Class of ’59 and ’61 Reunion

Class of ’59 and ’61 Reunion

by | Oct 20, 2023 | Announcements, North America Alumni Events | 0 comments

Kodai kids had a really lovely reunion in Edmonds Wa this September 10 -14. It was an eclectic group, with a nice assortment of “other years” joining the mainly ‘59 and ‘61 ers who organized it. SaraAnn Lockwood and Virginia Herlong we’re the chiefs, assisted by a number of locals who provided great support.

Our agenda was Different from traditional reunions in that we were at a hotel rather than a retreat center and our days were separated by the choices of activities offered. One group had a beautiful tour of Whidbey Island and others puttered around the marina and into the quaint town of Edmonds.

Both evenings were well planned. A KODAI Alum staffer showed slides and spoke to us of the impact the alumni are having on the school development. The second night, David Rugh from Woodstock ‘50’s era spoke of his research on whales. He joined in our Whale Cruise the next day, when we were treated to lengthy sightings of three wonderful species of Washingtonian whales .

Special for the ‘61 attendees was the fact that we came together 24 hrs earlier than others and were able to have a particularly meaningful time of personal sharing Sunday night. We especially delighted in several new attendees. The following day we gathered for a collectively created feast at Steve and Donnas beautiful home in Mukilteo.

Of all the reunions many of us have attended, this one reportedly was more intimate and satisfying for the connections, old and new, that became possible by the setting, the program and the participants who chose to come.

Shabash to all!

Alumni Week 2023 at KIS

Alumni Week 2023 at KIS

by | Mar 30, 2023 | Announcements, North America Alumni Events | 0 comments

Alumni Week 2023 at KIS, March 1-6

In March 2023, over 150 alumni guests visited Kodai for the Field Day Alumni Reunion Weekend celebrations.  There was such a great show of love and community as the Classes of ’71, ’73, ’93, ’95, ’03 and ’13 returned to Kodai.  When asked about “why they would leave the comfort of their daily routines and homes to return to Kodai”, many responded fondly that they were simply returning “home.”

The celebrations included a formal banquet at the Alumni Hall for all the alumni visitors, staff and the graduation class of 2023.  The decor was stunning, the program varied and well put together, and the food was amazing.  The alumni had other arranged activities, including tours of the main campus and the Ganga campus, the Pep Rally prior to Field Day, Alumni races, Canteen in the Quad, and the famous Field Day lunch served on a banana leaf (with some of the older folks struggling to sit cross legged!).

The Class of ’73, who was celebrating their 50th reunion, had 20 class members, and 5 spouses attending.  They spent several days together at Pandy and Gowri Bhaskeran’s Yercaud coffee estate before coming to Kodai. It was a beautiful and full 9 days of bonding and getting reacquainted.  By the end of the reunion, everyone left reluctantly, but with a promise to keep in touch and keep the life-long friendships going.

The Class of ’71 was unable to hold their 50th reunion in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.  They jumped on the opportunity to come to the 2023 Alumni Week to celebrate their 52nd reunion.

Much gratitude goes to all at KIS for their thoughtful, loving and well organize Alumni Week!

Keep in Touch

Keep in Touch

by | Apr 28, 2022 | Announcements, In the Spotlight | 0 comments

Keep in Touch!

Kodai Friends International Website

Kodaikanal International School Website

KIS Alumni Association Facebook Page

KIS Archives: Page through Eucys through the years, find a new recipe
in the Highclerc Cookery Book, travel the world through Nora Mitchell’s
photos and journals

KIS Hiking Over the Decades: An Interactive Photo Timeline
– add your hiking story and/or pictures

Wish you could watch a virtual tour of what the school
looks like today?
Missed that Quad Talk on …?
Wonder how the 2020 KIS production of The Music Man
compares to the 1967 version?
All this and more can be seen on the KIS YouTube Channel

The Nora Mitchell Collection

The Nora Mitchell Collection

by | Nov 24, 2021 | Announcements | 0 comments

The Nora Mitchell Collection was a large bequest made to the school after Nora, a much-loved and highly respected teacher from 1964 to 1968, died. Besides being an excellent teacher of German, Indian Social Studies, and Geography, she was an avid traveler. The collection includes her travelogues and pictures, beginning in 1951 with her European travels, through her arrival in India in 1956, to what appears to be her last trip in 2000 when she was living in London.

In response to a grant request from KIS for the funds remaining in the Archives Fund, originally established by the Class of 1961, funds were sent to help pay the part-time salary of Barbara Block, Class of 1976, to continue work on the archives, especially the Nora Mitchell Collection.

Please enjoy the Nora Mitchell Collection by clicking HERE.

The KIS Archives are now online!

by | Nov 24, 2021 | Announcements | 0 comments

The KIS website, KIS Archives, contains a treasure trove of stories, pictures, notable persons, and memorabilia related to the history of Kodaikanal International School. Click on this site and risk getting lost in this world for several hours!

Some of the highlights of the Archives include a collection of school yearbooks,“The Eucy,” beginning in 1940, and an assemblage of historical photographs of Kodai and its early (white) settlers. These include pictures of transportation up the Coolie Ghat, views from Coaker’s Walk, and sights around the Kodai lake and township. In addition, there are class pictures through the years, beginning in 1901, and recipes from the 1950 (5th edition) High Clerc Cookery Book. (Porcupine meatballs, anyone? Page 49!). At present the Archives house Eucys from 1940 through 1999, but uploading continues so keep checking. Just a glimpse of all the different front cover designs of the Eucys through the ages is a treat.

Begin your journey by clicking here: KIS ARCHIVES ONLINE