, as well as leadership roles in hedge funds and real estate partnerships. Beyond business, he was

for the Incorporated Village of Westhampton Beach and subsequently as its village attorney, handling all facets of general municipal law. He received the prestigious Suffolk County Bar Association Director’s Award in recognition of his contributions to the Lawyers Assistance Foundation and his longstanding commitment to the legal profession. He was actively engaged in local and community affairs. He served on the board of Family Counseling Service and the Westhampton Rotary Club, of which he was president and from which he received the Paul Harris Award in recognition of exceptional service and contributions to the Rotary Foundation. He was the championship coach for many of the Little League teams for which his children played. He was a lifelong member and served on the Board of Directors of the Westhampton Country Club. He won the men’s tennis championship six times and the men’s golf championship two times. He excelled in card games, inclusive of gin and bridge. He was a life master of bridge. He is survived by his loving wife Susan Hubbard Betts, to whom he was married for 55 years, and four children, Gair G. Betts Jr. (and wife Gerilyn), Kimberly Betts, Melissa Betts and Randi Banks (and husband Eaghmon), seven grandchildren (Jack, Sonnie, Christian, Emma, Owen, Declan and Teddy) and three siblings, Derick W. Betts Jr., Barbara H. Betts and G. Whitefield Betts III. WILLIAM B. “BILL” EVANS of Jay, NY, died suddenly on Oct. 13, 2025. He was born in Albany, NY, on May 28, 1947. He graduated from Hotchkiss in 1965. He graduated from Yale University in 1969 with a B.A. in political science. At Yale, he won the Winthrop Smith Award in lacrosse and was an All-American in football. He studied art at the L’École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux, France, in 1978 and at the Parsons School of Design in Lake Placid. He taught art at the Munson-WilliamsProctor School of Art in Utica, NY. He was the owner and manager of John Street Studio and Gallery from 1978 to 2009. Bill loved the Adirondack mountains. He climbed the 46 peaks as a child at Camp Lincoln, and then again as an adult, where he witnessed the beauty of the seasonal landscapes through the eyes of an artist. Bill’s art won multiple awards and was exhibited in numerous solo and group shows. Working in multiple media, he created abstract and representational pieces. Bill was the most delightful paradox. A strong and athletic sportsman, he was a man whom no one can describe without using the word “gentle.” He craved time alone in the mountains as well as spending time in New York City, where he lived in the early 1970s. Serious and

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IN MEMORIAM intellectual, he was nonetheless always alive, with a boyish sense of wonder. He never ceased to lose inspiration and never made an easy decision. A curator of family tales and legends, Bill was a historian and archivist who chronicled his family’s storied past. Bill’s maternal grandparents, the Brewsters, were early descendants of Lake Placid. His grandfather, O. Byron Brewster, served as a Supreme Court Justice on the New York Appellate Court. Bill loved his family and stayed in touch with them all, including cousins near and far. His family feels him in all the art he left behind for the world and endeavors to carry on his legacy of caring for the environment and for one another. He is survived by his beloved sisters, Christine Evans of Burlington, VT, and Marion Jeffers of Keene Valley; and his brother-in-law, Gregory Jeffers. He leaves behind three devoted nieces: Jennifer Danish, her husband Kyle, and children Sam and Sophie; Jesse Jakobe, her husband Henry, and their son, Tucker; and Maya Judd and her four children, Oscar, Maple, Fox, and Oslo. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Evans III and Jane Brewster Evans.

