Two Vermont Academy Alumni Receive Legislative Honors

In July 2023, the State of Connecticut General Assembly awarded an official citation to Alan Gould ’51, a prior recipient of the Florence R. Sabin Class of 1889 Distinguished Alumni Award, on his 91st birthday in honor of his “lifetime of extraordinary dedication to his community” and as "an accomplished speech pathologist winning multiple awards". The citation came as a surprise to Alan, who expected that it was for his wife, an experienced teacher. Alan was rendered speechless. Those who know him are well aware of his dedication to making artistic performances accessible for folks with hearing impairments. Alan shared that his mother had been hearing-impaired, and he saw her struggle at times. He shared, “Night was such a respite for her as she could finally relax and stop trying to process so many sounds.” 

As a student, Alan took the train from Montpelier to Bellows Falls for his post-graduate year. He noted that his Vermont Academy experience was life-changing. After he left VA, he graduated from Middlebury College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. Alan went on to receive his graduate degree in speech pathology from Southern Connecticut University. Long before the Americans with Disabilities Act, Alan used those skills to help make theater, music, education, and social activities more accessible to children and adults with hearing loss. For the Wilton Playshop in Connecticut, Alan produced 21 consecutive performances for deaf and hearing impaired audiences, using sign language and oral interpreters, conducting accessible workshops before the plays, supplying advance scripts to those who requested them, and providing real-time captioning as soon as it was available. In addition to the leadership noted in the citation, it concludes by recognizing his, “kindness, compassion, and leadership”.  

In October 2023, William “Bill” Morton ’57 received a letter from the office of New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik that surprised him. It contained a copy of the citation that was to be read into the record of the U.S. House of Representatives. The citation chronicles his contributions to the Village of Middleburgh and to the State of New York and noted his service as a Parks Commissioner and a Village Trustee. Bill spearheaded several important community projects including the beautification of the Village’s parks, the creation of a wildflower and pollinator garden, artwork and mural installations, and the establishment of an annual Oktoberfest celebration which is now entering its 6th year. In fact, the Village even named a new park after him: The William Morton Park on Baker Avenue.

Bill very kindly stepped up to share information about pollinator gardens at Reunion 2022 and, during Reunion 2024, he shared his experience adopting the principles of the Blue Zones through participation in a program at his gym. The Blue Zones provides guidelines on how to create healthy communities. He also serves as a class representative, engaging his classmates in the same meaningful conversations that he engages in with his local community.

We are sure that those who knew these two gentlemen during their time at VA and those who know them now will agree, that this is well deserved-recognition.