With a record 350 plus alums in attendance, and more than 400 guests, Chapin’s 2025 Alumnae Reunion was a resounding success! Beginning on April 25, alumnae from all over the globe, from the Classes of 1946-2020, returned to 100 East End Avenue for two days of joyous festivities.
Over both days, a special nod was given to the Classes ending in 0 and 5, whose major milestones were delayed due to Covid-19, turned out in record numbers this year. The 70th Reunion Class of 1955 and the 65th Reunion Class of 1960 each boasted 10 members in attendance. The 60th Reunion Class of 1965 had a remarkable more than 20 members attending and raised over $50,000 for Annual Giving. The 25th Reunion Class of 2000 and the 50th Reunion Class of 1975 also had over 20 classmates present. The 40th Reunion Class of 1985 wowed with over 25 members, and finally, more than 30 members each returned from the 5th Reunion Class of 2020, the 10th Reunion Class of 2015, and the 20th Reunion Class of 2005.
On Friday, in addition to touring the School and visiting classes, attendees had the opportunity to hear two remarkable Class 12 Individual Study presentations. Lucy B. presented her study titled “Ancient Roman Women: Illustrated Art and Stories to Teach About Roman Women in Antiquity” and Lydia M. shared “Maxwell’s Equations: A Methodical Look at Their Impact on Modern Physics: An application of Maxwell’s Equations in Modeling Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.”
At 5:00 p.m., alums headed to the Assembly Room for the Alumnae Association Annual Meeting. “Reunion is a powerful reflection of Chapin’s strong connections: a bridge between generations, a celebration of learning, and a testament to the strength of community,” began Alumnae Association President Wallis Post ’99. “Each of you carries the lessons of your phenomenal teachers and the spirit of this school in all that you do.”
“As we gather in our beloved Assembly Room,” she continued, “I am reminded of the words of our founder, Maria Bowen Chapin, who envisioned a school where ‘profound recognition of the dignity of sound scholarship’ and ‘courage to attempt the untrodden ways’ would be the cornerstones of our philosophy. Her vision has guided us through the decades and continues to as we stand united in that vision.”
Following Wallis was the 50th Reunion Class Speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Harper ’75. “I know I speak for all when I say how amazed we are of how much the School has grown, changed and flourished over the last 50 years,” she said. “It is so great to see everyone back in this Assembly Room, a space that houses so many memories for all of us.”
After Dr. Harper shared fond Chapin memories and the skills she gratefully attributes to her education here, Miriam Syoum ’25, President of Student Self-Government, shared her own reflections.
“Chapin isn’t just a school—it’s a constant, a foundation, a shared story,” she said. “For many of us in the Class of 2025, it’s where we learned to think critically, to care deeply and to laugh wholeheartedly. And now, we find ourselves on the cusp of becoming alumnae, joining the ranks of those who came before us.”
This sense of togetherness isn’t unique to the Class of 2025—it’s something that defines Chapin across generations. Whether you graduated in 1975, 2025, or any year in between, you carry the mark of this community: the ability to see beyond yourself, to lift others up and to find joy in collective success…so here’s to Chapin, and to every class that has walked its halls. We are links in a chain that stretches far beyond these walls. And though we may scatter, that chain will remain unbroken.”
The meeting concluded with the official induction of the Class of 2025, remarks from Board Chair LeeAnn Black and Head of School Suzanne Fogarty, and the singing of the School Song. From the Assembly Room, alums made their way up to the 11th floor Athletic Center for a night of celebration!
Our alums returned to Chapin on Saturday morning, having the option to play badminton with beloved P.E. teachers Mike Davis and Jane Anne Randolph and/or learn more about our Lower School Humanities program through an in-depth presentation by Miranda Orbach, Head of LS Literacy and Social Studies.
At noon, alums gathered in the Gordon Room for the annual Reunion Lunch, where joy, connection and reminiscing abounded. Ms. Fogarty shared brief remarks noting how special it was to see so many alums who had not been in the building in over a decade and welcoming the Class of 2020 to their first Reunion.
Following lunch, our Alum Cultural Awareness Program (ACAP) held a gathering where friends met and mingled, enjoying each other’s company.
Thank you to our Alumnae Board, with special kudos to Sonali Pillay Pizzitola ’06 and Lucinda Ballard May ’05, and to all the Reunion Committee members, our Class Representatives and the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the past several months to make this event so wonderful. We can’t wait to welcome our alums back soon!
Photos taken by a Chapin staff member and photographer Virginie Carolina