THOMAS ROY CARNEY died after an illness on Sept. 21, 2025. He was 77. He was born on April 17, 1948, in St. Paul, MN. The eldest son of John Otis Carney, a novelist and screenwriter, and Frederika Fly Carney, a writer and music lover, Tom joined a large and close-knit Irish Catholic extended family. In 1955, Tom, his parents, and his two younger brothers moved to Beverly Hills, CA. There, Tom developed his lifelong love of baseball and a razor-sharp wit that he honed on his two younger brothers. In the 1960s, the Carney family moved to western Wyoming, where Tom’s parents bought a ranch and raised cattle. Tom and his brothers, now teens, did fencing and irrigation work, mowed and baled hay, and learned to ride horses during their summer holidays. Cousins and friends joined in and fondly remember those summers spent on the Upper Green River. Tom arrived at Yale in 1967 and lived in Jonathan Edwards College. He was elected to Wolf ’s Head for his senior year and was a regular contributor to the Yale Record humor magazine during Garry Trudeau’s tenure as editor. Through his movie industry connections, he organized and hosted two film festivals: the first honoring the films of silent comedian Harold Lloyd, and the second, a Tarzan festival featuring Tarzan himself, Johnny Weissmuller. After completing his bachelor’s degree in 1971, Tom cut his teeth as a journalist in Wyoming, working

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alongside his youngest brother Peter at the Rock Springs Rocket-Miner daily newspaper. From the beginning, Tom’s keen observation skills and compassion for others came through in his writing. He became fascinated with the multicultural history of Rock Springs, where immigrants came from all over Europe and China to find work. His time in Rock Springs shaped him, appearing in his first novel, Daylight Moon (1979), as well as in later work. In the late 1970s, Tom moved to New York City to continue pursuing his writing career, publishing in Esquire and Rolling Stone, among other magazines. On the weekends, he played outfield in the Coimbre Baseball League in Central Park. The players came from all walks of life, and Tom loved playing his favorite sport with teammates who became friends. It was also in New York that Tom met his beloved wife, Maureen Lambray, whom he married in 1980. Tom and Maureen supported each other in their careers and built a partnership that was both professional and personal. Maureen, a painter and photographer, shared Tom’s sense of justice and the need to defend human rights. She has used her photography to shine a light on cruelty and injustice around the world, and Tom was there by her side. Together, they traveled to Afghanistan, where Maureen photographed the aftermath of the Soviet invasion in 1980. They also spent time in Mexico documenting the lives of Indigenous people in Chiapas, including during the Zapatista uprising in 1994. Ever a loyal New Yorker, Tom walked everywhere, visiting with friends at his favorite coffee shops and restaurants. There was a seriousness about Tom, an intensity that was exciting to be around. He always maintained a sense of curiosity about the world that was deepened by his voracious reading. Tom is survived by his wife, Maureen Lambray, of New York, his brothers, John (Elaine) and Peter (Jane), and his nieces and nephews and their children.

JOHN ANDERSON LUKE JR. P’06,’12 , beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, decorated United States Air Force veteran, and accomplished business leader, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Vero Beach, Florida. John was born on Nov. 24, 1948, in New York City to the late Joy Carter Luke and John Anderson Luke Sr., and was raised in Charleston, SC; Luke, MD; and Bedford, NY. He was a proud graduate of The Hotchkiss School and Lawrence University and served his country as an officer in the United States Air

Force during the Vietnam conflict in Southeast Asia, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He left active duty as a First Lieutenant in 1974. Following military service, he joined the Procter & Gamble Company and worked in sales management before earning his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1979, he joined Westvaco Corporation, a paper and packaging company originally founded by the Luke family in the late 19th century. Appointed as CEO and chairman in 1992, he dedicated the remainder of his 40-year career to building the company and its successors, MeadWestvaco and WestRock, now Smurfit Westrock. He was a principled leader who loved and cared deeply for the company, its purpose, and most importantly, its people. Throughout his career, John shared his experience and perspective through his service on corporate boards of directors, including Bank of New York Mellon, The Timken Company, and FM Global. He was also deeply committed to public policy, education, and community service, serving for several years on the boards of the American Enterprise Institute, the American Forest & Paper Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Lawrence University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. He brought the same broad perspective, intellectual curiosity, and steady judgment to these roles that made him such a trusted voice in business and industry. John was a lifelong member of the West Chop Club in Martha’s Vineyard, a community where he enjoyed summer days with his family from early childhood to late retirement, and which he later led as club president. He loved the peace it provided and the lifelong friends it brought, and he cherished sharing it with his family. He was also a member of the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, FL, where he eventually became a full-time resident. There, he enjoyed continuing to perfect his golf game and sharing the beach, pool, and warm winter days with his family. John lived life fully, devoted to his friends, country, career, and above all, his wonderful family, whom he adored. He married the love of his life, Kathleen Allen Luke, on June 30, 1984, and was a loving father to their three children and a proud grandfather to six wonderful grandkids. He especially cherished every moment with his grandkids, introducing his oldest to golf and holding his newest in his final days. He loved discovering a new cocktail recipe, a late fall halftime chili on Giants football Sundays, and was never happier than when surrounded by family, whether around the dinner table, on the golf course, or during long summer days on Martha’s Vineyard. Disciplined

