After Williston, Henry served as a hospital corps-man in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and eventually became a pioneering neurosurgeon. The GI Bill, which provided veterans of WWII with funds for a college education, allowed Henry to attend both college and medical school without incurring any costs. “Henry came to realize how fortunate he was in having the GI Bill,” said Amy in a 2019 interview. “Students don’t always have that kind of support.”

While they supported many causes, Henry and Amy’s commitment to financial aid remained constant. Amy, who served as a Williston Trustee from 1992 to 2005, was also known for her extensive volunteer work in libraries, literacy, and women’s rights. After Henry’s death in 2006, Amy remained actively involved with Williston until her own passing in 2021.

“While I never had the privilege of meeting Henry, I knew Amy well and enjoyed our frequent conversations about schools, politics, and much more.” recalls Head of School Robert W. Hill III. “Amy was a force—sharp, inquisitive, and never one to shy away from asking the tough questions. She understood the complexities of running a boarding school, and pushed me to think critically.”

With half of the Liss’ bequest allocated to need-based financial aid for students of color, that fund will generate up-ward of $180,000 in financial aid each year in perpetuity. This will help sustain Williston’s annual $7 million investment in need-based financial aid. “Alumni often tell me they wouldn’t have been able to attend Williston without financial aid,” notes Hill. “It’s a crucial part of who we are as a school. Henry and Amy’s incredibly generous gift ensures that future generations continue to have those same opportunities.”

The need for supplemental financial aid has always been present at Williston and among our peer schools. Williston has a proud history of socioeconomic diversity, rooted in its founding principle over 180 years ago: that a first-class education should be accessible to all qualified students. But for some of our students from high-need backgrounds, extra costs associated with student life, athletics, academics, and college preparation can impact a student’s ability to fully participate in extracurriculars or even just join friends for an off-campus meal. When the Williston Builds campaign began, we saw an opportunity to create an initiative to address these needs. It also aligned with ongoing discussions on campus about fostering a stronger sense of belonging for students. We wanted to make sure that students from lower-income backgrounds could fully experience campus life and the opportunities here without being disproportionately burdened by hidden costs.

Recognizing the need was a crucial first step, but Williston lacked the resources to go farther. We already cover 97% or more of tuition-based financial aid for students with very high financial need—typically about 15 to 20 students per year. So we collaborated with the Advancement team to design a pilot program. We outlined how supplemental aid would be integrated into the admission process, family communications, and student support over the course of a student’s four-year experience. In 2020, we raised $50,000 from alumni donors to launch the Equity Fund, which funded our first cohort of four Equity Fund Scholars. Similar support followed in 2021, 2022, and 2023, but continuing the program required year-to-year fundraising. Building a dedicated endowment was clearly critical for long-term sustainability.

First, in 2021, the family of Sherrie-Ann L. Gordon ’00 endowed a fund in her memory: the Sherrie-Ann L. Gordon ’00 Equity Fund for Social and Diverse Experiences. Sherrie was an honor student, class President, and epitomized what it meant to be a Williston student. Sadly, her life was cut short in 2015 when she passed away from ovarian cancer. Her permanently endowed fund now provides supplemental aid to Black students with high financial need. Then, in the final months of the campaign, two anonymous donations of $1.4 million and $500,000 established a new endowed Equity Fund for Financial Aid. This funding not only allows us to maintain the Equity Fund Scholars program, but also supports college-related costs for students with high financial need, like application and test prep fees or college visits.

In the past, we’ve lost students to schools that already offer comprehensive financial support, including supplemental aid. Many families consider finances a primary concern, and some have told us, “We can’t afford to turn down another school that’s covering all these additional expenses that matter to our family.” These funds help Williston compete for students who would thrive here.

When families choose Williston, I want them to feel truly welcomed, with the peace of mind that their needs will be met. Many high-need students are acutely aware of the sacrifices their families are making for them. I hope this program alleviates some of that pressure, allowing students to fully engage in the Williston experience without adding financial burden or anxiety.