Question 1

The Faulstich Years: 2015-2022

Accepted Answer

Julie Faulstich joined the Westover community as its new Head of School in 2015, havingpreviously served as the Assistant Head of School at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Julie’sappointment came at a time when Westover was just undertaking ambitious efforts to ensure itscontinued success as an independent school for girls in the 21st century.Under Julie’s leadership, Westover opened the Ann S. Pollina Center for Women in Science andEngineering as a state-of-the-art facility for the School’s WISE program. Through its Sense ofPlace campaign, the School alsoundertook extensive renovations of its main building, including the creation of a Student Commons.Reflecting Julie’s belief that Westover must serve as “an oasis for girls to find their authenticselves, explore their passions, and erase rigid mindsets about what it means to be female throughacademic, arts, athletics, andcommunity opportunities,” she secured a grant from the Edward E.Ford Foundation. The funds are to be used to help underwrite a scholar in residence in girls’empowerment for the School’s Rasin Center for Global Justice, sponsor women’s empowerment - themed events, and support the School’s extensive Archives.“To be empowered,” Julie said, “means we must take action—to talk about hard topics, to have conversations that may be uncomfortable, and to put ourselves in the shoes of those who may not have the privilege and advantage we possess.”

Question 2

The Pollina Years: 1997-2015

Accepted Answer

Ann S. Pollina came to Westover in 1972 as a Mathematics teacher. In addition to serving as Head of the Math Department, she served as Director of Studies from 1986-1989 and was Dean of Faculty from 1990 to 1997. Working with then Headmaster Joseph Molder, Ann was instrumental in the creation of the Women in Science and Engineering program at Westover in 1992, serving as the program's first director. When Joe announced his plans to retire, Ann was the unanimous choice of a search committee to succeed him."Ann, all of us have spent much time doing our homework and planning. It was clear from the outset that you were the perfect personto lead Westover into the millennium and beyond." - Anita Packard Montgomery, President of Westover's Board of Trustees, during Ann Pollina's Installation as the Sixth Head of Westover in October 1997.Working with Westover's Board of Trustees and its Strategic Plan developed in 1999, Ann has helped guide Westover as it has embarked on an ambitious effort to upgrade its facilities for athletics and the performing arts. As a result, the School dedicated a new Fuller Athletic Center in October 2001.Under Ann's leadership, the School also has made strides to increase faculty salary and compensation through endowed funds provided by foundations, alumnae, and parents. At the same time, the School has attracted an increasingly gifted student body that has made us even more competitive with our peer schools.Building on the School's past successes, Ann Pollina has encouraged Westover to provide additional educational programs that offer students with a wider range of experiences. They include:School of Dance Connecticut and Westover established a collaborative program in 1999, allowing Westover students with a serious interest in dance to be selected to attend Saturday morning pre-professional dance classes in Hartford.The England Exchange Program was established in 2002 with the Truro High School for Girls in Cornwall, England, to allow four students from each school to participate in a one-month exchange."This world needs strong, able and well-trained women in every field of endeavor. Because you have learned in an academic atmosphere where your ideas are respected, you will believe your ideas deserve respect, and you will respect the ideas of others. Because you have lived in a close, sharing community, you will be able to collaborate with your colleagues, both male and female. Because you are challenged every day at this school, you will ... accept major challenges throughout your life. Because of you, and your potential to change the world, I am proud to be Head of this school." - Ann Pollina, excerpts from her remarks at her Installation as Head of Westover, October 1997.