and humble, John’s life was marked by strength, generosity, integrity, and a gracious spirit that made everyone around him feel welcome and supported. In addition to many friends and extended family, he is survived by his immediate family, including his loving wife, Kathleen Luke; brother William (“Bill”) Luke and sister Hope Hetherington; his children: Lindsay Gates ’06 (Scott), Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Mooney (Remy), and John (“Johnny”) A. Luke III ’12 (Caroline); and his grandchildren: Grace Gates, Charlie Gates, Martha Joy Luke, Joy Mooney, and John A. Luke IV (“Jack”). He joins his parents, Joy and John A. Luke Sr.; his sister, Jane Murphy; and his granddaughter, Alice Gates, in heaven.

TIMOTHY BAKER SHUT T passed away peacefully at Whispering Hills Care Center in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on Nov. 9, 2025. He was 75 years old. He was a professor at Kenyon College for 35 years, from 1986 to 2021, where he taught medieval and Renaissance literature. An exceptional teacher, warm-hearted, and a gifted speaker, he received many awards over the years, including the Trustee Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1993, and was awarded the Senior Cup five times, presented each year to the community member who has contributed most to the college. Known for his jovial personality and big, bellowing laughter, his favorite course to teach, on Dante’s Divine Comedy, was often so oversubscribed that students had to sit on window sills. He was born in Newark, Ohio, on June 23, 1950, to Richard Jack Shutt and Gratia Lucy Baker Shutt. He was raised in Bay City, MI, where he developed his love for sports, especially baseball and competitive swimming. He attended The Hotchkiss School, where he was honored as an All-American swimmer and greatly enjoyed acting in plays. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1972, and then spent three years as a teacher at St. Mark’s School of Texas, where he taught English and history and coached swimming and water polo. He then went on to graduate school in English, specializing in medieval literature and the history of ideas at the University of Virginia as a du Pont Fellow. After earning a Ph.D. in 1984, he spent two further years at Virginia as Mellon Post-Doctoral Research Fellow. While in Virginia, he met Leslie Lynn Moran, who he married in 1982, and they remained very happily married until her death in 2022. He was an avid supporter of Kenyon athletics, working as NCAA faculty representative, and for many years announcing Kenyon home football games, swim meets, and even the NCAA and

NCAC Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. He loved assisting with the swim program and for a couple of seasons was an assistant diving coach for the Kenyon diving team. In his spare time, he loved to be outside in the peaceful Ohio countryside, which he adored, and he regularly gave bird walks and star talks at the Brown Family Environmental Center. He published numerous works for Recorded Books Modern Scholar Series, among them the popular Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans: The Foundations of Western Civilization. He had an extraordinary love for and kinship with animals, most especially cats, to the point that for many years when students found a stray on campus they would “call Dr. Shutt, he’ll take the kitty!” He was a member of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, where he was proud to serve as a lector. He is survived by his mother, Lucy Baker Shutt; his daughter, Pruitt (Drew) McCoy; his stepdaughter, Doub (John) Hanshaw; his stepson, Whitt (Colston) Hanshaw; his sister, Anne (Patrick) Trahan; his brother, Robert Shutt; five grandsons; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by dear friend Cathy Bostwick. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his father, Jack Shutt, and a brother, Michael Shutt.

