Alumni Reunion

On a beautiful autumn weekend, Suffield Academy welcomed back alumni from classes ending in 0 and 5 to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their reunion year. The festivities began Friday evening as the girls’ soccer and field hockey teams competed under the lights. Alumni gathered under a tent adjacent to the turf fields, enjoying food, drinks, and conversation while cheering on the Tigers.

Saturday brought warm fall weather and a full slate of activities. Guests took advantage of several outdoor offerings—from golf at Suffield Country Club and campus tours led by student tour guides to practicing their tennis game and golf swings at the new Tennis and Golf Center. Many ventured out to the Courtney Robinson ’88 Outdoor Leadership Center to climb the rock wall and high ropes course, while others began their day with a rejuvenating yoga class at the Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88 Balance Barn.

In the midst of the activities Head of School Charlie Cahn hosted a State of the School meeting highlighting Suffield’s past, present, and future. Four members of the Class of 2026 joined Mr. Cahn to engage in a dynamic conversation with alumni and parents. Athletic contests filled the afternoon before the evening’s celebrations began.

As part of this year’s Reunion Weekend, faculty welcomed the Class of 2020 back to Bell Hill for a special gathering commemorating their Suffield graduation. The Class of 2020 Suffield Bell was named in honor of their resilient spirit during the challenges of their senior spring amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Head of School Charlie Cahn shared remarks that he concludes each Commencement with—words that symbolize the essence of Suffield Academy’s philosophy: “First, I want to reiterate that we are proud of you and have high expectations of you. As your life journeys unfold, please try to remember a few ideas we have sought to instill in you. These are among Suffield’s most cherished core values. First, we feel a vital way to evaluate your life is by the distance you travel, as students and as people. Hard work matters. You will find that your destiny will be more a function of effort than intellect. Second, be yourselves and be proud of who you are, and be inclusive and loving to others. And, third, as I mention each year and feel most strongly about—always keep in mind the immense importance of good will, and of being uplifting to others. ‘Three things in human life are important,’ Henry James noted. ‘The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind’.” Before members of the Class of 2020 eagerly lined up to ring the bell, Mr. Cahn closed with the Robert Frost quote that concludes Commencement each May: ‘Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.’ Suffield extends this offer to you, and we hope you will return often.”

Following the Bell Hill ceremony, alumni from classes spanning 1965 to 2020 gathered in Koo Dining Room for a celebratory dinner. Assistant Director of Development Colin Dowd ’12 opened the evening with several annual awards: Tim Hemingway ’65 was the first to register for this year’s Reunion, Po Lamsam ’85 traveled the farthest (from Thailand), and the Fuller Cup and Trustee Award were presented to the Class of 1965.

Before dinner, Head of School Charlie Cahn welcomed alumni, trustees, and current and former faculty—including Dave Godin, Dennis Kinne, Gerry LaPlante, and Brett Vianney—who also was celebrating his 55th Suffield reunion. Reflecting on the Suffield’s nearly two-century history, Charlie emphasized that while Suffield’s infrastructure has evolved its core philosophy remains unaltered.

“We continue to offer an educational environment where close relationships between students and faculty—and a true emphasis on community—are at the center of what we do,” he shared. “It is interesting to reflect on the journey that has been traveled here—from relying on farmstock revenue in the 1920s to pay our bills, to nearly closing in 1952, to being rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s, to returning to coeducation in the 1970s, to becoming highly selective but still laser focused on being unpretentious, firmly dedicated to supporting the growth of each student, and being carefully mindful of how formative the years our students spend in this place—at such a key period of their lives—are in their life journeys.”

Before guests enjoyed dessert and took to the dance floor, Charlie closed by reminding everyone of Suffield’s enduring motto: Esse Quam Videri—to be rather than to seem. It was a spirited and memorable weekend celebrating relationships and the incredible spirit of Suffield Academy.

To view photos from Reunion, please use this link and enter your email and password: 1019