Reunion 2025 Highlights

Reunion Weekend was a triumphant success, bringing together 412 guests—264 alumni and friends—who lit up The Governor's Academy campus with laughter, stories, and joyful celebration.

We kicked off the weekend with our traditional Old Guard Champagne and 50th Reunion Luncheon with Head of School Dr. Peter H. Quimby '85, P'14 and Spencer Purinton '75, P'13,'14,'20, who thanked guests for their part in making the recent With True Courage campaign such a resounding success and inspiring engagement and support among younger alumi.

Dr. Quimby noted that a significant part of the campaign's success is attributed to planned gifts ($23M of the $100M raised in the campaign came through planned gifts) that will help fund future scholarships for students, faculty support, and grow our endowment. Following the luncheon, Dr. Quimby hosted an open information session to share exciting highlights from the Academy's new strategic plan. 

Saturday morning brought perfect running conditions for the traditional Tot Trot and 5K Pie Race. Neil He '13 won his second consecutive Pie Race, clocking a brisk 19:26 time, followed by Yu Nakagawa '00 with a course time of 20:39, and Grace Everett '20 and Larson Bidstrup '15 crossing the finish line at 23:43 and 23:44, respectively. World-class long-distance runner Caroline Ott '05, who recently ran a 3:03:25 time in the Eugene, Oregon marathon, walked the Pie Race to recover from an injury, but we were glad to see her on the course! And it wouldn't be a Pie Race without Faculty Emeritus David "Abu" Abusamra P'93 and Ben Beach '67, who finished the race together. 

 

Dr. Peter Quimby emceed the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association and Awards Ceremony, sharing some remarkable student and alumni achievements from the past year, as well as highlights from the Academy's new strategic plan, showcasing the strength of our Governor's community and the bright road ahead for Govs. Members of the Class of 1975, Rich O'Leary, Rob Kaplan, and Barry Miller, then presented the 50th Reunion Class Gift. 

Alumni Council President John Heald '64, also the 2024 Alumnus of the Year, then read a moving citation to honor Albert "A.C." Hubbard '55 with the Non Sibi Sed Aliis Award, which is given annually to an alumnus/a who has brought pride to the Academy by embodying the spirit of the school motto, "not for self, but for others." Heald noted Hubbard's longtime support for education and access, including the recently endowed scholarship fund for Governor's students set up by A.C. and his wife, Penny.

Dr. Peter Quimby honored John Elwell '60 with a silver bowl for the Alumnus/a of the Year award, presented annually to an alumnus/a for their exceptional loyalty and service to The Governor's Academy.

As Dr. Quimby noted, "For 65 years, John has ensured that members of his class remain connected to Govs, while also finding opportunities to enhance the curriculum of current students. From acting as a Class Secretary to connecting community organizations with academic departments at Govs, he enriches the Academy community every day."

 

Later that afternoon, reunioners and guests enjoyed a variety of activities, including the Alumni Art & Literary Show featuring artist Michael Terrile '85 in the Peter Marshall French Student Center, a wine tasting in Phillips, a bounce house and face painter for kids, and a dedicated group of nature enthusiasts popped umbrellas and joined Diana Burnell '00 for a nature and foraging walk around campus. 

 

The Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony was standing room only, as guests gathered to pay tribute to the Class of 2025 inductees Coach Steve Metz P'07, Terry Golden '64, Bill Alfond '67, Bill Batchelder '91, P'22,'23,'25, Beth Depratto '01, and Brian Morrissey '05. 

The Governor's Academy Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to honor those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the quality and tradition of Governor's athletics. The first class was inducted in the fall of 2003, and since then, the Academy has inducted 48 individuals, including this 2025 class.

It was a privilege to relive some vivid athletic achievements through the eyes of the former coaches, teammates, friends, and family members of these exceptional athletes. As Bill Alfond noted, athletics and healthy competition are key to nurturing happiness and well-being among our students, and Governor's continues to value a strong tradition of encouraging healthy competition and celebrating athletic achievement. Former players of Steve Metz gathered afterward at the Alfond Coastal Research Center for a reception hosted by Board of Trustees President Paul Nardone '86, P'19, who also played under Steve.

 

I have not been on campus for decades, yet somehow it feels like I never left.

Alumni, families, and friends later gathered for class dinners and festive dancing under the tent. It was a heartwarming homecoming to have so many members of the Class of 2020 gather again in Byfield with classmates and faculty, many of whom had not seen each other since the early spring of 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. 

As one alumnus shared, "I have not been on campus for decades, yet somehow it feels like I never left."

 

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Reunion photo gallery