Madeleine Hutchins of Hampton Graduates from Pomfret School as Diplomas and Awards are Presented at 120th Commencement; 2013 Nobel Laureate Speaks

2014 Jun 13

With faculty, students, family and friends looking on, the 105 members of the class of 2014 were honored on Sunday, May 25, at Pomfret School's 120th Commencement. Addressing the students was Dr. James Rothman '67, Yale University professor, Pomfret Trustee, and recipient, in December 2013, of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Dr. Rothman, who last fall referred to the importance of following what is "deeply in your heart," spoke to the students on May 25 about "Patience and Urgency."

Madeleine Hutchins of Hampton was among the 105 graduates who received a diploma from Head of School Tim Richards (P '15) and Board President Charles Wilmerding (P '11, '14) and an enthusiastic congratulatory handshake from the Nobel laureate. Maddy received numerous awards: She was presented with the Founder's Medal, the School's highest honor, presented to the Pomfret School senior "who gave of him- or herself to the School". She was named class Valedictorian as the top student in the graduating class; was awarded the Joseph Mannas Memorial Drama Award, was a member of the Cum Laude Society for her "excellence in academic work"; and received a Faculty Award, which is given to a senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, deserves special recognition.

Dr. Rothman gave the 105 graduates three career constellations by which to navigate their post-Pomfret lives: "Differentiate"; "Focus on long-term value"; and "Develop your leadership and teamwork skills." Because, he explained, "you are graduating at a time of profound change and ferment the likes of which we have not seen for half a century." With the scientist's eye, he presented what he saw as the fertile dynamics of patience and urgency. "Patience: Have a long-term goal. Stick with it. Set achievable short-term goals but never lose the big picture," he said. To make it work, "Urgency: Pursue [that] long-term goal as if every day matters--because it does."