Don Pierpont Saved My Life

On the occasion of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the school's re-opening and the forty-fifth anniversary of Don Pierpont's death, Pierpont-era alumni gathered on campus this weekend to remember their Provost at a dinner and fireside chat on Friday evening and a Chapel service on Saturday morning. At both events, participants stood up and spoke about their particular memories of "Pierps."

The Chapel Ready for the Don Pierpont Service

There were, frankly, tears shed in both the Commons Room (Friday evening) and the Chapel as alumnus after alumnus recounted the profoundly positive impact that Don Pierpont had on their lives. Many stories followed the same outline: confronted with a vulnerable, unsuccessful, perhaps misbehaving boy or young man, Pierpont somehow saw potential no one else could recognize, provided a second (or more) chance and then helped the young lad find - and believe in - his best self. Pierpont's legendary compassion was on full display, perhaps best in the story of a meeting between Pierpont, a student, and Dean Kincaid. The dean pointed out that the student was failing most of his classes, had been drinking in the dorm, and had recently stolen Pierpont's car! Pierps's response? "Don't confuse me with facts"! That student stayed at Avon, graduated, and is grateful to Don Pierpont for the happy life he has enjoyed since then.
Of course, as with any gathering at which Don Pierpont is remembered, there were repeated references to Ho Jo's!