Class Presidents’ Letter, November 2019

Posted on November 6, 2019 by laverill

 

Hello Classmates –

What a wonderful 45th reunion we had! As always we had a great turnout and won both the Margaret Caskey Cup for highest total number of attendees and the Alumnae Association Cup for highest percentage of attendees.  In addition, the Alumnae Association presented the Achievement Award to two of our classmates – Mary Platt and Barbara Dombkowski Desoer. We missed those of you who could not make it this time and hope that you will plan to come to our 50th!

Highlights included a breakfast round table discussion on retirement facilitated by Mary Feeney, the Farm to Fashion panel moderated by Susan Moch, the V-8s performance in our dorm, and a special performance by Michelle Hurst and Bonnie Panson at the Rooke Theatre. (The class of 1989 helped us sponsor Michelle and Bonnie’s performance, and it was great being able to spend some time getting acquainted with them.) And of course the parade and other reunion activities. New to us was the singing of Bread and Roses and the twining of roses at Mary Lyon’s grave.

At our Class Meeting we said goodbye to outgoing officers Vice President Mary Feeney, Treasurer Nancy Marks Arcieri, Scribe Lynn Massman Mordan, and Nominating Committee members Denise McLeod Thomas and LaVida Dowdell; and of course yours truly.

We voted in Melissa Thornton – President; Denise McLeod Thomas – Vice President; Doris O’Keefe – returning as Secretary; Gail LaBroad LaRocca – returning as Reunion Chair; Mary Grantham-Sleet – Treasurer; Marylloyd Claytor – Scribe; Laurie Averill – returning as our Web expert; Jane Zimmy and Debby Hall – returning as Head Class Agents; and Carole LaMond, Beth Connor Gibson and Nancy Marks Arcieri as members of the Nominating Committee.

We also voted for new and revised bylaws – see our Class webpage for a copy. A highlight of the meeting was the reading of a message from Denise McLeod Thomas (who was unable to attend) encouraging each of us to make at least one new friend during reunion. This resonated with many of us and led us to reach out to classmates outside of our usual groups of friends with very positive results.

It has been my privilege to serve as your president for the past five years. Looking forward to what will happen under Melissa’s leadership.

Diane Claffey

Dear Classmates,

It truly was an awesome 45th!! Gail LaBroad LaRocca and her committee achieved another magical event. Every moment of their hard work was mirrored in a memorable moment for a classmate. Classmates who had never missed a reunion to classmates who had never before attended a reunion gathered together for this sunshine-filled weekend in lovely South Hadley…and every moment was beautifully planned and executed.  Please read Gail’s reunion letter here. 

With a little bit of magic, the Class of 1974 did stay in the dorm we requested, the ‘new’ Creighton Hall, with lakeside views and suite-style living. The dorm was a pleasure, the new dining facilities required a steep learning curve, but had such a breadth of choices as to support every classmate in her eating preferences.

The campus was truly beautiful; the weather was perfect. The choices of classes, tours, events and gatherings had something for everyone. And all of that was the jewel case for the real gem…the friendship and caring energy that was generated between and amongst the women who reunited…within our class and between classes.

You could see the spark as we marched in the parade. We did look terrific as we paraded with our elegant red and black umbrellas!

You could feel the spirit as we gathered in ever-changing groups for each meal. With all the catching up, the din in the dining hall was tremendous and filled with positive energy.

You could join the momentum at our Class meeting, led by Class President Diane Claffey. She and her officers have handed the Class to me and our new officers in good shape. Check out our Treasurer’s report and Class minutes here.

Thanks to you, Diane, as President, and to all your Class Officers for taking excellent care of the interests of the Class of 1974. And thanks to Doris O’Keefe, our long-standing Class Secretary, for keeping track of the minutes of our journey together.

You could feel the spark in the supportive interest we all gave to the fascinating career stories of the presenters at the Farm to Fashion Event.

