Graduation 2009

June 7, 2009

Smiling seniors at Exeter's 228th graduation

Exeter's 228th graduation took place under sunny skies on Sunday, June 7. The ceremony was marked by smiles and joyful celebration in the 70-degree heat.

Noelle M. Braddock, president of the senior class, welcomed family and friends from the podium. Braddock started her brief speech stating that she was honored to represent the "bright, outstanding, spirited and ridiculously good-looking class of 2009!"

She referred to the many accomplishments of her class, and the closeness it developed through the shared experience of loss: the death of a classmate and 4 faculty members. "Every moment leads to another moment," she concluded. "Exeter will always be part of our present."

Principal Tyler Tingley, who retires later this month, focused on the achievements of the class of 2009, which include excellence in athletics, community life, unprecedented levels of involvement with Exeter Social Service Organization, and success in the arts and media. Tingley encouraged the graduating class to feel comfortable taking risks as they move forward in their lives. "Being willing to take on risk is a prerequisite of great achievement," he said. 

Tingley was assisted on the podium by Trustee Melissa C. Orlov '77, whose daughter Katrina received a diploma today; Dean of Faculty and Science Instructor Kathleen Curwen; and graduating seniors Mary Hassell and Curtis Thomas Jr. Jae Hyun Moon, a senior and proctor of Phillips Church, led the Invocation. Also on the podium were four retiring faculty: Jack Herney, history instructor; Susan Herney, senior associate director of Admissions; Rick Mahoney, director of Financial Aid; and Doug Rogers, English instructor.

Senior Max de La Bruyère presented the class gift to the Academy – a contribution of $5,865.22 to two funds: the Renaissance Fund, which supports students whose family financial circumstances have changed, and the Staff Fund, which supports staff experiencing financial difficulty. The senior class contribution was matched, as it is traditionally, by the 50th reunion class, resulting in a total contribution of $11,370.44 (each fund receiving half the total). 

  See more photos of graduation...

12 prizes awarded at graduation – read the list...

Principal Ty Tingley listens to the student String Quartet