Special Update: The Mountain School bids farewell to Madeline Stewart s98, welcomes new director of alumni relations

Annie Janeway

After seven years on the Mountain School staff and more than $1.4 million raised for the annual fund, Madeline Podnar Stewart s98 has moved on. 

As the Director of Alumni Giving, Madeline worked closely with class fundraising agents to encourage Mountain School graduates to write a check, make a gift of stock or cash, or donate online in support of the annual fund, which our alumni did more than 8,300 times. The intrepid alumni fundraising volunteers—about 130 past and 100 present—represent about 9% of all alumni and provide valuable personal outreach to the School. 

​In the past two years, Madeline also oversaw the funding of and donor support for the Garden Hill Fund, which provides grants to alumni who are engaged in work that benefits the common good. 

During Madeline's tenure at the Mountain School, she also coordinated with dozens of generous event hosts through the Garden Hill Gathering program, which welcomed the most recent graduates back to their home cities. She assisted co-founders David and Nancy Grant as they started the Alumni Initiative (now Alumni Committee), gave admissions presentations at numerous high schools, and voluntarily hosted Big Idea Day and Mountain School Where You Live events.

Prior to joining the staff, Madeline served as a Class Notes agent, worked for a summer on Farm Crew, provided feedback to the school as a two-year member of the Advisory Board, and attended her semester's on-campus reunions. 

The Mountain School will miss Madeline's enthusiasm, drive, and organization and attention to detail. We wish her the best for her next endeavor, and we know she'll continue to be in close contact as a Mountain School alumna. ​
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Following Madeline's departure, the School welcomed Annie Janeway as Director of Alumni Relations. Annie will work with alumni volunteers, staff, and faculty to expand offerings for graduates and strengthen the alumni network. She will also oversee alumni fundraising and communications. She looks forward to meeting graduates of the Mountain School  and hearing their ideas, suggestions, and stories.

Prior to coming to the Mountain School, Annie worked in alumni relations at Amherst and Middlebury colleges, Vermont Law School, Kimball Union Academy and the Groton School. Most recently, Annie worked at Dartmouth College. She graduated from Middlebury College in 1990 and earned her MEd from Suffolk University in 1995.

With a life-long passion for the outdoors and the environment, Annie is excited to join the Mountain School community and contribute to the learning, service, and enjoyment of the School's setting and program. As a long-term resident of Norwich, Vermont, Annie has frequently skied and hiked around Vershire, including participating in the annual snowshoe-a-thon that the Mountain School hosts.

Annie's two cousins are Mountain School alumni, and she remembers her early visits to campus when they were in residence. The warmth, values, and positive vibe of the Mountain School are especially appealing to Annie as she begins her work with our alumni and students.

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