2023 William Nichols Award

Established by the Alumni Board in 1985, the William Nichols Award recognizes members of the faculty and staff who have significantly contributed to the overall quality of the Nichols education.

With the ability to shape minds, ignite curiosity, and inspire a lifelong love for learning, James Cammarata, or Mr. C, is an educator who empowers students by providing knowledge in numerous ways, a mentor who nurtures potential, and a champion who believes in the untapped abilities of every student.

While teaching 6th grade geography in his patented bowtie, Cammarata pushes students to think strategically and empathetically about the world around them. Being an engaged world citizen at the core of his teaching, his innovative teaching methods have brought learning to life and turned the classroom into a vibrant and dynamic space of dialogue and discovery.

As a cross-country coach, he pushes his athletes to dig deep and achieve their potential. In his tenure, the Nichols cross country team has gone from being in the middle of the pack to challenging for first place.

As 5/6 Dean of Students, Cammarata has unwavering patience and a genuine belief in everyone’s potential that allows students to grow, understand, and repair the community due to poor decisions.

Beyond the classroom, he is a pillar of support and guidance. He seeks out the unique strengths and talents of every member of the Nichols community and engages them in thoughtful and supportive dialogue. He goes the extra mile to ensure the well-being of all of us in the community by offering a listening ear, a comforting shoulder, and a source of unwavering encouragement. Mr. C is a mentor, a role model, a trusted colleague, and just a good soul who leaves an everlasting impression on the hearts of those he comes across.

2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Created by the Alumni Association in 1976, the Distinguished Alumni Award is given to honor alumni who have given extraordinary time, energy, and wisdom through their volunteer efforts.

Head of School Chris Burner presented Nelson S. Walsh ’80 with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award at the 131st Commencement Ceremony.

Walsh entered Nichols School in the 5th grade in 1973. According to classmates, Walsh embodied Nichols’ core values of pursuit of excellence and integrity of character from the moment he stepped on campus. He immediately found his second home and established friendships that remain as strong today as they were more than four decades ago.

From Nichols, Walsh continued his educational journey at Williams College, and then at Columbia Business School. He has committed his career to the financial world and currently serves as Vice Chairman of Investment Banking for Morgan Stanley.

Following in the footsteps of his older brother, several cousins, three uncles, father, and grandfather, Walsh joined the Nichols School Board of Trustees in 2017 and has served on the Advancement, Governance, Endowment, Finance, and Executive Committees. As a true example of legacy, 21 members of his family have attended Nichols School.

In 2018, he answered the call to serve as Co-Chair of All iN: The Campaign for Nichols School with his classmate Kristan Andersen ’80, creating perhaps the most dynamic duo Nichols has ever seen. Thanks to his leadership and guidance, an original goal of $35 million was expanded to $60 million just two years later. Doubling the Walsh Family Scholarship Fund, he led by example and helped secure the future of Nichols School by closing the All iN Campaign at a remarkable $66.3 million.

2023 Katherine B. Roach ’83 Award for New Faculty

The inaugural Katherine B. Roach ’83 Award for New Faculty was announced by Head of School Chris Burner at this year’s Commencement. Created for Katherine B. Roach, class of 1983 and current Chair of Nichols School Board of Trustees, Roach has been an active volunteer at the school.

Serving on the Alumni Board, as class agent, on her Class Reunion Committee, as Annual Fund Parent volunteer, a member of the Parent Ambassador Network, and on the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Roach is a proud parent of Nichols alumni Caroline ’14 and Lindsay ’16.

During her tenure as Chair, ending on June 30, 2023, Roach has helped steer the Board of Trustees and Nichols through some very challenging times, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Her love of this school and commitment to ensuring its ongoing success is evident in everything she does.

The award was presented to Elizabeth Hamm, and recognizes a new faculty member with four or fewer years of service who has made exceptional contributions to the Nichols community in both teaching and extracurricular or athletics.

Hamm, agreed to come to Nichols a day before the school year began, in the middle of a pandemic, while moving cross country to a city she knew nothing about. In her first weeks as a Latin teacher, she taught on Zoom at rest stops along the way, and then in isolation in her home. Once she got to campus, it did not take long for her to make her mark. In the last couple of years, Hamm has rebuilt the Latin program growing the number of students, and leading students on trips to Athens and Rome all while spending afternoons, evenings, and weekends running with the students on the cross-country and track teams. n