“I am moved by the ways in which the many traditions at Emma Willard School connect us—shared experiences and common threads that weave our lives together across generations,” Karen notes in her first “In the Lede” to open the magazine. “As I have traveled the country (and the globe) this fall, it has been my privilege and great pleasure to meet Emma Willard alumnae and hear their stories.”

Many are curious about the academic rigor represented in Emma Willard’s Advanced Studies (AS) courses, and this issue of the magazine provides a peek inside these classrooms. Meanwhile, our alumnae are busy serving and shaping their worlds, and we catch up with a few who are doing so across various nonprofit sectors. We also circle back to a piece from one of last year’s Signature capstone projects—an interview conducted by Maggie Russell ’25 when Jane Fonda ’55 was on campus for the grand opening of the Wallace Center.

In addition to our features in this issue, we hear from English Instructor and Coach Bethany Loffredo-Dempsey on building connections inside and outside of the classroom, and from Director of Facilities Ken McGivern on his unique insight into “ye grey walls.”

In this issue, we also celebrate the impact of Mary Lake Polan ’61 and husband Frank Bennack on the Infinite Horizon campaign, see progress on the faculty housing project, and relive the first women’s intercollegiate soccer match with Bob Durkee—50 years later! Highlights also include photos from fall/winter traditions and the spectacular 111th Revels, plus a look at the approach to digital balance within our campus community.

We invite you to explore the Fall 2025/Winter 2026 edition of Signature…