50th Reunion, Roast & Toast, and Unplugged Connect Alumni

The Big Five-oh! That’s what members of the Class of 1972 were celebrating as they came together on campus during Homecoming for their landmark 50th Reunion. There was so much laughter and camaraderie, it was as if they had never been away!

The full agenda for this special class kicked off with Friday night dinner at Lucia Ristorante in downtown New Milford. At a Roast & Toast event Saturday morning, they celebrated the School’s first Girls’ Soccer team and guest speakers remembered the ‘72 Boys’ Soccer and Football teams in the Steers Center, whose members in attendance later posed for photos on the field with student-athletes from the current teams.

Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 presented a State of the School address to guests, who also heard from a lively student panel and had a chance to cheer on our Saints teams throughout the two days.

For one of the Class Ambassadors, Charles “Chip” Berman ’72, the joy of being together again was priceless. “The campus…the weather…the magic of celebrating the fun and frivolity of friendships past gave classmates a fantastic experience through the re-telling of stories often repeated over the years," he said. 

The weekend culminated with cocktails and a private dinner for the Class of ’72 in the David C. Copley ‘70 Library, followed by Steers Center Unplugged, an alumni concert.

The Unplugged show featured an impressive compilation of musical talent from our 1970s-era graduates, including Chip, Peter Bresnan ’73, Michael Conniff ’72, Robert Corroon ’77, Samuel FitzGerald ’72, Gilbert “Gib” Geiger ’77, Paul Gelinas ’72, William Haxo ’76, David Karlen ’76, Elaine Mullen Peer ’77, John Ringstad ’75, Peter Shonk ’72, and Daniel Whalen ’72. They were joined by former faculty member JP Mandler P ’87, ’91, ’94, ’99.

Performing together was an absolute joy for Samuel and his fellow alumni. “On behalf of all the musicians, we had a blast! We loved playing for Canterbury,” Samuel said.

Reunion members enjoyed catching up not only with friends, but with their alma mater. “All of my classmates thought the school looked great and the presentation by Rachel was fantastic,” said Michael Seaman ’72. “Our 50th class dinner was also wonderful. We have all talked about coming back to the School for the next Homecoming.”

Chip was in full agreement. “The interaction with student leaders, the competitions on the fields, the vision of Canterbury’s future became more than a gathering of individuals; it was a festival of great music, friendship, and shared experience,” he said. “Congratulations to all. What a weekend!”

VIEW PHOTOS