Question 3

The Molder Years: 1972-1997

Accepted Answer

Joseph and Elizabeth Molder came to Westover in September 1970 when Joe was appointed Assistant Headmaster to John W. Alexander. In 1971, he was named acting Head of School and on January 26, 1972, he was formally appointed Headmaster."When the first ballot was taken the vote was unanimous in favor or Mr. Molder. There was not a single doubt that he was 'our man.' He had been measured against the best of his peers and was considered to be in all respects the very person to lead Westover into a bright and shining future ... He generates a positive force, has a clear, objective mind and a quiet strength obvious to all committee members." - Nancy May Field '35, a Trustee, writing in the March 1972 Wick.When Joseph Molder became Headmaster, Westover's endowment was $750,000. He helped to guide the School through several major capital campaigns that resulted in increased financial aid available for students, enhanced faculty salaries, the construction of the Adams Library and Whittaker Science Center in 1984, and tremendous growth in the School's endowment.Throughout his career at Westover, Joseph Molder was always open to exploring new educational programs that might provide students with greater opportunities to learn in new ways.The Jordan Exchange Program was established in 1987 with the Ahliyyah School for Girls in Amman, Jordan, after Zein Al Hussein '86, the daughter of Jordan's late King Hussein I, attended Westover.The Mandeville Daughters of Teachers Scholarship Program was established in 1989 through a gift from Hubert T. Mandeville (P' 69) to help daughters of teachers attend Westover.The Manhattan School of Music/Westover Scholarship Program was established in 1990 to allow Westover students with a serious interest in music to attend a collaborative program with the Manhattan School of Music.The Women in Science and Engineering (W.I.S.E.) is a collaborative program established in 1992 with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) that encourages Westover students to pursue careers in science and engineering.The Australian Exchange Program was established in 1996 with All Saints' College in Bathurst, New South Wales, as a post-graduate year-long exchange program. (In 2001 a second exchange program was added with St. Mary's Anglican Girls School in Perth, Western Australia.)The South African Exchange Program was established in 1997 with St. Cyprian's School in Cape Town, South Africa, initiated by Sonja Osborn, Westover's Art History teacher and a native of South Africa who is an alumna of St. Cyprian's."The job of an educator or Headmaster is ... to combine idealism with the practical, to be both a visionary and a taker-down of walls so that one might provide every youth the opportunity of seeing as far as his or her heart has the courage and the will to see." - Joseph Molder, excerpts from May 1989 Alumnae Weekend Address.

Question 4

The Alexander Years: 1967-1971

Accepted Answer

"Academically there is a restlessness in evidence which seems to be seeking constructive results. The traditional five times a week repetition of a daily schedule of recitations in courses is no longer appropriate. Individualized work is increasingly being introduced, . . .When they do not meet, students are working individually or in small group ... More students are coming to realize what the better ones have already known. An education is poorly achieved if it is a passive process of responding to tasks set by teachers. More students and their teachers now know that an education is best achieved through a consciously active individualized pursuit." - John W. Alexander"As a result of many months of study, the Board of Trustees, at its meeting on May 9, 1970, unanimously confirmed its intention to keep Westover at its present location as an institution with a special commitment to the education of girls." - Dorrance Sexton, President of the Board of Trustees 1966-1972 from the Westover School Alumnae Magazine, Fall 1971Westover's day uniform dress was abolished. The new policy went into effect after spring vacation. Students may wear their own clothes as long as they are neat and tidy, and are expected to wear yellow tunics to gym and white uniforms to dinner.Hiking and camping were offered this spring as part of the physical education program under the leadership of Mrs. Virginia Hart of Woodbury. Mrs. Hart is the chairman of the Flanders Nature Center "In-School Program" and is also on the Board of Directors of this local nature center.

Question 5

The Iglehart Years: 1964-1966

Accepted Answer

For the first time in the School's history, an on-campus house was built for the Head. Lee House, designed by a local architect, Harry Wynn, was named in honor of Elliott H. Lee, President of the Board of Trustees from 1957 until 1966.The original Chapel organ was replaced by a new three manual pipe organ, the gift of Marion Tully Dimick '21, Elisa Fanoni Renzulli '32, and the Classes of 1915, 1925, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1955, and 1960. It was dedicated in 1967.

Question 6

The Dillingham Years: 1932-1964

Accepted Answer

Miss Hillard made life romantic and exciting, and ... Miss Dillingham's loyalty and justice made it secure.""...Westover lived much within itself for many years. The dates looked forward to were School dates, dates for Chapel, picnics, and walks; the figures to be admired are school figures, heroic Seniors, captains of teams, Heads of Glee. Every Saturday night there was a German or a play. School games were desperate and serious."Under Miss D., as Westover's second Headmistress, Louise Bulkley Dillingham, was known, there was no longer a "Black Monday" when the marks were read. Miss D. read only the Honor Roll of A and B girls. New clubs were formed: the Dramatic Club, Le Circle Francais, the German and Art Clubs. Her interpretation for each girl having an extracurricular activity was very liberal.In 1946 the Faculty-Student Council was initiated, based on the traditional Honor System, and giving both students and teachers a broader hand in determining School policies. The study of Science was growing; Philosophy was resumed. Language clubs played games, gave plays, had movies in the languages of their clubs ... An Entertainment Committee took over the planning of lectures and concerts.World War II: the news of Pearl Harbor reached Westover at the end of a Sunday Long Quiet Hour. During the war years, students took First Aid courses and raised money for War Relief agencies through several minimum meals a week. Gas rationing often prevented the much looked forward to Monday trips into Waterbury. It was at this time that the Student Waitress program began.Red Hall Rule Review-The Wick, June 1950Everyone has a chance to criticize and question school rules in the annual Red Hall meetings. Changes are often made according to suggestions. When the rules are left unchanged, that is because they have proved to be for the general welfare of the School.Each student should, therefore, uphold these rules, which are carried through the honor system. While the students must work to carry out the honor system, the honor system in its turn strengthens the integrity of the student. It is a challenge well worth meeting.

