Celebrating Tradition: Olney’s 187th Commencement & Alumni Weekend
Olney Friends School Commencement & Alumni Celebrations Spring at Olney Friends School always brings a special energy to our campus. As our 350-acre farm bursts with new life, we prepare to celebrate one of our most cherished traditions: Commencement Weekend. This meaningful gathering brings together current students, graduating seniors, alumni, and family and friends to honor achievements and renew connections within our unique community. We warmly invite all alumni, families, and friends to join us for the 187th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 24th, at 10:30 AM and the associated alumni activities. This weekend offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating class as they prepare to carry Olney’s values into the world. 2025 Weekend Schedule: A Time for Celebration & Reflection Friday, May 23 4:00-6:00 PM: Alumni Reception on the Front Lawn — Begin your weekend by signing in, greeting friends, and enjoying refreshments in front of our historic Main Building. This casual gathering provides the perfect opportunity to catch up with classmates and meet members of our current community. 4:00 PM Friday- 2:00 PM Saturday: Silent Auction in the Collection RoomBrowse and bid on a variety of items donated by alumni and friends. All proceeds benefit the school, supporting our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience. Donations are welcome—you can contact Vicki at mainoffice@olneyfriends.org for this charitable giving opportunity. 6:00 PM: Supper BuffetJoin us for a delicious buffet-style meal in our Dining Room, served with seating arranged under a tent on the front lawn. This outdoor setting provides a perfect atmosphere to continue conversations with fellow alumni and meet our current students and faculty. (In case of inclement weather, seating will be relocated to our gymnasium.) 7:30 PM: Alumni Association Annual MeetingGather at the historic Stillwater Meetinghouse for our annual meeting. In keeping with tradition, the 50-Year Class of 1975 will officially welcome the graduating Class of 2025 into the alumni community— a touching ceremony that connects different generations of Olney students. Saturday, May 24 10:30 AM: 187th Commencement ExercisesJoin us at Stillwater Meetinghouse to celebrate our graduating seniors as they complete their Olney journey. In the tradition of our Quaker values, this ceremony reflects both our academic excellence and our commitment to personal growth and community. 12:15 PM: Luncheon BuffetFollowing Commencement, we’ll gather for a celebratory meal, starting with a buffet in the Dining Room, with seating on the front lawn. Reunion classes will have reserved tables to facilitate connections among classmates. Afternoon: Class ReunionsClasses celebrating milestone reunions will have time to gather for special activities. Contact your class representative for specific plans. 2025 Reunion Classes The following classes will celebrate milestone reunions at the 2025 Commencement Weekend: 1945 – 80 years1950 – 75 years1955 – 70 years1960 – 65 years1965 – 60 years1970 – 55 years1975 – 50 years1980 – 45 years 1985 – 40 years1990 – 35 years1995 – 30 years2000 – 25 years2005 – 20 years2010 – 15 years2015 – 10 years2020 – 5 years If you’re a member of one of these classes, we encourage you to start connecting with classmates and planning for this special milestone. Our Development Office is happy to assist with contact information and reunion planning support. Planning Your Visit How to Attend For all school events and meals, please RSVP to alumni@olneyfriends.org or call 740-425-3655 ext. 210. This helps us prepare appropriately for our visiting community members. Accommodations On-Campus CampingFor those seeking a more nostalgic experience, camping is available in our Locust Grove. Please contact Bob Rockwell at (740) 425-2013 or (740) 238-2178 to make arrangements. Local LodgingSeveral comfortable options are available in and around Barnesville: Dining Options for Class Gatherings Many reunion classes enjoy organizing dinners together. Here are some local options to consider: Getting to Campus Our campus is located at:61830 Sandy Ridge RoadBarnesville, OH 43713. We’re approximately: The Olney Experience: Then and Now While many things have changed since our founding in 1837, the core of the Olney experience remains consistent. “It always amazes me the way that you … teachers and staff made such a wonderful learning environment. I can honestly say that you gave me tools that I have never stopped using – including but not limited to compassion, empathy, patience, creative and critical thinking, and an understanding of the written and spoken word. Now more than ever, places like Olney must be protected and encouraged to grow.”—Kelsi Miller ‘14 (Kelsi’s father, aunt, grandmother, and great aunt also graduated from Olney.) When you return to campus, you’ll notice how we’ve integrated modern approaches while maintaining our commitment to environmental stewardship and community-centered learning. Our students still address teachers by first name, make decisions through consensus, and embrace the SPICES values (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship) that have guided Olney for generations. Join Us for This Special Weekend Commencement Weekend is more than just a ceremony— it’s a time to celebrate the unique community that has shaped generations of students. Whether you’re a recent graduate or celebrating a milestone reunion, we hope you’ll join us for this meaningful occasion. For questions or additional information, please contact: We look forward to welcoming you back to the campus that holds so many cherished memories for our alumni community.
2024 Commencement Speaker
We are excited to announce our 2024 Commencement Speaker. Rosemary Ketchum is a member of the City Council of Wheeling, West Virginia representing Ward 3. She also serves as the Executive Director of the West Virginia Nonprofit Association advocating for nonprofits at the state local level. In her tenure, Rosemary has worked closely on issues related to housing, small business, homelessness, and urban development. In 2023, Rosemary was named Appalachian Statesperson of the Year and has been a returning guest on MSNBC including profiles on The Today Show, Time Magazine, and CNN for her work in community organizing and politics. Olney Friends School’s 186th Commencement Exercises will take place on Saturday, May 25, 2024, 10:30 AM EST. Click the preceding link for details.
Silent Auction Donations
We are getting everything ready for this years upcoming commencement ceremony. One of our annual traditions is our Silent Auction. We are reaching out looking for donations for this charitable-giving opportunity. All proceeds will go towards Olney Friends School. To donate a gift for this years Silent Auctions please contact Vicki Lowry at vicki@www.olneyfriends.org, or call the school (740) 425-3202
Student Art Show – April 2022
Our students put on an Art Show last night for all the Students, Faculty, and Board of Trustees. We are so lucky to be able to have such talented students here at Olney Friends School. We hope you enjoy their art just as much!
Statement on the Insurgency from Friends Council on Education & HoS
Jan 26 2021 Insurgency, Inauguration, Our Children: A sign-on letter from Friends Council and Heads of Friends Schools On January 6, 2021, citizens of our country, including school children, witnessed an armed insurrection against our nation’s Capitol building; an insurrection led by individuals who chose to fly the flag of white supremacy and anti-Semitism in order to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power from the current President to the duly-elected President Elect. The insurrection was characterized by violence, disregard for norms of good citizenship, and the use of language and symbols intended to do harm. Friends Council on Education and our member schools are compelled to advocate for justice, decency, and civility when groups or individuals threaten these practices and other widely held democratic and constitutional principles. The events of January 6th in our Nation’s Capital (Washington, DC) exceed our threshold for public response. Quaker schools are committed to teaching students habits of heart and mind that insist upon a disposition of openness and respect for every member of our community regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, place of national origin, gender identity, or gender expression. We believe that such a disposition towards our fellow citizens should be the core building block of our citizenship in the United States. To draw on the words of Sidwell Friends School Head, Bryan Garman, “In the wake of political rancor, racist violence, and a devastating pandemic, we are called to remind our children and ourselves that words matter, respect matters, civility matters, democracy matters.” We are also called to affirm that every child in our country is beloved to us and that we are committed to creating environments for them not only of inclusiveness but of belonging. Friends Council and our member school communities remain committed, now more than ever, to the qualities of citizenship and civil society that are driven by the Quaker practices of peace, integrity, equity and justice, community, and the nonviolent resolution of conflict. There is much work still to be done to turn hearts and minds toward becoming a society that is truly equitable and just. We seek a better world and cannot return to society as it is. We embrace the opportunity a new Presidential administration provides to work towards a more ideal society for all. We must all move forward in courage and perseverance. Respectfully, Friends Council on Education and Heads of Friends Schools Drew Smith, Executive Director, Friends Council on Education Deborra Sines Pancoe, Associate Director, Friends Council on Education Christian N. Acemah, Head of School, Olney Friends School, OH Margaret Haviland, Head of Westfield Friends School, NJ Mike Hanas, Head of San Francisco Friends School, CA Karen Carney, Head of Chicago Friends School, IL Daena Berdougo, Head of United Friends School, PA Jenny Rowe, Head of Friends School of Portland, ME Mimi Ackers, Head of Goshen Friends School, PA Berna Artis, Head of School for Friends, Washington, D.C. Neal M. Brown, Interim Head of School, Lansdowne Friends School, PA Kirk Smothers, Head of School, Delaware Valley Friends School, PA Dana H. Harrison, Head of School, Newtown Friends School, PA Crissy Cáceres, Head of School, Brooklyn Friends School, Brooklyn, NY Brenda C. Crawley, Head of School, Plymouth Meeting Friends School, Plymouth Mtg, PA J. Samuel Houser, Head of George School, Newtown, PA Chad Cianfrani, Head of Oakwood Friends School, NY John Zimmerman, Head of Scattergood Friends School, IA Whitney Thompson, Head of Tandem Friends School, VA Angela G. Garcia, Head of School, Friends Community School, MD Janet Himel, Head of Chappaqua Friends, NY Brenda Esch, Head of School, Friends School of Wilmington, NC Christopher Kimberly, Head of School, Friends Meeting School, MD Rodney Glasgow, Head of School, Sandy Spring Friends School, MD Donnan Stoicovy, Head of School, State College Friends School, PA Matt Micciche, Head of School, Friends School of Baltimore, MD Joe McHugh, Interim Head of School, Richmond Friends School, Richmond, IN Kim Freedman, Head of School, New Garden Friends School, Greensboro, NC Karen Cumberbatch, Head of School, Carolina Friends School, Durham, NC Waman French, Head of School, The Friends School of Atlanta, GA Craig N. Sellers, Head of School, Friends’ Central School, Wynnewood, PA Paul Lindenmaier, Head of Buckingham Friends School, PA Jon Hall, Head of Media Providence Friends School, PA Darryl J. Ford, William Penn Charter School, PA Ken Aldridge, Wilmington Friends School, DE Julia de la Torre, Head of Moorestown Friends School, NJ Joe Mueller, Friends School of Minnesota, MN Darrell Cotton, High Point Friends School, NC Debbie Zlotowitz, Mary McDowell Friends School, NY Bryan Garman, Head of School, Sidwell Friends School, Washington, D.C. Aaron Fowler, Wichita Friends School, Wichita, KS Matthew Sharp, Haddonfield Friends School, Haddonfield, NJ Tori Jueds, Head of School, Westtown School, PA Liza Ewen, Friends School Haverford, Haverford, PA Jill Dougherty, Head of Stratford Friends School, Newtown Square, PA Rich Nourie, Head of School, Abington Friends School, PA Melissa Carroll, Head of School, Princeton Friends School, NJ Kathryn Park Cook, Head of School, Frankford Friends School, PA Maggie Chiles, Head of School, Gwynedd Friends School, PA Allyx Schiavone, Head of Friends Center for Children, CT Robert (Bo) Lauder, Principal, Friends Seminary, NY Andrea Kelly, Head of School, Friends Academy, NY Matthew Bradley, Head of School, Friends School Mullica Hill, NJ Ed Marshall, Head of School, Greene Street Friends School, Philadelphia, PA Dana Weeks, Head of School, Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, PA Matt Glendinning, Head of School, Moses Brown School, RI Michael Gary, Head of School, Friends Select School, Philadelphia, PA John Baird, Former Head of School, Carolina Friends School, NC and Westtown School, PA Irene McHenry, Director, Friends Council on Education’s Leadership Institute April Ann Diop, Office Manager/Tech Coordinator, Friends Council on Education Elisabeth Torg, Director of Development/Communications, Friends Council on Education PDF of Letter HERE. Statement from Friend’s Coucil on Education HERE.
