Academics

Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium

Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium

The Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium was established in 2006 in honor of Kenyon Bissell Grogan '76, former Chair of the Board of Trustees. The goal of the Symposium is to both educate and engage students in relevant topics of today. The Symposium is an annual event, attended by students in Grades 8–12.

It commences with a keynote speech and is followed by workshops and that explore a diverse range of subjects on the Symposium’s topic. Past Symposium topics have included ethics, global peace, and innovations in math and science. The Symposium offers students an opportunity to participate in workshops and seminars and to discuss present-day issues with academicians, business and health professionals, and other experts in their fields of study or practice.

LEARN ABOUT OUR PAST SYMPOSIUMS

List of 14 news stories.

  • 19th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Our 19th Annual Bissell Grogan Humanities Symposium, AI and Its impact on Humanity, featured keynote speaker Dr. Raja-Elie Abdulnour P '29. The message that AI is a powerful tool, but one that needs verification and human creativity to harness its potential, was a strong take away.
  • Keynote Speaker Rebecca Pacheco (Photo By: Lucie Wicker)

    18th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Balancing School, Self, and Life
    Our 18th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium featured keynote speaker Rebecca Pacheco P '35. We were thrilled to have four additional Brimmer parents leading student workshops, along with an outstanding group of local scholars and industry leaders.
  • 17th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Our 17th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium was another successful Speaker Series with the theme, Resilience in the Time of Change. The speaker series explores the concept of resilience during challenging times through the lenses of race and social justice, climate and the environment, and how the arts and creativity have managed to pivot and thrive.
  • 16th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Our 16th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium was successfully reimagined as a Virtual Speaker Series featuring four exciting keynotes spotlighting our school-year theme, Building an Equitable Community. Each talk was followed by interactive workshops with our students. We welcomed our trustees, Board of Visitors, alumni, and parents to join us for these timely and relevant keynote presentations. Read more about the event in the spring 2021 issue of the Brimmer Magazine.
  • Keynote Speaker Jake Auchincloss

    15th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Environmental Stewardship & Impact
    Jake Auchincloss was the keynote speaker, presenting Reinventing Transportation through the Green New Deal. He encouraged students to consider the impact they can make on their environment, no matter how small. He reminded students that "environmental sustainability is about more than just being green. It’s about leaving our kids with a planet that is in better shape than we found it.”
  • Keynote speaker Dr. Raj Panjabi.

    14th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    The Power & Impact of Teams 
    Keynote speaker Dr. Raj Panjabi
     gave a thought-provoking presentation No Condition is Permanent: The Power of Teamwork in Public Service. His father’s message “No condition is permanent” would affect him deeply as he matured and engaged in opportunities to serve neighbors and communities in need. It instilled the belief that when people come together as a team, powerful things can happen. 
  • Head of School Judy Guild, Kennie Bissell Grogan, Keynote speaker Emily Rooney, Jeffrey Grogan, and Director of Development Elizabeth Smith.

    13th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    The Future and Function of News
    Keynote speaker Emily Rooney, host/executive editor of “Beat the Press,” presented “Fake News – You Know It When You See It,” to Middle and Upper Schoolers, Trustees, parents, faculty and staff.
  • Keynote speaker - Dr. Derrick Rossi, P ’24. ’26, ’28.

    12th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    The Global Tipping Point: What it Means and Where to Go From Here
    Keynote speaker 
    Dr. Derrick Rossi, P ’24. ’26, ’28, gave a talk entitled “Stem Cell Science and the Genesis of Innovative New Therapies for Patients.”
  • Director of Development Elizabeth Smith, Head of School Judy Guild, Brimmer Trustee Kenny Bissell Grogan, Keynote Speaker Ben Mezrich, and George Bissell.

    11th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Innovation and Disruption
    Keynote speaker Ben Mezrich P ’28 gave a talk entitled Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of the MIT Blackjack Team, Russian Oligarchs, and the Harvard Geniuses Who Created Facebook.
  • 10th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Our Economic Times
    Keynote speaker John Spooner, P ’88, GP ’22, spoke about “Your Brilliant Future: Street Smart Solutions for the Problems You’ll Have,” and was introduced by his daughter, Director of Alumni and Special Events Amanda Spooner Frank ’89, P’22.
  • Head of School Judy Guild with George Bissell, Kenyon Bissell Grogan '76, Jeffrey Grogan, Dr. Jonathan Gruber, and Ava Gruber.

    9th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Seeking a Better World: Individuals Working for Change
    The Keynote speaker, Dr. Jonathan Gruber, P ’18, spoke about “Health Care Reform in the U.S.: Past, Present, and Future” and was eloquently introduced by his daughter, Ava ’18.
  • Keynote Speaker Marcus Burke '06.

    8th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Uses of the Narrative
    The Symposium featured a keynote presentation by alumni author Marcus Burke ’06 and panel workshops focusing on the full range of narratives in today’s global society. Workshop presenters included a current senior, three Brimmer and May alumni, two faculty members, a former parent, and other professionals in the community who represented the arts, blogging, medicine, and the news media.
  • Dr. Mardge Cohen, Keynote speaker, speaking about Women's Equity and Access to Care and Treatment (WE-ACTx).

    7th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Global Health
    The Keynote speaker, Dr. Mardge Cohen, spoke about her work and experience in Rwanda with an organization called Womenís Equity in Access to Care and Treatment (WE-ACTx).
  • 6th Annual Bissell Grogan Symposium

    Initiatives For Global Peace
    Keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Beran, Director of Outreach, Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University gave a talk entitled, "Engaging the 21st Century Middle East Region." He spoke to students about how land and resources are divided and the conflicts this causes.
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.