Alumni Relations legend honored with Founders’ Day Award

Students, faculty, alumni, staff and trustees filled Love Gym on Friday to celebrate Jan Woodford, ’40, ’41, ’44, ’49, ’51, 52, ’53, ’59, ’60, ’62, ’70, ’71, ’78 (Hon.), who retired last year after working in the Academy’s Institutional Advancement department for 38 years. Woodford is the 2026 recipient of the Founders’ Day Award, given annually in recognition of longtime service to the Academy.

After a brief welcome from Principal Bill Rawson ’71; ’65, ’70 (Hon.); P’08, Sam Brown ’92, president of the Exeter Alumni Association, introduced Woodford by reciting her 13 honorary years in a rapid-fire crescendo, drawing applause from the crowd.

“Your gracious management of reunion weekends and other events on and off campus helped thousands of Exonians strengthen their connections with each other and with the Academy, enabling the school itself to grow stronger year after year,” Brown said, reading from the award citation.

A veteran of the Air National Guard of the U.S. Air Force, Woodford arrived at Exeter in 1987 and spent two years working for the Annual Fund (now known as The Exeter Fund) before moving to a job in the Alumni Relations office, where she was tasked with supporting all of Exeter’s reunion classes. As the department grew, she remained a fixture of the reunion program and managed countless other alumni events on and off campus.

“You loved seeing Exonians of all ages reconnecting with classmates and forging new bonds with people they may not have known as students,” Brown said. “Upon retirement, you were honored with the creation of the Jan Woodford Alumni Reunions Fund, which carries on your commitment to welcoming all alumni to reunions, regardless of finances.”

Woodford was a co-adviser of Exonians with Disabilities, the campus affinity group open to members of the Exeter community who struggle with any form of disability. She also spearheaded the creation of Exeter Salutes, a program launched in 2019 to honor alumni who currently serve or have served in the armed forces and connect them with current students.

“Jan, you always approached your work on behalf of Exeter and Exonians as far more than a job, which helps to explain why you did it so well,” Brown said, before welcoming Woodford to the podium to accept the Founders’ Day Award.

Compassion, integrity and belonging

“I have been fortunate to have had two jobs that I truly loved,” Woodford said. In the Air Force, she explained, she learned that “compassion is not a weakness, it’s a strength.” Along with compassion, the Air Force taught her the importance of integrity, and she brought this understanding of both to her role at the Academy.

“What made Exeter special for me wasn’t just the work, it was the people,” Woodford continued. “Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside colleagues who supported me, guided me and helped make our work possible.”

She spoke of the impact of H. Hamilton “Hammy” Bissell, a graduate of Exeter’s class of 1929, who taught English at the school for years before becoming its first director of scholarships. “He had an incredible memory for students and alumni, and he took the time to share their stories with me,” Woodford said. “What struck me most wasn’t just what he remembered, but how much he cared.”

Woodford gave thanks to the colleagues from all the different departments with whom she worked on campus, as well as the members of the Alumni Relations office, but she also spoke of the impact of those she didn’t know as well, but whose kindness made her feel like she belonged to a community.

“One of our most powerful human needs is the need to belong,” Woodford said, before addressing the students directly. “Each of you is still figuring out where you fit — in your friendships, your communities, and in the world. But belonging isn’t about changing who you are to be accepted. It’s about finding places where your authentic self is valued.”

She spoke of learning a great deal from the students she worked with in Exonians with Disabilities: “Your energy, your honesty, your questions, and even your doubts reminded me that growth never really stops.”

Near the end of her remarks, Woodford urged students seeking purpose in their career and life to remember that it “doesn’t have to be big or public.”

“It can be found in how you treat people and the problems you choose to solve and in the quiet impact you make every day,” she said. “My time at Exeter gave me that sense of purpose. It allowed me to be part of something that aligned with my values, and for that I will always be grateful.”