It WAS a record-breaking gathering and we are hoping that even more of our classmates gather together during the next five years at our mini-reunions, our spontaneous gatherings and, of course, for our awesome 50th in 2024. Our mission is Getting and Staying Connected.

Many thanks to Laurie Averill for her ongoing commitment to keeping us all in touch and up to date in our various channels of social media. (The College actually changed her title to Social Media Coordinator!) 

To that end, please place a link to the Class of 74 website on your desktop or other device and please consider joining the Class of 74 Facebook page–so far we have 210 ‘friends’. The Facebook page is a closed page to protect our privacy, so do reach out to Laurie at ljaverill@gmail.com to join. Also, please help the College to find our missing classmates and to update their records, so that more and more of us are in regular touch.

And many thanks to Jane Zimmy and Debby Hall and the Class Agents for their tireless leadership in gathering monetary support for the College. We raised over $200,000! Here’s Jane’s summary of 2018-19 Annual and Reunion Giving.

Now, on to NEW BUSINESS.

I am delighted to be working with an exceptional set of Class Officers—listed in Diane’s letter above. Most of us remained on campus after the 45th Reunion to attend the brand new “Newly-Elected and Re-Elected Class Officer Training”. It was a great way for ‘newbies’ to get a view into the opportunities and requirements of our positions, and for returning volunteers to be updated by the college professionals. We had some collaborative discussions and have been in action ever since. Look for updates and Class of 74 information on our website page.

Lots of exciting ideas were generated from the Reunion attendees, and I’ll share a couple of them here…to get our creative juices going.  I also want to reach out to all of our classmates, whether you were able to attend or not, to hear what you’d like to have happen between now and our 50th, as well as what events you think would ‘make’ our 50th once we’re back on campus in 2024. Please email me at boldcolorlife@gmail.com.

MINI-REUNIONS to bring us together over the next five years.

Mary Feeney and I volunteered, at Reunion, to be Co-Chairs of the Mini-Reunion committee and we’re excited that Denise McLeod Thomas has recently joined as third Co-Chair. So far, our committee includes Cindy Polk and Flo Chichester. We’d love to have you join us if you have a special interest in mini-reunions.

NOVEMBER 6, 2019: Jane Zimmy and Tracy Thompson are spontaneously gathering classmates in San Francisco as I write this. Hope your hike and drinks are terrific!

DECEMBER 6-7, 2019 BOSTON VESPERS: The first planned mini is for Boston Vespers this December 6-7th. As usual, Mary Feeney is planning a dinner before the concert, but she’s also looking to hear who’d like to come and stay over in the area Friday night to attend a brunch and a museum tour on Saturday. If you’re interested, please be sure to reach out to her at mfeeney@bowditch.com and she’ll include you in her email updates. Please remember that Vespers tickets can only be purchased through the mail…and they sell out early.

MAY, 2020, BOOTHBAY, MAINE: The second mini-reunion we’re planning will be held at my place, the Bold Colorful Life Inn and Estate in Boothbay, Maine next May, 2020. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the Farnsworth museum with the Wyeth family works, art galleries, schooner trips, lighthouse tours, whale watching, lobster bakes, seaside walks, yoga, etc. will be on the schedule for that mini…not to mention ‘milk and cookies’ as we catch up and re-connect. 

I just volunteered for a day at the Class of 1972 mini-reunion at the Frances Perkins Homestead, about 20 minutes from here in Damariscotta, Maine, to assess the outing for our reunion. It was very moving to experience Frances Perkins’ life through her grandson’s eyes, as Tomlin Perkins Coggeshall gave us the tour of her home and the history of the grounds. That will definitely be one of the options for the Maine mini. More information will follow.

OTHER SITES: And about a dozen other classmates have volunteered to host minis all over the country, including Chicago, Ann Arbor, MI, DC, Portland, OR, San Diego, Cape Cod, MA, California Wine Country, Albuquerque, NM, Asheville, NC, Atlanta, GA…and even Paris, France. Would you like to suggest a location…or offer to host one?

