A Centennial Celebration for All

CA’s Centennial Celebration

Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11

From June 9–11, more than 600 CA community members gathered at Concord Academy for the culminating Centennial Celebration. The festivities were unforgettable and encapsulated the power of a CA education.

 

Thank you to all who helped make CA’s Centennial so special. The Centennial was filled with wonderful once-in-a-century moments and it would not have been possible without our amazing CA community. We can’t wait to see what Concord Academy’s second century brings!

 

Be sure to check out:

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, June 9

3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Registration and Check-In
Welcome Tent, The Quad

4:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
Student-Led Campus Tours
Departs from the Welcome Tent

4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Opening of Centennial Archival Display and CA Oral History Project
Any time throughout the weekend, stop by the main school hallway to browse a decade-by-decade display of CA history in images and objects, based on stories shared in Concord Academy at 100: Voices from the First Century by Lucille Stott. There will also be an opportunity to contribute to a CA Centennial oral history project. Bring a friend and share your CA stories!
Main School Hallway, Classroom 145

Opening of Centennial Art Exhibit & “Origin Stories”
Any time throughout the weekend, stop by the Ransome Room to browse a digital alum art exhibit along with work by current CA students. You can also check out “Origin Stories: Concord Academy Photography Then and Now,” a display showcasing thirty years of CA’s photography program and a number of alums who have gone into careers in the Arts.
Ransome Room, Math and Arts Center

4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Concord Twilight Walking Tour
In partnership with Visit Concord, this 90-minute tour of Concord explores the streets and byways of the historic town CA calls home. Start the weekend immersed in the environment that has helped to shape our school’s culture.
Departs from the Welcome Tent

4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
Class of 1963 Gathering
Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel

5:00 p.m.
CA’s Campus Today and The Vision for Tomorrow
Join Don Kingman, director of campus planning and construction, for a walking tour of CA’s main campus. Learn about recent improvements, CA’s commitment to environmental sustainability, and hear the plans that will allow students to thrive in CA’s second century.
Departs from the Welcome Tent

6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Enjoy an evening with friends under the stars with artisanal pizza, craft beer and wine, and s’mores by the fire.
Dining Hall, Student-Faculty Center & Patio

6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Class of 1973 50th Reunion Dinner
Bailey Commons

Class of 1983 Gathering
Bradford House Common Room

Class of 1993 Gathering
Senior Section, Upper Student-Faculty Center

Class of 1998 Gathering
J. Josephine Tucker Library

Attendees of the 1983, 1993, and 1998 class gatherings should visit the Dining Hall & Patio, Student-Faculty Center to procure their food and drink.

Saturday, June 10

7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Student-Faculty Center

8:00 a.m.–8:45 a.m.
Morning Yoga
Dance Studio, Second Floor
Student Health and Athletic Center

8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Registration and Check-in
Welcome Tent

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Centennial Archival Display and CA Oral History Project
Contribute to the CA Centennial oral history project. Bring a friend and share your CA stories!

Also, any time throughout the weekend, stop by the main school hallway to browse a decade-by-decade display of CA history in images and objects, based on stories shared in Concord Academy at 100: Voices from the First Century by Lucille Stott.
Main School Hallway, Classroom 145

9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Walking Tours
Join faculty members, Sarah Yeh P’24 ’27 and Sally Zimmerli P’23, for a 90-minute walking tour of Concord. Please choose one of these concurrent tours:
Depart from the Welcome Tent

Women of Concord
Learn about some of the remarkable women who fought for justice in Concord and contributed to a uniquely American literary and artistic vision.

Indigenous People of Concord
Learn about the 10,000-year history of the Indigenous people of Concord (Musketaquid).

10:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m.
Centennial Memorial Service
This special service will honor and celebrate members of the community who remain alive in our hearts, and whose memories we will carry forward into CA’s future.
Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel

10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Student-Led Tours
Departs from the Welcome Tent

11:00 a.m.
Alum Chorus Practice
All alums are invited to join former CA choral director Keith Daniel to practice selections to be performed during Saturday evening’s program. No prior choral experience is necessary. Sign up to participate here.
Smith Room, Student Faculty Center

11:00 a.m.
The History of CA’s Campus: An Augmented Reality Tour
CA faculty and students have developed a mobile app that lets you experience the campus in a new way. In this interactive program, you will encounter stories from the people who inhabited CA’s land and spaces long before the school was founded. A smart device is encouraged to fully experience the tour via the Hoverlay app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play).
Departs from the Welcome Tent

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lunch for All Classes
Centennial Tent

 

CA’s Mission in Motion
Centennial Speaker Series
1:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.

