Alums, do you recognize this special spot on campus? Teachers Juan Rivera and Perry Zanki took a group of students to explore Elephant Rock where they shared stories about Elephant Rock and a photo of students from the 19th century on the rock, courtesy of Sara Mullen in the Archives. We thought you’d like to know that the tradition lives on!

It was wonderful to welcome so many alums back to campus for the 2025 Alums Weekend! Thanks to all who attended and to the staff, faculty, and students who worked hard to make the weekend a succuess. There will be much more about Alums Weekend in the next issue of The Westonian, but in the meantime, you can enjoy photos from the weekend here!

Congratulations to alum and Trustee Gary Linnen ’96, who was just named to the inaugural ForbesBLK 50 list! Forbes calls this list, “the inaugural list of the most powerful, impactful, and wealthiest Black Americans…combining some of the richest Black Americans with pioneering entrepreneurs, activists, and innovators.” This list includes Dr. Dre, Michael Jordan, Beyonce, and CEOs and leaders from across the United States.

Linnen is the CEO of Peer Forward, a nonprofit organization that develops programs for young people and has successfully placed more than 600,000 students from low-income community on college or career paths.

Director of College Counseling Jess Smith and her daughter Melissa Freeman ‘26 visited Davidson College and saw (L to R) Logan Jain ‘22, (Melissa, Jess,) Norah Goldbecker ‘23, Noah Fisher ‘23, and Kavi Gandhi ‘21. They enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Davidson from alums and to catch up on life at Westtown!

Alums Weekend 2024 is in the books! Thanks to all who came to campus to share in the fellowship in spite of the rain! Thanks also go to all the staff, faculty, and students whose hard work make these events special.

Stay tuned for an Alums Weekend recap in the next issue of the Westonian magazine. In the meantime, enjoy the galleries of photos here!

As part of their new series Identity, Value, and Politics, The History Department and the EJB team hosted their first speaker Westtown alum Nick Thomas ’02. Nick ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as an Independent Candidate in Colorado’s 2nd District in 2018. He currently serves the American Friends Service Committee as the clerk of the Committee on Friends Relations. Nick is also an actor, most recently with starring roles in An Egypt Affair (2023) and Amazon Queen (2021). 

As his bio notes, “Nick grew up within the formative walls of the Boulder Friends Meeting, which he still considers his primary Meeting. He also attends, when possible, the Estes Park Friends/Unitarian group where his parents reside, Intermountain Yearly Meeting, and whatever Meeting he can find in the cities he visits. Nick attended Westtown School and Earlham College, wanting in both to seek out a greater understanding of Quaker practices and values beyond his upbringing. Outside, he is a proven generalist with a particular passion in politics – especially around climate activism and national service; and is also a pilot, actor and producer, and often involved in event management. In 2005 he spent half a year living with, and working as personal assistant to, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, and has long supported the initiatives and Beloved Community principles of the Martin Luther King Center. He holds a Masters in International Diplomacy and an MBA, was chosen as a 2015 Gabr Fellow, 2008 Congressional Youth Ambassador to South Korea, and as an OFA Fellow. He is an Eagle Scout and Rotarian, a lifetime member and supporter of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and of Hosteling International, and a Board member of AREI.” 

During his visit with groups of students, Nick spoke about his family’s personal connections with Coretta Scott King and her family, as well as how his Quakerism and experiences at Westtown and beyond have shaped his life philosophy and political beliefs. He described how a commitment to peace and nonviolence informed leaders in the civil rights movement, and he shined a light on movements for peace including the Christmas truce of World War I and the worldwide ceasefire of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, led by Andrew Young. He discussed the dangers of political polarization and how rank-choice voting and embracing independent candidates might help us move beyond a two-party political system. Nick encouraged students to take positive risks as he has in his own life, most recently leading to his roles in several recent movies. ~Louisa Egan Brad, Dean of Equity, Justice, and Belonging

In January, alums and community members hit the Coach Downey Court for the Annual Alums/Community Basketball game. It was wonderful to see so many alums back on campus and back on the court! Enjoy the gallery of photos here.

Have you registered for Alums Weekend? Alums Weekend, May 17-19, is fast approaching, but there is still time to register! We have so many special activities planned and we hope you will take the opportunity to gather with friends, have some fun, and enjoy the beautiful campus. We hope to see you soon!