News
![Frank Bennack and Mar Lake Polan ’61]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778245772/emmawillardorg/jjkbmkr6l63pkw4uxypx/2025-06-26_MaryLakePolan-Emma-Willard0249_1_f.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778245772/emmawillardorg/jjkbmkr6l63pkw4uxypx/2025-06-26_MaryLakePolan-Emma-Willard0249_1_f.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1778245772/emmawillardorg/jjkbmkr6l63pkw4uxypx/2025-06-26_MaryLakePolan-Emma-Willard0249_1_f.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1778245772/emmawillardorg/jjkbmkr6l63pkw4uxypx/2025-06-26_MaryLakePolan-Emma-Willard0249_1_f.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1778245772/emmawillardorg/jjkbmkr6l63pkw4uxypx/2025-06-26_MaryLakePolan-Emma-Willard0249_1_f.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778245772/emmawillardorg/jjkbmkr6l63pkw4uxypx/2025-06-26_MaryLakePolan-Emma-Willard0249_1_f.jpg","width":1620}])
Mary Lake Polan ’61 and her husband Frank Bennack reflect on the importance of funding the arts
![Larita Moultrie-Blue]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768936007/nbb2vddin2phxdjdz2pm/larita-moultrie-blue_edits.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768936007/nbb2vddin2phxdjdz2pm/larita-moultrie-blue_edits.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768936007/nbb2vddin2phxdjdz2pm/larita-moultrie-blue_edits.png","width":761}])
Dr. Jerome Blue has established an endowed fund in memory of his wife, who passed away in June 2024. This generous contribution to the Infinite Horizon campaign reflects Larita’s love of all things Emma Willard and her lifelong commitment to supporting young women and girls.
![May and Linda Van Norman in the Music Rehearsal Room]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1765999743/emmawillardorg/e1h6t6lvivifgdb0pq8d/EWS_6762_fnl.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1765999743/emmawillardorg/e1h6t6lvivifgdb0pq8d/EWS_6762_fnl.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1765999743/emmawillardorg/e1h6t6lvivifgdb0pq8d/EWS_6762_fnl.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1765999743/emmawillardorg/e1h6t6lvivifgdb0pq8d/EWS_6762_fnl.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1765999743/emmawillardorg/e1h6t6lvivifgdb0pq8d/EWS_6762_fnl.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1765999743/emmawillardorg/e1h6t6lvivifgdb0pq8d/EWS_6762_fnl.jpg","width":1620}])
When May Van Norman began looking ahead to her sophomore year in high school, she and her parents, Clare and Linda, knew they wanted more than the limited musical offerings and academic opportunities available in their rural area. The daughter of two musicians and an accomplished French horn player herself, May was seeking a place where she could grow and thrive.
![campaign newsletter header]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764862927/emmawillardorg/emmawillardorg/crnkktloaxo8ylfmeejb/Screenshot2025-12-04103753.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764862927/emmawillardorg/emmawillardorg/crnkktloaxo8ylfmeejb/Screenshot2025-12-04103753.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764862927/emmawillardorg/emmawillardorg/crnkktloaxo8ylfmeejb/Screenshot2025-12-04103753.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764862927/emmawillardorg/emmawillardorg/crnkktloaxo8ylfmeejb/Screenshot2025-12-04103753.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764862927/emmawillardorg/emmawillardorg/crnkktloaxo8ylfmeejb/Screenshot2025-12-04103753.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764862927/emmawillardorg/emmawillardorg/crnkktloaxo8ylfmeejb/Screenshot2025-12-04103753.png","width":1862}])
Our Fall 2025 campaign newsletter highlights giving inspired by the experiences of Emma Willard School alumnae. We look toward what's next as we wrap up the Infinite Horizon campaign.
![Claudia Thompson ’71 and Roger Boothe]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754588812/emmawillardorg/z48o4f0vsjofc4kq5meu/EWS_6034_fnl.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754588812/emmawillardorg/z48o4f0vsjofc4kq5meu/EWS_6034_fnl.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1754588812/emmawillardorg/z48o4f0vsjofc4kq5meu/EWS_6034_fnl.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1754588812/emmawillardorg/z48o4f0vsjofc4kq5meu/EWS_6034_fnl.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1754588812/emmawillardorg/z48o4f0vsjofc4kq5meu/EWS_6034_fnl.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1754588812/emmawillardorg/z48o4f0vsjofc4kq5meu/EWS_6034_fnl.jpg","width":2200}])
Through a documented bequest, Claudia and Roger established The Claudia G. Thompson Endowed Scholarship, and they will designate a gift to the Trudy E. Hall 16th Head of School Endowed Fund for Campus Preservation.
![Dr. Kate Viret ’83]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754587360/emmawillardorg/xhsjy1y1li4xg3xfes6j/KateViret83headshot.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754587360/emmawillardorg/xhsjy1y1li4xg3xfes6j/KateViret83headshot.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754587360/emmawillardorg/xhsjy1y1li4xg3xfes6j/KateViret83headshot.jpg","width":600}])
We asked Dr. Kate Viret ’83 to share her thoughts on why she stays connected to Emma Willard School. Hear from her in her own words.