Alumni Award & Hall of Fame Honorees

Each year, Sanford celebrates members of our community who exemplify our motto, "No Talent Lies Latent", through their achievements, leadership, and service. This year, we are proud to honor Neeraj Batta ’95 and Caroline Polisi ’00 as our Alumni Award recipients, and to induct Marcus Thompson ’85 and Caitlin and Kendall Towe ’10 into the Sanford Athletic Hall of Fame. Their accomplishments reflect the lasting impact of a Sanford education, where curiosity, character, and commitment continue to guide our graduates long after they leave campus. These distinguished alumni will be formally recognized during Homecoming 2025 on Saturday, October 18, at 12:00 PM in the Geipel Center for Performing Arts.

Neeraj Batta ‘95
Neeraj Batta, Class of 1995, is a Sanford alumnus whose experiences in Sanford's Upper School helped nurture his curiosity, strengthen his problem-solving skills, and foster his commitment to community. He credits challenging math and science courses, AP coursework in his senior year, and supportive faculty such as André Dagenais and Doug Wood with helping put him on the path to a meaningful career in STEM.

After Sanford, Neeraj turned down a scholarship to Drexel to pursue a degree in chemical engineering at the University of Delaware, continuing his academic journey in his community. He began his career in supply chain at Dow Chemical before joining his family’s business, Batta Environmental Associates, where he now serves as Senior Vice President. Under his leadership, the company has earned recognition such as SBA Exporter of the Year, and Neeraj himself was nominated by the Department of Commerce for the Export Trade Council. As a professional engineer, he develops green and clean technology solutions that address global challenges in water, air, and environmental remediation. Notable projects include remediating Wilmington’s downtown tannery site to enable affordable housing, improving a Mexico City reservoir that serves roughly 30% of the city’s drinking water, and transforming a historically segregated school in Virginia into a trade school supporting workforce development in the region.

Outside of work, Neeraj is a devoted father to three boys and a determined CrossFit enthusiast; he also remains a dedicated supporter of Sanford athletics, cheering on both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from the sidelines! His career embodies a commitment to service, innovation, and community impact–values instilled at Sanford that continue to guide his professional and personal life. We are honored to recognize Neeraj with this year’s Alumni Award!

Caroline Johnston Polisi, Class of 2000, is a proud Sanford alumna who excelled academically and personally, serving as a member of the National Honor Society, a varsity athlete in field hockey and swimming, and performing in over ten musicals and plays with the Sanford Repertory Theater Company–experiences that helped her develop confidence, poise, and the exceptional communication skills that have served her in her career. She also credits transformative experiences like Lloyd Johns’ AP US History class, which taught her to see history not just as a series of events, but as a complex, interconnected story.

After Sanford, Caroline graduated cum laude from Yale University with departmental honors in English and earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. She began her career as a top-rated white-collar criminal defense attorney in New York City before transitioning to media as CBS News’ on-air Legal Analyst, where she explains complex legal issues to millions of viewers and appears regularly on CBS Mornings. She has also provided commentary for CNN, MSNBC, ABC, and BBC News, and is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Caroline contributed to The Dropout, ABC News’ podcast on the Theranos trial, now a Hulu limited series.

In addition to her media work, Caroline teaches first-year legal writing at Columbia Law School, helping guide and mentor the next generation of lawyers. She's also a dedicated wife and mother of two and champions Type 1 Diabetes awareness following her daughter Adeline’s diagnosis.

Caroline’s career embodies a commitment to service that leaves a lasting, meaningful impact; we are honored to celebrate her many achievements through this year’s Alumni Award!

A true force in Sanford athletics, Marcus L Thompson Sr., Class of 1985, was a multi-sport standout who earned three-time All-Conference honors in basketball, two-time All-State recognition, and 1st Team All-DISC honors in shot put. He also received McDonald’s and Converse All-American nominations. His dedication, leadership, and competitive drive helped elevate his teams and inspire his peers.

Marcus went on to Brown University, where he became the third all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball history, earned two All-Ivy and All-New England honors, and was twice inducted into the Brown University Hall of Fame–once as part of the 1985-86 team and again as an individual player. He was selected as a member of the Brown Basketball All-Decade team. He played professionally in Portugal, where he was recognized as a tournament selection for best 3-point shooter and scorer, including a remarkable 55-point tournament game.

Returning to Sanford as girls’ basketball coach, Marcus has built a legendary program over 21 years, compiling a 394-89 record with five championship titles, nine championship game appearances, twelve Final Four appearances, and twenty consecutive DISC championships without a loss. Along the way, he has developed one of the most respected programs in the state, preparing countless players to succeed both on the court and in life. His athletes often credit him with pushing them to reach their full potential, while also creating a culture of family and pride in Sanford basketball. He is celebrated not only for his extraordinary record but for mentoring generations of athletes, teaching the value of teamwork, perseverance, personal growth, and enjoying the journey.

Marcus’s impact on Sanford athletics is enduring. His leadership, skill, and dedication to the community have left a legacy that continues to inspire, making him a truly deserving inductee into the Sanford Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

Caitlin and Kendall Towe, Class of 2010, were standout athletes at Sanford, receiving All-State and All-Conference honors for five consecutive years in swimming. Kendall also excelled in soccer, earning two All-State selections and four All-Conference honors. Guided by the support and values instilled by their grandparents, their dedication, leadership, and competitive spirit helped elevate the legacy of Sanford Swimming.

After Sanford, both sisters competed at the Division I collegiate level, bringing the skills and teamwork honed at Sanford to the next stage of their athletic careers. Kendall was a three-time member of a Colonial Athletic Association championship team, ranked in the top 25 nationally for the 200-yard butterfly, and earned two All-American honors during her years at Towson University. Caitlin attended the University of North Carolina (Wilmington), where she was a two-time Academic All-American. She has continued to impact the sport as a club swim coach for Diamond State Aquatic, mentoring numerous swimmers who went on to compete at the collegiate level.

Some of their favorite memories at Sanford include winning the DISC Conference Championship as eighth graders and setting the school record in the 200-yard medley relay during their senior year–a perfect capstone to their five-year Sanford swimming careers. Their teammates remember them as driven leaders who consistently encouraged others and celebrated every victory together.

Caitlin and Kendall’s time in Sanford athletics reignited their love for the sport and instilled in them the lasting importance of teamwork. Those experiences shaped not only their success at the collegiate level but also the way they lead, encourage others, and give back to their communities. For their achievements in competition and their lasting impact as leaders and teammates, we are proud to induct Caitlin and Kendall into the Sanford Athletic Hall of Fame.