Question 7

The Hillard Years: 1909-1932

Accepted Answer

"The School Estate consists of homestead, meadow and woodland. In the general character of the building the endeavor has been to combine appropriateness with beauty, so that the charm and dignity of the academic and domestic atmosphere shall be an unconscious but elevating influence endearing the place to all coming under its associations." - From Westover's first catalogue"Be quiet and let your spirit fill the buildings." - Theodate Pope Riddle to Mary Robbins HillardMary Robbins Hillard was the daughter of a clergyman, teacher for six years and Assistant Headmistress of the Collegiate School, and Headmistress when it became St. Margaret's. While she was Headmistress, she decided to plan a new school west and over the hill from Waterbury, thus escaping the confinements of the city. In the words of one of her sisters, "She wanted to manage young people and set them on the right paths, impressing her girls with a sense of the real values of life." Crossways was used by the students to learn how to prepare a meal.Plays ranged from those written by students themselves to classics such as "She Stoops To Conquer" by Goldsmith and Sheridan's "The Rivals", Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Aria Da Capo", and adaptations from Dickens and Lewis Carroll. Students were also privileged to hear many distinguished musicians and lecturers on such subjects as balloons, literature, and the Russian Revolution, just starting. The Nativity Play was an annual tradition. Sports have always been an important part of the day at Westover. The students at this time were involved in field hockey, ice hockey, basketball, tennis, and skiing. There was also a tobogganing ramp for snowy winters. The team sports were played between the West, Over, and Senior teams, as there were no other schools close enough to play against at that time."When the war was declared the girls began doing surgical dressings and working for the Red Cross ... They subscribed to war stamps and bonds; there were gassless Sundays...and candyless Sunday dinners ... In 1918 Westover was asked to join a Red Cross parade in Waterbury.""It [the parade] went very well, and the remarks from the gutters were great. 'Look at them march- and they're all girls!' 'Not a man to keep them straight!' "'They must have regular training out there!' 'Look at the way they stand up!'" - excerpt from the diary of C. Rachel Trowbridge, Class of 1918The curriculum consisted of Mathematics, English, Latin, Science, French, Italian, Music (piano, violin, and singing), Drawing, and History. History of Art and of Architecture were soon added, as was Psychology. Later Italian was dropped and German had an intermittent career.

Question 8

School Timeline (1909-2002)

