Saint Mary’s Hall Welcomes over 300 for Alumni Weekend
During the first weekend of April 2025, Saint Mary’s Hall welcomed over 300 alumni, former faculty members, and guests to campus for special celebrations of lifelong friendship and learning at SMH.
On Friday, they began the school day with an Alumni Remembrance Service to honor the memory and legacy of those classmates who have been lost along the way. Dr. Fredricc Brock led the service and was accompanied by the Upper School Vocal Ensemble directed by David Waterland. Concluding the service, alumni and guests made their way to the Head of School Welcome, where Len Miller discussed the importance of legacy and tradition, vision for the future of the school, and the role alumni play in sustaining and advancing their alma mater.
Alumni were then led on a campus tour with Director of Alumni Relations Nancy Lee Archer ‘16 and Ken Bentley, who worked with Bartlett Cocke on the team responsible for the planning and execution of building the Saint Mary’s Hall campus on Starcrest Drive in the late 1960s. Mr. Bentley shared stories of the early days of breaking ground on campus, the thought process behind the campus design under the architectural expertise and guidance of O’Neil Ford, and encouraged alumni to look and appreciate the details around them.
After walking around campus, alumni and guests stepped into the classroom, where former Upper School English Teacher Laird Loomis led a discussion on two of Robert Frost’s most well-known poetry works: “The Road Less Traveled” and “Mending Wall.” Alumni were invited to visit a few Upper School classes with current students to engage in continued learning opportunities.
Later that evening, alumni and guests gathered on campus for the Spring Alumni Party, where old friends and teachers reconnected and reminisced on their time at SMH. Saturday morning brought alumni and their families to campus for the Spring Alumni Picnic. Children got their faces painted and jumped in the bounce house, while alumni reconnected with friends and walked around campus. The weekend was filled with joy, laughter, happy tears, and new memories among classmates and friends. It was a delight to welcome community members back home!
