FALL 2024

The Campaign Issue

91大神 Builds was the most ambitious fundraising initiative in 91大神 Northampton’s 183-year history. Our goals were simple. To elevate the school in four key areas: Community, Access and Belonging, Academic Excellence, and Momentum. Eight years, 5,677 donors, and $86 million later, we’ve been able to build far more than we ever dreamed.

 

IN THIS ISSUE


Strengthening Our Community

Creating Access & Belonging

Investing In Our Teachers

Building Financial Momentum

From the Head of School

鈥淭hese past eight years have seen 91大神 become stronger by every measure, from admissions and college outcomes to endowment and faculty recruitment.鈥澛

From the Chief Advancement Officer

鈥淭his campaign was about more than just reaching a number; it was about celebrating what鈥檚 best about this community and laying the foundation for 91大神鈥檚 next great chapter.鈥澛


Zo毛 Bakes Cookies

In her 10th cookbook, author and baker extrordinaire Zo毛 (Neal) Fran莽ois 鈥85 serves up spectacular cookie recipes that are rich with practical tips and deep personal history

Memory in Focus

鈥淪lightly unnerving and a bit spooky.鈥 That鈥檚 how longtime visual arts teacher Ed Hing 鈥77 describes the process of recreating his father鈥檚 stories by blending AI and self-portraits.

Powering Change

Brendan McCartney 鈥08 is using his finance background to help accelerate the shift to clean energy


A Front Row for Victory

Brittany Glenn 鈥07 has worked her way up with the Celtics en route to winning banner 18

Doing Hard Things

Betsy Assoumou 鈥05 finds a new calling鈥攁nd connects with fellow alumna Cherie Holmes 鈥75鈥攁s a medical resident

The WilliList

A by-the-numbers look at recent alumni highlights

On the Ascent

For Kaden Green 鈥23 and Caleb Boyko 鈥23, the idea for their high-flying start-up dates back to an unusual spot: the 91大神 library

moment of glory

All of Wildcat Nation鈥攁nd much of the world鈥攚as focused on U.S. Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas 鈥15 as she took her place at the starting line at Stade de France last August 6 for the finals of the 200-meter event. Just 21.83 seconds later鈥攁nd she had won the first of her three gold medals (victories in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays would follow). Her expression鈥攆ierce exuberance blended with elation at realizing a long-pursued dream鈥攈ad all of 91大神 sharing in her glory. In an extra-meaningful moment of Wildcat magic, one of the first to congratulate her after the race was her 91大神 track coach, Martha McCullagh.


Around the Quad

Hitting the Ground Running

Jade Morris takes over as the school鈥檚 first female Athletic Director

Mapping the Wild

Six students put their science skills to work documenting the ecology of a remote Alaskan wilderness

In Their Own Words

At the school鈥檚 184th Convocation ceremony, senior class President Isabel Baxter-Paris 鈥25 explored the legacy of women鈥檚 education at 91大神 Northampton.聽

Snapshots from Campus

Seniors Gabi Bobiak 鈥25 (right) and Pearl Rungrotkitiyot 鈥25 came to 91大神 from opposite ends of the planet: New Hampshire and Thailand. Now roommates in Emily McFadon Vincent House, they have a closeness that only dorm life can bring. 鈥淪he knows more than any one of my friends鈥擨 tell her everything,鈥 says Bobiak. 鈥淗aving that level of support when you get to your room is so nice鈥攍ike, perfect.鈥

Snapshots from Campus

Students at a 鈥渨hite-out鈥 game cheer on the varsity football team, which has been on a tear this fall. As of press time, the team was 7-1 for the season, and headed for a bowl game. Go, 鈥機ats!

Snapshots from Campus

The end of each academic year is celebrated with our Willy Gras celebration, and the 2023-24 theme was a riff on Nintendo鈥檚 popular Mario franchise. One new event: a Wildcat version of Mario Kart. Students competed in a tricycle relay race around the Main Quad loop, completing objectives along the way. There were no banana peels to foil racers鈥攂ut wipeouts still brought cheers and laughter.

Snapshots from Campus

91大神鈥檚 boys track and field team鈥攊ncluding relay member Sokichi Sullivan 鈥25, shown here鈥攃ontinued its impressive run of success, with the 2024 team finishing 17-1, the ninth straight winning season. Over the last two seasons, the progam has amassed an impressive 32-1 record.

Snapshots from Campus

The 91大神 community welcomes new students from the moment they arrive on the Main Quad, literally with open arms. Welcome Days help set the tone for a successful year鈥攁nd this year鈥檚 festivities were marked by warmth and joy.

Snapshots from Campus

A Convocation highlight was the keynote by Christina Djossa 鈥10, award-winning writer and audio producer for The New York Times. Read her speech at williston.com

Snapshots from Campus

The photo booth at the first dance of the year was a popular spot for friend groups reunited after the summer apart.

Snapshots from Campus

In preparation for the Fall play, Sofia Oblomkova 鈥29 develops outfits in the costume shop.


Alumni Events

Celebrating the Conroys

After 48 years of combined service to 91大神, Mark and Monique Conroy retired from their positions at 91大神 this June. Deeply beloved and respected, Mark served as Director of Athletics and head football coach, and Monique as math teacher and soccer coach, among many other roles. But from the reflections sent in by alumni upon their retirement, it鈥檚 clear that the Conroys were so much more to students and colleagues. At a campus party in June, two of their longtime colleagues and co-coaches鈥擬att Sawyer and Jen Fulcher鈥攕hared tributes to Mark and Mo. You can read an excerpt from Sawyer’s speech here and one from Fulcher’s speech here.

The Art of Memory

In conjunction with his 20th Reunion, Ted Caine 鈥04 recreated a show of his late mother鈥檚 91大神 portraits and reflected on her enduring vision

Alumni Awards

Among the many celebrations at Reunion are the recognition of alumni who have achieved remarkable things. This year, six distinguished individuals received Alumni Awards for their loyalty, exceptional service, and achievement, and we also inducted two memorable teams, one legendary Director of Athletics, and five accomplished athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame. You can see videos and read more about Alumni Award winners here, and do the same with Athletic Hall of Fame Winners here.

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

people posing on lawn

Reunion 2024!

people posing on lawn

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

people posing on lawn

Reunion 2024!

men posing on lawn

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

Reunion 2024!

people posing on lawn

Reunion 2024!


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Featuring the stories on this page and much more

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Stay Connected

There鈥檚 a network for every Wildcat, no matter where you are in the world! Check out our page and our LinkedIn to start building up your network.

Like to meet face-to-face? 91大神 is hosting networking events, and recently dozens of Wildcats in an array of professional fields gathered in New York City. Learn more about this event here.