Alumni Spotlight: James LeBlanc '02

By: Neely Bello ‘20 

Alumni Engagement Associate

When James reflects on his time at Hebron Academy, two moments rise to the surface. The first is his very first visit to campus. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the warmth. A real family feeling,” he recalls. “It just felt right.” For him, that feeling wasn't about any single person or program; it was about the nature of the place itself. Hebron’s size, he says, is what sets it apart. Small enough to truly know one another, yet large enough to grow into your own person, the school creates space for meaningful, lasting connections. “At Hebron, you have all types of people,” he says. “You can make real, deep human connections with people from all different walks of life.” The second moment comes years later, Commencement. Standing at graduation, James remembers feeling the full weight of his experience all at once. “It’s the culmination of it all. All of the hard work, ups and downs, the peaks and valleys. It hits you like a tidal wave. You can hear people saying, ‘You made it. We always believed in you.’”

As a student, James described himself as always motivated to work hard, even when certain subjects didn’t come easily. The mindset of persistence, effort, and showing up has remained a constant in his life. Athletics was central to his Hebron experience, but it was never the whole story. A three-sport athlete, James played varsity soccer, hockey, and baseball. “You are right, hockey was a big part of my Hebron experience, but it was not the only part that made it special,” says James. That shared experience built not only strong teams but lasting relationships.

Like many Hebron alumni, James points to the people as the most defining part of his experience. At a small boarding school, roles often overlap in meaningful ways. Teachers become coaches, advisors become mentors, and dorm parents become daily sources of guidance. Two individuals in particular left a lasting impression: Jamie Roche ‘95 and Peter Fallon ‘86. Mr. Roche, who taught Anatomy & Physiology, coached multiple sports, and lived in the dorm, set an example as both a faculty member and an alumnus. Mr. Fallon, then Dean of Students and James’s advisor, brought a calm, steady presence and an ability to offer guidance before it was even asked for. His impact was so profound that James later asked him to officiate his wedding.

Years later, James returned to Hebron as a faculty member, coach, and mentor himself. “To say that I am grateful for the opportunity to return and ‘pay it forward’ would be a complete understatement.” At just 26 years old, fresh out of the University of Southern Maine, James initially returned for what he thought would be a short-term role as an assistant hockey coach. Instead, it became a 12-year journey. During that time, he taught French, coached multiple sports, worked in Admissions, and later transitioned into Advancement. But through every role, one responsibility stood above the rest: advising. “You’re a mentor to your advisees, a trusted adult. You’re there for them whenever they need support, whether it’s something serious, something positive, or just needing a place to sit quietly for a few minutes.”

His time at Hebron also shaped his life beyond the classroom and rink. It was there that he met his wife, Ashley, and together they built a life rooted in the school community, raising their children, Dougie and Gordie, on campus for some time. “It’s such a family-oriented place. It’s awesome, your kids have 200-plus siblings.” That sense of community extended into their everyday life. Their kids learned to ski at Sunday River, spent countless hours fishing on Marshall Pond, and rode their bikes all over campus. The Senior Path and the Bowl were their favorites! From running the cross-country trails with their black lab to hiking Table Rock, being active outdoors was central to their family life. “It really set the bar for what we like to do as a family…We’re always doing something active outside.”

Today, James continues his work in Advancement as Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts at St. Lawrence University. His path into the field wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by a series of experiences rooted in connection, community, and a desire to give back. “Being a Hebron alum means showing up. It means being an advocate. It means caring about the future of the school.” For James, Advancement work is about more than fundraising; it’s about impact. He points to financial aid and scholarships as among the most meaningful forms of support, often driven by alumni who want others to have the same opportunities they had. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of annual giving, which directly supports a school's day-to-day operations. “The Annual Fund is where you can see impact right away. It supports everything, from financial aid to transportation to field trips to faculty and staff. It touches both the ordinary and extraordinary paths of a student’s experience.”

Reflecting on his own journey, James encourages current students to embrace everything Hebron has to offer. “Get outside of your comfort zone. Try something extra. Challenge yourself.” More importantly, he emphasizes the value of connection. “Don’t silo yourself. Sit with new people, try a new sport. Hebron is a great place to build those relationships,” because, as he notes, those connections don’t end after you graduate. “Your path will cross someone from Hebron again, and that’s when you realize how small the world really is.” Looking back, James echoes a message often shared at Commencement, one that has stayed with him over the years. “Come back, come back often. Whether it’s just passing through or for a longer stay, someone will always remember you. Hebron will always be your home.”