The Nantucket Boys & Girls Club has announced that Alice “Tish” Emerson will be honored with the 2026 Tim Russert Spirit of Hope Award at its annual Summer Groove celebration. This award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their community through service, leadership, and generosity. Tish is a fitting recipient, having spent decades making a difference on Nantucket and helping strengthen the organizations that serve the island. Since first coming to Nantucket in 1964, Tish has been deeply involved in the community. Over the years, she has shared her time, expertise, and support with many local organizations, helping advance education, preserve Nantucket’s history, and invest in future generations. At the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, Tish has been a dedicated champion for island youth. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2014 and has played an important role in supporting the Club’s mission to ensure every child has access to opportunities, mentorship, and a place to belong. In recognition of her lasting impact, she was named a Trustee Emerita. Tish is receiving the Spirit of Hope Award for her decades of commitment to Nantucket and the people who call it home. In addition to her work with the Club, she has provided leadership and support to organizations including the Nantucket Atheneum, Nantucket Historical Association, and Nantucket New School, helping these institutions grow and thrive. A lifelong educator, Tish also served as the first female president of Wheaton College, where she led the institution through a period of significant growth and change before continuing her work in higher education through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. “Tish has spent years quietly making Nantucket a better place,” said Jamie Foster, CEO of the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club. “Her dedication to young people, education, and community service has touched countless lives, and we are honored to celebrate her as this year’s recipient of the Tim Russert Spirit of Hope Award.”