Accepted Answer

YearEvent1907Mary Robbins Hillard and associate make plans for Westover. Funds raised through 3,000 shares of stock @ $100.1909Construction of main building, occupied spring 19091910First class graduates from Westover1916Virginia House completed (art studios, faculty quarters, Dorcas Room)1917-1918Westover contributes to Allied Effort, WW I, in spirit and practical means1919Arrangements made for Carnegie Plan for teachers 5/5% premiums1920-25Old Methodist Church bought, used as assembly hall. 60-acre school farm in Woodbury bought. Machine and carpenter shops and garage built1931Lake Elise property bought to safeguard and improve water supply. School first accredited.1932Miss Dillingham arrives to study increase of college preparatory facilities. Miss Hillard dies, Miss Dillingham appointed headmistress1933Hamilton property bought to protect sewage disposal plant.1935Old Methodist Church and barn reconstructed as biology lab and scenery barn.1937Old Methodist Church become Mary Hillard Memorial Library1939-40New Infirmary with 30 beds built and opened1942Westover incorporated as a non-profit organization under laws of CT.1941-45Westover students and faculty involved in WW II efforts1946New opportunities for students to determine their own actions, to go outside the School to learn (UN, NY Times, Metropolitan Opera, plays. Dorcas and other school groups expand community activities. Faculty/Student Council initiated.1947Power House remodeled: new boilers, change from coal to oil. First Spring Alumnae Day held and plans made for closer ties between school and alumnae.1948Mary Hillard Society changed to Westover Alumnae Association. Work started on an Alumnae Fund to provide scholarships and improve teachers’ salaries.1949First black student enrolls1951First endowment fund for scholarship established. Annual Giving Program started –raised $31,816. Development Program established.1953New Over tree planted.1955First capital campaign. Five-year campaign raised $760,000.1957New kitchen installed1958Upson house purchased for faculty housing.1959Frisbie property purchased (LaMonte house) for faculty housing.1959School celebrated 50th anniversary.1961-63$1,000,000 building and endowment campaign. Louise Bulkley Dillingham (LBD) activities building constructed. Main building renovated to provide accommodations for 25 more students. Enrollment increased from 176 to 202. Science laboratory provided. $1.2 mllion endowment.1964Miss Dillingham retired. Robert Iglehart succeeded as Head. Red Hall redecorated.1965Lee House built. Two more tennis courts and two paddle tennis courts build.1966Iglehart resigns. Miss Hibshman Acting Headmistress.1967John Alexander appointed Head.1968Wilkins house on North Street purchased.1970Skiff house on North Street purchased. Trustees decision to remain all girls. New West tree planted. Program for Progress campaign announced. Plan was to raise $5million for endowment and $3million for new library and study center. Campaign suspended when John Alexander resigned. Chapel changed to 3 mornings mandatory, 2 evenings voluntary per week. Coordinate classes with Taft.1971John Alexander resigns. Joseph Molder named acting head. Trustees vote to limit enrollment to 150 and to admit day students for the first time with a limit of 25 – later increased to 50. Frugal meals to donate funds to charity during Lent. Day uniforms abolished. Earth Day walks. Enrollment drops by 60 students.1972Joseph L. Molder appointed Headmaster.1973Renewal of Program for Progress – goal $5 million for endowment.1975All-time low for enrollment and endowment.1977Challenge from T Mandeville – he will give $500,000 provided school raised $1.5 million.1978Accreditation in peril. Need for improved science/library facilities.1982Groundbreaking for Whittaker-Adams Science/Library building. Gwathmey Seigel design won 5 architectural awards, including the AIA’s highest award.198475th Anniversary and dedication of Science/Library building.1985New Over tree. Alumnae/Development moved to old library.1986King Hussein gives graduation address.1987Exchange program with Ahliyyah School for Girls in Jordan begins.1988Glowing follow-up accreditation report.19902nd Century Campaign announced. Goal of $21 million to build endowment. Endowment is $10 mllion. Pre-professional program with Manhattan School of Music established.1992W.I.S.E. (Women in Science and Engineering) Program, joint engineering program with RPI, begins. $200,000 grant from DeWitt – Wallace Reader’s Digest for minority scholarships in the program.1994Full enrollment, highest SSAT scores since 1970. Annual Fund exceeds $500,000 for first time with 53% participation.1997Exchange with St. Cyprian’s Girls School in Cape Town.January 1998Westover receives $6.1 million gift – largest in our history.1999Joint pre-professional program with Hartford School of Ballet establishedJune 2000Endowment at $36 millionOctober 2000Groundbreaking ceremony for new athletic center. Graham Gund Artchitects.October 2001Dedication of Fuller Athletic Center2002Exchange program established with Truro School for Girls in Truro, EnglandAnn Pollina named CT Educator of the Year by CT AAUW

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Biography About Westover's Architect Theodate Pope Riddle

