Greetings from campus!
Here in the Homestead, July 1 marks the start of a new year. And with this new year comes some news of professional change: After six years as Director of Alumni Engagement, I'll be moving offices to join the Leadership Gifts team. It has been wonderful to get to know so many of you in so many different capacities. On behalf of the entire Williston Northampton Community, thank you for all the ways you support the school, other alumni, and the work of the alumni and advancement offices. I am also grateful to be part of an organization that supports me in expanding my professional interests and skills, and I am most thrilled that I am not saying good-bye to my fantastic colleagues or to any of you!
Of course, any change comes with new opportunities. If you—or someone you know—wants to join a great team to serve an awesome community of alumni, here's the link to the full job description! In the meantime, if you have any questions for the alumni office, don't hesitate to contact Tammy Neils-Walker (tneilswalker@williston.com), Aja Talarico (atalarico@williston.com), or Corinne Briggs (cbriggs@williston.com—if you are in the classes of 2022 - 2008). Or call the main office number at 413-529-3300. And if you're looking for me, I'll be right down the hall, with all of my usual contact info intact!
With that news delivered, read on for a full recap of the past few months. From regional events to on-campus celebrations, to the return of Reunion, it's been a whirlwind. This newsletter will return in September, and I'll look forward to seeing you this coming year at events and as I travel. Until then, I wish you all a relaxing and restorative summer!
Jill Stern, Director of Alumni Engagement (until Monday!)
Notes from Campus
We said "happy retirement" to some wonderful members of our faculty, wishing them well as they embarked on what will surely feel like an extended summer vacation! Watch the traditional "last class" clap-outs for Greg Tuleja, Ann Pickrell, and Martha McCullagh (who has stepped out of the classroom, but will remain coaching on the track!). Read a career wrap-up of Ann and Greg's combined four decades of service. and see the photos from their celebration where Tim Murphy '96 offered this moving tribute.
The Class of 2022 graduated into our alumni community! Click here to see all the details from Commencement, and watch as our keynote speaker, Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas '15, shares some hard-earned lessons and words of encouragement.
We smiled so much our faces hurt! From celebrating the Class of 2020 who returned to campus for the first time since March 2020, to the 50th Reunion of the first co-ed class to graduate from WNS, grins, laughter, and good times filled our weekends in June! Get all the Reunion news in one place, here. Or skip right to the pictures in our Flickr galleries.
This year's Alumni Awards recognized seven exceptional individuals. See the honorees and read more about how each of them exemplifies our school's virtues of Purpose, Passion, and Integrity in their work and in their lives.
It was a very special Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony as we inducted an all-woman class of athletes to mark 50 years of co-education and the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Read about these stellar athletes and watch their inductions here.
And to extend the Reunion fun, we welcomed the Northampton School for Girls classes of '70 and '71 to campus to make up for their missed 50th Reunions, including a dinner onsite at their former campus. See photos of this special weekend here.
The Spring/Summer Bulletin should have made it to your mailbox by now. If you haven't received it, you can view it online (and don't forget to update your information so you don't miss the next issue!)
And speaking of the Bulletin...It's time to submit your news for Class Notes. Please use this easy link to send updates and photos!
Spotlight on: Michelle Parrish '01
Food has always been front and center for this class of 2001 Williston Northampton School graduate. And in adapting to COVID-19, entrepreneur Michelle Parrish ’01 stays true to her mission. Read more about Soul N' Vinegar, her grab-and-go brick-and-mortar food prep company.
Spotlight on: Kendall Hanley '04
“Williston allowed me to be comfortable with who I am. I learned that it’s OK to take different paths, try different things, and it’s not necessarily a failure if you don’t make your goals...It's that growth mindset.”
As a linesperson for the international four-woman officiating crew at last February's Olympic match-up between the top-ranked women’s teams from the United States and Canada, Kendall Hanley '04 was on the ice with whistle in hand for the thrilling (some might say heart-breaking) 3–2 Canadian victory. Find out how she got from the ice at Lossone to the ice in Beijing.
Spotlight on: Glenn Jones '95
After a 15-year career pivot, Glenn Jones ’95 returns to anchor Boston television news. What made this Bermuda native opt to return to New England last November? Read on to find out!
On WillistonConnects, members of the alumni community are ready and willing to offer advice and perspective no matter where you are in your career journey. With over 1000 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!