 

CA alums contribute to positive change across generations and through a wide range of fields. We can’t imagine a better way to celebrate this milestone than shining a light on change makers who embody values at the heart of Concord Academy. On Saturday afternoon, CA authors, scientists, activists, creatives, journalists, educators, and difference-makers will lead stimulating conversations in a variety of settings and formats.

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
THE POWER OF PERSONAL STORIES
Performing Arts Center
Featuring Drew Gilpin Faust ’64, David Michaelis ’75, Imani Perry ’90, and moderator Lucille Stott

2:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Please select one of the following sessions:

CHANGING THE LENS
Women in Entertainment Share Essential Perspectives
Dance Studio, Student Health and Athletic Center
Featuring Susanna Fogel ’98, Danielle Lee ’93, Rachel Morrison ’96, and moderator Natalia Winkelman ’11

or
DESIGNING FOR RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Future is Up to Us
Lawn Behind the Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel
Featuring Lisa Dreier ’85, Sonia Lo ’84, and Tony Patt ’83

or
IN PURSUIT OF TRUTH
A Conversation About Journalism and Democracy
Performing Arts Center
Featuring Alexandra Berzon ’97, moderator Julia Preston ’69, Richard Read ’75, and Freddie Tunnard ’07

3:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Please select one of the following sessions:

CREATING CONNECTION
Transforming Models of Art and Cultural Expression to Build Understanding
Dance Studio, Student Health and Athletic Center
Featuring Emily Harney ’94, Julian Joslin ’05, moderator Amy Spencer P’13, and Zack Winokur ’07

or
IMPROVING THE HUMAN CONDITION THROUGH SCIENCE
Discovery for the Benefit of All
Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel
Featuring Peter de Blank ’92, Connor McCann ’14, moderator Lucy McFadden ’70, and Gail Weinmann ’67

or
MAKING CHANGE:
Leaders Discuss Empowering Communities & Social Progress
Performing Arts Center
Featuring Dave Cavell ’02, Catherine Gund ’83, moderator Lara Jordan James ’80, and Tremaine Wright ’90

4:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
Performing Arts Center
Featuring Trelane Clark ’92, P’22, Turahn Dorsey ’89, and Henry Fairfax

Be sure to check out the conversation descriptions. Couldn’t make it to campus? All conversations were recorded and can be found here.

5:00 p.m.
Student-Led Campus Tours
Departs from the Welcome Tent

The History of CA’s Campus: An Augmented Reality Tour
CA faculty and students have developed a mobile app that lets you experience the campus in a new way. In this interactive program, you will encounter stories from the people who inhabited CA’s land and spaces long before the school was founded. A smart device is encouraged to fully experience the tour via the Hoverlay app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play).
Departs from the Welcome Tent

5:00 p.m.
Shuttle Pick-up Begins at Area Hotels and Designated Parking Lots
Arrives to Main Gate Circle

6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Centennial Celebration and Dinner
Centennial Tent
Let’s gather for a memorable evening filled with music and joy! This special evening program will feature a series of toasts
from some of CA’s luminaries and performances by:

    • The Centennial Student Ensemble
    • Nashville-based singer and songwriter, Lena Stone ’11
    • The Alum Chorus led by Keith Daniel, former CA choral director
    • Hank Wonder, where the twang of Classic Country meets the grit of Southern Soul, featuring Annie Bartlett P ’24 and Ben Bartlett ’24

Together we’ll toast an unforgettable milestone, 100 years in the making!

10:30 p.m.
Last Shuttle Leaves Campus
Departs Main Gate Circle

*Shuttles will be available from 7:00–10:30 PM for service to local hotels and parking lots. They will depart from Aloian Circle.

Sunday, June 11

8:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Farewell Jazz Brunch
Student-Faculty Center

12:00 p.m.
House Check Out

Ways to Participate

Sign up for the Alum Chorus

Music has long held an important role at Concord Academy, with generations of students bonded by their shared experience of singing and performing. To honor this treasured tradition, an alum chorus, led by former CA choral director Keith Daniel, performed as part of the Saturday evening program during the Centennial Celebration. It was a night filled with music and joy!

View the Centennial Art Exhibit

Any time throughout the weekend, visitors could stop by the Ransome Room to browse a digital alum art exhibit along with work by current CA students. They could also check out “Origin Stories: Concord Academy Photography Then and Now,” a display showcasing thirty years of CA’s photography program and a number of alums who have gone into careers in the Arts.

Add to the Centennial Archival Display

Throughout the Centennial weekend, visitors stopped by the main school hallway to browse a decade-by-decade display of CA history and helped contribute to it by bringing their CA mementos.