To get you in the mood for minis, read about the “74 turns 60” mini-reunions, master-minded by Cathy Trauernicht in 2012! 

CAREER VIDEOS/STORY CORPS: The Farm to Fashion event, facilitated by Susan Moch, was a major hit, allowing us to experience the career trajectories of several of our classmates…on very different and intriguing paths. From that success came the idea to have every interested classmate make a video of their career/life story to be shared electronically…sort of in the ‘Story Corps’ modality. The videos could be done individually or in groups. We’re looking for someone to lead that project…from planning to execution. If this idea calls to you, (and especially if you have the technological know-how) please reach out to me and let me know. And we’d like to invite committee members for the project, as well.

It’s a true honor to be elected as Class President to lead the heart-centered and record-breaking Class of 1974 through the next five years of getting connected…and into our illustrious 50th reunion. Thank you for the privilege! 

Since leaving Reunion, I’ve had the pleasure to be involved in three MHC-related events. Jane Zimmy, Ellie McGrath, Maria Mossaides and I, as well as Class of 1972 members and former MHC President, Lynn Pasquerella met in Damariscotta, Maine where Maria Mossaides was honored by the Frances Perkins Society on Sunday, August 18th. She received the Steadfast Award for her work over the past 40 years in both the public and independent sectors, and gave a very moving talk about how Frances Perkins inspired her to achieve so much for social justice and economic security. 

And Jane and I attended the Mount Holyoke Volunteer Training on campus in glorious September. We rubbed elbows with many MHTs and learned about the intellectual life at MHC, the communications and marketing initiatives, 50th reunion planning, updates from President Sonya Stephens, and Annual Giving techniques. Frankly, I think Jane could have instructed at every session about annual giving!

Then, as I mentioned, I had the good fortune to return to the Perkins Homestead for the MHC Class of 72 event a couple of weeks ago.
Mount Holyoke has been very much on my mind. Every time I share a moment with another Mount Holyoke grad, it’s a pleasurable one…and a memorable one.

I look forward to sharing many moments with many of you during the next five years, renewing old friendships and making new ones!

Warmest regards,

Melissa Thornton

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45th Reunion Recap

Posted on October 31, 2019 by laverill

July, 2019

Dear 1974 Classmates ~ 

Frazzled and dazzled, are the words that describe my feelings when I arrived on campus for Reunion 2. The months of planning and hand-holding with key classmates and the Alumnae team were about to unfold. 

It was easy to get caught up in the minutiae of mistakes: ran out of cream, broken toilet on floor three, earphones found in 352A, over-packed agenda on Saturday, not enough seats for performance and yes, all of that is detailed in my notes for the 50th.  

But the journey to reunion was about reconnecting and remembering. We all had a chance to reflect upon personal and group experiences while students at MHC. I remembered loving bio labs, cookies from Chanticleer, S. Rocky meals, lathering on baby oil and lying on the roof of Prospect with my dormmates. I recalled hating the smell of roasting lamb on Sunday mornings when I was hung-over and regretting that perhaps if I had had a mentor then I would have been a doctor and not a house painter. Yes, a jumble of emotions and much to sort out on the ride home and in the weeks that have followed. Sound familiar?

Forty-fifth reunion attendees seemed more relaxed because many are retired or can see the path to the end of work life. The weekend was packed with activities: back to classes, parade, loud cheering at the alumnae meeting, lively panel discussion, photos, cocktail parties and gatherings for LGBTQ and women of color, dining and toasting, V8s and Phenomenal Woman. There were quiet moments when we were able to sit off to the side or walk uptown for lemonade and converse with a roommate about life experiences, family issues and classmates.

This would have been my mother’s 70th reunion. My Mom and I have not provided a financial legacy to MHC (sorry Jane Z.) and I did not inherit my mother’s intelligence (Phi Beta Kappa, Sarah Williston award winner, major in mathematics/minor in physics), but she instilled the value of hard work and good humor and I like both. I was called the Reunion Chair but it was a cadre of volunteers that made this reunion successful. My thanks over and over. Your personalized thank you note is en route. It is the spirited nature of this Class of ’74 that made 2019 a great celebration!

