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By Darryl Gangloff

Wendy Levithan P'23, the Edgar Cullman '36 Teaching Chair and instructor in French, received the Lufkin Prize on May 13 during a ceremony in Katherine M. Elfers Hall. This distinguished award, established by Dan Lufkin '49, P'80,'82,'88,'23, is presented annually to a faculty member who serves as a role model for students and consistently demonstrates a commitment to ethical character and moral leadership.

Head of School Craig W. Bradley emphasized that the Lufkin Prize recognizes faculty members who consistently demonstrate ethical character, moral leadership, and a deep commitment to students' daily lives. "Among the many great pleasures and privileges that I enjoy as head of school is the opportunity each year to honor an outstanding member of the Hotchkiss faculty through the awarding of the Lufkin Prize," Bradley said, highlighting that faculty members are advisors and coaches beyond the classroom. "This level of care and commitment is remarkable, and it is evident in each and every teacher at Hotchkiss."

Dean of Faculty Shannon Clark acknowledged Levithan’s dedicated service to the Hotchkiss community since joining the faculty in 1998. Clark shared the sentiments of colleagues who described Levithan as "trusted, admired, generous, committed, thoughtful, deliberate, gentle, and full of integrity." 

Clark also applauded Levithan's various roles at Hotchkiss, including teaching French, leading immersion travel programs, and her leadership as head of the Classics and Modern Languages Department. “In my own conversations with Ms. Levithan this year, I have been struck by her intellectual fortitude, her quiet reflectiveness, her love of teaching, and above all, her steadfast devotion to the bien-être of her beloved students and colleagues.”

A central theme of Levithan's acceptance speech was her reflection on "little people" and "big people," a concept she used to articulate the diverse ways individuals contribute to the Hotchkiss community. "When I heard my name spoken by Charlie Frankenbach, he might as well have said, ‘the Lufkin Prize recipient this year is Wendy Levithan for the little people,’" she said, noting her surprise at being recognized. She explained that "big people are people who help you get to the heart of the matter, who teach us to stop still in awe," and who make others feel valued, while also acknowledging that everyone experiences moments of both "big" and "little." She humorously recounted a conversation with her mother about the "little people," which prompted her to reflect deeply on the award.

Levithan also introduced the concept of "being bittle," which she described as having "the courage to recognize and acknowledge our own littleness … and to move beyond it," while also recognizing that “being big requires humility.” Levithan proclaimed, “It doesn't matter how we identify or express ourselves…we're all part of the bittle tribe.”

She expressed deep gratitude to her colleagues, her family, and the entire Hotchkiss community. “This prize is about all of us. Yes, I'm the one who's speaking in this moment, but to me, there are two clear implications: one, as an active 'big little' person, I am worthy of this prize; and two, I could be any one of my colleagues who engages in 'big little' ways with this community,” she said.

"And finally, Hotchkiss, including everyone in this hall, this beautiful hall, those who have gone before you, and those who will come after you—thank you for all of my and your shared ‘big little’ moments, past, present, and future. Making this place and this community my work and home has been an adventure that I could not be more fortunate to have embraced," she said. “Et enfin, ce discours est terminé. Merci.”