Williston Northampton School held its 186th Convocation on Friday, September 18, marking the official start of the 2026-27 academic year. 

The ceremony, held in front of the Reed Campus Center, was highlighted by speeches from Sam Dietrich, class of 2027 president, and Seth Kassels ’97, the Convocation keynote speaker and a member of the Head’s Visiting Council. The school also awarded three faculty members with distinguished honors, including two Instructorships and a Faculty Chair. 

“As this year goes into full swing, keep thinking about who you are, not what you do,” said Kassels during his speech. “Work on your values. Choose agency and kindness, embrace the process, and lean into the Williston community. It will give you back tenfold what you put in.” 

The ever-present theme of community was front-and-center during Convocation. In his opening remarks, Head of School Robert W. Hill III used his moment at the podium to continue a challenge he put out to students last year: be as human as you can possibly be. 

“Feed your minds at the intellectual table you are served each day at Williston,” Hill said. “Avoid shortcuts that defeat those efforts to strengthen your minds. Do not, for your own health, allow big tech to take over … the most valuable piece of real estate you will ever own: your brains.” 

Another formal part of the Convocation ceremony is the ringing of the Angelus. The Angelus, which was first rung on the Northampton School for Girls campus to mark a daily moment for silent reflection, is now a centerpiece of our Residential Quad. The school rings the Angelus during Convocation to mark the start of the year, and the Angelus will be rung again during Commencement next May to mark the end of the academic year. 

Dean of Faculty Chris Pelliccia presented the faculty awards. Williston has a variety of Instructorships and Chairs that are given on a rotating basis. This year, the school honored Adam Sussbauer with the Emily N. McFadon Vincent ’49 and Bob E. Vincent Instructorship; Stefania Nugteren with the George E. and Catherine B. Gregory Arts Instructorship; and Patrick Loftus with the Henry M. ’52 and Judith M. Zachs Faculty Chair. 

To watch the 186th Convocation ceremony in full, visit our YouTube page. A photo gallery from the night is available to browse on our Flickr page.