Whether you came to reunion or not, please follow and get involved in what our current class president Melissa Thornton offers to us over the next five years. The 50th is a culmination of the days spent through the next five years.

As one classmate remarked after reunion: “Having fun is exhausting.” And as another classmate Lane showed in expression during the panel discussion: 

Come to Reunion 50 in 2024 – it’s a full FOUR days of razzle, dazzle. 

Fondly,
Gail
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MARIA MOSSAIDES AWARDED AND FETED AT THE FRANCES PERKINS HOMESTEAD

Posted on September 26, 2019 by laverill

Maria’s Speech

I had the pleasure of sharing a wonderful event with our classmates Jane Zimmy, Ellie McGrath and Maria Mossaides (class of ’73 but honorary member of ’74), as well as Class of 1972 members and former MHC President, Lynn Pasquerella at the Frances Perkins homestead in Damariscotta, Maine. Maria Mossaides was honored by the Frances Perkins Society on Sunday, August 18th at their 11th Annual Garden Party Award Ceremony. Maria received the Steadfast Award for her work over the past 40 years in both the public and independent sectors as both an attorney and senior executive. and gave a very moving talk about how Frances Perkins inspired her to achieve so much for social justice and economic security.  
 
Melissa Thornton
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Class Meeting Minutes, May 25, 2019

Posted on June 4, 2019 by laverill

Mount Holyoke College Class of 1974

Class Meeting

May 25, 2019

 

Class president Diane Claffey called the meeting to order.

Melissa Russell from the class & reunion committee of the Alumnae Association reported:

• 38,000 alumnae living in 139 countries
• of them 2,200 are active volunteers for clubs, classes, and the Association
• the focus for the year 2019-2020 is “alumnae engagement”

Nancy Arcieri presented the treasurer’s report:

• On Sept. 1, 2014 the class treasury was $13,589.
• Today it stands at $15,663
• Announced that the 2014-2019 officers agreed upon $50 dues for 2019-2024, in ​​​​recognition of our next (50th) reunion, and encouraged us to pay this weekend

LaVida Dowdell (reporting for co-class agents, Jane Zimmy and Debby Hall):

• achieved 45% participation with 212 donors to the Alumnae Fund totaling $155,000
• almost at 100% participation among reunion attendees
• so far 23 have volunteered as class agents in the run up to our 50th reunion; would like 40
 
Update from Jane Zimmy:
Our class raised $200K by Reunion morning ( our goal) with 57% participation.
 

The email sent by Denise McCloud Thomas to the class officers was read aloud:

Hi Diane and Class of ’74 Warriors,

I hope our 45th Reunion turns out to be all that our classmates expected and more.  Please share with our classmates how sorely I hate not being there with them.  Kudoes to Gail and her team for putting together this wonderful Reunion.  Congratulations to our entire class board for their 5 years of service to our amazing class. Congratulations to our newly elected class board; know that it is a privilege to serve the class of 1974, the best class that MHC has produced.

 It grieves me not to be there, however in order to get out of that traumatic space that Hurricane Florence created for my husband Steven and me–losing our home and enduring 7 weeks of homelessness–we chose to join The Flying Doctors of America in service on their first medical mission to Ethiopia. Our mission was difficult but successful. Our team of 14 treated over 1500 patients in 3 days.  We lost count after treating over 600 patients on the third day so the true numbers may never be known.  My primary job this time was an attempt at an orderly method by which each patient could get the medical care they needed. I failed so miserably in the massive throng of desperate, hope-filled people with sunken, beseeching eyes that I had to fight back tears.  It was just impossible to treat everybody and their desperation created such chaos not only from the people who made their way from the rural areas for treatment, but from the hospital staff as well.  There was clearly another 1500 who sought treatment that we could not provide. 