AND REW MORGAN SCOBLE passed away on March 2, 2026, at the age of 71. Born on May 1, 1954, in Bennington, VT, he was educated at Hotchkiss, the University of California Santa Cruz, and UC Berkeley School of Law. Married for nearly half a century, he was the proud father of one exceptional son. He was a federal prosecutor for 32 years; a teacher, once and always; a gentle and honest man; and ethical, honorable, and committed. Andy did lots of things. He lost a front tooth playing rugby and played on. He received the U.S. Attorney General’s Distinguished Service award, performed with a baroque dance troupe, and dug archaeologically in Israel. He taught in the Classics Department at Hotchkiss, rattled off nautical Boggle words unknown to other players, and at bedtime, he told stories of knights and Greek heroes. Then he read aloud to the resident dishwasher. Andy was many things: “A Titan in the office” and in court, “the gold standard,” and a cat whisperer who could tell any feline’s secret name. Not incidentally, he was also Lord of Vacuums and Brooms, a jazzercise veteran and a rapper extraordinaire. Also, he was a fierce competitor, once flipping over the board during a game of Risk. Students from long ago remember what he did and what he was: “I have a wooden box of mementos; Andy’s picture

is in it.” He made us ... “Saturday a.m. wheat germ, honey, and applesauce pancakes.” “I am thankful for his example and humbly endeavor his strength of character.”

PETER HAGNER SHARP P’04 , son of Peter Jay Sharp and Margaret Allison Sharp (Hagner), died on Jan. 4, 2026, at age 69. Entrepreneur and driving force behind the development of The Weston in Weston, VT, he served on the board of Mystic Seaport and was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club and New York Yacht Club. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Sharp Edens ’04, David Tucker Sharp, Jonathan Davis Sharp, and Alexandra Emmott Sharp; his grandchildren, Jack Philbrick Sharp and Catherine Rose Edens; his sisters, Caroline Sharp and Randall Sharp; and his cousin, Paul Cronson.

BRIDGET MARSH passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 10, 2026, on a flight back to New York from London. Her career, marked by intellectual rigor, global experience, and a deep commitment to fairness and clarity in financial markets, leaves a lasting imprint on both the legal and corporate finance communities. As general counsel of LSTA, Inc., and co-editor of the first and second editions of The Handbook of Loan Syndications and Trading, Bridget played a pivotal role in shaping the legal architecture of the U.S. corporate loan market. She oversaw the LSTA’s legal strategy with unwavering dedication, guiding the development and standardization of documentation used throughout the industry. Her leadership helped strengthen transparency, improve liquidity, and foster confidence among lenders—core values she emphasized frequently in her public appearances, speeches, and articles. Before joining LSTA, Bridget built an international career in corporate finance law, beginning in the Corporate/M&A department at Simmons & Simmons in London and later joining in New York at Milbank. Her early career included clerking for the Hon. Justice Beaumont of the Federal Court of Australia—an experience she regarded as foundational to her unwavering integrity and meticulous approach to the law. While at Simmons & Simmons, Bridget completed a secondment at the United Arab Emirates Offsets Group in Abu Dhabi, where she worked on a project to source, market, and distribute gas from the North Field of Qatar in the Persian Gulf. While there, she also served as an in-house lawyer for the organization. Bridget’s academic achievements matched the excellence of her career. After attending Saint Swithun’s School in Winchester, England, she graduated

