Sat 24 Oct 8:30am
Marvelwood's 70th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Celebrating 70 Years of Marvelwood
In 2026, Marvelwood School proudly celebrates 70 years of life-changing education. Since opening our doors in 1956, Marvelwood has been a place where students discover their strengths, build confidence, and find a community that believes in them.
This milestone event is an opportunity to honor our past, celebrate our present, and look ahead to the future. Throughout the day, alumni, families, students, and friends of the school will come together to share memories, reconnect, and celebrate the people and traditions that make Marvelwood so special.
Contact the Advancement Office to get involved!
Scroll down for event details!
Schedule of Events
See our 70th Anniversary Committee!
Local Accommodations
FAQ
Code of Conduct
Schedule of Events
Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:30AM: Cornwall Campus Gathering (United Christ Church Community Center)
Start your anniversary morning where it all began. Grab a warm cup of coffee, reconnect with old friends, and take a stroll through the original Cornwall campus. Share favorite memories from the early years before heading over to the Kent campus to keep the 70th-anniversary celebration going strong!
9:30AM - 3:00PM: Registration (Sundt House)
10:00AM: Fall Enrichment Activities (Dorm Circle & Sundt House)
Experience autumn in New England by stepping back onto campus for a festive, hands-on morning filled with classic fall traditions alongside current students. Sip fresh-pressed cider, try your hand at artisan pumpkin carving, and take a guided tour to see how campus has evolved. Whether you’re reconnecting with old memories or making new ones, there’s something nostalgic and engaging for guests of all generations!
11:30AM: Community Lunch (Dining Hall)
Gather in the dining hall for a memorable community lunch as we honor 70 years of Marvelwood excellence! Connect over great food, celebrate our rich history, and look toward our bright future with inspiring student performances and special recognitions.
12:30PM: Special Speaker Series During Dessert (Pavilion)
Cap off lunch under our brand-new outdoor pavilion with delicious desserts and inspiring conversation! Hear from distinguished speakers as they share compelling stories about their educational journeys, careers, and the lasting impact of their time at Marvelwood. (Full speaker lineup coming soon!)
2:00PM: Musical Sneak Peak (Performing Arts Center)
Get an exclusive first look at our talented performing arts students in action! Enjoy a special sneak peek of this season’s theatrical production of The Trail to Oregon! before it hits the main stage. Skip the dysentery and broken wagon axles and grab a front-row seat!
3:30PM- 8:00PM: Piper Bell Welcome, Cocktail Reception & Dinner (Sundt House Garden)
Toast to 70 years at the beautifully redesigned Sundt House space! Enjoy handcrafted signature drinks, gourmet wood-fired pizza from our featured pizza truck, and meaningful connections with alumni, faculty, and friends. Please note: attendees must be over 21.
- All Day Activities (Sundt House & Calhoun Schoolhouse)
- Campus Tours
- Student Art Showcase
- Living History Project: Share Your Marvelwood Story! As Marvelwood celebrates 70 years, we’re honoring the remarkable legacy founded by Mr. Bodkin through capturing the voices, memories, and moments that shaped our community. Bring along a favorite photo, a piece of memorabilia, or a treasured keepsake from your time on campus—and sit down with us to record your personal story for our living history archives!
See our 70th Anniversary Committee!
Join our alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups to reconnect and stay in touch with our community!
Douglas A. Cassel '62
Craig P. Rider '62
Neil R. Young '63
John A. Sargent '64
Richard L. Holinger '67
James B. Potter '67
Frederick P. Schmidt '69
Charles E. Brault '70
Peter W. Ripley '70
George M. Bard Jr. '71
William M. Hedges '73
Michael F. Dolan '76
Blythe Everett P'14, '16
Glenn A. Sanchez P’18, ‘19
Gerald G. Arnholt III '88
Sylvain G. Auger '94
Zachary H. Maizel '04
Rebecca J. Love '05
Jade A. Brown '08
Alexander Sanchez '19
Sebastian Killin '24
Laurie K. Doss
Mark Esposito P'11
Mike Everett P’14, ‘16
Richard Hoddeson P'15
Kimberly Vlasseman
Local Accommodations
A limited block of 10 rooms is available at The Fife 'N Drum Inn in downtown Kent until October 10th. Book early to secure your stay!
View other Local Accommodations.
Please contact the Advancement Office for more information.
FAQ
FAQ
When is the 70th Anniversary Celebration?
Saturday, October 24th
How can I volunteer?
To sign up, contact the Advancement Office with your graduation year, phone number, and email address
Who is invited to attend?
All alumni, parents and friends are invited to attend. Kindly note you must be 21 years of age or older to attend the cocktail reception & dinner.
May I bring guests?
Yes! Our guests are encouraged to bring friends, family, and future Pterodactyls as their guests to participate. All guests must adhere to the event Code of Conduct.
Where can I stay?
Check out our “Local Accommodations” tab for recommendations of hotels, Air BnBs, livery services, and more.
Does it cost to attend?
No! This is a complementary event for our Pterodactyl community to reunite and reminisce about your Marvelwood experience with classmates and teachers. We hope that you will depart campus filled with happiness and pride about your alma mater.
How do I make a tribute gift to my class or an influential faculty/staff member?
In the spirit of honoring your Marvelwood experience, consider making a tribute gift using the Make a Gift button below. Please write in the notes box the class or person you are honoring and we will acknowledge them.
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
To ensure a safe and enjoyable campus experience, we ask all event attendees to follow these standards:
Be considerate and respectful to fellow guests, volunteers, faculty and staff, current families, and all other personnel.
Be appropriate towards current students.
Be mindful and treat everyone with common courtesy.
Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, intimidating, or harassing behavior and speech, including the use of foul and inappropriate language.
Please note that only individuals 21 and over are allowed at cocktail receptions. This includes, but is not limited, to children of alumni, current students, or alumni under 21.
Alcoholic beverages are only allowed inside Sundt House and in the Sundt Garden. Please do not leave these areas with alcohol.
Please wear your appropriate identification as provided by the school through the day after checking in with the Advancement Office for the safety of our community.
Smoking, vaping, or use of drugs is not allowed on school grounds.
Abide by the rules and regulations of the event.
Marvelwood School reserves the right to refuse entry or remove a guest from the event at any time, at its discretion. Participants asked to stop any inappropriate behavior are expected to comply immediately. Further action may result in exclusion from future on-campus, and/or off-campus events.
By attending this celebration, you acknowledge your understanding of and adherence to the Code of Conduct.
"Marvelwood was a place that truly fostered an entrepreneurial spirit, thanks to inventive teachers and a community that kept us motivated to learn. Many of my classmates carved out our own independent paths as business founders and leaders. I hope that Marvelwood never stops inspiring students to think differently and escape standard molds. I guess I’m a Pterodactyl too" - Neil Young ‘63