Despair is just so hard to watch. Ethiopia, however, is a deeply Christian-based country.  My guess is that is how these beautiful people wake up each morning and put one foot in front of the other in their life’s journey.  I’m convinced nothing we did here was in vain.

Steven and I lost “things” in the storm, but the storm reinforced the importance of the people in our lives.  I’m so grateful to be a member of this class; you have helped make me who I am.  As our class looks forward to our 50th Reunion, I make this challenge:  TAKE THE TIME TO REWARD YOURSELF WITH A NEW FRIEND FROM OUR CLASS.  Within the next 30 days and no later than June 24th, choose 1 or 2 classmates (more if you wish) and invite them into your life as a friend.  Cross all the lines you think our American culture creates and REWARD YOURSELF WITH A NEW FRIEND.  We all win because we all have the opportunity to choose someone with whom we can share the core of who we are.  So, no later than June 24th, contact your soon to be new friend and tell her, “I choose you.”  Then, let’s just march on to our 50th Reunion and see how gloriously interesting it will be.

From the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, I am

Denise McLeod Thomas, MHC Class of 1974

 

The slate of officers for 2019-2024 was presented, and voted upon in the affirmative:

• President — Melissa Thornton
• Vice President — Denise McLeod Thomas
• Secretary — Doris O’Keefe
• Treasurer — Mary Grantham Sleet
• Reunion Chair — Gail LaBroad LaRocca
• Scribe — Marylloyd Claytor
• Web — Laurie Averill
• Head Class Agents — Jane Zimmy, Debby Hall
• Nominating Committee — Carole LaMond, Beth Connor Gibson, Nancy Arcieri

 

Changes in the bylaws of the Alumnae Association and of the class were voted on in the affirmative.  Below is the summary of changes authored by Mary Feeney and the actual updated by-laws.

Summary of Changes by Mary Feeney

Updated By-Laws

President Diane introduced Melissa, President-Elect, who had a few remarks about enhancing connection among classmates during the next five years, as a run-up to a memorable 50th reunion. Then she passed around three tablets to capture classmate’s thoughts about: 1) Ideas to make our 50th Reunion ever better; 2) A list of those willing to host a mini-reunion; and 3) MHC stories to share with classmates.

Melissa asked for a volunteer or a volunteer committee to coordinate mini-reunions. Before the weekend ended, Melissa Thornton and Mary Feeney accepted the challenge as Co-Chairs of the Committee.

In Memoriam: the names of class members who have died since our last reunion was read, and a moment of silence observed:

• Blessing, Elizabeth C. (Elizabeth C. Duquette) 03.27.2015
• Lustwerk-Dudas, Rigel L. (Lisa J. Lustwerk) 11/22/2015
• Kutzer, M. Daphne (M. Daphne Kutzer) 12/18/2015
• Struck, Patricia D. (Patricia D. Struck) 12/20/2015
• Sathue, Therese E. (Therese E. Sathue) 11/03/2016
• Edmunds, Lindsay E. (Lindsay E. Edmunds) 7/11/2017
• McMahon, Elizabeth E. (Elizabeth E. Delory) 05/22/2018

For more information about and many photographs of our 45th reunion join our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/148070727264/?ref=share

Addenda to the class meeting notes: let it be recorded here that classmates Barbara Dombkowski Desoer and Mary F. Platt each received an Achievement Award at this morning’s Alumnae Association Meeting for their “outstanding achievements and service to society that exemplify the values and virtues set forth by the College.” See certificates below:

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Class of 1974 Letter

Posted on June 12, 2018 by laverill
Dear Classmates,

It’s hard to believe that in less than a year we will be celebrating our 45th reunion.

I hope that you will be marking your calendars for May 24 through 26, 2019, and planning to attend. We are all uncommon women and as such have something special to bring to our gathering. Despite the different paths our lives have taken, we still have so much in common. Come and share your experiences and learn about what other classmates have been doing as well.
 

One major change you will notice on campus is the new campus Community Center, sometimes referred to as Super Blanch, which opened this year. It provides a common dining location for everyone on campus—so no more eating meals in the dorms. It will be interesting to see how that all works.

