On this page,  you will find information on major reunions (Five Year Reunions), held at Mount Holyoke College, under the auspices of the Alumnae Association.

If you need to change your contact information, you can either email ais@mtholyoke.edu or you can log into the Alumnae Directory and update your information. You can look up other alumna as well.

 

REUNION 2020, OUR 60TH!

We are all missing our 60th reunion because of COVID-19. HOWEVER, we are trying to come up with an alternative plan. Stay tuned!

 

Dana and Joan are our loyal representatives of the Great Class of 1960. Click to enlarge and join the fun!

Remember that back in early May, we were contacted by the Alumnae Association to ‘virtually participate’ in the Class of 2020’s Laurel Chain procession? Well, in the photo above you can see how eleven of our classmates dressed for the occasion and joined the procession from their computers! Great fun, and to risk saying the obvious, ‘ain’t technology amazing?!’ Click on the photo to enlarge it.

REUNION 2015, our 55th

Minutes of the Class Meeting, held during our 55th Reunion
May 24, 2015

Class President Pat Kennedy Ascher called the meeting to order at 8:20am.

Mary Ann Sparklin Woodruff moved, and Heidi Keller Moon seconded, a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the last meeting in May 2010. The motion passed without objection. Scribe Judy Sayler Olmer was asked to check with the alumnae association about requirements for placing a hard copy and/or electronic version of those minutes in the Class Archives.

Nominating Committee Report. President Ascher called for New Business, and the first topic addressed was the presentation of the slate of nominees for class office in the next five years by Nominating Committee Chair Sheila Porter Lirtzman. The proposed slate of officers for 2015-20 consists of:

The slate was accepted as presented, and Pat said that the new officers would take office at the end of the current meeting. The new president, Jean Mahoney, will appoint additional members of the board, such as the Keeper of the Memorial Book, for the past 20 years Susan Kovacs Buxbaum; the Class Ombudsman, currently Nancy Floyd Bireley; and Awards Chair, currently Sandy Germond Pritz. Nancy has agreed to continue as ombudsman, and Sandy will continue as a member of the awards committee, though not as chair.

Thanks from the President. Pat thanked all her officers with gifts. She said that the web coordinator, scribe, and ombudsman have done a great job of building communications among class members. Serving web master JJ Johnson Spencer said that she would be linking photos from the 55th reunion to the current class web site (http://mhcclassof1960.net/). Ann Williams will be taking over as web coordinator, and she may be working on a different web site, as the College changes the way it handles the class sites.

Pat thanked all those who have been faithfully practicing to sing the music written by Linda Conway Correll George to accompany the poem written by Helen Brill Broxmeyer, “Prayer for a Well Loved Person,” at the Interfaith Service at the College Chapel later this morning. Tye Wilson, an undergraduate student of Linda’s who has collaborated with her on a number of internationally acclaimed video projects, will be videographing the premiere of the composition, which can then be uploaded to youtube.com and, hopefully, our web site.

Pat then gave special thanks to Nancy Zone Bloom and Dana Feldshuh Whyte, for all they have done to build and maintain the special relationship between the class of 1960 and the class of 2010. Last night’s party for 2010 was a huge success, with wonderful conversations and 2010 class members who lack “grandmothers” seeking willing “women of a certain age.” Nancy declared herself overwhelmed and filled with love at the outpouring of appreciation and the Alumnae Medal of Honor and class award she received for her work.

Dana also received the Alumnae Medal of Honor and a class award for her work with the class of 2010 and all the other services she has provided the College and the class over the years, and Catherine McArdle Kelleher was honored by the Alumnae Association with the Alumnae Achievement Award. Pat again thanked Awards Chair Sandy Pritz for all she and her committee did to support these medals. In addition, on Friday night, Sandy presented a letter to classmate Gail Moffat Hudson expressing our joy that she could be with us at this reunion despite the distance from which she came and her difficulties.

Treasurer’s report. Pat especially thanked Beverly Rowlings Smith, who is retiring after 20 years as class treasurer. Bev reported that, on May 13, 2010, the balance in the treasury was $24,127.31, while on May 13, 2015, the balance was $16,267.18. Both figures reflect the payment from the Alumnae Association to the class from reunion registrations, and some expenses of the reunion remained to be reimbursed as of that date.

