In a few days — Monday, August 5 — Nancy Coulverson ’16 would be starting her first job as an attorney at a New York City law firm. So how did she choose to spend her final week of free time? Volunteering at a volleyball camp at Loomis Chaffee.   

She called Loomis Chaffee volleyball coach Jeff Dyreson, for whom she played when she was a student, and asked if he needed help. Jeff was only too happy to oblige. Nancy had volunteered many times since graduating in 2016 but could not in 2022 and 2023 because of law school and studying for the bar exam. She is one of many former players who make their way back to help. 

Nancy played basketball, volleyball, and softball for the Pelicans. All of that came rushing back as she stepped back onto campus. She recalled that the first people she met before coming to Loomis from Queens, N.Y., in 2013 were Liz Stewart, a senior associate director of admission; and Adrian Stewart ’90, Liz’s husband and the longtime head coach of the varsity girls basketball team.  

“Being a student athlete gave me the opportunity to learn how to balance my schedule, work on time management, and learn leadership,” Nancy said. “I didn't see myself as a leader, but I had so many opportunities at Loomis. I was a prefect and an RA [resident assistant], captain of the basketball and softball teams my senior year.” 

She didn’t stop there. At Connecticut College, where she was a member of the Class of 2020, Nancy served as an RA and played basketball. At the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, from which she graduated in 2023, she was vice president of the women of color collective.  

“I don’t think I would have been in all these positions,” she said, “but Loomis Chaffee changed my life, and I think it started with Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, and then I truly blossomed here through other coaches, dorm heads, advisers, etc.” 

Nancy was a Kravis Scholar at Loomis.  Business leader Henry R. Kravis ’63 created the Kravis Scholars program to provide opportunities for students with financial need from culturally, geographically, and ethnically under-represented backgrounds. Nancy met Henry when he spoke at the 2015 Commencement. “I got to shake his hand, talk to him, and tell him how grateful I was,” Nancy said. “It was great to meet him and thank him.” 

Nancy reached back to her Loomis days last summer, when studying for the bar exam dominated her life.  

“My study habits from Loomis really helped me,” she said. “I still remember study hall, making sure I had my phone off, 7:45 to 9:45. ... You get away from practices like that. But I had to go back to my Loomis roots, turning the phone off, putting it away, designated study times.” 

All of it paid off in October 2023, when she learned she had passed the New York bar exam. As an associate attorney whose duties include all aspects of litigation for Foran, Glennon, Palandech, Ponzi & Rudloff PC, it will not be long before she trades the volleyball court for a New York courtroom. 

“I hope that I remember on my first day I go to court as an attorney representing our firm and our clients that I am living out my dreams and younger me is proud of me,” she said. “And I hope to use all that I have learned to help our clients. I am excited.” 

Her time back on campus has allowed for reflection.  

“It is great to come back and see how much you have grown, reflect on where you are, and see people who have helped you along the way,” Nancy said. 

The campus continues its growth, too, and that was not lost on Nancy.  

“We have such great facilities here,” she said as she sat in the lobby of the Athletics Center, just above the gym in which she played. “I remember showing someone a picture of the gym and she said, “Wow, that is the gym you played in?’ ... It is great to come back and see progress. It gives you a sense of pride that you went here, and Loomis is still making things better for its students.” 

Pelican Pride is something she feels to this day about the athletics program. She said she was happy to see recent titles by the girls basketball and volleyball programs under the coaches for whom she played — Adrian and Jeff. “I still watch the livestreams when I get a chance,” Nancy said. 

Note: Nancy's photo was taken by another alum, Catherine Dunlavey (Catherine Johanna Photography). Catherine is from the Class of 2013 and also was helping out at the camp.