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IN MEMORIAM from Hotchkiss; earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; a master’s degree in political science from the University of New South Wales; and a law degree with first-class honors from Sydney Law School. She was admitted as an attorney in New York, England and Wales, and New South Wales, Australia. Bridget was a Fellow of both the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation. She served on numerous advisory boards, including the Practical Law Finance Advisory Board and the AAAICDR Financial Advisory Committee. She served as chair of the ABA Business Law Section’s Commercial Finance Committee and was also a respected voice within the ABA Business Law Section’s Council and co-chaired the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Financial Services Affinity Group. She was also a recipient of the 2014 Irish Legal 100 Award; and, in 2025, Bridget was honored with two of the profession’s most prestigious recognitions: the ABA’s Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award and NAWL’s Outstanding Member Award. Colleagues will remember her not only as a deeply knowledgeable and masterful legal mind but also as a generous mentor whose guidance helped shape the next generation of legal professionals. Bridget was a trailblazer for women by serving in a highly visible and public role as a woman holding a top legal position in the corporate loan market. She used her platform to advance opportunities for women in a myriad of ways, including by formally and informally mentoring and sponsoring women lawyers, all of which she did with enthusiasm and care—she truly embodied the saying “we rise by lifting others.” Her parents, siblings, and friends will remember her brilliance and strength, and for the full and vibrant life she lived beyond her career. To them, she was a bright, gracious, and lively woman who loved to travel, play tennis, ride horses, and be kind to animals. They also will remember her sense of humor and kindness. Bridget leaves behind her husband, Timothy Nelson; her daughter, Katharine; her sister, Maureen ’93; her brother, Peter; her parents, Kathleen and Peter Marsh; and her lifelong Hotchkiss Class of 1985 friends: Karen Scofield Kaiser, Firoozeh KashaniSabet, and Anne Vincent.

L AURA KATHERYN ROBINSON died on April 10, 2026. Joan and Jerry Robinson announced the passing of their beloved daughter with great sadness. Laura’s life span was far too short, but her years were filled with joy and accomplishments. Everyone who knew

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Laura will miss her. Born on Dec. 28, 1982, she resided in Mt. Kisco (Bedford Corners) for all her life. For schooling, she was very partial to small schools in bucolic New England settings. She attended the Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford, NY; The Hotchkiss School; Middlebury College in Vermont; and The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Laura had a great love of travel, domestically and abroad. She and her mother enjoyed many memorable road trips together from Maine to Montana. Laura had many other interests and talents, with music and art being favored activities. She was a chorister from age 6, continuing through to her being a member of the Madrigal Singers at Middlebury. Equally, for all her life, she had a special talent for oil painting and served as a docent at Middlebury’s art museum. These talents were confirmed when she was awarded both Hotchkiss’s music prize and its art prize upon graduation in 2001. Laura was also a demon at games, especially Scrabble, where she soon overtook her father, and other board and card games where she was nearly unbeatable—crossword puzzles and online word games. Getting her MBA from the Tuck School centered her adult life in the business world, where she has been enthusiastically engaged as a marketing professional for several years with Prestige Brands in Tarrytown, NY. In recent years, Laura’s interests also turned to real estate, in the form of restoring a weekend home in Falls Village, CT, where she was keenly interested in architectural and interior design. Her former teacher, Charles Noyes, recalls, “Laura was an amazing student, artist, and human being. She died way before her time on this Earth.”

QUINCY MCDOUGAL died unexpectedly on March 23, 2026, in Fayetteville, NC. Quincy was born at home in Bristol, VT, on Jan. 11, 1992, to Mary E. Arbuckle and Nicholas U. McDougal. He grew up with his older brother, Nick, in South Lincoln, exploring the meadows, streams, and forests of Addison County. They made regular childhood visits to extended family on the coast and mountains of Maine, where Quincy was the youngest of a large and adventurous group of cousins. Quincy attended the Lincoln Community School and the North Branch middle school before first venturing beyond the Green Mountains to attend Hotchkiss. There, he developed his passion for athletic achievement and competed on both the lacrosse and football teams. Quincy left a lasting impact on Hotchkiss faculty and classmates, who describe his tenacity and fearlessness, his warmth of soul, and how he was a “friend who

