"If the spirit of Deerfield Academy

could be condensed into a word,

that word would be loyalty."

- Thomas Ashley '11

 

Deerfield would not be the Academy it is today without the loyalty and service engendered in its many alumni. In recogintion of that service, support, and loyalty, as well as our alumni contribution to the betterment of society, Deerfield has established several noteworthy awards to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the Academy and to the world.

The Ashley Award

With pride and excitement, the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association is happy to announce "The Ashley Award," which will be presented annually to a young alumnus or alumna (someone who has graduated in the last 20 years) beginning in the spring of 2011!
In its efforts to continuously innovate ways to both engage and recognize alumni/ae, the Executive Committee created this award after it determined that the Alumni Association was missing an important opportunity for recognition, particularly of those involved in service. The committee hopes that uniting the concepts of "service" and "young alumni/ae" will result in honoring these deserving Deerfield graduates, who could then serve as guideposts for current students, and model an example of service for their fellow alumni/ae. Due to the fact that Tom Ashley exemplified this ideal of service in many ways, the committee enthusiastically agreed to name the award after him.

The C. Alice Baker Award

The C. Alice Baker Award was established by the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association during Deerfield's bicentennial to honor alumni and special friends of Deerfield for their loyal and devoted volunteer service to the school. It is names in honor of Charlotte Alice Baker, who attended the academy in the 1840s and became the founding president of the Alumni Association in 1901. In initiating this award, it was the Executive Committee's wish to give public thanks to those dedicated individuals, such as class agents, reunion chairs, and campaign volunteers whose quiet and steady day to day service is so instrumental in the successs of the school. The first recipients of the C. Alice Baker Award were honored by decade during the Bicentennial Homecomings in 1997 and 1998. Since the Bicentennial, awards have been made at major receptions and the annual reunion celebration in June. Winners receive a personalized crystal bell inscribed with the motto, "For Loyal and Devoted Service."

The Deerfield Medal

The Deerfield Medal was established to honor individuals who have provided distinguished service, unwavering loyalty, and extraordinary support to Deerfield Academy. Since 1962, the award has been presented periodically to individuals who have served as trustees, headmasters, loyal alumni, and in other key roles. The Deerfield Medal is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Deerfield alumnus/a or volunteer. Recipients are presented with a bronze medal in the shape of the Deerfield Seal enclosed in a handsome mahogany case.

The Heritage Award

The Heritage Award was initiated in 1984 to recognize a Deerfield Alumnus/a whose professional and personal achievements represent a special contribution to the betterment of society. In short, someone whose life exemplifies the academy's motto, "Be Worthy of Your Heritage." In addition to honoring the recipient, it also makes the current Deerfield student body aware of the scope and substance of the accomplishments and contributions of the Academy's alumni/ae.
The sole stipulation is that the recipient of the Heritage Award come to Deerfield to receive the award and address the student body and faculty at an all-school assembly. The hope is that this experience will inspire those present and make them alive to the possibility of a life dedicated to public service, education, science, or the arts. Winners receive a framed citation, a copy of which hangs in the lobby of the Memorial Building, alongside those of previous winners.
Nominees are proposed to the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association. Finalists are selected by a panel of students, faculty, and Executive Committee Members. The award is given each fall.