Reunion Chair Gail LaRocca says it is never too early to think about our 45th. Would you like to help? She is looking for volunteers to assist in the planning and execution of the reunion weekend festivities. We had a great crew who signed up for Reunion 2015 planning as well as a number of people who pitched in with the setup and hospitality when they arrived. If you would like to be one of them in 2019, please send Gail an email at GailALaRocca@gmail.com. We already know as stated above that all meals will be in the new dining facility. Positives are that there will be a wide variety of food selections. There are also rooms that can be reserved for groups, which will allow us to have our own class dinner. The dorms can still be used for social activities.

Is there something that you would like to see added to the weekend to enhance the camaraderie? Jot it down and send it to Gail. Also, please post photos of your adventures and interests on our class website so that they can be used in reunion activities. (For help with that, contact our class website guru Laurie Averill at laverill@comcast.net.)

Do you know someone in our class who has made significant contributions to Mount Holyoke and should be recognized for their volunteer efforts? There is still time to submit recommendations for the Alumnae Medal of Honor, the Loyalty Award and the Innovator Award. (Check out the April Laurel Chain for more information.) You can also nominate someone for the Achievement Award, which recognizes achievements in areas other than contributions to MHC, and the Elizabeth Topham Kennan Award, which recognizes contributions in the field of education. You can even recommend a classmate to receive an honorary degree from the College. The deadline for recommendations is July 1 and the awards will be presented at our reunion next year.

Head Class Agents Debby Hall and Jane Zimmy report that 191 of us have made gifts to the Mount Holyoke fund this year, contributing $127,106 as of April 30. They are excited that 158 classmates are members of the Laurel Chain Society, representing the College’s most loyal donors. Their goals this year (ending June 30) are $155,000 and 50 percent participation. An additional 47 donors are needed to reach that target. Another way you can get involved is to volunteer to work with Jane and Debby on this effort through Reunion 2019. You can thank donors, post on social media, call classmates or write to them. Email Debby or Jane if you are interested and would like to join the group of volunteers at either janezimmy@gmail.com or woodshall@outlook.com.

Also at Reunion, we will be electing new class officers to serve through our 50th reunion. If you would like to nominate someone to serve, please contact our Class VP Mary Feeney at MFeeney@bowditch.com or nominating committee members Denise McLeod (at dmthomas524@gmail.com) or LaVida Dowdell (atlavida.dowdell@usa.net).

Groups of our classmates continue to come together for different activities. By the time you read this letter, Michelle Hurst will be winding down her run starring in Babette’s Feast in NYC. Several groups went to see her both in Portland, Maine, and in New York. Check out our class Facebook pages for photos. Another group celebrated Mary Lyon’s birthday at the Museum of the City of New York followed by lunch, while up in Boston a group got together for dinner to celebrate. And, as always, the V8s continue to get together for fun (and yes even singing). This spring we were in New Orleans. If you have ideas for a ‘mini’ and want to get the word out, our Facebook page is a great way to do that quickly. You do need to ask to join. Search for Mount Holyoke College Class of 1974 and put in a request to join.

Lane Rosenthal has a new business called Paris Off Script and has suggested we could do a mini in Paris this fall. Another opportunity to see classmates is Vespers which will be in NYC this year at St. Barts on December 7. LaVida says that she is willing to plan something for afterwards for those who attend and are interested.

And don’t forget that Lynn Mordan is always looking for news to put in our class notes in the Alumnae Quarterly. You can reach Lynn at lynmordan@aol.com.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Reunion. Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of our class officers with any questions, suggestions or concerns. In addition to the officers listed above, you can contact Doris O’Keefe (our class secretary) at doris455@mac.com and Nancy Arcieri (our treasurer) atnancyarcieri@gmail.com. Make sure that the Alumnae Association has your current information in their database. It only takes a few minutes to log in, check it and make any updates. 

Diane
Diane Claffey
Difclaffey@gmail.com
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