Thirty Gilman alumni came together for an evening of delightful conversation and reconnection in the Keefer Library of the University Club of Washington, DC, located in the heart of the District. Aside from refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, annual alumni reception attendees were treated to a comprehensive campus update and the opportunity to reminisce with fellow alumni and beloved teachers from Gilman.

Making the trek down from Roland Park were Joe Duncan and Karl Connolly, a teaching tandem with more than 70 years of service to Gilman between them. Not surprisingly, they encountered many former students among the crowd! Alumni dug up treasured memories from the Spanish classroom or art studio, and several runners relived grueling training sessions and records set in cross-country and track campaigns from yesteryear. 

Attendees ran the graduation year gamut. Pope Barrow ’61, a D.C.-regional-reception regular, was back after missing the 2024 edition. He commented favorably on Head of School Henry Smyth after Mr. Smyth’s thorough school update and Q&A with the audience. Pope put Mr. Smyth on par with Henry Callard, the much-beloved head from his era, and cited his high ethical and moral standards. Ananth Josyula ’20 joined the festivities after recently settling in D.C. after working abroad. Between his time at Vanderbilt University and abroad, Ananth was eager to get brought up to speed on life in Baltimore — and on Roland Avenue.

Mr. Smyth gave generously of his time and insight, fielding questions for nearly half an hour and welcoming topics of all kinds. There was interest expressed in upcoming campus improvements, the impact of AI on teaching and learning, and the effects of demographic shifts on Baltimore’s unique private school ecosystem. Messrs. Connolly and Duncan did well to inject insight from the faculty member’s perspective, especially in highlighting the positive effects of the School’s crackdown on cell phone use during the school day. Trustee Duane Holloway ’90, another regular attendee at Gilman D.C. events, offered board-level insights for added dimension.        

Volunteering with Gilman was a common denominator for many attendees. In the house were current and former reunion committee volunteers, including Darius Jennings ’11, a leader of his upcoming 15th Reunion committee, and Hudson Waters ’15, a member of the recent 10th Reunion team. Gilman’s Alumni Association Board of Governors (BOG) was present in the form of at-large member Alex Puthumana ’14, who helped to facilitate access to the University Club, and current president Brandon Croxton ’96 P’32, who shared updates and encouragement from the BOG. Meanwhile, Daniel Jang ’99 and Adam Gray ’16 expressed a desire to become more engaged in alumni programs and events, both having found themselves more settled after busy professional periods. Adam, true to his word, quickly joined his 10th Reunion committee not long after leaving the D.C. gathering!

Leaving was no easy feat for the Hounds. It was nearly an hour after the posted closing time when the last of the matriculants hailed rides or ambled to the local metro stop. Never a bother, though, for a worthy cause! Thanks to all of our attendees for indulging in the camaraderie and fellowship!