Alumnus Chris Little ’59 Looks Back and Gives Back to Kinkaid

Chris Little ’59 and "Thomas Jefferson"

Former President of Meredith Corporation Chris Little reflects on his career and what his Kinkaid experience means to him.

1. You have worked in the fields of law, government, and publishing. What is your proudest accomplishment?

A: My proudest accomplishment is to have finished a long career through a number of very challenging and controversial situations, with a reputation for integrity and fairness.

2. You had not been connected with Kinkaid for many years. What brought you back?

A: I was invited to come to Houston to give a speech on careers to the upper school. In thinking about the speech, I remembered how much my time at Kinkaid prepared me for the rest of my life. My visit at Kinkaid showed me that the School has become even better at preparing students for a successful life.

3. What do you value most about your experience as a Kinkaid student?

A: That's a very hard question to answer because there are so many things I could mention. Let me just name three. I value a rigorous academic program, which gave me a running start when I got to Yale. I value the friends who made my years at Kinkaid a pleasure. And I value the fact that I was able to go at all—I was on a full scholarship for all six years.

4. What's your fondest Kinkaid memory?

A. Another hard question. I must say that I have always remembered a morning in Mr. Cunningham's history class when we were talking about the French Revolution. Mr. Cunningham asked the members of the class to take sides in a debate about whether the mob drives history or great leaders drive history. Mr. Cunningham treated us like adults, encouraging us to discuss large issues. I took the side of the leaders. Bill Ladin asked if he could argue that both drove history. The moment he said that, I realized that he was right—and that at Kinkaid we were allowed to argue a point of view the teacher had not left as an option.

5. What inspires you? What are you passionate about?

A: I'm inspired by, and passionate about, eighteenth-century American history. It was an exciting, dangerous time that was one of the great hinges of history — in that case, very much for the good. George Washington is my hero, and I spend a good deal of my time helping Mount Vernon, mainly as Chairman of the Life Guard Society, which raises money for Mount Vernon projects and programs. We've particularly focused on the character interpreter program, so-called "living history." My wife Betsy and I also serve on the President's Council of Colonial Williamsburg. In a related vein, I'm passionate about high-quality education. I'm very pleased to play a part in Kinkaid's endowed scholarship program.

6. What are some of your favorite books, movies, music?

A: Some of my favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird, Washington's Crossing, and anything in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. Some of my favorite movies are To Kill a Mockingbird, 1776, Air Force One, Master and Commander, and Chariots of Fire. I've taken piano and voice lessons since retiring and am working on some of the less difficult Beethoven, C.P.E. Bach, Broadway, and Scott Joplin pieces.