always had your back.” Quincy’s drive and headfirst pursuit of his interests would be a defining part of his life, and during his grade school years, his interest in aviation led to participation in the Flight Experience for Youth program at Sugarbush Soaring in Warren, VT, where he worked as line crew in exchange for flying lessons. He achieved his private glider pilot certification at age 15 and took his dad for a glider ride above the Mad River Valley ski slopes where his dad first taught him to “snowplow” as a kid. Quincy successfully balanced high school athletics and academic achievement and was admitted to Amherst College, where he regretted having to pick just one sport. He chose lacrosse and continued to thrive in the camaraderie and competition of team sports while majoring in economics and psychology. At Amherst, as at Hotchkiss, Quincy forged friendships that would endure through the years and across the diverging paths of life that followed. After helping Amherst Lacrosse reach the NESCAC championship game in an 18-3 2015 season, Quincy graduated and entered the fast-paced world of finance, working as an analyst for firms in New York, then Boston. Over the course of his 20s, he established himself in his field but found himself seeking other ways to direct his energy, ambition, and immense capacity for hard work. Pausing to reflect on his career, Quincy threw himself with characteristic focus and determination into a developing interest in road and gravel bicycling. In August 2021, he headed west to begin his next adventure and departed from the Canadian border near Whitefish, MT, to ride the 2,400-mile Continental Divide bike route, arriving in October at the Mexican border in Columbus, NM. He bicycled to higher elevations than he’d piloted a glider as a teenager and reported back to Vermont when cell service allowed with descriptions of glaciers, wildfires, and desert, and of encounters with bear, elk, and antelope. Since childhood, Quincy had been inspired by the idea of military service, specifically the Special Forces. In 2022, he enlisted in the Army National Guard as an 18X and was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In the following years, he excelled in Special Forces Assessment and Selection, completed the rigorous Special Forces Qualification Course, and in summer 2025 invited his family to the ceremony at Fort Bragg, NC, in which he officially donned the Green Beret. Quincy described having “found his tribe” in this new brotherhood of service members. Quincy achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and chose to specialize as Special Forces Medical Sergeant. He trained hands-on in lifeflight choppers and emergency rooms, delivering

babies, responding to emergencies, and becoming an expert at saving lives. Throughout his lifetime of achievements, Quincy was to those who knew him a good hang, a thoughtful and caring friend, brother, teammate, cousin, nephew, and son. Quincy is survived by his parents, Nicholas U. McDougal and Mary E. Arbuckle; his brother, Nicholas C.A. McDougal; his aunt, Jane O. McDougal; and the large extended Arbuckle family in Maine and beyond. He is survived by his wife (separated), Storm Bowen, who remembers their adventures together fondly. He is also survived by his current partner, Diana Gibson, whom he looked forward to making a life with in Utah.

SAMUEL KWANG-YEUNG DIAMOND passed away on April 6, 2026, in Blacksburg, VA. He was 23 years old and held the promise of a brilliant future. He was a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in computer science at the College of Engineering with a minor in mathematics. Sam was a proud Hokie. Born in Los Angeles, CA, on Nov. 8, 2002, his maternal grandfather, Frank Hom, gave him the name “Kwang-Yeung” which means a broad and brilliant sun, an appropriate description for his beautiful mind. He was a beloved and happy child who could spend endless days on the beach, playing with toy trucks, and building with Legos. Although he was often shy and quiet, he was known for his sweet nature, his witty comebacks, critical thinking, astute comments on culture and politics, dry humor, mathematical abilities, and natural gift as a teacher. A student at The Hotchkiss School and a graduate of Sidwell Friends, he spent time on lacrosse and crosscountry teams and enjoyed being a member of the Robotics Club. He found his home at Virginia Tech and relished the challenges of rigorous and competitive academics, excelling as a humble and gifted scholar. He loved his Tech college professors and courses—programming, math, electives, humanities, and art. He read avidly, frequently rereading books by Bradbury, Singer, Pynchon, Asimov, and Dahl. Since his teenage years, Sam was an extraordinarily gifted writer who could deliver a short story, critical essay, or analysis of history effortlessly. Sam is survived by his parents, David Diamond and Hellen Hom-Diamond, former Hotchkiss chief communications officer, and his sister, Katie ’26, with whom he shared a special bond. He is also survived by his grandfather Frank Hom; aunts and uncles Elaine and Dewey Fanning, John and Misa Hom, Lisa Smith and Brendan Kelly, Andrew Diamond and Caroline RollandDiamond; and beloved extended family and

cousins in Baltimore, Boston, Paris, Seattle, Connecticut, and California. He especially loved his cousins, Isaac and Bess Wright-Levine. The family is deeply grateful to the kindness of the Blacksburg community, Elizabeth Kaires, and Virginia Tech, which graciously awarded him a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, posthumously in May 2026.

