Honoring a Legacy: Celebrating Arturo Bagley and the Establishment of the Arturo Bagley Civil Rights Trip Endowed Fund
When The Rivers School community gathers, it is often in celebration, sometimes in challenge, and occasionally at the profound intersection of both. This fall, students, professional community members, current and former parents/caregivers, alumni, and friends came together for three gatherings to honor the life, memory, and enduring impact of Upper School history teacher Arturo Bagley, who passed away early last summer.
A cornerstone of the Rivers professional community for nine years, Bagley challenged students to think deeply, lead with empathy, and embrace the humanity of history. Whether guiding student discussions, leading the Civil Rights trip, directing Model UN, or performing at the Coffeehouse, Bagley personified the quintessential Rivers philosophy of Excellence with Humanity.
To celebrate Bagley’s extraordinary legacy, the Rivers community joined together in remembrance at three campus gatherings. At the first event earlier this fall, members of the professional community gathered in Rivera Hall to reflect, reminisce, and share personal stories about their beloved colleague. Later in October, students, professional community members, and special guest Holly Benzenhafer, Bagley’s life partner, gathered for an all-school assembly.
Students took turns behind the podium to read aloud notes of love and encouragement that had been sent to Bagley by colleagues and former students during his final days. One note from a former student stated: “You welcomed every kind of opinion and made it feel completely safe to say whatever was on my mind. Beyond the subject itself, I remember the way you treated your students—with genuine respect and warmth, like our curiosity actually mattered to you. You gave me experiences, curiosity, and confidence that I’ve carried far beyond your classroom.”
Students took turns behind the podium to read aloud notes of love and encouragement that had been sent to Bagley by colleagues and former students during his final days. One note from a former student stated: “You welcomed every kind of opinion and made it feel completely safe to say whatever was on my mind. Beyond the subject itself, I remember the way you treated your students—with genuine respect and warmth, like our curiosity actually mattered to you. You gave me experiences, curiosity, and confidence that I’ve carried far beyond your classroom.”
A tribute video followed, summarizing Bagley’s impact at Rivers, and the assembly concluded with a faculty musical performance of Sam Cooke’s “What a Wonderful World”—a song Bagley himself once performed at the Coffeehouse.
During Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, the extended Rivers community gathered in The Revers Center to share personal stories, view the tribute video, and listen to an audio remembrance from alumna Talia Davis ’21, who described Bagley as “a revolutionary man who sought change by shaping young minds to think for themselves and understand the world around them.” Davis also said, “Mr. Bagley allowed me to find the answers and brought me to the table at which my thoughts could blossom.”
The same notes students read at the assembly as well as additional messages were displayed in the space for all to read. One note from a colleague, who remembered how generously Bagley shared his expertise, said, “Arturo has an ability to somehow make time revolve around him, and my students, colleagues, and I were the beneficiaries. They glowed when talking about you, Arturo. They loved your classes and your stories, and they learned so much from you about how to be in the world.”
Head of School Ryan S. Dahlem announced that a memorial bench will be installed outside Haynes Hall near the history office to ensure Bagley’s presence remains a part of daily campus life. This bench will provide a dedicated spot for the community “to sit, talk, and reflect, just as they so often did with Mr. Bagley,” Dahlem said.
The Rivers School is also extraordinarily honored to announce the establishment of the Arturo Bagley Civil Rights Trip Endowed Fund, created through a transformative gift from an anonymous donor inspired by Bagley’s impact at Rivers. A firm believer that history demanded proximity, Bagley led the charge in establishing the Rivers Civil Rights trip to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham. This newly endowed fund memorializes Bagley while providing financial aid to guarantee access for any Upper School student to participate in this life-changing learning experience for generations to come.
“By engaging directly with the places where pivotal moments in American history unfolded, our students will build upon their classroom learning, reflect on our nation’s founding ideals, and examine the ongoing work for racial justice,” said Dahlem.
Members of the community who wish to help ensure Bagley’s passion for history and equity continues to inspire Rivers students for generations to come may support the Arturo Bagley Civil Rights Trip Endowed Fund by reaching out to Chief Advancement Officer Meret Nahas at m.nahas@rivers.org.
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