To commemorate 100 years of boarding at Darlington this year, we asked our boarding alumni to share one word that comes to mind when they reflect on their boarding experience. Through this special series of Darlington Connects blogs, we are thrilled to share those words and a glimpse into the unique experiences and memories that our boarding alumni cherish. Today, we hear from Ian Winder (’14).
Ian Winder (’14) warmly reflects on his boarding experience at Darlington, describing it as nothing short of magical. “The definition of magical is ‘beautiful or delightful in a way that seems removed from everyday life’ and that perfectly describes my boarding experience at Darlington,” he said.
For Ian, the magic of Darlington lies in the special bonds formed with individuals from around the world - not just those living in Neville House, but throughout other dorms. He stays connected with Darlington friends living in Tennessee, Texas, Ghana, and The Bahamas on a regular basis because of the “magical experiences we shared at Darlington.” He often marvels at the bonds that withstand the tests of time and distance, remaining constants in his Darlington relationships - several of which will attend his upcoming wedding this year.
Each memory holds a piece of Darlington’s magic for Ian, which makes it hard to single out a favorite boarding memory. "Some of my favorite memories were just the simple things like going to Jandy’s for frozen yogurt, hanging out with my friends on the weekend around campus, and living in the palatial head prefect’s room in Neville House my senior year with Jai Burgess ('14) and Wonseok Lim ('15),” he said.
Ian attributes a significant part of his personal growth to his time as a boarding student at Darlington. He was a member of the Soccer Academy and the track and field team, a Tiger Expert, and the head residential prefect of Neville House. “By nature, I am shy and reserved; however, boarding at Darlington helped me to step outside of my comfort zone and become an active member of the Darlington Community and head prefect of Neville House,” he said.
After graduation, Ian attended the University of South Carolina on a soccer scholarship before transferring to the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in law and international and commercial law. He also went on to complete the Bar Professional Training Course at Cardiff University, leading to his call to the Bar of England and Wales and, subsequently, to The Bahamas Bar. Ian now serves as in-house counsel at one of The Bahamas' leading insurance companies and attributes his professional success, in part, to the foundation laid during his years at Darlington.
“Simply put, my time as a residential student at Darlington was magical," he said. "It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been there - you’ve got to experience it for yourself to understand just how special Darlington boarding truly is.”
Ian welcomes connections with everyone from the Darlington Community.
