Greetings from campus!
What's more beautiful than a perfect autumn day in New England? The campus trees are ablaze with color, pumpkins line the sidewalks in front of dormitories, and hot cider is on the menu at Sawyer Field tailgates!
The campus is extra lively these days as in-person events return! Last weekend, the community gathered to dedicate Emily McFadon Vincent House and Wold House, thereby completing the Residential Quadrangle. On a warm and sunny day, members of the Board of Trustees were on hand to mark the occasion, as was the entire student body, dressed in T-shirts with the logos of the two residence halls. The day ended with a mini-50th Reunion of the Williston Academy classes of 1970 and 1971, and a dedication of the Memorial Hall Terrace, a gift of the Williston Academy class of 1970 in honor of their 50th Reunion. You can read about our two newest dorms and see photos and videos of all the events here.
We've got a great career opportunity on the Advancement team! Come work with us as Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. This entry-level position will work with the youngest 15 classes, building alumni support and connections. Not the right time to make the move to Easthampton yourself? Spread the word in your alumni network and send us that special Wildcat who wants to come back home!
Jill Stern, Director of Alumni Engagement
Notes from Campus
Student artists are thriving! From the theater (Metamorphoses), to the fine arts; from choral groups, to dance; and from the jazz band to the Grum project (the art of glass-blowing); there are opportunities galore to make and appreciate art on campus. To stay up-to-date on the latest, follow the @WillistonArts Instagram account!
The Writers' Workshop kicks off tonight as we welcome Rachael Cerrotti, an award-winning photographer, writer, educator and audio producer. Her work explores the intergenerational impact of war and memory. She is currently the Inaugural Storyteller in Residence for USC Shoah Foundation where she produces and co-hosts The Memory Generation podcast.
Stay up-to-date with campus news: The Willistonian is online covering everything from top classes on campus, to dealing with an invasion of geese!
Spotlight on: J. Steven Staggs '78
The financial crisis of 2008 precipitated a sequence of events that radically changed Staggs' life. As a high-powered investment advisor, he loved his job in finance. “But,” he jokes, “I was looking for a less stressful job.” So he became an emergency department nurse specializing in triage. Curious about what health care triage has in common with investment analysis? Find out here.
Spotlight on: Tolu Onafowokan '05
“It’s wonderful to wake up every morning and feel like your work has purpose.”
Working “at the intersection of culture and cause,” Tolu Onafowokan ’05 talks about philanthropy, social justice, and making a difference. Read how this alumna is following her passion for "changing the world."
Spotlight on: John Seely Brown '58
After a lifetime of radical innovation, John Seely Brown ’58 continues to look to the future of what’s possible. In a pioneering career that has spanned the advent of the PC to the latest developments in cloud computing, he has succeeded by seeing connections —and possibilities— that others can’t imagine. Read on to find out the advice he shared that left a room of Silicon Valley experts in stunned silence.
Alumni Events
In-person events are back! Mark your calendars and join us at one of our holiday celebrations this December in Northampton, Boston, and NYC. Watch for spring events in California, Florida, DC, and maybe even a few surprise cities near you! The latest news is always on the Alumni Events page.
Meet the New Deans: tomorrow, Wednesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Don't miss this virtual call to meet our newest deans: Dean of Faculty, Corie Fogg ’99, and Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Nikki Chambers. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and skills, and a vision for the school. Join us for an informal conversation to learn more about their work and welcome them to the Williston Northampton community. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
WillistonConnects, our alumni networking platform, is ready to help you find your superpower! Join coach Sarah Williams Carlan ’92 on Thursday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. EST and learn how to tap into your purpose to find the inspiration to do great things and feel deep satisfaction. If you’re feeling burnt out and frustrated and tempted to give up, Sarah offers ways to reconnect with the motivation for why you do what you do. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Search to find alumni who share your professional and personal interests, then connect at the click of a button. Members of the community are ready and willing to offer advice and perspective no matter where you are in your career journey. It takes less than five minutes to answer a few questions about your past Williston Northampton School interests and your career to complete your profile. If you have started, but not completed your profile, we want to know why you stopped! Email jstern@williston.com and tell us how we can make this platform work best for you!
With over 900 members and growing, the Williston Alumni and Alumni of Color LinkedIn Groups are your go-to resources for professional contacts. Tap into the power of your Wildcat Networks!
Build a stronger community together! This fall marks the school’s 181st year and an important milestone in our history—50 years since the union of Northampton School for Girls and Williston Academy. In this unique moment, we reflect on our shared values as we continue to evolve, innovate, and grow.
While much has changed, the core of a Williston Northampton School education remains constant: academic excellence, responsibility, individuality, community, and collaboration.
Please consider a gift to the Williston Northampton Fund today to directly support our students and faculty. Thank you!