Friday Feature: New faces of Thayer

To get to know our new faculty and staff a little better, we asked them to answer a few general questions about themselves. 

Today, we learn more about:

• Administrative Assistant and Office Coordinator for the Health & Wellness Center Emily Williams
• School Nurse Kristin Haskell RN, BSN P '29, '29
• Chief of Strategic Marketing & Communications Alison Terry PhD
• Scheduler/Planner for Plant & Facilities Samantha Carr

Meet Emily Williams

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: Spaghetti and meatballs
Favorite book: Lord of the Flies
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

Neil Armstrong

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

Leave people happier than when you found them

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?

You’re never too cool to tell your mom you love her

What’s your idea of the perfect day?

A perfect day for me is on a sunny afternoon in Maine on Lake Sebago with good drinks, good food and good friends.

Meet Kristin Haskell

Editor's note: Our team noticed that we hadn't had the opportunity to introduce Kristin when she joined Thayer last year. Her responses are to a previous version of the questionnaire - and we're delighted that we are able to share them with you now!

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Perfect happiness for me is time outdoors. I find it hard not to smile when I have time to get outside in the fresh air.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My valentines, Reese and Owen, are the greatest love of my life. At 6 lb 15 oz and 7 lb 1 oz, I couldn’t wait another day to meet my twins on February 14 (over a decade ago) and they have been walking around with my heart ever since.

What talent would you most like to have?

I would most like to have the gift of comedy. I rarely accomplish a punchline without a misstep; a tragedy, which sometimes actually produces a laugh or two.

Who are your favorite writers?

I love historical fiction, especially stories from Kristin Hannah and Jodi Daynard.

What’s your motto? 

I usually insist, after caring for someone, that they take excellent care of themselves, which may be a motto adapted from my favorite quote…

“Be good to yourself. If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?” — Kobi Yamada

Meet Alison Terry

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: Freshly made aloo paranthas and hot masala chai consumed on a cool winter morning in northern India.
Favorite book: Simple, by Yotam Ottolenghi
Favorite movie: Princess Bride

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

Julia Child, as long as we could make the meal together.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

Show up, even when there are no guarantees.

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school? 

A side ponytail is not the best choice for photo day.

What’s your idea of the perfect day? 

Spending a full day with my best friend and her kids, making something together, eating fantastic food, and talking about everything and nothing.

Meet Samantha Carr

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

​I’m a huge fan of Italian comfort food, pasta in particular.
My favorite book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
Disney Movies, especially Coco, hold a special place in my heart.

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

​Galileo! I’ve always been fascinated by the stars and the planets, and it is said that he was one of the first to dedicate his time and energy to outer space. I’d love to learn how concepts were founded before they were studied.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

​“Don’t worry unless you absolutely have to.”

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in middle school? 

Higher education doesn’t always refer to college or university. You never truly “graduate” from learning.

What’s your idea of the perfect day? 

​I would be camping with friends and family up in the mountains somewhere, ​doing nothing but ​swinging in my hammock listening to the fire crackle and the river run.