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Year	Event
1907	Mary Robbins Hillard and associate make plans for Westover. Funds raised through 3,000 shares of stock @ $100.
1909	Construction of main building, occupied spring 1909
1910	First class graduates from Westover
1916	Virginia House completed (art studios, faculty quarters, Dorcas Room)
1917-1918	Westover contributes to Allied Effort, WW I, in spirit and practical means
1919	Arrangements made for Carnegie Plan for teachers 5/5% premiums
1920-25	Old Methodist Church bought, used as assembly hall. 60-acre school farm in Woodbury bought. Machine and carpenter shops and garage built
1931	Lake Elise property bought to safeguard and improve water supply. School first accredited.
1932	Miss Dillingham arrives to study increase of college preparatory facilities. Miss Hillard dies, Miss Dillingham appointed headmistress
1933	Hamilton property bought to protect sewage disposal plant.
1935	Old Methodist Church and barn reconstructed as biology lab and scenery barn.
1937	Old Methodist Church become Mary Hillard Memorial Library
1939-40	New Infirmary with 30 beds built and opened
1942	Westover incorporated as a non-profit organization under laws of CT.
1941-45	Westover students and faculty involved in WW II efforts
1946	New opportunities for students to determine their own actions, to go outside the School to learn (UN, NY Times, Metropolitan Opera, plays. Dorcas and other school groups expand community activities. Faculty/Student Council initiated.
1947	Power House remodeled: new boilers, change from coal to oil. First Spring Alumnae Day held and plans made for closer ties between school and alumnae.
1948	Mary Hillard Society changed to Westover Alumnae Association. Work started on an Alumnae Fund to provide scholarships and improve teachers’ salaries.
1949	First black student enrolls
1951	First endowment fund for scholarship established. Annual Giving Program started –raised $31,816. Development Program established.
1953	New Over tree planted.
1955	First capital campaign. Five-year campaign raised $760,000.
1957	New kitchen installed
1958	Upson house purchased for faculty housing.
1959	Frisbie property purchased (LaMonte house) for faculty housing.
1959	School celebrated 50th anniversary.
1961-63	$1,000,000 building and endowment campaign. Louise Bulkley Dillingham (LBD) activities building constructed. Main building renovated to provide accommodations for 25 more students. Enrollment increased from 176 to 202. Science laboratory provided. $1.2 mllion endowment.
1964	Miss Dillingham retired. Robert Iglehart succeeded as Head. Red Hall redecorated.
1965	Lee House built. Two more tennis courts and two paddle tennis courts build.
1966	Iglehart resigns. Miss Hibshman Acting Headmistress.
1967	John Alexander appointed Head.
1968	Wilkins house on North Street purchased.
1970	Skiff house on North Street purchased. Trustees decision to remain all girls. New West tree planted. Program for Progress campaign announced. Plan was to raise $5million for endowment and $3million for new library and study center. Campaign suspended when John Alexander resigned. Chapel changed to 3 mornings mandatory, 2 evenings voluntary per week. Coordinate classes with Taft.
1971	John Alexander resigns. Joseph Molder named acting head. Trustees vote to limit enrollment to 150 and to admit day students for the first time with a limit of 25 – later increased to 50. Frugal meals to donate funds to charity during Lent. Day uniforms abolished. Earth Day walks. Enrollment drops by 60 students.
1972	Joseph L. Molder appointed Headmaster.
1973	Renewal of Program for Progress – goal $5 million for endowment.
1975	All-time low for enrollment and endowment.
1977	Challenge from T Mandeville – he will give $500,000 provided school raised $1.5 million.
1978	Accreditation in peril. Need for improved science/library facilities.
1982	Groundbreaking for Whittaker-Adams Science/Library building. Gwathmey Seigel design won 5 architectural awards, including the AIA’s highest award.
1984	75th Anniversary and dedication of Science/Library building.
1985	New Over tree. Alumnae/Development moved to old library.
1986	King Hussein gives graduation address.
1987	Exchange program with Ahliyyah School for Girls in Jordan begins.
1988	Glowing follow-up accreditation report.
1990	2nd Century Campaign announced. Goal of $21 million to build endowment. Endowment is $10 mllion. Pre-professional program with Manhattan School of Music established.
1992	W.I.S.E. (Women in Science and Engineering) Program, joint engineering program with RPI, begins. $200,000 grant from DeWitt – Wallace Reader’s Digest for minority scholarships in the program.
1994	Full enrollment, highest SSAT scores since 1970. Annual Fund exceeds $500,000 for first time with 53% participation.
1997	Exchange with St. Cyprian’s Girls School in Cape Town.
January 1998	Westover receives $6.1 million gift – largest in our history.
1999	Joint pre-professional program with Hartford School of Ballet established
June 2000	Endowment at $36 million
October 2000	Groundbreaking ceremony for new athletic center. Graham Gund Artchitects.
October 2001	Dedication of Fuller Athletic Center
2002	Exchange program established with Truro School for Girls in Truro, England
	Ann Pollina named CT Educator of the Year by CT AAUW

in Our Community

Biography About Westover's Architect Theodate Pope Riddle

Heads of School

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