![Hotchkiss Celebrates 50 Years of Coeducation with Joyful, Reflective Weekend]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746559872/hotchkiss/nrspnkzc2bbusclkm0tt/Hotchkiss-50th-Celebration-of-Coeducation-Thumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746559872/hotchkiss/nrspnkzc2bbusclkm0tt/Hotchkiss-50th-Celebration-of-Coeducation-Thumb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746559872/hotchkiss/nrspnkzc2bbusclkm0tt/Hotchkiss-50th-Celebration-of-Coeducation-Thumb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746559872/hotchkiss/nrspnkzc2bbusclkm0tt/Hotchkiss-50th-Celebration-of-Coeducation-Thumb.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1746559872/hotchkiss/nrspnkzc2bbusclkm0tt/Hotchkiss-50th-Celebration-of-Coeducation-Thumb.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1746559872/hotchkiss/nrspnkzc2bbusclkm0tt/Hotchkiss-50th-Celebration-of-Coeducation-Thumb.jpg","width":2200}])
By Darryl Gangloff
Hotchkiss commemorated the 50th anniversary of coeducation from May 2-4 with a celebratory weekend that cheered all those who have left their mark on the School since 1974.
The festivities began on Friday evening with an opening reception at the Tremaine Art Gallery, featuring the exhibition Perspective Narrative. It features works by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) alumnae artists Megan Lee '13, Dear Liu '19, and Wan Lin Qin '17 and explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging. The exhibit runs through June 7.
The opening reception for the Tremaine Art Gallery's Perspective Narrative exhibit kicked off the weekend celebration.
The evening continued with the premiere of the documentary Women of Hotchkiss: The First 50 Years. It traces the history of coeducation at Hotchkiss, which started as a controversial idea and quickly grew to fundamentally alter the School for the better. The film begins with the founding of the School by Maria Bissell Hotchkiss and touches on how the School thrived under Headmaster George Van Santvoord, Class of 1908. It then delves into the roles that former Headmaster Bill Olsen ’39 and his wife, Jean Olsen, played in bringing girls to Hotchkiss. The film is narrated by Allison Janney ’77, and the voices of current students are woven throughout. The School is grateful to the generous donors who made the documentary possible. (Information on local and virtual screenings of the documentary will be shared soon.)
Attendees then headed to the Student Center for an alumnae panel hosted by Bluestockings. Club Co-Heads Anna Ruiz ’25 and Audrey Helling ’25 moderated the panel, which featured Tina Test ’76, Deirdre Lord ’85, P'27, Grace Hazelton ’19, Dana Brisbane ’08, and Sameena Shahid Groves ’97, P'29. They shared their distinct Hotchkiss experiences, highlighting how the School has evolved over the past 50 years to reflect the shifting social and educational landscapes.
Serena Nam ’26, a member of Bluestockings, said, “The panel allowed members of the community to learn about women’s experiences, understand what challenges remain constant for female students, and see how the community has grown thanks to the inclusion and treatment of women over the past few decades.”
Students discussed life at Hotchkiss during a panel on Saturday, May 4.
Engaging Events, Performances, and History Lessons
Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in various activities that celebrated the contributions of women to the Hotchkiss community.
Students provided insights into current School life, as well as Hotchkiss history, through a panel and presentations. Alumni cheered on Bearcats at athletic events, and performances by a cappella groups Calliope and Blue Notes and student band MB140 showcased the vibrant talent on campus. The Hotchkiss Philharmonic added a touch of musical elegance with a season finale concert that featured pianist Olga Kern, guest conductor Oliver Weder, and a fantastic group of professional musicians and Hotchkiss students.
Visitors also joined Amy Wheeler, executive director of Learning Courage, for a facilitated conversation on the multifaceted experience of being a woman at Hotchkiss and beyond.
On Saturday evening, all guests celebrated with dinner and dancing at Hotchkiss’s beautiful Fairfield Farm.
Members of the Class of 1977 gathered for a group photo at the dinner on Saturday night.
A Homecoming for Alumni
The weekend served as a reunion for many classmates, including a large group from the Class of 1977. “The details of the year came together to create a wonderfully memorable weekend of activities and fellowship for us, and it highlighted a thriving Hotchkiss for those who haven't been back often,” said Cindy Schmidt Softy '77, P'07,'09.
Robin Chandler ’87, project manager for the 50th anniversary commemoration, said the weekend was unforgettable. “The 50th anniversary of coeducation wasn’t just a milestone—it was a homecoming for so many of us,” she said. “Having been a part of this community for nearly my entire life, I had a front-row seat to witness the courage of the pioneer female students who paved the way for all the girls who followed. As a student, I learned from many of the groundbreaking female faculty members, and I am deeply grateful for the unique opportunity to have worked alongside them for so many years once I joined the faculty. I have watched generations grow, challenge norms, and redefine what inclusion truly means. This celebration honors every step we’ve taken together and the promising future I know Hotchkiss will continue to build.”
