Seniors Formally Inducted As Alumni at Annual Dinner

The Academy hosted the class of 1966’s 50th Annual Reunion along with the classes of 1956, 1976 and 2011 from Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22. Alumni came to experience a weekend full of events with fellow classmates and visit academic classes, their old dormitories and the campus on which they grew up. Events ranged from poetry workshops with faculty members to rowing on the Exeter River.

In honor of their 50th reunion, Exeter welcomed the class of ’66 one day earlier so they could facilitate the Alumni Induction Ceremony with the current senior class. Under a tent set up on the library lawn, the alumni gifted each senior with a class pin, followed by remarks from and conversation between Exonians in both classes.

Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Michelle Curtin helped manage many “behind-the-scenes” aspects of the reunions. According to her, the reunion classes involved both current and retired faculty as well as students in their planning to get a better sense of the current culture at Exeter. “Overall the Office of Institutional Advancement has been thrilled with the energy, enthusiasm and excitement that alumni and their guests have brought with them back to campus,” she said.

“A lot has changed about Exeter. I do believe that it’s for the better.”

Walter Hilton ’66, said he enjoyed the senior class’ Alumni Induction Ceremony. “The events linking our class to the students were the best. The event to distribute class pins to the seniors really helped to break the ice,” he said.

Senior Sean Taylor said the Alumni Induction Ceremony “bridges the gap between the 50-year alumni and the current seniors.” He criticized classmates who think the alumni have “outdated views.” He felt that seniors should be “more humble and realize that these adults have been through Exeter and many meaningful life experiences. “I think they have a lot of wisdom to give to us as far as how Exeter shapes and affects you for the rest of your life,” Sean Taylor said.

Senior Sam Kushell echoed Taylor’s thoughts, emphasizing that although Exeter will always be the same school in the same setting, the time, people and mindsets are changing. He said these differences don’t have to prevent connections between the generations. “To be able to interface and mingle with them, to have shared memories and commonalities with these alumni, even though they went here 50 years ago, really builds a sense of the Exeter community,” Kushell said.

Curtin felt that this year’s reunion season went successfully, especially due to the enthusiasm of the alumni. “The 2016 Alumni Induction Ceremony went very well. The class of 1966 was thrilled to welcome the class of 2016 into the alumni family,” Curtin said. “Overall, we’ve had a few classes break attendance records and have seen even more alumni and guests arriving early in the weekend to take advantage of the opportunity to attend Harkness Classes.”

Peter Robinson ’66 agreed with Curtin, describing the reunion as “the best one yet” and thanking his classes’ “great leaders [and classmates] like Dan Clement, Don Tenney, Carl Walter, Art Cilley, Eric Vogt and many more.” In addition to these formally organized reunions, the class of 1966 arranged off-campus get-togethers at locations such as New Orleans, Los Angeles and Hawaii.

Robinson highlighted some of his favorite events from last weekend: the music performances. “We have one classmate who is a great musician... The shows that he organized with our classmates were spectacular,” he said.

Hilton appreciated that the 50th reunion attracted a particularly large number of alumni. “Fortunately the half-century mark brought out many classmates who had rarely or never before attended a reunion.  To me it was super-satisfying to hang out with old friends not seen for such a long interval. The life stories that we heard from each other were fascinating,” he said, adding that many of his classmates were pleased to see how the school has become more “welcoming, supportive and respectful” toward its community.

Over the weekend, alumni also got a chance to participate in a debate with current members of the Daniel Webster Debate Society, over whether or not campus should be moved to Hawaii. After contacting the Alumni Office, the class of 1966 arrived prepared with plastic flower leis and island-printed shirts.

Clyde Milner ’66 joked during his introduction at the debate, “I can’t recall a single topic that we debated on when I was in high school.” This was Milner’s second reunion—the only other time he returned was during his 25th reunion in 1991. He said that he was glad that the students of the opposing team caught onto his team’s playful attitude.

Upper Carissa Chen’s favorite part of the debate was when an alumnus brought a sign from Hawaii and placed it on the table in front of her team in the middle of the debate. She hoped to participate in an event like this again, and said the atmosphere of the debate was open, energetic and encouraging. 

“One of them even gave me a Hawaiian lei” she added.

Similarly, Robinson enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the debate. “I think the students had as much fun as the alums, and it gave us time to meet and talk with them after the debate was over. Exeter has some very special students and the Harkness table is a blessing to learning. I would hope that all of the students will expand their horizons,” he said.

Robinson added, “Even if the Academy does not move to Hawaii, I hope that other classes will follow in our tradition of meeting in such great places as Hana [for reunions] and expand their view of the world.”

Tim Box ’66 sat in the audience and cheered on his former classmates. This year was Box’s first reunion, but he has visited the campus several times. “Although [the alumni] may not have had as strong of an argument as the current team, it’s more of a sentimental feeling,” he said.

This week concludes reunion season. Box said that he was happy that he got to see all of his classmates, and photos from their Exeter days.

“A lot has changed about Exeter,” he said, referring to co-education and building renovations. “I do believe that it’s for the better.”