75 classmates paid dues of $50 during this period. With some additional income, the class took in $4,466.84, and spent $5,957.62, $1,490.78 more than it took in. Expenses include payments for class letters, yearly board conference calls, websites renewals, donations and gifts, expenses for 1960/2010 connection events, and $2,542.39 to support the 50th reunion in 2010. After some discussion, it was agreed that the new class officers will consider reducing dues after they have determined what expenses may be for the next five years.

Reunion Gift Chair. Lucy Tripp Eubanks and Julie Gibson Biehn reported that the class gift, as of the deadline for reunion, was $232,000 plus some additional gifts of different types that were not counted (annuities, gifts to scholarship funds, etc.) The class had given some $3.5 million over the last five years.

Classmate Barbara Blanco Gaab set a challenge a few weeks before reunion that would match gifts of $55 up to a total of $5,020. (She also matched gifts of $110 under the program, but not other amounts.) So far, the challenge has raised $3,713, and the challenge is available until June 30, the end of the fiscal year. Barbara’s generosity may offer an example of novel programs we’ll be using before our next reunion.

The meeting was brought to a close with a rousing cheer for Jan Keffer and Joy Montgomery for all their efforts and those of their committees in putting on a fabulous reunion. Jan offered scarves and pashmina shawls to those who may not have received them, and water bottles to all who would like to take water home. After a round of applause for President Pat Ascher for all she has done to lead the class and foster ties between us, Pat brought the 2015 meeting to a close.

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Be strong.       Do extraordinary things. Treasure women friends.

REUNION 2010, OUR 50TH

“From East and from West
we did gather…..”

From May 19 – May 23, 2010

Spanning the Bridges of our Lives

Mount Holyoke College

Class of 1960

50th Reunion

Thanks to Carey Downs Gibson and Joan Corcoran Steiger and all their committees for a memorable weekend.

What a weekend it was! Volunteers began arriving on Wednesday to assemble the reunion gift bags, and to attend a welcome cocktail party at the home of Dana Whyte and Curtis Smith.

Please click on respective pictures to see photos albums of each event. The photos link to Picasa (free) where you will see thumbnails. Click on any thumbnail photo to see a large view.

Hit “View All” to go back to thumbnail view.

Photo Album for Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Spanning the Bridges Invite

On Thursday, those who had signed up for 18 holes of golf at the Mount Holyoke owned “Orchards Golf Club” enjoyed a beautiful afternoon. Classmates registered in Buckland Hall throughout the day. A cocktail party and dinner were served in Willits Hallowell.

Photo Album for Thursday, May 20, 2010
Buckland Hall

Friday began early with a Jazz Band and ’60ers in those 50’s outfits (college scarves, blazers, circle pins, poodle shirts, and “all that jazz”). We cheered the Class of 2010 (and our many “Granddaughters” from that class) on their way to Kendall Hall for a graduation rehearsal. Dana Whyte and Nancy Zone Bloom presented the graduating class with a check for $2010, to give their treasury a start.

There was a gathering in Gamble Auditorium (in the Art Museum) for a discussion of our Uncommon Women’s common read followed by a class on “Top Ten Health Law Advances of the Past 50 Years” by Fran Hall Miller.

Lunch was held on the patio of the Orchards Golf Clubhouse.

More classes were held in the afternoon led by Carol Klein Mack (“Playwriting Now”), Curtis Smith (Women’s Brain), Andrea Morel Farsakh (“What are the Prospects for Peace in Isreal-Palestine?”), and Linda Conway Correll (“Twenty-first Century Creativity: An Evolutional Paradign for Developing Ideas”). Overlapping activities included a Tea for the 50th Reunion Class hosted by the class of 2010 and an informal gathering of classmates in Buckland’s living room.

Friday evening we gathered in Willits-Hallowell again for awards (Pat Kennedy Ascher and Barbara Main Derbyshire each received a “Loyalty Award” for their service to the college), followed by a social hour and dinner. There was also a Cornerstone Reception at the President’s House after dinner.

Friday Day Album

Friday Evening Album
Good Wishes 2010

Liz Kennan and Georgia Valentine

Then came the busy day (!) of the weekend – Saturday.

In the morning we gathered for the traditional reunion parade. We were alglow with smiles and our reunion fashions – a hat with a brim, a blue tote bag, and a blue “Mount Holyoke” scarf which was worn in many ways by the 150 paraders.

