Four weeks into his first year at the University of Pennsylvania, alumnus Luke Putter ’24 is already navigating the academic and athletic demands of the Ivy League. For Putter, the transition has been less of a challenge and more of a natural step.
“I would say that Haverford is a great college preparatory school because not only do I feel like I am incredibly comfortable with all my classes up to this point, but I also feel like I have more sufficient studying skills and communication skills, even though this is an Ivy League school,” Putter said.
Putter attended Haverford from lower school to upper school. Additionally, he was a top athlete, winning the John J. Gallagher Jr. ’69 Athletic Achievement and Spirit award in the Sixth Form. He played water polo for most of his life and served as captain in his last two years. During his Sixth Form spring, Putter decided to begin rowing.
Putter’s fitness from water polo allowed him to go straight to varsity crew, where he made the top varsity boat and won the SRAA National Championship. That same spring, Putter was recruited to the University of Pennsylvania, but sent to do a gap year for rowing in London.
“One of the most important and necessary skills when you get to college is time management.”
Luke Putter ’24
Haverford’s imprint extended far beyond athletics and academics for Putter. He emphasized that Haverford instilled habits and skills that shape his daily life at Penn.
“One of the most important and necessary skills when you get to college is time management. In high school, a teacher or a parent tells you what to do,” Putter said. “In college, you have to figure out when to do it yourself. Especially for me—I have crew practice for five hours a day.”
That discipline has proven essential as Putter navigates Penn’s demanding schedule. Between lectures, assignments, and strenuous rowing practices, Putter has leaned on the organizational skills he learned here to stay balanced.
While Putter insists that academics matter, he still believes the relationships you build are equally important.
“In my junior and senior years, the thing I would focus on the most would be to take your classes seriously and learn as much as you can from your teachers. But also, the people you meet at Haverford are going to be your best friends for your entire life,” Putter said. “I graduated a year and a half ago now, and I am still communicating daily with every single one of them. I would say make sure you cherish those connections, especially senior and junior year, and even after you graduate, just keep in touch with those guys.”
The feeling of brotherhood, he admits, feels different at Penn. His class at Penn has about 2,500 students, compared to Haverford’s 110.
“Here at Penn, I know maybe 100 people. At Haverford, all of the students knew each other really well and personally, but at Penn, people just know each other on a name-to-name basis,” Putter said.
As a member of Penn’s heavyweight crew team, Putter embraces the demanding training every single day.
“It’s definitely a lot of training, and it’s a huge time commitment,” Putter said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way because that’s what makes me happy.”
His passion for rowing has already led him to one of rowing’s most prestigious races: the Henley Royal Regatta in England. His race’s end was particularly memorable.
“In those last 300-400 meters, I can’t remember anything because I was dying on the inside. But from what I do remember, it was like a deafening noise. It just didn’t feel real,” Putter said. “It’s something I will never forget.”
For current Haverford students, Putter’s story serves as both a reminder and an encouragement: take your academics seriously, cherish your friendships, and carry the lessons you learn beyond graduation. As Putter grows at Penn, he carries Haverford’s enduring imprint.
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