We asked, and you responded. Our 50th Reunion program emerged from a survey of interests: our current passions, the challenges faced, how we talk about issues and how we face change while remaining resilient. Shared conversations about our varied experiences, both professional and personal, will use many different perspectives to frame the concept of Connect, Reflect, and Inspire. Each Griffin Talk session will begin with three to four (short) presentations, followed by general discussion. We want to take advantage of everyone’s experiences and perspectives! Be ready to participate.
MHC Women, Then and Now (Thursday night after dinner) will present perspectives of student life from the works of Wendy Wasserstein and include perspectives from current students.
(Janet Rodgers*, Amanda Porterfield, Lynn Barbee, current MHC students)
Pursuing Our Passions (Friday morning 9:45- 10:45) Our classmates will discuss how they discovered and are continuing to use creative energy to explore ideas and change. What are your current passions and how are you pursuing them? What is meaningful to you now? How have creative activities shaped your life?
(Joan Libby Hawk*, Mary Ann McDermott Jones, Linda Giannasi O”Connell)
# Us Too: 50 Years of Roadblocks and Progress (Friday afternoon 1:45- 2:30) explores the experiences classmates encountered, highlights progress made and looks at the barriers yet to overcome. As a woman, what special opportunities or roadblocks have you encountered? How did you address them? Are we transforming or tinkering?
(Julie Van Camp*, Robin Morse Edwards, Linda Whitlock, Sally Gisel Green)
Challenges and Changes (Friday afternoon 2:45-3:30) involves stories of decision-making, resilience and learning in the face of welcome or unwelcome challenges.
Since graduation, how did unexpected changes require unexpected responses?
What intellectual and emotional tools did you invent or learn? If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give to the Class of 2019?
(Gerry Lessey Pas*, Kristen Widham, Maxine Proskurowski, TBA)
Fresh Air, or the Art of Listening (Friday afternoon 3:45-4:30) examines listening as a tool of learning and tolerance, from different perspectives in visual arts, psychology, journalism, and education.How can we learn to listen and talk about issues on which we disagree?How is listening a tool? Can listening be taught?
(Julia Dutton Peterson*, Sheryl McCarthy, Trudy Levy, Kate Hobbie)
Dreams for the Future (Saturday afternoon 2:15 – 3:30)
How do we remain resilient and take care of ourselves when faced with change? We’ll celebrate our ability to the ability to “dream” and envision a positive future.
What is next for you? What are your hopes for yourself, your family and friends, your community?
We will end with a 15-minute self-help stress reduction technique from Shiatsu led by Ramona Chao Pei.
(Barbara Schmidt*, Ramona Chao Pei, Joanna Smith Weinstock, Alison Tarleau Bourey)
* denotes moderator
