Alumni at Woodstock

I never, ever, thought that I would find myself back at Woodstock. Having grown up in India – in Kolkata, to be precise – I had had my fill of urban chaos, and swore I would never return – even to the serenity of Mussoorie. My mind was made up.

Never say never.

Twenty-four years after graduation, things seemed different. What changed? Why did it take so long? Under what circumstances would I now consider returning? How could I use my skill set from the corporate world in an educational environment? I struggled with many of these questions – as do many of us. I'd like to share my journey, together with a few thoughts from other alumni who have returned to Woodstock. Perhaps you will find that our stories are not much different from your own.

Woodstock has a way of luring us back. The childhood memories, friendships forged through trying times, rich traditions that have spanned a century or more - they all contribute to the lens through which we view and interpret our world. As truly global citizens, we have taken these things to every corner of the world, yet the formative years spent here have influenced us in ways that we cannot escape or deny.

For some, the connection with Woodstock is an integral part of life from the day they leave. For others, myself included, there is a long cycle of reengagement - a season, perhaps, of learning to fly on our own before we reconnect with the past. I suppose that's true of anyone, not just Woodstock people; after all, the years of college, marriage, child bearing, child rearing and life in general clamor for every free moment! But, as with the change in the seasons, we may find ourselves at a certain point with a yearning to revisit what was, in comparison with most people's education, a truly extraordinary experience. In many ways I failed to appreciate all the Woodstock had to offer… and almost twenty-five years later, I am discovering that anew.

Personally, I'd summarize the years since graduation in the following phases. I can't speak for the stages that are yet to come; I'd love to hear from you more seasoned veterans!

1. College confusion
2. Long term relationship
3. Children, diapers, schooling
4. Grad school
5. Gradually increasing levels of freedom as the kids gain more independence.

That is where I found myself at when I received a phone call asking if I would attend a focus group for Woodstock. That was the start of a wonderful conversation that eventually led me back here on staff. The decision to come back to India and to Woodstock has presented some incredible opportunities for my family – all of which I am sure you can readily identify with;

• Exposure to many different cultures.
• Rich traditions that cross religious boundaries and foster tolerance for all.
• An incredible environment of mutual respect and appreciation.
• The opportunity to bond with my children as they experience what I did.

Perhaps the biggest stumbling block for me was the assumption that I had nothing to contribute, or that the only thing we as alumni could do was give money. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When I arrived, I was surprised at just how many had actually returned to work at Woodstock. There are currently fourteen alumni on staff, teaching, working in dorms and in the support offices, all with unique talents that contribute to shaping the lives of an incredible group of kids. Why not join us? See what opportunities are available.

We would love to hear your story! E-mail me at MarcusShaw@Woodstock.ac.in

Alumni on staff at Woodstock

• Karen Tamminen '69 – Residence Staff
• Abhra Bhattacharjee '92 Director of Development
• Marcus Shaw '87 Alumni Coordinator
• Darab Nagarwalla '80 - 'Outdoor and Environmental Education Coordinator
• Anitra Mansson '74 – Health Center Coordinator
• Judy Crider '69 – Staff Welfare Officer
• Rochita Rao Plonka '98 – Head of Dept. – English as a Second Language
• Jeff Rollins '76 – ICT Manager
• Sue Rollins '77 – Teacher
• Haydn Wilkins '05 – Residence Teacher
• Kirsten Brady '96 – Head of Admissions
• Amy Seefeldt '93 – Dean of Academics
• Maya Dutt '92 – Residence Staff
• Ajay Mark '71 – Head of Sports

Maya Datt '92

Judy Crider '69

Haydn Wilkins '05

Judy Crider '69

Ajay Mark '71

Kirsten Bradby '96

What they say

Maya Dutt '92

I grew up at Woodstock and entered boarding in the sixth grade in 1984, and was in boarding until I graduated in 1992. These were some of the most important years of my life, and some of the relationships that I cherish the most from that time period are those that I continue to have with my dorm parents through the years. Working as a dorm parent here has given me the opportunity to give back to the School, and pay forward what these dorm parents invested in me so many years ago.

Judy Crider '69

For me coming back was not the feeling that I wanted to give back to the school, but that I was coming home. Three weeks after we arrived in September 1979 our daughter, Bonnie Beth, was born. We worked at Clifton Hostel for 9 years till 1988 with our fourth child being born in 1984; went to the US for 1988-1989; returned in 1989 and moved to Sun Cliff where Dana taught Math and I worked in the Quad Office. In 1994 we went back to the US for one year while Dana worked on his BA degree. In 1995 I returned to WS with three children while Dana continued in the US to finish is BA degree with teaching certification. In 1996 I went to the Principal's office to cover because the present secretary to the Principal did not return from vacation and then continued working there till 2010. In 2010 I moved into the HR department. Dana continued to teach Math and so much more. This has been our life. This has been the perfect place to raise four children. We have built many wonderful relationships with staff and students and hillside friends. We have influenced many students hopefully for the better. We have tried to instill the love of Jesus Christ in others by being role models and always having an open home. We have offered continuity and security.

Sue Swain Rollins '77

I love working with the students from many different nationalities and it is also nice to be able to work in a boarding school setting as you have more input into the students' lives than in a day school. I feel that I am able to give many things to the students sharing my love of hiking, nature, history, cultures, crafts and writing in this lovely mountainous setting.

Haydn Wilkins '05

it feels fantastic to be back in Mussoorie, there really is nowhere else in the world such as Mussoorie. I returned as I wanted to live once again in India, as well to experience Woodstock from a new perspective having been a day scholar, a boarder and now a dorm parent. I am excited about working with the boys in Ridgewood, and making sure that they get the most of their Woodstock experience - as I did as a student - as their time in dorms and the friendships they form will be with them for life.

Ajay Mark '71

I feel Woodstock has always been my home. I started working here in July 1981. I love working here and feel proud to have had this opportunity in my life to serve here for the past 31 years as part of the PE department. Both my daughters Ayesha'02 and Serena'05 went through Woodstock from Pre School to Grade 12. My parents both worked for 30 years each. My nephew Amit Mark worked here for 6 years and my Mother in law (Mrs. Indu Salve) worked here for 3 years. My wife Sanjaya is also working here for the past 29 years. At present she is the Head of Junior School. As a family we have served Woodstock for 129 years in total so far. Woodstock has given me and my family much more then we can ever give back.

Kirsten Bradby '96

I was born in Mussoorie and spent my most formative years here, until the age of 13. I loved growing up here. I enjoyed the close sense of community at Woodstock as well as its diversity. I was very attached to the physical surroundings – the mountains, the trees, the khuds, the views, the misty green monsoons and the clear October skies. I was drawn back to Woodstock through an email sent to alumni announcing a job opening to work as part of the admissions team, focusing on student recruitment around the world. At the time I was working long hours as a corporate finance lawyer in London, and had been hankering after something different. This role seemed like a good fit for me. I greatly value the education I received at Woodstock, and I felt that the wonderful opportunity Woodstock offers students in combining academic excellence with a well-rounded social and cultural education, all in the beautiful surroundings of the Indian Himalaya, was one which I would be keen to promote. Although moving from corporate law to school admissions was a big change, I'm happy I took the plunge. I love being back in these mountains, and I am enjoying being part of the community here. A lot of what makes this school so special is its students - the diversity of cultures, religions, backgrounds, abilities, talents and dreams they each bring with them. It is a privilege to be part of the admissions team, seeking to ensure Woodstock continues to have a wonderful, motivated and diverse student body, and seeing individual lives transformed and horizons widened with each new intake of students to Woodstock.