Reunion

2019 REUNION REPORT

Sixty members of the class of 1959 plus 18 guests arrived to celebrate our 60th reunion May 24-26, 2019.  A few classmates arrived on Thursday to do preparation tasks, but most arrived on Friday May 24th.   We checked in and were housed in Abbey.  There were always students on duty in the dorm to check us in, answer questions, help with luggage or respond to any other requests. 

Early Friday activities included a “State of the College” address by newly elected President Sonya Stephens and various Back-to-Class sessions. Among those presentations attended by classmates was one on the “State of Liberal Education in a Changing World,” with Jon Western, the Dean of Faculty.  Others attended a “Climate Change Update on Transitioning from Fossil Fuels” or took a tour of the President’s House as led by the House Manager, Brenda Adams.

Our first class event was Friday dinner at Willits-Hallowell.   Mount Holyoke President Stephens was the Speaker at this dinner.  She commented on the emphasis on building Community between the students and cited the new Dining Commons as a big factor in this endeavor.  The newly built Dining Commons, where Blanchard used to be, is where all students now get all their meals.  There are no more meals served in the dorms and all the kitchens have been removed from the dorms.  Faculty may also eat in the Dining Commons to increase the interaction between faculty and students.  President Stephens said the college is emphasizing the value of a liberal arts education.  She mentioned the LYNK program, which connects students’ academic work with opportunities for internships or study abroad in areas of future career interest. She said that after graduation 98% of the students will be employed or in graduate school regardless of their major. She also noted that the quality of the applicants has increased and the acceptance rate has fallen from 50% to 35%.  President Stephens is a dynamic person who seems well-equipped to lead Mt Holyoke and its students into the future.  During questions, she also addressed the current plight of Hampshire College and its impact on Mount Holyoke.  The college has, in cooperation with the other three members of the Five College Consortium, offered some teaching positions to displaced Hampshire faculty if needed and is monitoring its progress and search for a new President closely.  It is felt that Hampshire shall probably continue to exist but in a different configuration. 

After dinner we were entertained by a musical program in the Warbeke room at Pratt Hall organized by Nancy Ahlberg Mellor. Judy Geisler Mannheim made the opening remarks and between musical numbers read poetry by Emily Dickinson and talked about Dickinson’s life. The musical pieces performed were as follows.  Domenko Cimerosa , Concerto for two Flutes in G Major, Allegro performed by Rebecca Loose Valette and Nancy Ahlberg Mellor and accompanied on the piano by Linda Temple Lienhard; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Fantasy in D Minor performed on the piano by Linda Temple Lienhard; Ludwig van  Beethoven’s  Adagio in A Flat Major performed by Linda Temple Lienhard; Gabriel Faure’s Fantasie: Andantino performed by Rebecca Loose Valette on the flute and Linda Temple Lienhard on the piano; and Claude Debussy’s Syrinx performed by Rebecca Loose Valette on the flute.  Tina Havens Letcher also read some of her own poetry between musical numbers. The evening closed with a sing-a-long led by Ellie Palm Roemer using old familiar songs she sings with a group at Nursing Homes in her area.  Her “Friends” included some members of past MHC singing groups including Lanny Stoneback Johnson (V8’s) and Mary Greenwood Johnson (Motifs).

On Saturday we dressed in our white outfits and enjoyed a buffet breakfast at Willits-Hallowell.  We were then driven in a van to the steps of Abbey Chapel for our class photo.  Vans and/or golf carts were available all weekend to transport us between locations. Sometimes the distances and lack of time made this the most efficient mode of travel.

After our photo we got into position for the traditional parade.  Before the parade started Class Presidents and Reunion Chairs placed roses in the Laurel Chain draped around Mary Lyon’s grave by the previous week’s graduating class.  We were led in singing “Bread and Roses.”  This was not a tradition when we graduated, but has since become one.  When the parade started, as an older class we were placed near the end of the parade. It was heartening to be cheered by the younger classes who were ahead of us as we passed by them standing along the sides of the road.  Our class costume this year were yellow umbrellas which we used as walking sticks as we marched under sunny skies. 

When we reached Mary Woolley Hall, we entered Chapin Auditorium for the annual Alumnae Association meeting.  Class histories were read, ours by Jane Milliken Finleon. 

CLASS HISTORY
“351 expectant members of the class of 1959 walked through Mary Lyon gates only to have them slammed unceremoniously behind us — the first of two quarantines we experienced due to a polio case at Amherst. Nonetheless we met our house mothers and big sisters, were handed our dorm room closet, not door, keys; placed our manual typewriters on the desk and our one per room phonograph nearby; submitted to the infamous posture pictures, parked our single speed bicycles on the lawn, and unpacked those matching sweater sets, camel-hair coats, and Bermuda shorts. We also donned yellow gym suits for Hazing Day – where we were welcomed as “Dumb Clucks.” But President Ham told us we were Pangynaskean” – and President Gettell added we were “uncommon.” We were introduced to the Real Number System and elected our class officers with the preferential voting system, a form of which, I understand, made a comeback this year in the state of Maine.

While on campus the world experienced significant events but speaking for myself, I don’t think I appreciated until later the significance of Sputnik launching into space, Castro staging a coup in Cuba, or Rosa Parks sitting down in the front of the bus. I was impressed when a young Senator John F. Kennedy spoke in Chapin, yet I admit sadly to being equally intrigued when Grace Kelly married Prince Ranier and Elvis sang “Heartbreak Hotel.” But some things don’t change – while we were in South Hadley the last live episode of “I Love Lucy” aired – and if you missed it then you can still catch it on cable television today!

