Reunion Schedule
May 5-7, 2026
A distinguished celebration befitting our unique class designed to honor six decades of achievements, challenges, and fellowship.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE ACADEMY BEING PLANNED BY OUR CLASS
Tentative Class '66 events at the Academy, which are still subject to the availability of suitable facilities and staff at the Academy, include the following:
Panel Discussion with Peter Gamble, a very talented writer who is both an Exonian and a Son of '66 (the son of our classmate Peter Robinson)
An engaging conversation and interview with Peter Gamble facilitated by The Exonian's Editor-in-Chief and The Exonian's lead reporter.
Panel Features
- Peter Gamble '92 - Son of our classmate Peter Robinson and a Talented Script Writer
- Moderated by The Exonian's Editor-in-Chief and lead reporter
- Q&A session with audience
Peter Gamble's given name at birth was Peter Gamble Robinson II, but he is known professionally as Peter Gamble. Peter is the screenwriter of the upcoming Sylvester Stallone biopic "I Play Rocky" which is directed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly. Peter also ghostwrote "House of Sand and Fog," and has consulted on other projects such as "Now You See Me" and "Now You See Me 2". A self-professed survivor of the rigorously competitive halls of Exeter—where he's still amazed that the Academy's administration let him stay enrolled through graduation—he credits his education and experience during his days at the Academy with preparing him for the equally cutthroat world of Hollywood.
Cabot Lyford Art Exhibition In "Pop-Up" Gallery
A special retrospective celebrating the life and artwork of beloved teacher, highly acclaimed artist, and football coach Cabot Lyford. This "pop-up" exhibition will honor his artistic legacy and his profound influence on generations of Exeter students, and will feature some of his sculptures and paintings.
Exhibition
- Curated collection of Cabot Lyford's artwork
- Celebration of his artistic and educational legacy
Cabot Lyford Panel Discussion
Panel discussion about Cabot Lyford's life, his teaching philosophy, his artistic vision, and his careers in public radio and other fields before 1963, when he began his distinguished career at the Academy. The panel will consist of Cabot's daughter and former student Julia Lyford '71, Cabot's former student Jim Sardonis '69 (who is the younger brother of our classmate and former Varsity Football star Lou Sardonis), Cabot's good friend and agent Rachel Walls, and Gerald W. R. Ward, a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and co-author of the book Cabot Lyford: Winds of Change with Rachel Walls. Our panelists will collectively share their stories and memories of Cabot from their own perspectives as those who knew him well.
Panel Discussion:
- Panel discussion featuring family, colleagues and former students
- Stories and memories from those who knew him well
Meet Our Panelists
Julia Lyford
A 1974 graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Julia Lyford Lane researched British Isles and Irish traditional music and lore at Oxford University. A fine vocalist, she is also a self-taught player of the "clarsach" or Celtic folk harp and has won three international competitions. For 40 years she has performed with her duo Castlebay presenting historically informed multi-media programs for cultural institutions. They have released 32 recordings and recently published the first of a series of books containing transcriptions of traditional Anglo-Celtic songs sung in Maine with historical background information. The first, titled Bygone Ballads of Maine Songs of Ships & Sailors (Loomis House Press) has received international attention.
Jim Sardonis
Jim's work is inspired by natural forms — human, plant, and animal. He enjoys designing site-specific commissions in stone and bronze for corporations, private residential settings, and public institutions. In addition to commissioned work, Jim produces pieces in stone and bronze that are often available for sale. He also designs and creates gold jewelry, frequently drawing inspiration from themes and subjects found in his larger sculptures. Through all of his work, Jim strives to raise awareness of the kinship and interconnectedness of all living things and to promote the importance of environmental conservation. Jim began studying and practicing sculpture as a student at Phillips Exeter Academy in the late 1960s. He went on to attend Oberlin College, where he majored in a combination of studio art and art history. After graduating from Oberlin in 1973, he taught sculpture and art at various levels for many years before turning his full attention to his own creative practice.
Gerald W. R. Ward
Gerald W. R. Ward is the Curator at the Portsmouth Historical Society; Editor of the Portsmouth Marine Society; the Katherine Lane Weens Senior Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture Emeritus, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; visiting lecturer at the Mass College of Art; and currently serving his 7th term in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Recently Ward co-authored Cabot Lyford: Winds of Change with Rachel Walls.
Rachel Walls
Rachel Walls is an independent art curator, cultural historian, educator and art dealer. Walls has two bachelor of art degrees, one in American cultural studies and another in women's studies. She is the principal of Rachel Walls Fine Art, based in Teton Village, Wyoming, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and is the exclusive representative for the estates of Dahlov Ipcar, Bob Kuhn and Cabot Lyford. Recently Walls co-authored Cabot Lyford: Winds of Change with Gerald W. R. Ward.
Tour of the Recently Renovated Davis Library
An exclusive tour of the newly renovated Davis Library. Discover the state-of-the-art facilities and architectural enhancements that honor the Academy's rich intellectual tradition while embracing modern learning spaces.
Highlights
- Explore the study spaces and the recently renovated and re-named Mary Homeier Rawson Reading Room
- View special collections and archives
- Learn about modern library technology and resources
"I was glad to see that the old library is still there, renovated as a classics center. I loved that library. I loved to go read there, even on a Winter Saturday afternoon, and just feel the hum of intelligent minds all around me. I remember working on my Upper Middler American History paper there and feeling very scholarly and proud to be a student at Exeter."
– '66 Class Poet Kirby LaMotte
Self-Guided Tour of Cabot Lyford's "Head of Christ"
Visit Cabot Lyford's sculpture "Head of Christ" just outside the Episcopal Church located at 43 Pine Street. The church sits at the heart of campus, and is just a short walk from the Exeter Inn.
Location Details
- Episcopal Church, 43 Pine Street
- Central campus location
- The exterior of the Episcopal Church is most accessible during daylight hours for self-guided viewing
- Part of Cabot Lyford's artistic legacy on the Exeter campus
Self-Guided Tour of Jim Sardonis's "Simple Gifts"
Discover Jim Sardonis's elegant granite sculpture "Simple Gifts," featuring two doves perched on pillars. This powerful work celebrates peace, harmony, and the enduring bonds of community.
Location Details
- Located on the Academy campus
- Features two doves carved in granite on pillars
- Best viewed during daylight hours for self-guided viewing
- Created by Jim Sardonis '69, brother of classmate Lou Sardonis
Lodging at Exeter
Accommodation information and booking details will be available soon.
Questions about accommodation in Exeter?
Contact the Academy at reunion66@exeter-alumni.org
Come join us!
Join your classmates and their significant others for this wonderful celebration by indicating your desire to attend the reunion by using the functions posted on this website. And please feel free to bring your significant other. We hope all significant others who decide they want to attend the reunion will signal their intentions by using the features of this website