Rivers Cape Cod Summer Reception Celebrates and Connects Community

 

The club’s scenic waterfront patio and dining spaces were the setting of a lively summer gathering. Guests caught up over hors d’oeuvres and enjoyed freshly shucked oysters and shrimp from a raw “boat” bar.

The reception, thoughtfully orchestrated by Director of Family and Alumni Engagement Janet McKeeney, served as both a seasonal celebration and an engagement event for the entire Rivers community. New families joined returning ones, making the evening an especially warm welcome into Rivers’ life and community. 

Rose opened the program with reflections on his deep ties to the school, noting that after briefly “retiring” from the Board in 2021, he quickly returned to lead the search for Rivers’ next head of school, rejoining the Board in 2022 and becoming president the following year. 

“I know that momentum in schools is tied to leadership—not so much from the Board, although that’s certainly part of it. But, much more so from the head of school,” Rose said.

The list of to-dos was long. Rivers needed to complete a 10-year accreditation, develop a new strategic plan, and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive capital campaign. “Done properly, that to-do list is intertwined and requires administrative precision,” Rose shared. “And that’s how Ryan became the Red-Wing-in-Chief.”

He praised Dahlem’s early accomplishments, from guiding Rivers through the AISNE accreditation process with “the best outcome possible—a 10-year accreditation,” to advancing a bold strategic plan and refreshing the school’s mission and core values. “Ryan has been an integral part of the school’s vibrant life,” Rose said. “He embraced Excellence with Humanity and attacked our to-do list. And at the end of the day, for Ryan and at Rivers, it’s about the students.”

Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem spoke after Rose, welcoming guests and sharing highlights of his New England summer road trip, which included some unexpected run-ins with Rivers students, alums, faculty, and parents. 

Opening with “our school has had incredible momentum,” Dahlem highlighted a year of growth and achievement across campus. He shared successes in admission (“We welcomed an incredibly talented and diverse group of new students”), college counseling (“Our seniors found the right-fit colleges and universities across a wide range”), academics (“Our faculty continue to foster deep learning and critical thinking”), athletics (“Our teams brought home championships and showcased incredible sportsmanship”), and the arts (“From stunning performances to captivating exhibitions, our students’ creativity shone brightly”).

Dahlem also emphasized the importance of Rivers’ new strategic plan, revised mission, and expanded set of core values—Integrity, Perseverance, Empathy, Curiosity, and Joy—that Dahlem described as “values that aren’t just words on a page; they truly reflect the character we already see on campus every single day and will serve as our guideposts as we continue to forge ahead.”

The program continued with remarks from Chief Advancement Officer Meret Nahas, who was appointed to the position last March after an extensive national search, where all roads led back to the one person who had been serving as interim director. “Meret’s approach to philanthropy is deeply rooted in our philosophy of Excellence with Humanity. She is profoundly committed to our students and our mission,” said Dahlem. “Meret also worked tirelessly to secure a transformative seven-figure gift for our financial aid program and is leading the way in growing our planned giving philanthropy with a recent six-figure gift to support faculty,” he added.

Nahas went on to share the recent successes of The Rivers Fund, which topped $3.58 million this fiscal year in funds that directly support the programming, academics, and student experience. Beyond annual giving, overall giving in last year surpassed $6 million, a record-breaking year. Nahas credited the generosity of parents and caregivers, alumni, grandparents, and volunteers who helped make that success possible, recognizing leaders such as Marc and Jen Rosenfeld P’23, ’26, ’28; Kathryn Fagin ’01; Ginny and Roy MacDowell P’96, ’99, GP’12, ’24; and 25 Rivers Fund volunteers. 

Nahas then pointed to what stands on the horizon: Rivers’ second comprehensive capital campaign in the school’s history. “We’re entering an exciting and important moment, one that calls on all of us to help shape Rivers’ future,” she said. 

This fall, the advancement team will cultivate the community by sharing the school’s strategic priorities, which will ultimately be approved by the Board before entering feasibility testing. Throughout the winter, advancement plans to hold leadership briefing meetings, followed by a feasibility study in partnership with consultants Huron GG+A. In the spring, the Board will receive and review the feasibility report, culminating in the endorsement of the campaign priorities and working goal in June, and then enter into the leadership (or silent) phase of the campaign. 

She invited attendees to “be part of this journey, not only as champions of philanthropy, but as ambassadors for the future of Rivers. Your participation, whether through feedback or early support, will signal your steadfast belief in our direction and inspire others to follow your lead.”

Dahlem closed the program by turning the focus to students and faculty alike—the heart of Rivers. He reflected on student accomplishments in the classroom, on stage, and on the field, but also on their character and spirit in lifting one another up. He also underscored the importance of supporting our faculty and noted their tireless dedication to Rivers. 

As the evening wound down, conversations circled back again and again to one theme—the Rivers community is thriving, inspired, and ready for the year ahead.