Approximately 115 individuals gathered on the Webb campus from April 24–25 to celebrate the School’s 2026 Alumni Reunion Weekend, recognizing alumni from class years ending in ‘1’ and ‘6’.
The weekend began with two Chapels featuring remarks from the 2025–26 Webb Fund Co-Chair Ryan Pryor ’12, classes alongside current Webb students, campus tours, and an all-alumni social outside the Son Will Building and Junior Room. Prior to the social, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and the Board of Trustees also attended the Howell Brothers Outdoor Classroom plaque dedication, a learning space made possible by siblings Justin Howell ’98, P ’27, ’29, and Jordan Howell ’00 through a partnership with the Webb School Parents’ Association.
After partaking in coffee with Webb’s new Head of School, Dr. Polly Parker, and the remainder of the leadership team in the William Bond Library on Saturday morning, guests headed to the Haun-Ragland Gym for an Endless Mimosa Brunch and Awards Program catered by the Bell Buckle Café. A highlight of Reunion each year, this brunch offers a chance to reconnect, reflect and celebrate the shared experience that ties every Webb alum together. Watch the ceremony.
Before beginning, all in attendance observed a moment of silence for the below Webb alumni, faculty and staff who have passed away since April 2025:
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Delbert R. Coggins >> Fred K. Beeson Jr. ’48 >> G. Jackson Ellis ’48 >> Richard E. Glaze ’48 >> Daniel K. Purdom ’50 >> Jack H. Marks ’50 >> Robert Kirkpatrick ’51 >> Lester W. Poston Jr. ’51 Smith Murphey IV ’55 >> W. Troy Bivings III ’55 >> William A. James Jr. ’56 >> Joe H. Rosenbaum ’58 >> John W. Barringer ’58 >> C. Coleman Daniel ’59 >> John F. Barbee Jr. ’59 >>
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Peter C. Herring ’59 >> L. Winfield Gilliland Jr. ’60 >> Jon P. Stuart ’63 >> Patrick B. Craven ’65 >> Scott L. Tarplee ’65 >> John D. Klein ’65 >> John C. Blue Jr. ’66 >> Knox W. Montgomery ’66 >> John W. Duling Jr. ’67 >> Walter H. Burns III ’69 >> William G. Dinning III ’69 >> Mitchell L. Mountcastle ’79 >> Charles E. Budinger ’87 >> Travis N. Bouldin ’87 >> Denton Graham Jr. ’89 >> Josephine J. Hardin ’15 >> |
In her State of the School address, Dr. Parker shared news of several new and exciting Signature Programs taking shape at Webb next academic year, with areas of focus on Leadership, Computer Science and Interactive Media, Health and Human Performance, W.I.L.D., and Tennessee Flight Training.
Dr. Parker was also pleased to announce a commitment from Dr. Tracey Huddleston P ’13 and George Huddleston III ’04 to establish The George B. Huddleston Jr. '76 Endowed Dean of Faculty. This Fund, established in loving memory of distinguished alumnus George B. Huddleston Jr. ’76, P ’04, ’07, ’13, honors his legacy and commitment to the values of The Webb School. The purpose of this deanship is to provide permanent support for the School’s academic leadership, ensuring the Dean of Faculty has the resources to foster excellence in teaching and character development.
“As I reflect on my first nine months at Webb, I remain deeply engaged in learning the rich traditions, enduring history, and meaningful sense of community that have shaped this remarkable institution,” Dr. Parker said. “At the same time, we are thoughtfully and intentionally looking ahead—building on that strong foundation as we envision the future. We remain committed to preparing students not only for the world as it exists today, but also for the careers and challenges yet to be defined.”
Regardless of when they graduated from the School or how the Webb mission has evolved over the past century, “it’s still about connection,” noted Alumni Board President Caroline Smith Pryor ’11 in her board report. “Because at the end of the day, Webb’s greatest asset has never been its buildings, its rankings, or even its traditions. It’s the people sitting in this room…who open doors for one another….who come back….who choose to stay invested in Webb long after graduation. Thank you for being here—and welcome home.”
With that, Smith Pryor introduced two remarkable alumni who have dedicated their time, efforts, and talents to sustaining The Webb School and who practice Webb’s enduring understandings in their own communities. They are the 2026 John B. Hardin Service Award recipient, Webb Follin ’73, and the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Society inductee, Martin Brand ’92. (Read more about this year’s honorees.)
In his in-person acceptance speech, Follin acknowledged the importance of educating our youth. “I can never repay everything this school has done for me,” he said.
To those in agreement with this statement, he offered the following advice: “Find something at The Webb School that resonates with you…reach out and touch that spot on our campus in meaningful ways.”
Brand, a former ASSIST scholar and international boarding student from Germany, noted how life-changing Webb, and most importantly, his relationships with faculty, truly were. “It’s a special place to educate your children,” he said. “Thank you to The Webb School for all that you did during my time there, for all that I know you’ve done for the many alumni in the room now, and for all that you’re doing for students today.”
Several additional awards were also presented throughout the event:
- Golden Guard Pins – The Class of 1976
- Buford Gordon ’22 Oldest Alumnus in Attendance – Earl Hereford ’60
- Alumna Who Traveled the Furthest – Marcie Pham Beasley ’96, Huntington Beach, Calif.
- Class With Largest Attendance – The Class of 1986
- Class with the Highest Giving Percentage During the 2025–26 Fiscal Year – The Class of 1961
Following the ceremony, alumni enjoyed reconnecting with the people, places, and programs that make The Webb School feel like home. Together, they toured Webb’s 150-acre campus, attended a special Chapel talk with Mr. L.R. Smith, perused the Webb archives with Ms. Hannah Little and Ms. Susan Howell, tried their knowledge at trapping with Mr. Ralph Jones, cheered on the varsity baseball team, got creative with Mr. Michael Stem in the Lundin Pottery Studio, and watched the Webb Company Players’ Spring Theatre Production, HONK!, on the Follin Chapel stage.
Thanks to all who made this Reunion Weekend a memorable one. Save the date for Webb’s 2027 Alumni Reunion Weekend on April 23–24, as we celebrate alumni from the classes ending in ‘2’ and ‘7’.