August 2005
Dear Friends of Chatham Hall,
Several months ago I sat at my desk reading three proposals, each from an individual junior and her faculty sponsor. One girl wanted to travel to northern Africa to study the role of women in society there. Another, a dancer and pianist herself, proposed traveling to Paris to study Impressionist paintings that represent dance and music. A third, who had read several novels by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, wanted to travel to Russia to explore the settings of these works and to study in museums and archives devoted to these writers.
All three were applying for the Hallam Hurt Travel Award, funded by former Board member Frances Hurt, mother of Dr. Hallam Hurt ’63. The award provides for a student and a faculty member to travel outside the country on a special research project. So off to Russia for two weeks this summer went junior Courtney Atkinson, from the Chatham area, and Dr. Ann Beal, English department chair.
All three girls represent the caliber of student at Chatham Hall—bright, creative, and eager to explore worlds outside their own—and the dedication and creativity of our faculty in supporting them. Last year,
- Fifteen girls, from across the grades, took Chatham Hall’s first distance-learning course, Exploring the Islamic World through Film, with Olga Merck Davidson ’72, an expert in Middle Eastern Studies who is on the faculty of Wellesley College.
- Twenty-six students and seven faculty participated in intensive study groups to prepare for the visit of Jane Goodall.
- Two seniors started a book club that met regularly, so that students and faculty
(8-12 at each meeting) would have more time to discuss the literature that they are reading on their own. - Four students undertook trimester-long independent study projects (one senior undertook three—one each trimester) on topics that included, “Hermann Hesse: Synthesis and Meaning,” “The Bronte Sisters: An Analysis of Isolation and Rejuvenation in Family Life,” and “Chemistry of the Coral Reef."
- One student spent her summer as an intern at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, in Maine, working with a professor on molecular genetics. Their project is to be published and her contributions credited. (The student’s interest in this internship was piqued by the MDIBL scientists’ two-day visit to Chatham Hall last February.)
The enthusiasm of our students and faculty was matched last year by the enthusiasm of the School’s supporters. The annual fund surpassed a record $1 million mark, including 43 Rector’s Circle members (donors of $10,000 or more), nearly double the number in 2003. In addition, supporters of the School made truly significant capital donations, including a generous pledge of $1 million from Ken and Nina Johnson Botsford ’72 of Birmingham, Alabama. We are very grateful.
As I write you this letter, all of us on campus are awaiting the arrival of 49 new girls from twelve states, the District of Columbia and 6 foreign countries—the largest group of new girls in several years. We shall have 131 girls (105 boarders and 26 day students) at Chatham Hall this year. A number of students are legacies, including one new girl from New York who is the third generation in her family to attend Chatham Hall.
We have had a very exciting year in admissions, indeed. In fact, we are ahead of our annual schedule for increasing the student population to 158 by fall 2009. Our incoming class is among our brightest, and we are confident that we will continue to increase both the number and quality of our students.
A renewed focus on community involvement leads the way in new programs this year. Chatham Hall’s faculty members are providing the leadership for Chatham’s first Habitat for Humanity project. A new program will pair Chatham Hall with a high school in a foreign country to collaborate on solving a common community issue. We are also initiating a Social Entrepreneurs Program that will have sophomores working with experienced professionals in designing community action projects.
In addition to having wonderful minds, Chatham Hall girls have huge hearts and souls, and this year they will be exercising them with spirit.
By the way, Courtney Atkinson and Dr. Beal have returned from that study trip to Russia. I have heard some of the details, including an evening at the avant-garde Stray Dog Café, a day at Tolstoy’s estate, a visit to the courtyard where the political authorities staged Dostoevsky’s mock execution, hours upon hours at The Hermitage Museum, and evenings at the New Russian Opera and the Mariinsky Ballet. They took Russia’s literature, history, art, music, and dance by storm—in typical Chatham Hall fashion.
All best wishes,
Gary Fountain
Rector
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October 13, 2008
Day Student Open House
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November 9-10, 2008
Open House
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December 1. 2008
Early Decision Applications Due
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December 7-8
Open House
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December 15
Notification for Early Decision Applicants
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January 10
Reply Date - Contracts and deposits due for students admitted Early Decision
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January 18-19
Open House
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February 10
Applications and Financial Aid materials Due
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February 15-16
Open House
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March 10
Notification for Applicants
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April 4-5
Revisit Weekend for admitted students and their families
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April 10
Reply Date - Contracts due for admitted students