Long Walk Societies
Members of the Long Walk Societies make possible the full Trinity experience: rigorous academics, a beautiful campus, and a vibrant community that fosters lifelong learning and connections.
Long Walk membership sustains the excellence and possibilities that set Trinity apart and ensures a bright, sustainable future for generations to come.
Meet Long Walk Societies members Bryan and Abby (Samolis) Blake ’04
| “Increasing our support is our way of ensuring that Trinity continues to provide the same transformative experience for future generations.”
Today, their children proudly wear Bantam gear. Bryan and Abby are thankful that Trinity remains a community to which they feel deeply connected, through friendships and shared experiences. As longtime donors, Bryan and Abby’s philanthropic journey has evolved from a simple act of gratitude to a deeper commitment ensuring that future students can fully embrace the Trinity experience. For them, joining the Long Walk Societies felt like a natural next step as they celebrated their 20th Reunion. “Twenty years provided a chance to reflect on what Trinity means to us. Increasing our support is our way of ensuring that Trinity continues to provide the same transformative experience for future generations. Giving back has been a source of pride and fulfillment, and it’s rewarding to know that we are contributing to the continued success of an institution that has played such a pivotal role in our lives.” |
For Bryan Blake ’04, Trinity provided the ideal blend of academics and athletics, shaping his college experience. Abby (Samolis) Blake ’04 cherished the small-school environment, enriched by larger opportunities, including the Cities Program and studying abroad in Córdoba, Spain.We invite you to learn more about the impact of your gift and how your generosity will be recognized.
Long Walk Societies (LWS) Levels
IMPACT
Long Walk Societies gifts have an impact on virtually every aspect of academic and student life at Trinity. Long Walk contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, which provides first, second, and third year students with up to $3,500 for a full-time summer internship that is under-paid or unpaid
- Average cost to support a Trinity student-athlete for a season
- Access for four to six first-year students to one of Trinity’s pre-orientation programs, including the Quest Leadership Program, the P.R.I.D.E. program, and Insights into Hartford
- Uniforms, transportation, and meals for a club sports team for one season
- Supplies for a studio art class for a semester
- New computer in a computer lab with the tools for student research
- Red robes for 20 Trinity Chapel singers
- Bantam Bus passes for ten students for one semester’s transportation to and from the Liberal Arts Action Lab in downtown Hartford
RECOGNITION
Long Walk donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the Associate Vice President of Advancement
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
IMPACT
Jarvis contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- The Summer Research Program, offering intensive student involvement in faculty-supervised research at Trinity during the summer, which covers the stipend for eight to ten weeks of research work as well as the cost of on-campus housing
- The Tech Edge Program, developed as part of the Trinity-Infosys Applied Learning Initiative, to provide students with the opportunity to acquire core skills in technology and business innovation, and to learn to thrive in the virtual workplace
- Subsidies for the Student Government Association’s budget for a semester
- Esteemed speakers visiting campus to meet with students and share insight from the professional world
- Registration fees for 10 students to attend a virtual conference where they will network, learn more about career opportunities, and build important professional skills
- Safety equipment for 50 students working in chemistry or biology labs
RECOGNITION
Jarvis donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the Associate Vice President of Advancement
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Chair Level
IMPACT
Chair’s Circle contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- The chance to fund a financial aid term scholarship for a moderate need student (full commitment of $40,000 over four years)
- Study away opportunities in countries around the world including at the Trinity College Rome Campus, the College’s flagship study away program
RECOGNITION
Chair’s Circle donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the Associate Vice President of Advancement
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Chair Level
- Chance to Name a Financial Aid Term Scholarship, receive notification of the scholar, and learn about their Trinity experience
IMPACT
Northam contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as
- The chance to fund a financial aid term scholarship for a high need student (full commitment of $100,000 over four years)
RECOGNITION
Northam donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the President of the College
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- Chance to Name a Financial Aid Term Scholarship, receive notification of the scholar, and learn about their Trinity experience
- End of the Year Report Showcasing How Philanthropy Makes a Difference on Campus
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Director Level
IMPACT
Summit contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- Trinity’s greatest need through the Annual Fund
RECOGNITION
Summit donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the President of the College
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- Chance to Name a Financial Aid Term Scholarship, receive notification of the scholar, and learn about their Trinity experience
- End of the Year Report Showcasing How Philanthropy Makes a Difference on Campus
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Director Level
- For Alumnae, Membership in the Marjorie Butcher Circle, which recognizes women’s philanthropic leadership
IMPACT
President’s Circle contributions support a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives such as:
- The opportunity to establish an endowed, named scholarship fund
RECOGNITION
President’s Circle donors enjoy:
- Welcome Note from the Long Walk Societies Ambassadors
- Thank You Letter from the President of the College
- Annual Virtual Event with the Chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees
- Invitation to Annual Celebration of Societies Reception during Reunion Weekend
- Notes of Appreciation and Videos of Thanks from Students
- Annual Report Demonstrating Student Impact
- Chance to Establish a Named Endowed Fund and Receive Annual Reporting on the Fund
- End of the Year Report Showcasing How Philanthropy Makes a Difference on Campus
- For Parents, Opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council at the Parent Director Level
- For Alumnae, Membership in the Marjorie Butcher Circle which recognizes women’s philanthropic leadership
The Long Walk Societies extends a special invitation to young alumni classes through their 10th Reunion to join with a gift of $100 multiplied by the number of years since graduation.
1 year since graduation = $100
2 years since graduation = $200
3 years since graduation = $300
4 years since graduation = $400
5 years since graduation = $500
6 years since graduation = $600
7 years since graduation = $700
8 years since graduation = $800
9 years since graduation = $900
10 years since graduation = $1,000
Young alumni are encouraged to take a leadership role by joining the LWS and becoming a guiding force in the future of the College. All impact and recognition opportunities offered at the Long Walk level are also offered to LWS Young Alumni.
Meet Long Walk Societies member Zoë Sylvester-Chin ’23
| “Giving back is not just a ‘thank-you’ to the school; it’s about helping Trinity’s next generation of students have a great experience.”
Looking back at her time at Trinity, Zoë Sylvester-Chin ’23 says it was, in many ways, home to her—a home that offered countless opportunities for leadership and engagement. Well prepared by her major in economics and minor in formal organizations, Zoë went from the Long Walk to New York City and a career in investment banking. Her trajectory has reinforced her firm belief in the importance of giving back to the College, knowing that alumni giving helped make her favorite Trinity memories possible.Zoë first joined the Long Walk Societies during her senior year and renewed her membership as an alumna. She is committed to supporting financial aid, recognizing the transformative power of education and the need to make it accessible to future students. Zoë also gives her time and talent as a class agent for the Class of 2023. She encourages all alumni to give, to volunteer, and to make an impact! |
Join the Long Walk Societies with a Monthly Recurring Gift
It is easy to join the LWS by becoming a Trinity GEM with monthly gifts. Set up recurring payments online.
Join the Long Walk Societies with a Matching Gift
Your employer may have a charitable matching gift program that increases your total gift at no cost to you. Gifts may be made in monthly or quarterly installments over the course of the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). For more information, visit the Matching Gift website.
→ Make your gift today.
Meet Long Walk Societies member Kathryn Eklund Wise ’88
“A liberal arts education is a valuable head start into an increasingly complicated world. I support Trinity so others can receive a liberal arts education as I did, including those who might not otherwise be able to attend.”
It was love at first sight for Kathryn Eklund Wise ’88 when she stepped on the Long Walk as a first-year student. Over the course of her four years on campus, she created a connection with the Trinity community that has endured the test of time. The shared challenges of life and learning while in college brought her together with classmates who remain close friends.Her gratitude to Trinity didn’t stop with friendship as Kathryn discovered that her liberal arts education helped her in many facets of life. She credits the interdisciplinary curriculum with the opportunity to take a variety of classes, ultimately helping her identify her interests and strengths and leading her toward her next steps in life.Kathryn has been among Trinity’s most consistent donors. Her first gifts to the Trinity College Fund were made as a thank-you for her great experience. Now, she gives back to support the students, faculty, and facilities. She joined the Long Walk Societies with an increased gift as she began to understand the extraordinary benefits Trinity offers its students: robust financial aid, new and diversified programs of study, and more opportunities to work and learn in Hartford. A proud Trinity alumna, Kathryn is excited to continue to see the impact of her philanthropy on generations of Bantams. |
Executive Director of Alumni, Family, and Reunion Giving
300 Summit St
Hartford, CT 06106
