Noreen McCartney Haffner Receives Hopkins Medal

As a mother of four Hopkins alumni—Gregory ’90, Brian ’92, Edward ’99, and James ’01—Noreen was an involved parent before joining the Board of Trustees in 1985 for a ten-year term, serving as President (the first woman to assume this role) from 1989-1992. Noreen rejoined the Board in 1999, serving for seven years. “Hopkins is an extraordinary institution which has been very important to my family. The experiences my sons have had at Hopkins—academic, sports, community service, teachers, and friendships with students and their families--have been very influential in their development.” (Views Fall 1999) During her time on the Board, Noreen also served as Secretary and was an active Chair of the Trusteeship Committee, which addresses both nominating and governance issues for the Board.

About the Medal Ceremony

The reception began with a piano performance by Sophia Chua-Rebenfeld '11 of Kabalevsky's Sonata No. 3 in F Major, Op. 46-1. Allegro Con Moto. Tributes were given by David I. Newton '67 HGS, President of the Committee of Trustees, and Kenneth A. Paul, Jr. '68 HGS, Chair of the Trustee Development Committee. Finally, Barbara Riley presented Noreen with the Hopkins Medal, Hopkins' highest honor that is awarded to "that person who has shown unparalleled commitment, loyalty and devotion to Hopkins School."

During her remarks to the audience, Noreen spoke of her service as a Trustee: "Thinking about my time as a Hopkins Trustee, I would highlight several things.

A BELIEVER IN TEAMWORK, I TRIED TO LISTEN TO ALL TRUSTEES’ POINTS OF VIEW AND HELP THE BOARD CONSIDER DIVERSE OPINIONS IN ITS DECISION MAKING;

I SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED PLANNING AND TRIED TO SUPPORT “THE LONG VIEW” WITH REGARD TO CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES;

I WAS AN ADVOCATE FOR ISSUES THAT I BELIEVE ARE CRUCIAL TO MAINTAINING THE CHARACTER OF OUR SCHOOL—DIVERSITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND FINANCIAL AID;

I WAS A SUPPORTER OF SUMMERBRIDGE, NOW BREAKTHROUGH, BECAUSE THIS PROGRAM’S FOCUS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR STUDENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG TEACHERS ALIGNS SO WELL WITH HOPKINS’ MISSION, AND THE PROGRAM CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES HOPKINS’ SUPPORT FOR THE NEW HAVEN COMMUNITY." 

The above are just a few examples of the many ways Hopkins benefited from Noreen's steady leadership and guidance over the years. We congratulate Noreen on receiving the 2008 Hopkins Medal for her dedication to the mission, and the future, of the School.

* View Noreen Haffner's speech (.wmv file)
* Read Barbara Riley's speech (.pdf file)
* Read David I. Newton's speech (.pdf file)


About Noreen McCartney Haffner

After a thirty-year career with the Southern New England Telecommunications during which she led the company's IT, Strategic Planning, Wireless Communication, and Market Planning functions, Noreen retired from SNET in 1999. Noreen has been an active volunteer in the New Haven community, serving on and chairing the Gaylord Hospital Board and the Board of the United Way of Greater New Haven. Noreen is a graduate of the College of New Rochelle and Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School in Brooklyn, NY, a school for girls that, in striking similarity to Hopkins’ own heritage, merged with the all-boys school Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in 1973, the same year that Hopkins Grammar School and Day Prospect Hill joined to form the co-educational Hopkins School. Noreen was a charter member of the Board of Governors established for Bishop Loughlin and is serving her second term as Board Chair. In December 2007, Noreen received The Anne O'Donnell Award from The Familiares of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, in recognition of her service to Bishop Loughlin and the mission of the Brothers. Noreen is married to Dr. Peter Haffner and resides in Hamden.

Past Medal Recipients

1994    F. Allen Sherk
1995    John M. Heath
1996    Elizabeth Bradley Benedict '40
1997    Anna Hale Bowditch
1998    Paul M. Weissman '48
1999    Thomas Rodd, Jr.
2000    Kenneth A. Paul, Jr. '68
2001    Vincent A. Calarco
2002    Susan Wintringham Crosby '55 
            & Sumner McK. Crosby, Jr.
2003    Mark G. Sklarz '63
2004    John C. Malone '59
2005    William J. Kneisel '65
2006    Peter H. Wells
2007    David F. Swensen