Principians across the country came together this holiday season to celebrate, connect, and share at our annual Christmas events. From Seattle, Washington, to Washington, DC, alumni across eight decades, prospective students, families, and friends gathered to celebrate and meet Principia’s leadership.  

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be leading Principia at this time,” said Chief Executive Barbara Blackwell (HON’22) to a room full of Principians and friends in Seattle. “I hope that you all feel Principia Proud when you think of your alma mater. It remains a remarkable place, graduating students who bring healing solutions to the challenges they face.” 

Joining her on this cross-country tour were Head of School Terry Grigsby (US’97, C’01) and College President Dr. Meggan Madden (C’93). Together, the team shared campus updates, expanding academic experiences, exciting facility renovations, and the continued good going on around Principia.  

"I’ve always appreciated the opportunity to be in the loop about what is happening at Principia,” said Elaina (Cokinos) Simpson (C’17), an attendee at the Washington, DC Christmas Sing. “These events help alumni feel connected to Principia, and I always leave with an even greater sense of gratitude for the opportunity I had to attend Principia.” 

"The event was so fun,” said Molly Glascock (US’11, C’15), member of the Alumni Association Board and attendee of the Seattle Christmas event, where over 250 alumni and friends gathered, including 74 children. “Principia events are always a great balance between information sharing and fun social activities. They feel enjoyable for everyone, and they make it clear that everyone is welcome to be a part of the Principia community.”  

But the events were much more than a chance for alumni and friends to catch up with Principia and the leadership team. They were also an opportunity to reunite with friends, meet new faces, and reconnect with a community that cares.  

"It’s so important that we all stay connected,” said Senior Director of Alumni & Field Relations Merrilee McFarland (US’99, C’03). “That’s really what these events are—a chance to embrace our wider Principia community and strengthen the bonds we value  so deeply.” 

For some alumni, like Glascock, meeting new faces and seeing the strength and size of the Principia community firsthand was a particular highlight of the evening. “It was so cool to see so many Principians from so many different classes,” she said. “Growing up in St. Louis, I felt like I knew the majority of local Principia folks. But I loved seeing people I hadn’t met before at this event. It reminded me how vast the Principia community is.” 

For others, like Simpson, sharing the evening with family and longtime friends made the experience all the sweeter. “I loved including my young boys in the Christmas Sing event,” she said. “They were lovingly cared for and had such a great time. And of course, it was fun for me and my husband to reconnect with old friends.”  

And while Principians across the country had plenty of highlights from their festive celebrations, the throughline of each event was undoubtedly love: love that Principians have for each other and the world, and love that Principia has for its alumni and friends.  

"We love our alumni,” said McFarland. “And we want them to know how important they are to Principia. Whether they're supporting our students through career and mentorship opportunities, or increasing enrollment through our Alumni Referral Program, there are so many ways to make an impact at Principia.”  

And that impact goes both ways! Principia friendships run deep and last a lifetime. See that connection in action this summer. Sign up for College Reunion, June 25–28, 2026!