Alumni Weekend: May 2-3, 2025

Alumni Weekend 2025 will be held on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 and will feature reunions for the classes ending in 0 and 5. Alumni Weekend activities on Friday include the Dinner Among Friends and Alumni Association Awards. Saturday’s program includes Meeting for Worship; Lunch, Learn, and a Service Activity; Student-Guided Tours; Wrestling Alumni Gathering; Alumni of Color Networking Reception; an All-Alumni Reception at Van Meter Hall, and more!

Contact Kyrie Palan to learn more about Alumni Weekend 2025 plans or to get involved in your class reunion plans.

Alumni Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 2

6 p.m. The Dinner Among Friends and Alumni Awards Program, Dining Hall Commons. Meet classmates, applaud the 2025 Alumni Association Award recipients, and honor retiring faculty. $25 per person. See those who will be honored below. 

Saturday, May 3

11:30 a.m. Meeting for Worship, Meeting House.

12:15 p.m. Lunch, Learn, and Service Activity, Dining Hall Commons. A lunch program for alumni and their families to experience activities hosted by faculty, staff, and student presenters, including a service activity benefiting Camden’s Ronald McDonald House.

1:15 p.m. Welcome from Head of School Julia de la Torre, Dining Hall Commons. Meet our Head of School and hear about what’s happening at MFS. Hosted by the Alumni Association.

1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Student-Guided Tours depart from Stokes Hall Lobby.

2 p.m. Wrestling Alumni Gathering, West Building. Celebrate the history of the MFS Wrestling Program. Hosted by Steve Di Pilla ’79 and Steve Walsh ’83. 

2:45 p.m. Former Faculty and Staff Gathering, Stokes Hall Lobby. 

3 p.m. Alumni of Color Networking Reception, TBD.  Alumni of color are invited to visit with current Upper School student affinity group members and the clerks of the Diversity Committee. Hosted by Chanelle Walker ’01, Director of Diversity, Community & Belonging.

4 p.m. All-Alumni Reception with Head of School Julia de la Torre, Van Meter Hall & Back Lawn. At this gathering for all alumni and their families, enjoy wine, soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres and connect with alumni and classmates. Class Reunion Photos. Activities for kids hosted by student volunteers. MFS apparel on sale.

6 p.m. Reunion Gatherings, off-campus.

2025 Alumni Association Awards – Come to the Dinner Among Friends on Friday, May 2 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the 2025 Award Winners.

Alice Stokes Paul 1901 Merit Award – Linsey Davis ’95

As the anchor for ABC News Live Prime, the anchor for World News Tonight Sunday, and a two time Emmy Award winner, Linsey Davis is being recognized for reaching the highest levels in her field. Setting a standard for professionalism, excellence, and integrity, Linsey has interviewed many of the key figures in the U.S. and beyond; reported on matters of deep importance, including tragedies, triumphs, and injustices. Linsey sets a powerful example for professionalism, excellence, and integrity. A New York Times bestselling author of children’s books, Linsey highlights the themes of equality, diversity, joy, and wonder for young people and their families.

Service Award – Mark and Ann Baiada

Mark and Ann Baiada have been pillars of the MFS community for more than four decades, as parents and now grandparents. Over the years, they have provided integral philanthropic and personal leadership for fundraising efforts that shaped the campus we have today. They have also been impactful leaders for many non-for-profit organizations and educational institutions, and have had a powerful and healing reach through the 50-year growth of BAYADA Home Health Care. Due to a conflict, Mark and Ann will officially accept the Service Award at a later date in May.

The Young Alumni Awards are being given to two deserving members of the Class of 2010.

Young Alumni Award – Alison Barton ’10

Alison Barton is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Human Evolutionary Biology working in David Reich’s Lab group at Harvard University to study population history, biology, and evolution using ancient DNA. She is part of a team working with archaeologists, local stakeholders, and others to study ancient peoples and cultures from all across the world to learn about humanity and answer questions about our shared past. Alison has a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Archaeological Studies from Yale University; a Master of Philosophy in Biological Science from the University of Cambridge; and a PhD in Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics from Harvard University.

Young Alumni Award – Phil Dorsey ’10

A chemical engineer and synthetic biologist with a focus on DNA nanotechnology, Phil Dorsey is pursuing his M.D. at the University of Pittsburgh and plans to translate his technical expertise into clinical practice. He is dedicated to academic excellence, scientific research, serving underrepresented communities, and is working to solve health care problems and fight disease. Phil holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering from Princeton University and a Doctor of Philosophy, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. 

Retirement – Paula Cunningham​

For 16 years, Lower School Reading Specialist Paula Cunningham has shared her love and joy of reading and learning with the youngest MFS students. Paula is methodical in the design of her small class work, both from a pedagogical standpoint and from the idea that each child needs the right environment, pacing, and challenges to learn and grow. She taught at Friends Central prior to coming to MFS. 

It’s a reunion year for the classes ending in “0” and “5.” Check out reunion plans on the pages below: