Photo courtesy of Chief of Staff Ms. Lauren Lentine
By Francesca Howard ’26, Reporter
On October 9, a group of students met for lunch at the Sally Hart Lodge with two of Choate’s newly inducted Board of Trustees members: Mr. Julian C. Salisbury P ’26 and Ms. Patience P. “Duby” McDowell ’78.
Dean of Students Mr. Will Gilyard ’98, with the input of form deans, selected a diverse cohort of students who have demonstrated leadership skills and showed a commitment to the betterment of the Choate community.
For both students and trustees, this was an opportunity to discuss successes and potential improvements regarding Choate. While trustees aren’t involved in the minutiae of Choate’s daily operations, they oversee Choate’s long-term projects and help make decisions about major issues like campus infrastructure and student life policies. Mr. Gilyard described board members’ role as “stewards for the School [who] make sure that the School continues to be one of the best schools in the nation and continues to live out its mission.”
Students, in turn, were equally enthusiastic about sharing their perspectives on the Choate experience. One of the key topics broached by the students was the current state of Choate’s facilities. They pointed out that while the School offers many resources, some of the older buildings on campus need updates such as air conditioning. Because of Ms. McDowell’s personal ties as an alumna and Mr. Salisbury’s as a parent, the need for campus-wide modernization resonated deeply.
Friday Acuna ’26, a student at the lunch, also appreciated how the cell phone policy discussion was handled, especially its focus on student experiences and concerns. “That person-to-person conversation and connection is invaluable,” he said.
Students also expressed their appreciation for various aspects of life at Choate. Kiran Makam ’25 emphasized the sense of community fostered by the recently introduced advising block. Makam noted that this change has helped students forge stronger connections with their advisers.
For many students, speaking with trustees proved to be a valuable experience, and they were proud to bear the responsibility of representing the student body in such a meaningful discussion. Calli Gilchrist ’25 reflected on the lunch: “I felt very fortunate,” she said. “I think us being able to talk to them directly and share our experiences is really important because that means that our voices are a part of the spaces we live in.” Having transferred to Choate from her public school, Gilchrist was struck by the privilege and myriad of opportunities that come with attending a well-resourced institution. “We are incredibly lucky to have the things that we have on campus,” she said.
Makam added, “If we’re sharing our experiences authentically with people who have the capability to shape institutional values and policy, then that’s the most important thing because our voices are then being heard at the highest level of leadership at the School.”
The students left the lunch with a better understanding of what the Board of Trustees does and how decisions are made at Choate. Makam noted that the trustees were invested in understanding the student experience: “The trustees really want to know truly and authentically what is working and what isn’t,” he said. Acuna echoed this appreciation for Mr. Salisbury and Ms. McDowell’s friendliness, describing how it set the tone for the conversation: “They were very attentive and responsive whenever one of us students spoke but maintained a lighthearted air that I think really helped to calm my nerves,” he said.
As Mr. Salisbury and Ms. McDowell take on their new roles as board members, this lunch marks the beginning of what will hopefully be an ongoing conversation between students and trustees. The event demonstrated that student opinion is not just welcomed at Choate but is a core part of the conversation about the School’s future.
