Greetings from campus!
It's fall in Easthampton and the campus is alive with the colors of the season! As the fall term transitions towards winter, we reflect on the beginning of this school year and look towards winter. There is no shortage of enthusiasm and Willy Pride on campus, and it's been demonstrated in the classroom, in the arts, and on the playing fields.
We began healing as a community by taking care of one another following the recent loss of our colleague, teacher, coach, and friend Kevin Garrity. The community has shown compassion and empathy as we return to school activities with a heavy heart.
On a personal note, I am thrilled to have returned to Williston, the place I have always considered my home. The last few weeks have brought a rush of nostalgia and the reassurance of why I stay connected. From meetings with alumni to working with this incredible team, it's great to be back. While the school continues to evolve, there is a comfort and embracement of who we are- Authentic, Genuine, Williston.
Steve Hoyt '95, P'25, '25, Director of Alumni Engagement
Notes from Campus
It's been a busy few weeks for the Arts! The Williston Theatre just concluded an outstanding production of The Elephant Man and the choral groups just held their fall concert The Storm is Passing Over. This past weekend the Williston Dance Ensemble presented Poetry In Motion, an evening of original dances. This performance featured new works choreographed by Williston students. We also had the Fall Instrumental Concert and the Fall Arts Walk. From the Writers Workshop to the Grum Project there is no shortage of arts on campus. To stay up-to-date on the latest, follow the @WillistonArts Instagram account!
The Writers' Workshop welcomed Major Jackson who has authored five books of poetry. He electrified students packed into the Dodge Room with a selection of poems from his collection. We conclude the program with our final guest Kelly Link on December 5th.
More than 20 Williston Scholars in math, language, and history, whose subjects ranged from the mathematics behind Diffie-Hellman key exchange, a backbone of Internet security, to mariticide in post-Renaissance Italy, presented their work last week.
A tip of the cap to the Model UN club for its impressive showing at last week’s MUN conference at Phillips Exeter Academy. After opening remarks from Harold Koh, professor of International Law at Yale and former State Department Legal Advisor during the Obama administration, students broke into committees to debate global issues, including the environmental impact of cryptocurrency, the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, and NATO’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Great news! Four teams earned NEPSAC postseason berths – boys soccer, water polo, football and field hockey! Quite a feat for any school!! Three teams will be HOME this week! All events will be livestreamed. There will be two playoff games on Wednesday, Field Hockey at 2 p.m. on Galbraith and Soccer at 2:30 p.m. on Sawyer Field. Football plays Loomis Chaffee in the Mark Conroy Bowl Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Check the events page to find out more about the alumni football tailgate which starts at 1:30 p.m.
Stay up-to-date with campus news: The Willistonian is online covering everything from student perspectives on the college admissions process, to campus walking etiquette!
Spotlight on: Andrea Madsen Gilmore '70
Architectural conservator Andrea Madsen Gilmore ’70 preserves old buildings. Early in her acclaimed career, Andrea was tasked with documenting the architectural history of Lindenwald, the Kinderhook, New York, home of Martin Van Buren, which recently had been acquired by her employer, the National Park Service. Read about the most interesting find of her career.
Spotlight on: Matt Carney '14
“To me, exploring the universe and our place within it is one of the most important things we can do.”
As a physics doctoral candidate, Matt Carney ’14 is helping shed light on the dark energy of the cosmos. For astronomers working to unravel the secrets of the universe, the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope on December 25 came as last year’s ultimate Christmas present. Click here to more about theoretical cosmology.
Spotlight on: Williston Theater Director, Jorge Rodríguez
“The theater is a place for us to enjoy the beauty of performance, to be able to have a moment of escape and be liberated by the world that exists on stage— this little cosmos that we’re creating as artists. If we’re doing our job, we can also help the audience come in and transport themselves to another realm.”
Read how Jorge's vision was born through his early exposure to the dramatic arts and how he looks to shepherd the next generation of Williston performers.
Alumni Events
This Wednesday November 16th join us at Noon EST for a Head of School Update. Through an era of dynamic change in today’s educational landscape, Williston Northampton School has never been stronger. Head of School Robert W. Hill III offers an update on the school and takes your questions. Register here to receive the Zoom Link.
Get warmed up at the alumni football tailgate! Saturday November 19th at Berube Stadium at Sawyer Field. Tailgate starts at 1:30 p.m. and kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.! Come cheer on the Wildcats in their first bowl game since 2014! Register at this link
The Holidays are coming and so are the Western Mass (12/1), Boston (12/6), and NYC (12/13), parties, register and see who's coming on the Alumni Events page.
Join us for a special admission alumni event, Finding the Right Fit Tips on Applying to Independent Schools. Are you considering independent or boarding school for your child? If so, please join Dean of Enrollment Management Chris Dietrich and others for a special virtual event, open just to Williston alumni. Our Admissions team will share tips on choosing and applying to schools, and will leave time for Q&A. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
NEW LOOK FASTER SIGN ON 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 shoyt@williston.com and tell us how we can make this platform work best for you!
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!
Reflections on Gratitude
As students wrap up the first trimester, we are filled with gratitude for the many ways our community supports one another and the joy our students bring to everything they do. And we are grateful to you, our alumni, for your support of our students and faculty.
Make your gift today online or by Venmo, and support what matters to you: academics, arts, athletics, DEIB, financial aid, or where it's needed most. A gift to the Williston Northampton Fund is a gift to Williston Builds: The Campaign for Our Community. Thank you!