School Notes: Yale College
November/December 2026

Summer @ The Well

The Summer @ The Well series at Yale Schwarzman Center continued in 2026 with memorable evenings of live music featuring Yale College alumni. In June, Ross Wightman ’20MMA and Amanda Ekery, both residential fellows at Ezra Stiles College, performed Texas swing, musical theater, improvised music, and contemporary works. August featured Dean of Yale Engineering and Professor Jeff Brock ’92 and friends, who entertained a packed house with jazz numbers. These events brought together Yale students, faculty, alumni, and members of the New Haven community, transforming The Well into a vibrant gathering place for intimate and enjoyable summer programming.

Six alumni to hone leadership skills as Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Six Yale alumni were named this summer as Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University: Sam Brakarsh ’21 (social psychology and global health), Leah Clayton ’24 (earth and planetary sciences), Kaley Pillinger ’21BA/MA (economics, history), Andrew Rice ’19 (physics, mechanical engineering), Veer Sangha ’23 (computer science), and Christian Thomas ’26 (political science). Their selection recognizes their leadership, civic-mindedness, and commitment to addressing global challenges; they will pursue graduate degrees in fields such as law, sustainability, business, medicine, and education. The program provides up to three years of financial support and leadership development experiences.

Innovation in Action: highlights from the Innovation Summit

The 2026 Yale Innovation Summit, held May 27–28, brought together more than 2,600 founders, investors, researchers, and alumni from 35 states and 24 countries. The event featured six pitch competitions, 60-plus panels, and signature programming focused on advancing human health, resilient cities, sustainable energy, and creative funding models. Yale College alumni participated in the Alumni Founder Reunion, connecting entrepreneurs across generations. The summit awarded over $450,000 in funding and prizes to ventures in equitable housing, regenerative medicine, AI-enabled healthcare, and sustainable energy. The inaugural Yale Founders Award was presented to Craig Crews, John C. Malone Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, for his pioneering work in drug development. The summit showcased Yale’s growing impact on innovation and entrepreneurship.