WESTMINSTER REUNION 2019 WES_ShieldRibbon_PMS123_C.eps 34 Westminster Bulletin Reunion 2019 will be remembered for having one of the largest turnouts in Westminster’s reunion history. Nearly 300 alumni from classes ending in the 4s and 9s and their guests visited campus May 3-5 for a weekend of activities. Not only was the turnout impressive, but several alumni traveled a great distance to attend the weekend’s festivities. Fall 2019 35 Friday night’s events began with the seventh annual Alumni Art who attended the opening of the show. Artworks in the exhibit Exhibit in Baxter Gallery and a cocktail reception in Armstrong were available for purchase with a portion of the sale going to Atrium of Armour Academic Center. Westminster’s Wilde Fund, which supports current students. On display in the exhibit were works by four alumni artists: “It is a real pleasure to welcome so many alumni back to Peter Duxbury ’69 shared images of houses he designed in the school for this special weekend,” said Headmaster Bill Philip Northern California, Emily Bissell Laird ’79 displayed oils on as he greeted everyone at the cocktail reception and exhibit. canvas showing a connection to a place and animals, John Lape “This is a school that has always been about community and ’69 exhibited images of projects designed by his architecture relationships, and that has defined the school since its founding.” firm that specializes in designing senior communities, andSusie He talked about the intentional design elements of Armour Wilcox White ’74 showed oils on canvas of the bond between Academic Center and the many visiting artists and musicians mother and child in the animal kingdom. Susie was delighted who come to campus throughout the year. He closed by wishing to visit with her former Westminster art teacher Jerry Powers, everyone a wonderful time during the weekend. 36 Westminster Bulletin Class Dinners Class dinners took place in a variety of locations on and off campus. The Class of 1969 celebrated its 50th reunion in Adams Dining Room of Armstrong Dining Hall. Joining the class for dinner were former Westminster Headmaster Don Werner P’79, ’82 and archivist Scott Reeves P’03, ’05, ’05. During the evening, a slide show displayed images from prior reunions, and members of the class offered remembrances of classmates. After dinner, Hilly Ebling ’69, Peter Anlyan ’69, Mike Monagan ’69 and Caleb Rossiter ’69 of the band No Feat provided musical entertainment. The band needed a drummer, so Justin Schuster ’19 stepped in and played. He learned many new songs for the evening, and practiced and performed with the band for hours, enjoying being a part of the class’s reunion. “I am excited to be back,” said John Dunbar ’69, who was visiting from Southern California and was last on campus for his 40th reunion. “It still feels like home.” “Everyone played different roles in planning our reunion,” explained Bob Bynum ’69. “Some people had not been back in years, and for others, it was their first time back.” Members of the Class of 1959 had their 60th reunion dinner at the home of Sherwood Willard ’59 in Bloomfield, where they shared news about what people are doing and stories about the past. “Very good conversation,” commented Charlie Dilks ’59. The classes of 1949 and 1954, back for their 70th and 65th reunions, respectively, had dinner in Hinman Reading Room, and the classes of 1964, 1974, 1979, 1984 and 1989 celebrated 55th, 45th, 40th, 35th and 30th reunions in Brockelman Student Center. Jamie Karp Stone ’79 of Seattle recalled being married in Andrews Memorial Chapel, and Gina Varano ’79 of Wallingford, Conn., thought it was amazing how school facilities had changed. “It is absolutely beautiful,” she said. “What an opportunity for students.” As for seeing her classmates, she added, “You pick up on conversations that may have started 10 years ago.” The Class of 1994 gathered at the faculty home of Miles Bailey ’94 for dinner, while the Class of 1999 met for dinner at the home of faculty member Newell Grant ’99. The classes of 2004, 2009 and 2014 celebrated off campus at the Iron Horse Pub in Simsbury. Sara Griffin ’04, who was visiting from Dallas, Texas, enjoyed catching up with old friends and touring campus. “I love seeing how the campus has progressed,” added Caroline Scott ’09. “There are so many improvements that make educating students better. I am feeling extremely nostalgic with best friends going back 14 years.” And Mikaela Bengtsson ’09, who was visiting from Sweden, said she found it “surreal” being on campus. Top to bottom, the classes of 1949 and 1954 had dinner in Hinman Reading Room; the Class of 1969 had dinner and listened to the sounds of No Feat in Adams Dining Room; the Class of 1994 gathered at the faculty home of Miles