Centennial Planning and Advisory Team

The following individuals have given generously of their time and talents, helping to envision and prepare programming that welcomed all to participate in CA’s Centennial celebration.

    Alum Advisory Committee

    Kitty Fisk Ames ’65, P’95
    Former Board President & Life Trustee

    Amy Cammann Cholnoky ’73
    Former trustee, Centennial Campaign Steering Committee

    Jamie Wade Comstock ’82, P’17
    Centennial Campaign Steering Committee

    Ingrid von Dattan Detweiler ’61, P’95
    Former trustee & Alumnae/i Association President

    Mike Firestone ’01
    Former Trustee

    Marion Freeman ’69
    Former Board President & Life Trustee

    Lara Jordan James ’80
    Former trustee & alumnae/i leader

    Zahaan Khalid ’21
    Young Alumnae/i Leader

    Jamie Klickstein ’86, P’15 ’18
    Trustee & former Alumnae/i Association President

    Michael Lichtenstein ’94
    Chair, Class Secretaries Program

    Karen McAlmon ’75
    Former Alumnae/i Association President & current Trustee

    Laura McConaghy ’01
    Former Trustee & Alumnae/i Association President

    Rebecca Miller ’14
    Co-chair, CAYAC Committee

    Alex Ocampo ’10
    Young Alumnae/i Leader

    Katie Pakenham ’88
    Former faculty & alumnae/i leader

    Miriam Perez-Putnam ’12
    Co-chair, CAYAC Committee

    Carol Sacknoff P’94
    Former staff, alumnae/i guru

    Fay Lampert Shutzer ’65
    President, Board of Trustees

    Lucille Stott
    Former faculty member and administrator, centennial book author

    Kelsey Stratton ’99
    Former Trustee & President of the Alumnae/i Association

    Tom Wilcox P’01
    Former Head of School

    Linden Havemeyer Wise ’70
    Former Board President & Life Trustee

    Faculty & Staff Planning Committee

    Michael Bennett
    Performing Arts Department Head

    Justin Bull P’25
    Interim Dean of Faculty

    Renee Coburn
    Chief of Staff

    Merrill Genoa
    Annual Fund and Alumnae/i Programs Officer

    Henry Fairfax
    Head of School and Dresden Endowed Chair

    Max Hall
    Science faculty member

    Sue Johnson P’20
    Director of Athletics

    Martha Kennedy
    Library Director, archivist

    Don Kingman
    Director of Campus Planning, Design and Construction

    Heidi Koelz
    Senior Associate Director of Communications

    Wenjun Kuai
    Mandarin teacher, house faculty

    Rob Munro
    Assistant Head for Academics and Equity

    Alice Roebuck P’25
    Assistant Head for Advancement and Engagement  (co-chair)

    Hilary Rouse
    Director of Engagement

    Heather Sullivan
    Director of Marketing and Communications

    Sarah Yeh P’24
    Associate Head for Teaching, Learning, and Faculty

    Service and Sustainability at CA: Highlights from 100 Years

    Throughout Concord Academy’s history, our students, faculty, and staff have taken action to care for one another and our earth. In these highlights from CA’s 100 years, we see exemplified a common commitment to service and sustainability.

    Service During World War II

    During the 1940s, CA students supported war relief efforts by knitting, sending care packages, staging plays, and doing chores to raise funds. They trained as plane spotters on Nashawtuc Hill, practiced first aid, and prepared surgical dressings for local blood banks. Many young alums served overseas—Headmistress Wheeler’s scrapbook from 1942 lists 33 in service in the Women’s Army Corps, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, and the Red Cross. Faculty also served in the Red Cross, including English teachers Doreen Young and Mary Manso, who was awarded the Army’s Medal of Freedom. This commemorative painting hangs in the J. Josephine Tucker library.

    Good Citizens

    In CA’s early years, a coveted white jacket—a prize for citizenship—was awarded annually to one senior. Headmistress Elizabeth B. Hall ended the tradition, placing importance on good citizenship for all students. “We need to serve in order to be our whole selves,” she said in an assembly in November 1960. In the following decade, CA’s curriculum began to reflect that. Ruth Scult, a social worker, taught an influential course in community service, taking students on field trips to the Framingham Women’s prison and what was then called the Fernald State School, where they interacted with children with disabilities. Illustration by Elizabeth M. Corey ’59.

