Carol Waaser ’63

The Nobility of Serving Others: How NMH Sparked One Alumna’s Desire to Spread Kindness Through Service

For more than 25 years, Carol Waaser ’63 has been a dedicated volunteer and donor to Northfield Mount Hermon. In 2018 she was awarded a citation at the Alumni Convocation Program for her exceptional service in support of the school.

Carol recalls fondly her time at NMH, which influenced her both personally and professionally. Not only did NMH ignite her love of music, which set her on the path toward a successful career in the performing arts, it also taught her the “nobility of serving others.” Carol credits NMH with making her a kinder, more generous person and setting the foundation for a life of service, volunteerism, and advocacy. Carol was an executive staff member of the Actors’ Equity Association, a labor union, for more than 28 years—a natural fit, given her desire to be of service to others.

Carol’s unwavering commitment to service is evident through her long history of volunteerism and support of NMH. Since 1991, Carol has attended nearly 50 NMH events. She has served on the Alumni Council and was an active member of her class’s 50th Reunion Committee. An enthusiastic advocate for NMH, Carol encourages her fellow alumni to give back through her work on the Class of 1963 Gift Committee and as a phonathon volunteer.

Carol took her support of NMH a step further and put her money where her heart truly was, giving to the school repeatedly through a charitable gift annuity. “A charitable gift annuity is the most terrific planned giving tool around,” she says. “It allows you to make a gift to a charitable institution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and receive an income stream for life.” This way, Carol can give back to the institution that inspired her volunteerism while taking care of herself at the same time.

Why is Carol so committed to serving NMH? "So other young people can have the same wonderful education and maturing process" she benefited from, she says.