EMILY BEUTNER , a college junior and the daughter of then-Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner, died on Jan. 6, 2026. She was 22. She died at the hospital after being found by a witness suffering a medical emergency by the side of a highway in Palmdale, CA. She was a junior at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where she was studying studio arts and is remembered for leading a life of “overwhelming unconditional love.” Olivia Silvester, editorin-chief of the campus newspaper, recalled that when Emily Beutner transferred to LMU in the fall 2024, she got to work quickly: participating in service and leadership, building community, and imparting her philosophy of unconditional love to those she encountered. She is remembered by colleagues and community members for how wonderful, bright, and lovely her spirit was. Emily played What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong on the ukulele for her students while serving as a mentor for the ARTsmart program. Upon arriving at LMU, Emily quickly became integrated within the community through her involvement with ARTsmart, a community service program created to provide young, underserved students with an education in the arts. Terry Lenihan, director of ARTsmart and professor of studio arts, described Emily as a natural leader, demonstrating a superior level of professionalism, creativity, and an ability to successfully work with young students and manage other ARTsmart volunteers. Emily was awarded the Donald E. Hanson Memorial Scholarship in May 2025 for her contributions to the ARTsmart program. Her leadership skills and ability to connect with both students and peers left a lasting impression within the community.

FORMER STAFF LUCILLE C. NELSON , 93, of Sharon Valley passed away Feb. 1, 2026, at Sharon Hospital after a short illness. Her loving family was at her side. She was the wife of the late Edwin O. Nelson. Lucille was born Nov. 28, 1932, in Vergennes, VT, the daughter of the late Eldred Cunningham Sr. and Lilah LaRose Cunningham. She graduated from Vergennes High School in 1950. In 1953, Lucille married Eddie Nelson while he was home on medical leave from the United States Army, where he was actively serving during the Korean Conflict. The young couple moved to Connecticut in 1960. In 1970, they bought their home in Sharon, where Lucille would reside for the next 55 years. Lucille began her career at Hotchkiss in 1966. Over the years, she held many positions within the School, including work in the mailroom and serving as secretary to the headmaster. From 1987 until her retirement in 2006, she served as the gifts manager in the Alumni and Development Office, where she was responsible for processing gifts to the School. In recognition of her dedication and service, Lucille received the Independent School Support Staff Distinguished Service Award in 1992 from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) of Washington, D.C. She was deeply devoted to Hotchkiss and treasured her school “family.” Outside of work, Lucille was an avid gardener with a true green thumb. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, staying active through walking and exercise, and especially looked forward to her Monday night dinners with friends. Most of all, Lucille treasured time spent with her family, which brought her the greatest joy. Lucille is survived by her children, Eric (Cindy) Nelson, Diane N. (Peter) Selino and Scott (Bianca) Nelson of Sharon, and by her brother David Cunningham of Vergennes, VT. She has 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her children, Lynn, Michael, and Jon Nelson; her grandson Mark Selino; and her siblings, Eldred Cunningham Jr., Leonard Cunningham (her twin brother), Rosalene Casey, Beverly Peck, and Richard Cunningham.

SUMMER 2026

PARTING SHOT

A Timeless Tale The Hotchkiss Dramatic Association concluded its season with Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet in Walker Auditorium, featuring Philip Fauver ’26 as Romeo and Carla Oudin ’26 as Juliet. Looking ahead, the HDA has announced an exciting 2026-27 season featuring Dear Evan Hansen, The Gods of Fire, and Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.

M AGA ZINE

We look forward to celebrating with you! SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2026

Class of 1976 50th Reunion • Class of 1963 63rd Reunion

JUNE 18-20, 2027

Classes ending in 2 and 7 • Class of 1977’s 50th Reunion LEARN MORE AT

hotchkiss.org/alumni/events-reunions For more information, please contact Caroline Sallee Reilly ’87, director of alumni engagement, at (860) 435-3892 or creilly@hotchkiss.org.

11 Interlaken Road Lakeville, CT 06039-2141 (860) 435-2591 HOTCHKISS.ORG