5 Reasons Alumni Return to Work for Their Alma Mater
No one knows Avon better than a Man of Avon himself. Every year on Alumni weekend many men, both young and old, from far and near, return to our campus to catch up and share stories. However, every year there are several alumni who do not need to travel at all in order to attend alumni weekend because they now call Avon home.
So, how many Avon Old Farms Alumni return to work at the school? Perhaps, Five? Ten? Fifteen? No, in fact, this coming academic year nineteen of our faculty members keep an Avon Old Farms diploma. From Henry Coons ‘71 working in Alumni and Development to Mike Periera '10 working in Admissions, every year we welcome back new faculty members who once roamed the grounds of Avon Old Farms School.
Here are five reasons why alumni say they come back:
1. The Brotherhood Never Dies
The longest standing tradition - and one of the main pillars on which Avon Old Farms’ School was founded upon - our brotherhood, never fades. Even for the oldest alumni, their return to campus eradicates feelings of joy and nostalgia.
“My four years as a student at Avon left me with many of the most memorable experiences of my life, and the relationships I made with my teachers and peers could never be replaced. I feel fortunate, now, to be in a position to pass on these same types of experiences for our boys.” - Brian Malchoff '07, Math Teacher
2. Eternal Life Lessons
Every boy who has walked across the graduation stage has been taught several life lessons throughout their time at Avon from a variety of influential faculty members. Alumni who return to work at Avon feel a responsibility to pass on these life lessons that were taught to them by their teachers, advisors, coaches, and dorm parents.
3. Welcoming with Open Arms
Alumni remember the Avon Old Farms community as welcoming and accepting. So, who would not want to work at a place where people go out of their way to say “hello” and ask you how your day is going?
4. Returning the Favor
For many, Alumni do not really realize the enormous impact that AOF has had on their personal, social and academic development until days, weeks, or months after they graduate. Upon reflecting, Men of Avon feel a sense of duty towards the institution that shaped them into the men that they have become.
“Without my really knowing it when I was a student, the Avon Old Farms classroom, both the physical space and the students and teachers in it, had made an indelible impression on me. And, it was that impression that brought me back to Avon to teach.” - Graham Callaghan '95, Academic Dean
5. Honoring Tradition
Avon Old Farms is steeped in tradition, whether it be the Boar’s Head Feast, Family Dining in the Refectory or Founder’s Day, alumni return to Avon in order to preserve the tradition. Alumni who return to work also credit the long-standing traditions to much of their success in college and in life, which enables them to return to campus and build upon the foundational traditions of Avon Old Farms.
So, Why does this matter? And how does it benefit the boys? These faculty members can relate to the boys on a more personal level, whether it be through stories of “Old Avon” at the dinner table or through shared experiences in the classroom or on the athletic field. Our Alumni faculty know Avon and they know what it is like to be a student at Avon. They know what makes this place special, and they want the generations after them to share that feeling.
About the Author
Avon Old Farms Class of 2011