Lost and Found

Bicentennial Medalist Charlie Waigi, Williams Class of 1972, at convocation
Bicentennial Medalist Charlie Waigi ’72 during convocation. Photo by Erna Grasz

In September, Charles N. Waigi ’72 received a Williams Bicentennial Medal for distinguished achievement. It was only his second visit to campus since his graduation 40 years ago. He’d been on the college’s list of “lost” alumni since 1979, around the time he left the U.S. for his native Kenya. But his classmates tracked him down in 2007, hoping to convince him to attend their 35th reunion.

Retired after a 24-year career with a Kenyan development financial institution, Waigi had already begun a new chapter in his life—running the Jeremy Academy with his wife, Teresia. Initially using Waigi’s pension funds and operating out of their living room with just one student, the Jeremy Academy has since grown to serve nearly 500 children in nursery school through eighth grade.

When Waigi returned to Williams for his 35th reunion, he joked with classmates, “I didn’t know I was lost.” To learn where he’s been, read an excerpt from his Bicentennial Medals talk, published in the fall 2012 Williams Magazine.

View Waigi’s remarks to Williams students.