We had tea in the dorms on Friday afternoons, played bridge, frequented the “smoker” (large half-page ads in the MH News urged us to “light up a camel”), fulfilled a chapel requirement, and observed curfews. There was only one pay phone per floor and a definite sense of outrage that South Hadley to Amherst was a toll call while Smith to Amherst was not! The CI was the only game in town – both the campus and the town of South Hadley were “dry” but we looked forward to weekends at men’s colleges or to taking the 40-cent bus ride into Holyoke for pizza. And we made friendships that have stood the test of time as we come back to campus to renew, re-connect and share experiences fostered by our time at Mount Holyoke.”

Awards were also given and our class received the SPHINX Award for the reunion class with the highest total participation in giving to Mount Holyoke during the reunion fiscal year (64.7% and increasing). The meeting ended with the singing of the Alma Mater.

We were then driven to Willits-Hallowell for a buffet lunch. After lunch our class meeting was held. 

CLASS MEETING
The Secretary’s Report from the 2014 Class Meeting was approved as was the Treasurer’s Report given by Virginia Incao Cook which indicates a $13,358.68 balance prior to costs for the current reunion.

Our Co-Head Class Agents, Liz Worman Bauer and Evelyn Ramsdell Ferguson, reported that as of Friday evening our class donations to the Mount Holyoke Fund exceeded our goal of $130,000 with 64.7% participation.  Contributions will continue to be counted through June 30.   Class agents attending reunion were presented with tokens of appreciation.

There was discussion about our class status as a Loyalty Class after our 60th reunion.  Beginning with the 65th reunion, The Alumnae Association takes over the planning of future class reunions and coordinates with the Loyalty class president to ensure that their programming interests are reflected in the reunion weekend’s schedule.  All Loyalty class expenses are covered by the AA, except travel for alumnae to attend the reunion.  Expenses covered include parade costumes, meals, lodging, etc.  Willits-Hallowell is used as the class Headquarters, although sometimes there is a need to use a dorm as well.  All meals for Loyalty classes are at Willits-Hallowell.  The Alumnae Association will assume all financial responsibilities for the class, including annual class mailings.

The following resolution was passed.
 Loyalty Class Resolution
Upon our designation as a Loyalty Class following our 60th reunion and upon payment of all bills for reunion expenses, the Class of 1959 shall turn over the balance of its treasury to the Mount Holyoke Alumnae Association Founders Fund.

The Nominating Committee report was presented as sent by Teresa Haines Martin and the slate elected for the next five years.  Due to the status as a Loyalty Class we no longer needed to elect Reunion Chairs or a Treasurer.  A Members-at-Large category was added to provide additional Board membership for purposes of coordination and input going forward.

President: Jane Milliken Finleon
Vice-President: Ann Armstrong
Scribe: Chuckie Raye Blaney
Co Head Class Agents: Elizabeth Worman Bauer
                                      Evelyn Ramsdell Ferguson
Members at Large: Faith Angell
                               Norene Duthie Coller
                               Martha Smead Doolittle
                              Judith Bender Uman

Thanks were extended to the Reunion Committee:
Chair: Jane Chandler Weiss
Saturday Social Hour: Phyllis Carlson Freeman
Signage: Liz Worman Bauer
Program: Dianne Fuller Doherty
Scribe: Ann Armstrong
Flowers: Jennett Gower Teece
Hospitality: Chuckie Raye Blaney
                  Carolyn Belisle Dickson
                   Moppy Smead Doolittle
                   Ronnie Dimond Jacobs
                   Gail Fredrick LLewellyn
                   Gail MacVicar Poler
                   Jane Muehlke Rollins
                   Phyllis Rahn Vineyard

A remembrance of deceased members included the reading of a poem and listing of names of those classmates who had died since our last reunion.  A Memorial Board was also displayed with the names of all 75 deceased classmates.

Saturday afternoon was left unscheduled, but there were a number of Open Houses and activities that one could visit. A popular spot to visit was the new Maker Space which is officially called the Fimbel Maker & Innovation Lab as Nancie L. Fimbel 1968 gave a 1 million dollar donation to the lab. The lab is 6000 sq ft housed in the former dining and lounge area of Prospect Hall.  Its purpose is to engage students in creative hands-on problem solving and increase their familiarity with technological tools.  There are wood working tools, wood and metal saws of various sizes, laser cutters, 3D Printers and of course computers. About 60% of students use this facility as part of an academic course. Others can walk in and work on a project of their own creation. It is a unique and fascinating place.

Prior to our Saturday dinner at Willits-Hallowell, there was a class social hour. Maria Mossaides, the President of the Alumnae Association, came to this social hour to give Loyalty Awards to Jane Milliken Finleon and Jennett Gower Teece.  These awards are given to reward their exceptional leadership and loyalty and active involvement in our class and are very well-deserved by both of them.  Maria spoke of the 38,000 alumnae living in 139 countries with over 2,200 actively involved in volunteering for classes and clubs. 

After dinner our speaker was our classmate The Honorable Nita Melnikoff Lowey who has spent 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and is now the Chair of the Appropriations Committee in the House.  Nita stayed away from the more divisive political issues of our time and discussed legislation she has sponsored which helps women and children.  She pioneered legislation which requires food manufacturers to list ingredients on their labels which are responsible for allergic reactions. She also sponsored anti-drunk driving legislation which set the 0.8 alcohol limit. There is a terrific article about Nita in the Spring issue of the Alumnae Quarterly which is a must read.

Sunday AM we said good-bye to each other and started on our homeward paths feeling renewed and refreshed and happy to have had this chance to reconnect and be together.

                                                                                                     — Ann Armstrong

 

 

 

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