Meet Town Hill Society Member Daniel Pai ’19

Pai is the youngest member of the Town Hill Society and says that giving back makes a tremendously meaningful impact. “Some think that Hotchkiss does not need their money, but it does; we can attract the strongest students when we all pull together.”

How did you end up attending Hotchkiss?
Through my mom. I wanted to be challenged intellectually as far as academic rigor, and she knew several people who sent their kids to boarding schools. My dad was also familiar with the boarding option because he had friends who attended. When it was time for me to consider schools, I toured all of the schools I applied to—seven total! I can 100% genuinely say that Hotchkiss was my #1 choice. I actually remember praying about it too. All of the interviews were fine; but when I toured Hotchkiss, it was a rainy New England day (like today) and I couldn’t see more than the buildings, not even the lake. The dreary weather seemed to match the aura at the other schools, but at Hotchkiss, it felt very warm and inviting. I remember vividly how nice and welcoming my tour guide was that day. I felt like I belonged—it's hard to describe, but it almost felt like I knew this would be my home.

What stands out about your time at Hotchkiss?
Hotchkiss fanned the flame and helped me become who I was always meant to be.

Love and service is a big part of my identity as a Christian and has been for multiple generations in my family, and Hotchkiss really taught me what it means to love and serve. I actually remember asking Allie Chen ’06, recipient of the community service award, what inspires her to serve, and she also shared that it was because of her faith. I have a lot of other faculty and friends to credit for making me into a better person, but the list is too long to name.

I came in as a prep, and the whole warmth thing I mentioned earlier is about the community that you can find here. I’ve met many alumni over the years, and so many Hotchkiss alumni genuinely miss the experience here. Character development was a big part of my time here. Yale taught me how to think, but Hotchkiss taught me how to be human. Service is a big part of that, especially with the St. Luke’s Society, of which I enjoyed being a member. Even though I was a really quiet student, I thought I’d just blend in and mind my own business. Come my lower-mid year, I ran for class council and didn’t think I’d get it, but I did! 

A year later I received the Newlin Prize (voted by classmates to receive the award for good will and sensitivity to others). I thought, how could a quiet kid like me be so loved? It pushed me to take advantage of more service opportunities so I could serve my classmates and my school. I started the Alumni Student Relations Team with Caroline Reilly [director of alumni engagement] by meeting with members of the board of governors, which I’m very active with now, and we recruited about 80 students to help establish the team.

I was also elected All School Co-President with Caitlin Reilly ’19, and one of our main initiatives was to present a 30-page curriculum review to the dean of faculty—and to this day, Carmen Dockery, the William Elfers ’37 Teaching Chair, Director of the Walter Crain Fellowship Program, Instructor in Spanish, still mentions it every time she sees me. I was also the School’s first tuba player and enjoyed my time with all of our musicians. I had the opportunity to attend Tanglewood and learn from Mike Roylance, the principal tubist for BSO (only at Hotchkiss is this possible). These moments are big for me, and there are so many in between, but really the best memories are the funny conversations that happened in the snack bar, the laughs and dances shared at senior dance, and the deep talks in the hallways and in my dorms, Dana and then Edelman. 

What did you do after graduating?
I went to Yale and majored in global affairs. In my head, I was going to join the music program at Yale, but all the wind instruments became mute due to COVID, so I didn’t play. Yale felt very familiar due to the Hotchkiss connections. As an extension of my commitment to service, I participated in the Elmseed Club at Yale. We provided free consulting services to local businesses, and I was very involved with Yale Students for Christ, where I learned what it means to share faith, hope, and love in a broken world. Now I’m a management consultant while volunteering in New Haven for the local community/YSC.

How has Hotchkiss shaped your life?
If it wasn’t for Hotchkiss—and also crediting my great, great grandfather who was a pastor and author who pressed his readers to help others—I would not be so service focused and be an ardent giver. 

How do you stay connected to Hotchkiss?
I meet a Hotchkiss friend every two weeks or talk or call someone every week. I sit on the Board of Governors and became a member of the BOG in my first year of college. I also keep up on School news by reading the alumni magazine and The Record every time I visit campus. I’m based in New Haven, so I attend as many NYC events as possible. 

Why did you implement a bequest to Hotchkiss?
I included Hotchkiss in my life insurance plan through my employer, Blue Ridge Partners. It was so easy, and it took maybe five minutes in my HR portal. And being part of the BOG, we are the biggest Hotchkiss cheerleaders! I wanted to show my love for Hotchkiss and give back to the school that gave me so much.

What would you say to other alumni about giving back?
It matters. It’s meaningful. Every dollar counts.

So many of my classmates have told me that donating is about participation not a dollar amount. Some think that Hotchkiss does not need money, but it does; and we can attract the strongest students when we all pull together. We should remember that the endowment isn't a bottomless pit of money. 

What excites you most about Hotchkiss today?
Mr. Bradley has positioned us very well to become a school that endorses and promotes open discourse. I’m confident that the next head of school will carry this torch and develop a community that continues this open discourse, and I’m excited to see what the next person does to make this happen even further. While I’ve been saddened to see the giants of Hotchkiss retire, I am most hopeful that our leadership has the strategy to attract young talented teachers who will foster this open-minded community for the next generation of Hotchkiss students.