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Betts and her classmates revel in the celebration during their 50th Reunion Parade of Classes.

In recognition of her 50th Reunion, Betts Howes Murray ’73 and her husband Wisner have provided a gift of unrestricted support to Infinite Horizon: The Campaign for Emma Willard School. Betts and Wisner have each served in leadership roles at prestigious private high schools, noting the way these experiences have shaped their belief in the importance of unrestricted funds.

Betsy and David Gross, photographed by their son Robbie Gross

Elizabeth "Betsy" Gifford Gross ’72 and David Gross have profoundly impacted Emma Willard School with an unrestricted gift to the Infinite Horizon campaign. Their generous philanthropic support reflects an understanding of Emma Willard's operational needs, a deeply-held belief in the transformative power of girls’ education, and strong confidence in the school’s leadership to direct the funding where it's needed most.

Karen Brifu-Lacy ’04

We caught up with Trustee Karen Brifu-Lacy ’04 to gain insight into what keeps her connected to Emma Willard School, and what inspired her unrestricted giving to the Infinite Horizon campaign.

ellen strickler

A board member, committee chair, fundraiser, leader, and recipient of the Service to Emma Willard Award, Ellen Strickler ’53 has shown a lifetime commitment to her school.

campaign co-chairs headshots

An Update from Campaign Co-Chairs Linda Gill Anderson ’77 and Wendy S. Graham ’85

Sarah Soule ’77 Establishes the “Sallie Gardner Endowed Scholarship Fund” with Campaign Gift

Sarah Goodwin Soule ’77 has made a generous contribution to the Infinite Horizon campaign to fund an endowed scholarship for students with demonstrated financial need. A former Alumnae Association Council member, Class Bulletin Reporter, two-time reunion chair, and 2022 recipient of the Service to Emma Willard Award, Sarah credits the inspiration for her philanthropy to her parents and her close friend Linda Gill Anderson ’77, co-chair of the Infinite Horizon campaign.

Honoring a Great Teacher

A tireless advocate for all things Emma Willard, Michal Colby Wadsworth ’65 shares her love for her alma mater through her dynamic philanthropy. Active Honorary Trustee, chair emerita of The 1814 Association leadership giving society, and campaign steering committee member, she founded the student philanthropic club—Phila—so generations of students could experience the rewarding art of grantmaking.

Klingenstein Concert Hall

A landmark gift of $3 million to the arts at Emma Willard will name the concert and community gathering hall within the Alice Dodge Wallace ’38 Center for the Performing Arts.

A west-facing view of the Wallace Center build site

With an anticipated opening in the Fall of 2024, construction on the Alice Dodge Wallace '38 Center for the Performing Arts is well underway. Follow along for an inside look at the historic renovation and expansion of the Alumnae Chapel into a state-of-the-art hub for the arts at Emma Willard.

Elisabeth "Lisa" A. LeFort '72 & Robert “Jack” LeFort Atrium

In recognition of her exemplary service to Emma Willard and her role as a builder of bridges and connections for the school, Lisa LeFort will be honored with the naming of the new glass atrium that joins the Alice Dodge Wallace '38 Center for the Performing Arts with Snell-Dietel-Maguire.

a campaign newsletter laying on a wooden table

In our first campaign newsletter, you’ll read about the impact of philanthropy on our Arts programs and see progress on the renovation and construction of the Alice Dodge Wallace ’38 Center for the Performing Arts. We hear from donors on what inspired them to give, celebrate our progress to date, and look back on the opening days of this historic campaign for the future of Emma Willard School.

Infinite Horizon Campaign Event Collage

This fall saw the beginning of a year-long lineup of connection events, bringing alumnae, parents, and friends together to hear stories of student impact and details of the plans for Emma Willard School's future.

Head of School Jenny Rao at a podium speaking into a microphone

As part of the recent Reunion Weekend, Head of School Jenny Rao shared an update on the “Leading with Purpose” strategic plan in an information session for alumnae. This five-year plan was launched just last fall with incredible progress already made toward many of its key objectives. Watch Ms. Rao’s video welcome and read through the provided transcript of the presentation for a comprehensive look at our aspirations for the future of Emma Willard.

Signature magazine spring 2022 cover of chapel clock tower and Infinite Horizon logo

In the Spring 2022 edition of Emma Willard School’s Signature magazine, we introduce the leadership of our recently-announced capital campaign, Infinite Horizon, and explore some of the early gifts of the campaign.

Fuzzy image of Sage Tower with trees in the background and words Leading with Purpose

Developing a shared vision for Emma Willard School began the day Head of School Jenny Rao arrived on campus. The work culminates in Leading with Purpose, our newly adopted strategic plan, designed to guide our school for the next five years.