    Environmental Conference & Earth Day

    Several months before the first national Earth Day, CA students organized an Environmental Crisis Conference. Held in December 1969, the gathering welcomed 230 representatives from 20 public and private schools, along with elected officials and environmental professionals. A few months later, CA celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970 by setting up information-exhibit booths at several locations in downtown Concord. Along with students from Xavier, Concord-Carlisle High School, and Middlesex, they showed their concern about the environmental crisis with exhibits highlighting pollution in the Concord area and urged townspeople to take public transportation.

    Joan Shaw Herman Award

    In 1976, the Alumnae/i Association established the Joan Shaw Herman Award for Distinguished Service. The only award given by Concord Academy, it was established to honor the life of Joan Shaw Herman ’46. Despite being stricken with polio and often confined to an iron lung, Herman dedicated her life to improving the well-being of others with disabilities. Since it was first given to her posthumously, over 40 alums have received this award in recognition of their service—they have exemplified generosity and have shared with our community their own visions of a better world.

    Winterfest

    Decemberfest, the precursor to today’s Winterfest, began in 1982 as a means of raising money for A Better Chance, a nonprofit organization that works to recruit and develop leaders among young people of color in the U.S. Since then, students have continued to organize the fundraising event for financial aid at CA, then in most recent years, for an organization of their choosing. In February 2022, students hosted Winterfest to raise money for the Loveland Foundation, which brings opportunity and healing to communities of color, especially to Black women and girls.

    Volunteerism Reinvigorated

    The 1990s saw a renewed interest in service at CA. A Centipede article from 1989 acknowledged the influence of Jen Quest-Stern ’90 and Catherine Moellering ’90 in revitalizing the Volunteers in Action (VIA) club, whose members served in soup kitchens, visited area nursing homes, and spent time with disabled adults at Minute Man Arc. In 1993, the club took a different name, United for the Community (UFC), organizing weekly trips to after-school programs for elementary school students, among other activities. From the sale of ceramics to benefit Rosie’s Place to the Needle Arts Club’s knitting of hats for premature infants, CA students used their time and talents to benefit their communities.

    Environmental Science Reimagined

    A new Environmental Science course introduced at CA in 1993 built on teaching that fostered practical, applied, and experimental learning—getting students out into rivers, fields, and forests as well as the laboratory. The spring 1994 issue of CA Magazine says it “began with a few basic intentions: to place students at the heart of scientific inquiry, sharing with them the wonder and excitement of scientific discovery; to engage students in hands-on work, making them active participants and critical thinkers rather than passive learners; and, to encourage advance study in the sciences, preparing students for the enormous challenges ahead in the 21st century.”

    Hurricane Katrina Support

    After Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, the CA community channeled empathy into action, raising more than $15,000 for relief efforts through a blues concert, Concord Academy Students in Action (CASA) bake sales, and, most importantly, canceling the annual advisor-advisee dinner and reallocating those funds. CA also welcomed two brothers from Louisiana who had been displaced by the hurricane. In June 2007, a large group of students and faculty headed to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild homes and engage in other relief efforts, and additional groups did the same over the next several summers.

    Polar Plunge

    In December 2007, several CA students and Academic Dean John Drew braved a frigid Walden Pond in the name of the fight to reduce global warming. The Polar Plunge was part of protests organized worldwide to coincide with the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali. Environmental actions on campus became sustained during this decade. The year before, CA’s Green Club began a composting program in the dining hall that continues to this day.

    CA Service Trips

    The first of a series of CA-sponsored service trips began in 2007. Within the U.S., students traveled to help local communities in Kiln, Miss., and New Orleans; Washington, D.C.; West Virginia; South Dakota; and Vermont. Environmental and education-focused trips also brought CA students to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. Over seven trips between 2009 and 2016, math teacher and former Peace Corps volunteer George Larivee accompanied a total of 89 CA students who built libraries in small Nicaraguan communities and taught in local primary schools.

    Environmental Activism

    In 2019, young CA alums such as Audrey Lin ’19 began taking leadership roles in the Sunrise Movement of young people fighting for climate action in the U.S. That spring, CA students succeeded in urging the Town of Concord’s Select Board to approve a resolution supporting a Green New Deal. On September 30, 2019, some 300 members of the CA campus community protested in Boston during a Global Climate Strike. And CA’s Environmental Symposium—begun decades ago as a local consortium—continues today as a fall-semester course that connects students with climate activists and alums and experts in environmental science.

    CA's Sustainability Plan

    In 2019, Concord Academy became one of the first independent schools in the Northeast to release a comprehensive sustainability plan. The plan’s goals include dedicating faculty/staff time to sustainability efforts and reducing campus greenhouse emissions and food and energy waste. Learn more.