Head of School ROBERT W. HILL III P’15, ’19 Chief Advancement Officer ERIC YATES P’17, ’21 Director of Alumni Engagement JILL STERN P’14, ’19 Director of Communications ANN HALLOCK P’20, ’22 Design Director ARUNA GOLDSTEIN Assistant Director of Communications DENNIS CROMMETT Communications Writer and Coordinator KATE LAWLESS Please send letters to the editor, class notes, obituaries, and changes of address to: The Williston Northampton School Advancement Office 19 Payson Avenue Easthampton, MA 01027 email: info@williston.com online: williston.com/alumni/ connect
Cover Photo JOHN DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Non-Discrimination Statement: Williston admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, gender, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, gender, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other policies and programs. Dean of Students Kathy Noble has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the School’s non-discrimination policies, including its Title IX policy. Contact her at knoble@ williston.com or (413) 529-3266.
FACULTY AWARDS These dedicated teachers earned chairs and an instructorship this fall.
JEFF KETCHAM
A 20-year master science teacher, Ketcham earned the Grubbs Faculty Chair, recognizing a life devoted to teaching.
KATIE LOOMIS
Spanish teacher Loomis is the recipient of the Granniss Chair, honoring a faculty member who personifies the pure joy of sharing knowledge.
Head’s Letter
A
s we highlight in this issue, 2020 brought many historic changes to Williston. In addition to the masks and nasal swabs with which we’ve all become too familiar, our community celebrated some highly-welcome developments. At the top of the list is the opening of Emily McFadon Vincent House, shown above. The fanfare of a formal dedication will have to wait until a time safe for mass gatherings, but already Vincent House is home to 40 girls and four faculty families and brimming with warmth—just like its namesake (Emily McFadon Vincent ’49), who will forever hold a special place in the history of the Williston Northampton School. To quote one of the dorm’s first residents, Abby Vassallo ’22, “I’m so honored to be living in the first dorm named after an alumna.” A major milestone indeed and an especially apt one in 2020! Another notable development is the formation of Williston’s Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC), a group I convened this summer to help advance our institutional mission of fairness and equitability for all. Comprised of alumni, faculty, trustees, and parents, the ARC is working to develop an institutional, five-year Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as we imagine the best future Williston. You’ll hear more about these critical efforts in the coming months, but know that they expand on other work in progress, including extensive faculty, student, and trustee anti-racist training and an assessment of inclusivity and multiculturism from the National Association of Independent Schools. Also helping to chart Williston’s future is the Head’s Visiting Council (see page 48). Now in its third year, this exemplary body is made up of 43 dedicated alumni to whom I regularly turn for guidance on topics as diverse as pandemic response and the critical place of humanities in a 21st-century education. As always, their insights and efforts remind me of the ever-present strength and dedication of the Williston community. In a year as tumultuous as this one, it’s gratifying to know some things never change.
MATTHEW PORTER
A beloved science teacher, Porter was awarded the Mesics Instructorship, recognizing a young faculty member’s impact. FOLLOW ROBERT HILL ON TWITTER AT @HILL3WILLISTON
