William W. Dennett ’68, M’74

A Laurentian who has been steadfast in his support of St. Lawrence students for 55 years while building a lifelong career in education, Bill Dennett ’68, M’74 studied sociology as an undergraduate while competing on the football and lacrosse teams.  A member of the L-Club, he was also a brother in Phi Sigma Kappa, Circulation Manager for the Hill News, Co-Director of the Community Development Corps, and member of the local VISTA supervisory board.  Following graduation, Bill served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay before enlisting in the United States Army.

Bill returned to St. Lawrence in 1972 and earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling while working as head resident of Whitman Hall and interning in Student Activities.  This work launched a career in education that has spanned over 50 years, including as an Assistant Dean of Students at both Dartmouth College and Lake Forest College.  He earned his Certificate of Advanced Studies from the University of Chicago, while working in their undergraduate admissions office as Associate Dean, and then served as the Dean of Admissions at Denison University, Emma Willard School, and Choate Rosemary Hall School in turn. Since 2004, Bill has worked as a private educational consultant and in 2013, started his own consulting company.

Bill has always been motivated by public service. Since the summer of 1964, he has been affiliated with the Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF), which engages environmental leaders worldwide to advance community-based and larger-scale conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage.  Bill is one of two state-wide community members who sit on the Institutional Review Board at the University of Connecticut and also works with Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Service (IRIS) to settle refugees escaping economic and political chaos to various Connecticut communities. Bill and his brother-in-law have worked with New Haven Farms, a non-profit that assists inner city medical clinics in providing community members struggling with systemic diseases to raise good food.  Bill also previously served on the boards of the Marvelwood School and The Country School in Connecticut.

That willingness to help his community extends to his alma mater, as Bill has previously served as a member on the Alumni Executive Council. He has been a career advisor, admissions coordinator, and Reunion volunteer.

Bill’s family legacy at St. Lawrence dates back over a century, and includes both his grandfather, Dr. Roger H. Dennett, Sr., class of 1898, his father, Dr. Roger H. Dennett, Jr. ’36, and both his aunt, Whilomina Brown, and niece, Sophia Negaro.  This has inspired unwavering loyalty to the University, including his philanthropy to the St. Lawrence Fund as a Sustaining Saint.  Because of his grandfather’s service on the Board of Trustees alongside Owen D. Young, class of 1894, Bill has also dependably supported the Friends of Owen D. Young Library.