Retiring Faculty

Betty Jipson

Derryfield celebrated the retirement of Betty Jipson this spring, after 42 years of service to the School. Betty first came to Derryfield in 1979 and over the years served as librarian, advisor, and mentor to countless students and faculty alike. She oversaw the

Derryfield library as it moved from its original location on the third floor of the Upper School to the current Milne Library next to the Main

Office and Senior Forum. Under her leadership it transformed into the center of daily student life on campus. Betty embodied the spirit of

Derryfield: kind, caring, supportive of every student’s needs and interests, and always willing to lend a helping hand.

At one of the final Community Meetings of the school year, a video full of tribute messages, notes of congratulations, and thank yous for Betty from Derryfield community members was shared. Below are some of those messages:

“When I think about Betty’s integrity, what I’m reminded about is the way that she has ferociously protected credible information and the ways that it’s our responsibility as researchers, writers, and thinkers to make sure our opinions are always based in fact; she has given us all the tools to be able to do that.” —Lindley Shutz “Google gave me a lot of answers, but Betty Jipson always helped me get the right one.” —Lenny McCaigue

“Betty is like Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus, except she creates magic for the students who visit her library... Her respect for each student’s interests and abilities reflected her commitment to meeting every student where they were, not where they were supposed to be.” —Rick Zeller

“I’ve been thinking about how librarians should be everyone’s friend, as Betty has been: welcoming, non-judgmental, curious, compassionate, asking questions, helping us find the things that we need. But librarians also help us find our way through the stacks of life, and Betty has done that. She has helped each of us, adults and hundreds of students, find our way.” —Laura Russell

“One of things that is so special about Betty is the way she is so encouraging and supportive of everyone, students and faculty alike. For students in particular, we see that love of reading that Betty has so beautifully cultivated. Everybody feels welcome in the library; it’s been the center of the School because it’s the place where people feel Betty’s warmth.” —Dr. Carter

Nick Tepe ’91: “After having spent most of my time at Derryfield in the library office with Betty Jipson, I am now sitting in my library office as the Director of Athens County Public Libraries in Athens County, Ohio. I have no doubt that I am the person I am today in no small part because of Betty’s thoughtfulness and kindness in letting a group of us take over her office during our off time between classes. It has certainly informed my work as a librarian in finding ways to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone who steps through the door.”

Pam VanArsdale: “I so loved being a volunteer in Betty’s library, which I feel is the heart of Derryfield. I do think it’s mighty possible that it has something to do with the heart of a very special librarian; a wise, funny, and caring person who always put her students first.”