Hotchkiss Today

•  The Cynthia White Children’s Center opens. White was a strong advocate of childcare facilities for the preschool-age youngsters of Hotchkiss faculty and staff.

•  Garland Hall dedicated.

•  The first Bow Tie Bowl is held. Named in honor of the bow ties worn by ninth Head of School Robert Oden Jr., it is a test of factual knowledge involving teams of faculty and students.

•  Hotchkiss celebrates its centennial with a gala and dinner dance on Centennial Field.

•  The Community Service Award is established to recognize alumni for an outstanding commitment to service.

•  The Watson Computer Center opens.

•  Malkin Climbing Walls built.

•  John R. “Rusty” Chandler Jr. becomes the 10th head of school.

•  Main Building is renovated once again. Improvements include a new entryway and a student center. The Tremaine Art Gallery opens as part of the renovations, along with the Dance Studio and Black Box Theater.

•  Frank House, which replaces Harris House as the head of school’s residence, is dedicated.

The Bulls, a bronze sculpture by Peter Woytuk, is purchased and dedicated.

Griswold Science Building renovated.

•  Robert H. “Skip” Mattoon Jr becomes the 11th head of school.

•  The first annual Eco Day is held, marking a new chapter in the School’s tradition of environmental stewardship.

Mandarin Chinese offered for the first time.

•  The Forrest E. Mars Jr. Athletic Center opens.

•  The School acquires a 260-acre parcel of farmland a mile south of campus from Jack Blum ’47, a former trustee. In 2010, Hotchkiss purchases an additional 27 acres and four buildings on the Blum property, bringing the total acreage to 287. Fairfield Farm, as the land is known today, becomes an integral part of the School’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

•  Hotchkiss launches its Summer Portals program in chamber music and environmental science.

•  Hotchkiss joins Round Square, a global network of 160 schools in 40 countries.

Malcolm McKenzie becomes the 12th head of school. He launches two new offices — Global Initiatives and Environmental Initiatives — and hires assistant heads of school to oversee each one.

•  The Esther Eastman Music Center is dedicated. The LEED-certified building houses music classrooms, a world-class performance space (Katherine M. Elfers Hall), and practice facilities.

•  Hotchkiss hosts the World Debating Championship.

•  The Lufkin Prize is established to recognize faculty members for their outstanding contributions to character development within the Hotchkiss community.

Flinn and Edelman Halls are dedicated.

Fairfield Farm Ecosystems and Adventure Team (FFEAT) becomes a co-curricular option, allowing students to get hands-on experience at the farm. Today, FFEAT is one of the School’s most popular activities.

The Biomass Facility is completed, marking a major step toward the School’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2020. One of only three LEED-certified power plants in the country, the facility supplies 95 of the energy used for heat and hot water on campus.

Kevin Hicks becomes the 13th head of school.

•  Peter O’Neill becomes the interim 14th head of school

•  The Grange opens, expanding the classroom resources at Fairfield Farm.

•  Craig Bradley becomes the 15th head of school.

•  The Hotchkiss Observatory opens. The 20-inch reflecting telescope allows observers to see galaxies hundreds of millions of light-years away.

•  Redlich Hall is dedicated. The dormitory replaces Bissell Hall, which housed students for 120 years before being decommissioned in 2014.

Allison Janney '77 wins the Alumni Award, marking the first time a woman is recognized for her career accomplishment.