From news and events taking place across campus, to the latest issues of Putney Post, our alumni newsletter, and our family newsletter, there’s always a lot happening at The Putney School. We make it easy to stay up to date.
Putney Updates
Putney School Receives $2 Million Gift to Establish Norwood Hinkle Faculty Chair in Music
The Putney School has received a $2 million endowment gift from alumna Carol Stein ’61 to establish the Norwood Hinkle Faculty Chair in Music, honoring the legendary educator who shaped the school’s music curriculum for more than three decades. The endowment will support the position of Director of Music, ensuring long-term stability for a program that has been central to Putney’s identity since its founding.
Norwood Hinkle served as music director at The Putney School from 1939 to 1972, developing a program defined by exacting standards and musical excellence. He created a culture where students experienced music as an integral part of their education and lives. His imprint on the rhythms of the school lives on in traditions such as Community Sing.
“Music was one of the most important things about Putney when I was there and it continues to shape my life,” Stein says. “I want music to be a significant feature of the school going forward, and hope others will join me in making this the strongest program we can build.”
Income from the endowment will support competitive compensation, professional development, and program resources for the Director of Music.
Sadie Friedman '25 Running for Local Office in Alaska
She’s a candidate for the Sterling seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, and is concerned about the plight of Sterling Elementary School, which was nearly closed this year. Strong communities begin with their schools, she says:
“I want to make sure these places are protected and funded not just for my term but far into the future, backed by policy that will keep them running through to the next generation – no short-term policies.”
The Vermont music scene wouldn’t be what it is without Margaux Simmons ’70, P ’04, and former Putney Trustee, featured in Seven Days.
“From Putney to the Pyramids, the 72-year-old flutist’s long and winding career continues with her Enosburg Falls cosmic-jazz trio.”
Musician Margaux Simmons Spaces Out With Astral Underground
Putney Goes to US Rowing Youth Nationals
Adina ’25, Flynn ’26, and Ocea ’27 earned spots at the US Rowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota, Florida. Go Putney rowing!
Renowned Architect of Huseby House Dies at 86
David Sellers, a renowned architect whose work includes Putney’s Huseby House, died at 86. An article in The New York Times states, “he believed that architects could design better building if they did the construction themselves.” True to form, he used wood from Putney land to build the common room and staircase, and included Putney students as a major part of the design process. His legacy lives on in Putney largest dorm, and all the expressive, innovative structures he erected in Vermont, and beyond.
News & Events
The Putney Post
Fall 2025
In this issue, we explore how Putney unique mission and fundamental beliefs serve as our north star. They are as resonant today as they were at Putney’s founding.
Featured Stories
Alumni Newsletter
November 2025
Putney will celebrate March of the Turkeys, an intermittent but resurgent tradition where the school comes together to eat turkey (and tofurkey), dress up a bit, enjoy music and dancing, and give thanks for Putney and for each other. It is an intentional pause in our busy days, immediately prior to Thanksgiving break, during which we look around and realize how much this school feeds us, and in how many ways.
Family Newsletter
Tomorrow is our first Putney Unplugged day, and the entire community will be putting down devices, logging off, and experimenting with analog living and learning. The initiative was brought to EPC (the Educational Programs Committee) by students as an experiment for our community.