Alumnae Weekend Welcomes More Than 180 to Celebrate Connection

Last weekend, more than 180 Kent Place alumnae — spanning members from the Class of 1961 to the Class of 2021 — returned to campus for two days of festivities and reconnection. Everyone was celebrated, and reunion classes ending in 1 and 6 were given a special nod. 

Friday, April 24

To kick off the weekend, a group of some 50 alumnae, current and past parents, and former faculty and staff gathered for Kent Place’s Legacy Luncheon. In its fourth year, the event recognizes members of our Heritage Society and the Oak Leaf Society for their commitment to Kent Place and their philanthropic impact. The Chamber Singers performed a rendition of “Earth Song” during lunch, and then Head of School Jennifer Galambos and alumna Anne (Harding) Woodworth ’61 spoke to attendees.

Returning for their 50th anniversary, alumnae from the Class of 1976 met with their Grade 4 pen pals over cookies and lemonade to share stories of campus life then and now. 

As the newest members of Kent Place’s Wisdom Circle, the Class of 1976, along with classmates from 1961, 1966, and 1971, enjoyed cocktails and dinner at the Beacon Hill Club. Meanwhile, the classes of 1986, 1991, 2001, and 2006 celebrated together. A heartfelt thank-you to hosts Lisa (Cohen) Lee ’86, Aimee (Cullen) Reali ’91 P ’23 ’29, Rachel Rosenthal-Sadow ’01 P ’36, and Morgan (Furst) Certner ’06, and to all who supported and attended off-campus celebrations.

Saturday, April 25

More than 100 enjoyed the Mabie House Welcome Brunch, hosted by the Alumnae Association. Remarks were given by Dr. Galambos, Chief Advancement Officer Beth Gottung, Alumnae Association Board President Beth Oliva ’97, and Board Chair Katie Machir ’95 P ’28. 

“I hope,” said Katie, “that as fellow alumnae, you feel the same pride I do — not only in what Kent Place gave each of us, but also in what it provides for today’s students, and for generations to come. Thank you for returning to campus, for staying connected, and for being an essential part of this community.”

Next, four distinguished alumnae received prestigious awards. Gretchen (Pfaff) Riley ’66 was honored with the Barbara Wight Biddison ’30 Distinguished Alumna Award; Meredith Bayse ’06 earned the Alumna Professional Achievement Award; Andrea Carson Tanner ’91 was selected for the Alumna Community Service Award; and Lizzy (Miggins) King ’11 went home with the Young Alumna Award. Read more about the award-winners here.

From campus tours led by Green Key students to hard-hat tours of the Leadership Center construction led by Director of Operations Matthew DeLaRosa and from back-to-school class lectures to a book discussion with the Community Life and Well-Being Alumnae Council, guests were kept busy indeed! 

The weekend concluded with a lively celebration Saturday evening in Mabie House. Alumnae said “Cheers to the years,” reconnected and reminisced, and danced the night away. The Class of 1966 ate dinner at the Canoe Brook Country Club and the Class of 1961 enjoyed a sloppy-joe dinner at the home of one of their classmates, Barbara (Cox) Stevenson. 

It was wonderful seeing so many of our alumnae who came back to campus as they chatted away, took part in events, strengthened their connection to the KPS community, and had a blast!