External Investigation Into Historical Abuse

At Interlochen, we are deeply saddened and concerned by reports of sexual misconduct involving former Academy faculty members from the 1960s and 1970s. Based on the information we have received to date, none of the faculty members are currently employed by Interlochen and some are deceased. We very much appreciate the alumni who have come forward to share their experiences and provide Interlochen with the opportunity to confront and address these historical reports of abuse.

We recognize how painful and difficult it can be to share deeply personal experiences of harm, and we are listening with integrity, candor, and compassion. To that end, we have initiated an external review into historical reports of faculty or staff sexual misconduct with students at the Academy. This external fact-gathering process is a foundational and necessary step in acknowledging the past, affirming the voices of those who have been impacted, incorporating whatever lessons are learned, and ensuring that our current and future students thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Interlochen and the Board of Trustees have engaged the Sanghavi Law Office, LLC, to lead this review. Elizabeth Sanghavi and Jane (Jenni) Lopez, both former federal civil rights attorneys, have extensive experience investigating historical abuse in a trauma-informed and sensitive manner. Their role is to gather the facts—to listen, to seek truth, and to ensure that this process honors the experiences of our alumni. Importantly, the firm is solely engaged to serve as an external investigator and does not represent Interlochen in any other legal or advisory role. We have asked for, and expect, a fulsome accounting of the information they gather in the external review.

While the reports involve conduct from more than 50 years ago, sexual abuse committed by an adult in a position of power or trust against a student is wrong—then and now. Alumni who have already participated in the investigation have shared sobering accounts with lifelong and lasting impacts. In some instances, they have only shared their experiences for the first time as part of this external review.

We know that revisiting painful memories can be difficult. We want every member of our community to know that this work is being done in good faith and with empathy. We are committed to creating a space where voices can be heard and where those experiences can be integrated into a robust understanding of our institutional history.

How to Share Information

Elizabeth Sanghavi and Jenni Lopez have already been engaged in connecting with alumni and others who may have been impacted, and they remain open to learning more as new information surfaces. This phase of the investigation will continue over the next few months, and we encourage anyone with relevant information to reach out by September 1, 2025, so that their experiences can be meaningfully included in this review.

If you have knowledge of misconduct involving Academy faculty or staff—whether it was experienced personally or witnessed—we encourage you to contact the investigators directly and privately:

Our Commitment to Student Safety

We understand that this news may raise questions and concerns about current student safety. At Interlochen, the safety and well-being of every student is—and always will be—our highest priority.

We invite you to learn more about our current safety protocols and community standards for safeguarding our students here.

We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, trust, and care—and we will continue working every day to ensure that Interlochen is a place where all students can safely learn and grow.

If you have questions about the external review or want to hear from someone about the process, please email investigation@interlochen.org or call 231.276.8093.