Exonians honor legacies of Bolden, Kendrick

Exonians, family and friends gathered in Washington, D.C., this month to celebrate the lives and legacies of two former Exeter faculty members, William H. Bolden and Dolores Kendrick, through a weekend of golf, learning and literary discussion.

The weekend began Saturday, October 3, with the fifth annual William H. Bolden Golf Benefit at the historic Langston Golf Course. Golfers from the D.C. area and beyond came together to honor Bolden, Exeter’s first Black faculty member, and support the scholarship endowed in his name. The event welcomed its largest field since its inception, with participants braving the rain to carry on the tradition.

On Sunday, October 4, Exonians gathered at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture for a tour of the museum’s powerful historical galleries. Ed Flanagan GP’24 led an engaging two-hour tour of the first floor, sharing his knowledge and perspective along the way. His thoughtful narration offered attendees a memorable opportunity to learn together and reflect on the history and experiences represented in the museum’s collections.

The weekend concluded on Monday, October 5, with the annual Dolores Kendrick Harkness discussion, hosted by Suzi Guardia ’86. This year, Stephanie Bramlett led a conversation about Kendrick’s poem “An Opening of the Veins.” Through reading and shared reflection, participants continued a cherished tradition of engaging with Kendrick’s work and honoring the lasting influence of a teacher whose words and teaching inspired generations of Exonians.

For Guardia, hosting the gathering offers a chance to revisit a defining part of her own Exeter experience. “At Exeter, gathering around an oval table to debate ideas, challenge interpretations and grapple with literature and poetry was simply what we did,” she said. Bringing alumni from different generations together around her dining room table allows her to recapture that spirit while discovering how perspectives evolve and what alumni can continue to learn from one another.

“It’s an opportunity to give back to Exeter, though in many ways it really is a gift to myself,” Guardia said. Although she never had Kendrick as a teacher, she remembers her as a familiar presence on campus. Hearing each year from alumni whose lives were shaped by Kendrick’s teaching has deepened Guardia’s appreciation for her work and given her a chance to get to know the poet through her writing.

Together, the three gatherings celebrated the enduring connections forged through an Exeter education and the lasting contributions of two remarkable educators. By coming together to learn, reflect and reconnect, Exonians continued to honor Bolden and Kendrick and the legacies they left within the Exeter community.