The graduates (596 of them!) carried the Laurel Chain to Mary Lyon’s Grave where they placed it and sang songs. Then came the Alumnae Association Annual Meeting in the Amphitheater.

Eileen Shanley Kraus received the “Achievement Award” (Presented to an alumna whose achievements and service to the larger society, through salaried or volunteer fields of endeavor, exemplify the ideals of excellence of a liberal arts education, who uses her talents with professional distinction, sustained commitment, and creativity, and who reflects the visions and pioneering spirit of Mary Lyon). This is a rare award and we were very proud of Eileen!

The Class of 1960 received every possible award from the Alumnae Association for attendance and for fundraising. We had a dorm full of lovely flower arrangements for the rest of the weekend! We raised just over $1million from 100 percent of the “solicitable” members of 1960.

After a cookout lunch on Skinner Green, there was an “all-college” exhibition and reception at the Equestrian Center in honor of Liz Topham Kennan. The horses maneuvered through both Western and Traditional Dressage movements. It was a thrill to watch, knowing that Liz was responsible for the building of this now renowned center for equestrians on a college campus.

Next on the list of events for the day was our class photo (on the steps of Skinner), after which we walked to the 1904 Formal Garden (near the Art Museum) for a moving remembrance ceremony. An Anthurium plant named after Leone Guthrie Reeder (who was the Chair of the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden (Click here for photo) was given to Mount Holyoke and is featured in some of the photos. Rose petals were tossed in the pond as a remembrance.

Saturday Evening included a social hour in Buckland and a delightful, delicious dinner (no dorm food for the 50th reunion class!!!) in the Abbey/Buckland dining room. The group then walked to the nearby Lab Theater (now called Rooke Theater), and had a memorable program by producer Sally Bever Zwiebach in which Deb Kretschmann Taylor, Carolyn Johnson Reese and Sue Kovacs Buxbaum played various roles in “A Tapestry of Accomplishment” (Click here to read the presentation) a beautiful tribute to “anonymous” members of our class who have done amazing things both as volunteers and in their professional lives.
Saturday Morning Album

Remembrance Ceremony Album

Saturday night – dinner and theater and “celebration” Album
Fran and Eileen on Reunion parade day

Leone Reeder Anthurium

Balloons to celebrate

As all good things come to a end, so there was Sunday.

After breakfast in our dorm(s) dining hall, we had our class meeting.

Meanwhile there was an interfaith alumnae memorial service in Abbey Chapel, and the Class of 2010 Commencement. There was a brunch in Willits-Hallowell (what will they do when the class size is > 600?) and final (sniff) checkout.

Dana and Sue with check for 2010

Any additional photos can be added to the albums. Please send (on a CD or thumbdrive) to
Joyce Spencer – 11583 Decatur Court, Westminster, CO 80234 (jjandbobs@msn.com)

Below are the many committee members and various photos of classmates involved in the planning. Please note below that the Slate of Officers was Accepted. (Check under “Officers”)

I hope you will all help update more photos and stories from our 50th reunion (jjandbobs@msn.com).

Hope to see YOU at our 55th!!!

Committee members for our 50th:
Carey Downs Gibson – Co-Chair
carey@careygibson.com
Joan Corcoran Steiger – Co-Chair
steigerj@aol.com

Dana Feldshuh Whyte – Class Co-President
dlfwhyte@comcast.net

Sue Bradley Cabot– Class Co-President
amitybc@maine.rr.com

Bev Rowlings Smith – Treasurer
dpshac@comcast.net

Pat Kennedy Ascher – Co-Chair 50th Reunion Gift Committee
pascher@mtholyoke.edu

Joyce Johnson Spencer – Co-Chair 50th Reunion Gift Committee
jjandbobs@msn.com

Gemma Carbonneau Baker – Co-Chair Reunion Book Committee
gemmacbaker@sbcglobal.net

Paula Ham Johnson – Reunion Book Chair, Reunion Photographer, Leadership Gifts
phj38@cox.net

Sara Dalmas Jonsberg – Program & Uncommon Common Read

Nancy Zone Bloom – 2010 Granddaughter Class Connections
nancyerb@aol.com

Sheila Porter Lirtzman, – Hospitality
porter1vt@yahoo.com

Email porter1vt@yahoo.com to volunteer for an hour on the reception desk greeting returning classmates . This will be a big, fun committee. Sign up and bring your smile!

