In Memory of Alison Collins McKenna ’57

 

McKenna enrolled at Tower Hill in fifth grade and became active in school government, the Dial and sports, going on to earn both academic and athletic honors. She attended Hollins College and worked at the DuPont Company before returning to Tower Hill in 1973 to develop an alumni relations program. Over three decades, her responsibilities gradually expanded to encompass fundraising, archival research, editing, public relations, special events and administration. 

 

McKenna’s tenure spanned 10 board chairs, five headmasters and four capital campaigns. She developed the Tower Hill Bulletin magazine, initiated the first Grandparents’ Day in this area, organized regional alumni gatherings around the country and expanded Homecoming to include a 5K run and class reunion parties. She bolstered the Alumni Council’s golf outing and developed the annual giving program. She spearheaded the yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, culminating in a dinner for 800 at the Bob Carpenter Center and the publication of Forever Green: A Commemorative History of Tower Hill School. 

 

Upon McKenna’s retirement in 2005, former Headmaster Tim Golding called her an “institutional treasure and keeper of the Tower Hill memory for over 30 years.” 16th Street beside the Timothy B. Golding Alumni House was renamed “McKenna Way” in her honor, and she was a 2009 recipient of the prestigious Founders’ Achievement Award. 

 

McKenna’s husband, Jack, predeceased her, and she is survived by her children Sean McKenna ’78 and Jennifer McKenna. Visitation and service information can be found here. The Tower Hill community extends our deepest condolences to the McKenna Family.