Reunion Weekend
Ellis alumnae returned to campus in October for Reunion Weekend, a tradition that allows them to reconnect with classmates and relive precious memories, and that gives faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to learn more about the women who once lived and learned at Ellis.

Earlier this month, Ellis Alumnae in the Washington, D.C. area gathered for an evening of wine-tasting hosted by Shanan GUINN ’93, and those in New York City enjoyed a fabulous luncheon hosted at La Mercerie Cafe. These special events enabled our distant Ellisians to celebrate Head of School Macon Finley’s last school year, with Macon in attendance at the events. As new connections were forged and old ones rekindled, the event provided a meaningful opportunity for alumnae to reaffirm the enduring spirit of our Ellis community.

National Women and Girls in Sports Day
Our Middle and Upper School student-athletes celebrated National Women and Girls in Sports Day with an alumnae panel featuring our 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee, Courtney KRESS McGrory ’93. Also in attendance were Athletic Hall of Fame recipients Coach Genny Kozusko, Heather BOSSERT Cunningham ’89, Julianne CUTRUZZULA Beil ’03, and Rebekah HUGHEY ’94. These amazing athletes highlighted the importance of Title IX and the impact sports have played in their careers and lives.

Alumnae Book Club
Our Alumnae Book Club, founded by Kristen WALTER Sobel ’05 and Cally MYHRUM ’06, met in November, January, March, and May. This school year, we read The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, Horse by Geraldine Brooks, Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel, and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

2023 Sara Frazer Ellis AwardeeWe had a wonderful time celebrating our alumnae who now reside in Longwood at Oakmont. Pictured are Hannah BRUSH Van Horn ’57 and Penny PORTER Meyer ’59 with Macon Finley. A fun fact is that both of these ladies went to Ellis, taught at Ellis, and then sent their daughters to Ellis!

Pittsburgh Penguins
Alumnae, faculty, students, parents, and grandparents all came out to cheer on the Pens in March to support The Ellis School. Special shout-out to Tomar Pierson-BROWN ’97, Ally BERGER ’97, Alice MITINGER ’81, Louise MITINGER ’85 and Sarah ALTMAN Bumsted McSorely ’95 for coming out to the event.

Alumnae Spring Happy Hour
Kate DAVIS Booker ’99 and Sarah HANEY Stroud ’04 hosted a spring Alumnae Happy Hour at East End Brewery. A fun time was had reconnecting with old friends and making new ones over delicious pizza and good beer.

Spring Her Forward
We celebrated Spring Her Forward, “Macon It a Celebration” in May. Alumnae, parents, and friends of Ellis enjoyed a night of fun and laughter while raising funds for Ellis and bidding farewell to our Head of School, Macon Finley. Pictured are Ellis trustees Colleen DAILY Simonds ’95, Marni Pastor, and Dora PLUMMER Magovern ’01. Marni and Dora are also proud Ellis parents.

Alumnae Visitors to Campus

• Middle and Upper School students attended a special panel on Women in STEM that included Ellis alumnae Kelsey PEART ’12, Angeline WONG-Scott ’99, Maddie GALLAGHER ’12, and Ellis parents Mandy Matthews and Rebecca Nugent. Representing institutions including Duolingo and Carnegie Mellon University, the panelists showcased diverse expertise and experiences, shedding light on the ever-changing world of technology and the importance of building and tapping into networks of women in the field—including those at Ellis.
• In January, our annual Young Alumnae Ice Cream Social brought alumnae panelists to campus to talk informally to our current juniors and seniors about navigating college and life beyond Ellis.
• A Black Alumnae Panel held in February featured Cristine DAVIS ’01, Britani NUNLEY ’06, Sophie OGOT ’16, and Nyjah CEPHAS ’17. The panel was an exciting opportunity for current students to hear from four dynamic women in various fields about their winding career journeys. The panel was moderated by our Black Student Union officers.
• Dr. Liz COHEN ’09 visited fifth grade science class in February. Liz graduated from Temple School of Dentistry in 2019 and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Medical School in 2021. She is now a chief resident at Allegheny General Hospital and is practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery.
• Amy MULLINS ’83, Tina MULLINS ’85, and Sarah MULLINS ’88 returned to campus to present the Mary Edwards Foster Art Award in June. This award, established by their mother, the late Polly FOSTER Mullins ’59, honors the legacy of her own mother, Mary Edwards Foster. It is awarded annually to a junior or senior who exemplifies Mrs. Foster’s passion for learning and the fine arts. This year, the award was presented to Helen Lee ’25.