2006 Presidents Award Citations
Presented at Alumni/ae Council Weekend, September 2006

Jenny Young du Pont '78

It is doubtful that any Exonian has logged more miles in service to Exeter. Moreover, it is doubtful that any Exonian has shaken more hands, delighted more guests, or built stronger bridges of spirit and goodwill among her fellow Exonians.

Your term as General Alumni/ae Association president during the first two years of The Exeter Initiatives constitute an extraordinary gift of time and talent to the Academy. With tireless and unfailingly cheerful leadership, at regional events across the country, you helped convey what was most important about the Initiatives—not the dollar goals, but what trustees and faculty hope to achieve for today’s students and tomorrow’s. Your work reminded us all once again that Exeter is about people—the ideas we share, the community we create together, and the service we carry out from this place into the world.

Jenny, the General Alumni/ae Association has been blessed to have you at the helm. You have set a remarkable example for all of us as volunteers. It is our honor to recognize you with this 2006 President’s Award.

Jack Marietta '58

Jack D. Marietta—Everyone in this room tonight can probably agree that Exeter is a very special place to go to school.  However, when it comes to reaching out across the country, to families and students thousands of miles away, even Exeter needs an ambassador.  When young people contemplate such a consequential move, they want to put a face and a voice with the institution.

Jack, you are that face and that voice.  As professor of history at the University of Arizona, you are perfectly positioned to speak with students and families about education, Exeter and their future hopes and dreams.  You have been integral to Exeter’s success in the Tucson area, organizing our annual “Exeter Evening,” interviewing the majority of potential students, and keeping alive the regional network of alumni/ae, educators, families and applicants.

Jack, you are truly Exeter’s “go to guy” in the southwest.  For helping Exeter so faithfully to attract “youth from every quarter,” we are proud to honor you with this 2006 President’s Award.

Margaret Spencer '77

When you assumed the presidency of the Exeter Association of Philadelphia in 2003, you inherited a region in need of new energy and personal attention.  With your usual courteous, thoughtful and humorous manner, you set about enlisting new members—reaching out to Exonians enrolled in area colleges, while still involving the “old guard.”

As president, you organized the Association’s first skating party at the University of Pennsylvania rink—a welcome family gathering. Whether the occasion was an annual dinner, baseball game, or planning meeting, you brought enormous commitment to your role as leader and host, never failing to attend an association event.  Even after your term ended, you were still willing to answer the call:  when bad weather delayed Academy staff this past winter, you stepped into play last-minute host to young alumni/ae in the area.

All this was accomplished alongside your duties as correspondent for the class of 1977, a position you have held for the last nine years.  Margaret, reaching out and bringing Exeter a little bit closer to home is clearly your gift and your forte, and we are proud to present you with this 2006 President’s Award.

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