Gym Ex 2019
Friday, March 8th, at 7pm Join us for Olney’s 106th annual Gymnastics Exhibition!
Alumni & Friends Gathering in Metro New York
You are invited to the Alumni & Friends Gathering in Metro New York!
2021 Commencement Announcement
Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends, On behalf of Olney Friends School, we would like to invite you to virtually attend the 183rd Commencement Exercises at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021. This is a wonderful time to reunite with alumni and friends as we celebrate the Class of 2021. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, Olney Friends School will be holding all commencement and alumni activities virtually through various platforms such as Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. Only students and faculty will be permitted on campus. Please note that commencement activities and details are subject to change. All Alumni are invited to the Alumni Association’s Annual Meeting that will be held virtually at 7:30 PM Friday, June 4 by video conference. After the traditional roll call, the 50-Year Class of 1971 will welcome the Class of 2021 into the Association. In the hopes of keeping as many traditions as possible, the Silent Auction will take place online this year. We welcome donations for this charitable-giving opportunity! To donate a gift to the Auction, contact Vicki at 740-425-3655 or vicki@www.olneyfriends.org. Other traditional events being planned include a bonfire and an “Olney Eats” cooking tutorial (in place of supper). Class Reunions will also be happening virtually in the two weeks following commencement. Alumni Relations faculty have scheduled Zoom meetings for class years ending in 1 and 6. For information on connecting to your virtual reunion, check your email inbox, contact alumni@www.olneyfriends.org, or phone Anne Marie (ext 210) or Shea (ext 253). In the hopes of keeping as many traditions as possible, the Silent Auction will take place online this year. Bidding opens at 4:00 PM EDT Friday, June 4, at https://olneyfriendsschool.betterworld.org/auctions/commencement. Details and links for participating in these virtual events will be sent as needed and in a timely fashion. We look forward to seeing you (virtually) this year! Questions? Contact Vicki Lowry at vicki@www.olneyfriends.org or Anne Marie Taber at annemarie@www.olneyfriends.org.
Virtual Speaker Series: RAMONA BUCK
Olney Friends School is honored to announce next week’s virtual guest speaker. On Friday, April 30th at 7:00 PM EDT, Ramona Buck will speak on “Conflict Resolution for Everyday Life.” Ramona (Braddock) Buck ’65 has been a mediator, trainer, and facilitator for more than 30 years. Her Master’s Degree in Conflict Management from George Mason University has been followed with much additional training in mediation and conflict resolution. She served as Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Mediation Service in the early 90’s. Following that, she was Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), providing custody and child support mediation and training, at the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. As Public Policy Director at the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO), she oversaw multi-party facilitations around the state. As a Commissioner at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, she provided ADR services including mediation and training to federal government entities. At this time, Ramona is a private ADR Consultant. This event will be conducted through Zoom and is open to the greater Olney Community. To attend, email alumni@www.olneyfriends.org to receive the Zoom link. We hope you can join us for this wonderful speaker.
Guest Speaker Series 2021-2022: Max Vogt
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”11103″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text] Olney Friends School is honored to announce the first presentation in our 2021-2022 Guest Speaker Series: Friday, September 10th at 7:00 PM EDT “From Olney Self-Gov Leader to Mayor of Centralia” By Max Vogt ’76 After graduating from Olney, Max earned a BA in English Literature and History from the University of Cincinnati. In 1988, he moved to the state of Washington and embarked upon a 30+ year career in real estate. He has operated his own real estate firm in Centralia, Washington, since its opening in 1996. Max was appointed to the Centralia City Council in July of 2015 and reelected in 2018. After having served as Mayor Pro Tem for four years, he was elected Mayor in 2021. This event will be conducted through Zoom and is open to the greater Olney Community. To attend, email alumni@www.olneyfriends.org to receive the Zoom link. We hope you can join us for this wonderful speaker. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image][/vc_column][/vc_row]