Cece Frack Scott – Hospitality

Lu Jaeckle Stone – Sign Wordsmith

Jo Amanti Piltz –Reunion Scribe, Leadership Gifts

Jean Angelilli Mahoney, Publications and Nametags
jeanmahoney@verizon.net

Alice Westbrook Cross – Hospitality

Dana Feldshuh Whyte – Wednesday Evening Pat Ascher Susan Buxbaum & Mary Ann Woodruff in Torrey Pines Park Reserve CA

Jan Herridge Keffer – Friday Lunch & Golf , The Orchards
janetkeffer@aol.com

Susan Breitzke Dunn – Saturday Evening Dinner & Social Hour
curlydunn@bellsouth.net

Sally Bever Zweibach – Saturday Evening Program
szwiebach@gmail.com
Sheila Porter Lirtzman, Terry Gibson, Carey Downs Gibson, Evie Backlund Fuss, John Fuss, Jan Herridge Keffer, Dave Keffer, Judy Rogers Swisher, John Swisher

Linda Cole LeStage & Margy Dodge Hyde
– Spanning the Bridges of our Lives Conversations

Mary Ann Woodruff, Debby Dodge Wood –Reunion Telemarketers, Leadership Gifts
Join them and earn extra Reunion points!!

Sue Kovacs Buxbaum – Remembering Classmates Service, Leadership Gifts

Evie Backlund Fuss – Leadership Gifts

Carol Parker Beatty – Parade Attire Stylist, Leadership Gift Committee

Tina Marsden Gillis – Class Honoraries, Leadership Gifts

Rinda Yust Allison – Leadership Gifts
rindaallison@yahoo.com

Barbara Main Derbyshire – Leadership Gifts

Nancy Bireley – Leadership Gifts
Bireley1@comcast.net

Jackie Cannon Brown –Leadership Gifts
momabrown23@gmail.com

Lucy Tripp Eubanks
eubankslucy@bellsouth.net

Elizabeth Topham Kennan – Honorary Chair 50th Reunion Gift

Fran Hall Miller – Leadership Gifts
fmiller@bu.edu

Carolyn Hansen Montgomery – Leadership Gifts
chmonty@aol.com

Ellen Patz Myers- Leadership Gifts
Epm710@verizon.net

Sarah Koerner Peterson – Leadership Gifts
Sarahhp458@earthlink.net

Sandra Germond Pritz – Leadership Gifts
sandypritz@aol.com

Judy Rogers Swisher – Leadership Gifts
jrv@psu.edu

Fran Hall Miller & Ellen Patz Meyer

Lucy Tripp Eubanks at Torrey Pines CA

At our quinquennial class meeting on the Sunday morning of Reunion Weekend, voted on the following slate of officers
to serve for the next 5 years—

ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION OF MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE

PROPOSED SLATE FOR CLASS OF 1960- REUNION 2010

The Nominating Committee respectfully submits the following slate of candidates for class officers to serve from 2010 to 2015.

President Patricia Kennedy Ascher, pascher@mtholyoke.edu

Vice President Carey Downs Gibson, carey@careygibson.com

Reunion Co-Chairs Janet Herridge Keffer, janetkeffer@aol.com

Joy Fletcher Montgomery, joyandym@aol.com

Secretary/scribe Judy Sayler Olmer, olmerj@aol.com

Treasurer Beverly Rowlings Smith, dpshac@comcast.net

Co-Heads Class Agent Lucy Tripp Eubanks, eubankslucy@bellsouth.net

Julia Gibson Biehn, jkbiehn@yahoo.net

Web Coordinator (highly recommended) Joyce Johnson Spencer, jjandbob@smsn.com

Nominating Committee Sheila Porter Lirtzman, porter1vt@yahoo.com

Judy Sayler Olmer, olmerj@aol.com

Patricia Wood Barber, 973-635-6758 or office email:

patricia.barber@atlantichealth.org

(3 members)

q These candidates have all been informed of their nomination, have knowledge of their job description and responsibilities, and have agreed to take office if elected and to serve a term of five years.

NOTE: Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the class meeting providing that consent of the nominee has been obtained in advance.

Submitted by:

Carole Corcoran Huxley, Chair of the Nominating Committee