Bailey ’94; and the classes of 1964, 1974, 1979, 1984 and 1989 enjoyed time together in Brockelman Student Center. Fall 2019 37 Saturday’s Events of spaces on campus, including how Adams Dining Room is the At an all-school chapel service and memorial service for alumni setting for many events and how Gund Dining Room allows for held in Andrews Memorial Chapel, the speaker was Giovanni family-style lunches four days a week. He referenced the central Hamilton ’19 a boarding student from Hartford and the Alumni community spaces around the Sixth Form Lawn and described Association Scholar. He spoke about the challenges he faced as the composition of the student body. He also shared the successes a new student of color at Westminster, how he found his path of the school’s selective admissions process and the college after his Third Form year, about having teachers who really counseling process, and talked about the very busy schedule of cared about him and about his involvement in various groups on events during the year. campus. “One thing for sure, I’m trying to say thank you,” he “I think Westminster School is really one of the very best said. “Westminster School is a place I will never forget.” secondary schools in the country, and the reason for that has Director of Alumni Relations Aileen Daversa ’90 and to do with the ethos of the school,” he said. “Because we are a members of the John Hay Vestry read the names of 21 alumni small school, we ask students to do all sorts of different things. who had died during the past year, and the Chamber Choir sang We offer students opportunities they might not have at a larger “Danny Boy.” school where they are competing with more students. Students Following the chapel service, alumni took part in the Grand are being stretched here, and in the process, discovering talents March of Alumni around a portion of campus with their class they might not be aware of. And that is what growing up is all banners. The Class of 1954 piled into classmate Tim Clark’s about.” convertible and led the parade, which ended at Armstrong Dining He outlined the challenges of Westminster competing Hall. Alumni then attended the headmaster’s school update held against the best secondary schools in the country and the world in Adams Dining Room. Bill Philip pointed out the importance in admissions, in faculty recruitment and retention, and in 38 Westminster Bulletin every respect. “At the same time, the school is on a remarkable Graham is Westminster’s master planner and founder and trajectory,” he said. “The school looks different for many of you president of GUND Partnership, which has designed many new who haven’t been here in a while, but I hope it still has a familiar facilities on campus. feel.” The Class of 1994 gathered in Keyes Garden to share He referenced how Westminster is in a different place memories about Erin McGuigan Parker ’94, who died in 2017. than it was a few decades ago and highlighted the challenge Members of the McGuigan family joined them. And members of of addressing the school’s endowment needs in order to be the Class of 2009 memorialized Davey Hovey ’09, who also died competitive. “We are making some really good progress,” he said in 2017, by making all of their reunion gifts in his memory. in talking about the school’s Soar Together Campaign, which is Saturday’s activities concluded in Armstrong Dining Hall focused on support for students, faculty and programs. “If the with a cocktail reception, and the Black and Gold Dinner Dance. future of the school is to be secure, we have to secure the place The Class of 2014 also opened its time capsule, sharing many of the people who have always made the school special.” He laughs about what was put into the capsule five years ago. explained the $10 million challenge gift dedicated to financial aid from an anonymous donor if the campaign reaches $90 million Farewells on Sunday by 2022. “This would be transformative,” he emphasized, before Many alumni returned for brunch on Sunday morning to say responding to numerous questions. their farewells to classmates and make promises to return to The reunion luncheon took place in Armstrong Dining campus in five years. The lasting friendships and bonds that are Hall, followed by class photos, campus tours and attendance formed at Westminster were once again celebrated this year at at numerous home games. Graham Gund ’59 led a tour for his reunion. classmates of the dining hall, and a student and faculty residence. Fall 2019 39 REUNION 2019 Class of 1949 Class of 1954 Bill Thomson, Tim Smith, Bruce Taylor and Pem Hutchinson ’50 Tim Clark, Dave Hubby, Chris Smith, Bill Childs, Dick Cuyler and Tom LaMotte Class of 1959 Class of 1964 Wis Silver, Ben Day, Art Gilliam, Dick Elliott, Lee Dunham,