A 50th Reunion Celebration Gift Creates Enduring Impact

Front row: Adam Owett, Nancy Hessol, Harrison Weisner, Francesca Bruno, Gilbert Fleitas, 

Back row: Delice Boltin, Jean Scheinert, Julie Fenster, Sara Johns Griffen

Friends Seminary is deeply grateful to the Class of 1975 for their gifts and pledges made to the endowment in 2024-25 in honor of their 50th Reunion Celebration. More than $214,000 has been committed or received, with more than half designated to the Class of 1975 Fund for Financial Aid. The idea to make a class gift was initiated by the Class of 1975 Reunion Committee. 

For the Committee, the months of planning were as rewarding as the reunion itself. Julie Fenster '75 reflects, “It was great to reconnect and work closely with this group of classmates over many months. I loved the journey and the destination!” Along the way, the Committee had the opportunity to reflect on their own Friends education and to learn about the impact they have made on Friends as a class. Many were aware of campus redevelopments and the corresponding increase in student body from 494 in 1975 to 790 in 2024-25, but were less aware of the growth of the endowment from $5M in 2002 to $44M (FY '24). They were inspired to learn how the Class of 1975 contributed to this growth with six endowed funds associated with their class totaling $1.15M (FY’24).

The Committee reached consensus that they wanted to honor the Class of 1975 and set their sights on reactivating the Class of 1975 Fund for Financial Aid. Harrison Weisner '75 comments, “This fund has been dormant since it was established in 1975, and we’re thrilled that it has cleared the $100,000 threshold 50 years on.”

They invited their classmates to join them in making a special gift to the School. Sara Johns Griffen ’75, a professional fundraiser who guided this remarkable effort, comments, “Many of the funds associated with our class are in memory of our classmates. It’s gratifying to further this tradition and to support future generations in the name of the Class of 1975.” Click here to learn more about the School’s endowment or contact Rebecca Holmes.