News & Events

On the evening of March 12, the Norfolk Academy Alumni Association welcomed members of the Cornerstone Society for a special dinner and program in the Perrel Art Gallery before the Sérgio and Odair Assad 60th Anniversary Farewell Tour concert presented by the Virginia Arts Festival.

The Cornerstone Society honors Norfolk Academy alumni who have celebrated their 50th Reunion—graduates whose lifelong connection to the school continues to shape and strengthen the Academy community. Through annual gatherings like this one, the Alumni Association celebrates these alumni while also providing opportunities for continued engagement, learning, and cultural enrichment on campus. Cornerstone Society events are designed to bring alumni back together with friends and faculty, introduce them to the work of current students, and keep them connected to the life of the school they helped build.

Despite wintry weather, 17 alumni, former faculty members, and special guests gathered for an elegant Brazilian-themed seated dinner in the gallery. Head of School Travis Larrabee welcomed guests and introduced the evening’s program, which featured a presentation from Global Affairs Fellows Ella Stufflebeam ’26 and Jane Earp ’27. The students shared insights into the exhibition SHIFT: Endangered & Extinct Languages, which they curated as part of their Global Affairs Fellows project, offering guests a glimpse into the intellectual curiosity and global perspective of Norfolk Academy students today.

Following the student presentation, Larrabee offered brief remarks and a State of the School address, thanking the Cornerstone Society members in attendance for their enduring connection to Norfolk Academy and their continued interest in the school’s future as we approach the 300th anniversary of the school's founding.

After dinner, guests proceeded to the Johnson Theater for the evening’s performance by the renowned Brazilian guitar duo Sérgio and Odair Assad, whose 60th Anniversary Farewell Tour brought world-class music to campus.

The evening reflected the spirit of the Cornerstone Society: celebrating alumni whose long relationship with Norfolk Academy continues to enrich the school community. Through gatherings that combine fellowship, student engagement, and cultural programming, the Society ensures that alumni who reached their 50th reunion remain an active and valued part of life at the Academy.

The Alumni Association looks forward to welcoming many more Cornerstone Society members to future events as we continue to celebrate this remarkable group of alumni and their lasting connection to Norfolk Academy.