Alumni News & Events

Alumni Weekend Draws Many Back to Campus

Please visit the photo gallery to the right by clicking on the small image to see photos of the weekend festivities, along with additional alumni event photos.

Alumni, former faculty, and friends returned to campus June 13-15 for Alumni Weekend and enjoyed a warm reception to their alma mater. Headmaster Andrew Vadnais shared the Strategic Plan and a presentation on the first phase of the Facilities Master Plan that will include a dining center and library/classroom spaces. Harold Bogle, outgoing president of the Board of Trustees, shared a great deal of financial information with alums, including the School’s plan to increase its endowment. Incoming president Jeff Rosenberg ’80 spoke briefly about the building plans, which he has been an integral part of since the beginning of the discussions.

Remembrances

The Class of ’58 led the talk “In My Day…” which has become a popular annual event providing a forum for alumni of all ages to reminisce about their years at South Kent. Many members of the class celebrating its 50th anniversary shared their memories and were joined by others.

Reunions

The classes ending in 3’s and 8’s gathered for reunion celebrations at various local restaurants June 13. The Class of ’48 was at the Fife ‘’n Drum. The 50th reunion class, 1958, gathered at the Cornwall Inn. Bull’s Bridge Inn hosted three class dinners – 1963, 1968 and 1983. The Class of 1988 celebrated at Kent’s newest restaurant, Doc’s Trattoria. The youngest reunion class, 2003, gathered at the Rev. Steve Klots’ home on campus.

Honors

The Memorial Chapel Service was held Saturday evening in St. Michael’s Chapel to celebrate the lives of those alumni and friends who have passed.

Each of the alumni classes was recognized during the Honor Roll salute by Tom O’Leary at the banquet Saturday evening. The Class of 1958 was formally recognized on its 50th anniversary, and each member was inducted as a member of the “Old Guard.” All those alumni who’ve celebrated their 50th anniversary of graduation are officially inducted into the Old Guard each year.

Activities

Oppressive heat put a blanket on the sporting activities this year with only a handful of people heading out onto Hatch Pond – and everyone was in canoes or rowboats rather than shells. Alumnus Steven Bruen ’04 along with his brothers Jesse, a sixth former, and Ben, a new fourth former, were on hand to help with crew but had no takers. Coach Jeff Galusha stood by in the boathouse chatting with alumni.

Meals are always popular during Alumni Weekend, and this year was no exception. Lunch provided the opportunity for alumni to chat with returning former faculty members, including Celie and Charlie Whittemore ’39, who arrived in a wheelchair, Liz and Noble Richards ’49, Pixie Brown, as well as Sandy and John Farr ’58. After lunch, a group headed to the library to hear the Rev. Christopher L. Webber ’49 lead a discussion of his latest book, the first-ever sequel to Beowulf. “Beyond Beowulf” takes the story from Beowulf’s death through trolls and sea monsters to their arrival in East Anglia and a final battle.

A new feature, the Faculty Forum was offered late in the afternoon on Saturday. Alumni had the opportunity to ask questions of present faculty about the Form Program and athletics on the Hillside, with Nancy Lyon, Woody Brown, Paul Abbott, Gonzo Garcia-Pedroso and Kelvin Jefferson proving the answers. On Sunday morning, everyone gathered in the Dining Hall to enjoy a cook-to-order breakfast of omelets and other goodies.