The recipe for a successful reunion weekend: great people + great food + great energy! We were pleased to host alumni from every decade – all way back to Bea Patch ’35, who celebrated her 75th class reunion. The weekend was wonderful and the spirit was great! We loved watching folks reconnect, revive old memories, and create a few new ones. We were delighted to see so many members of the classes of 1960, 1975, and 1985. Whether they hung out on the quad or danced the night away to the Tom Foolery Band, a good time was had by all. See you next June!
Tag Archives: alumni
The Alumni Center Dedication – a Historic New Beginning!
Nearly 300 alumni gathered at the corner of Main Street and Marlboro Street in Keene on Friday night, June 4, to celebrate the grand opening of the new Alumni Center. Sincerely appreciatve people spoke about the family that is the KSC alumni body, the welcome and generous support of the USNH system, and the many people and organizations that contributed to the campaign that made the Alumni Center possible. When the formal part of the dedication was over, everyone headed inside to tour the building and have a really really good party!
To encourage the guests to see everything, we handed out raffle tickets at several locations throughout the Center. Raffle prizes included books by alumni authors, gift certificates, wines, a copy of the Jonathan Daniels film, gift baskets of NH products, beautiful Vera Bradley items, and two exquisite turned wooden bowls – all prizes handcrafted by alumni or donated by alumni-owned businesses. And perhaps best of all was just talking to and mingling with the other guests in the magnificent Centennial Hall, enjoying good food and drink, and listening to the music of the Scott Mullett Quartet.
Alumni visited the Center throughout the weekend and seemed delighted with this impressive new building. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by – we would love to visit with you too!
New Alum? Picture Yourself. Here
If you’re one of the nearly 1000 graduates who joined the proud ranks of KSC alumni last Saturday, or if you’re one of their (probably even prouder) parents, family, or friends, take a stroll through the extensive Commencement 2010 Photo Gallery. It was a great day, and we took plenty of photos. Check ’em out — and come back — we’ll be posting more pix later in the week!
Golden Circle Luncheons Begin 14th Season
The KSC Alumni Golden Circle marks its 14th year of memorable luncheons this year. The Golden Circle Society is that most special group of alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago from Keene State College (though, then it was probably Keene Normal School or Keene Teachers College).
Each summer, GCS members gather at various restaurants and locations throughout New Hampshire to keep in touch, catch up on news of the College, and share all those fond memories about life on campus. This year’s schedule has now been posted on the web.
Invitations are sent in advance for each luncheon, and we keep the cost for each each meal under $18.00 per person. Guests and care providers are welcome to come too!
If you’re a Golden Circle Society member (or know a member who might like to attend) and would like more information about the events, please call Pauline Dionne in the Alumni Office at 603-358-2369.
Lodging Discounts Now Available for KSC Alumni & Parents
Several local hotels, inns, and B&Bs are now offering discounted lodging rates to our alumni and parents. There are accommodations to suit a range of tastes and interests. Stay right in Keene or sleep tight in one of the nearby quintessential New England villages.
These discounts are a great addition to our growing number of alumni member benefits that include Mason Library access, discounted automobile insurance through Liberty Mutual, KSC Rec Center summer membership, and discounts at the Putnam Theater on campus.
More details about alumni membership benefits may be found at the KSC Alumni website.
Calling All KSC Alums in the NYC Area
You are invited to join the KSC in NYC alumni group on Thursday, April 15, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. for their 2nd annual event! This year we’ll meet in the Empire Room, a brand new bar in the Empire State Building (dress code: no hats or sneakers). Take advantage of this opportunity to network with your fellow alums and share your favorite memories and stories about your time at KSC! You cover the drinks, and we cover the appetizers, but no promises on how long they will last. …
For more information, email Megan FitzGerald ’98 and Kara Grenier ’04 or visit the Facebook group “KSC in NYC.”
Alums Support Students in Career and Life Programs
Approximately 70 students attended the Academic and Career Advising Office’s job fair preparation workshop on February 2nd. Students were also invited to one-on-one meetings with an alumni volunteer the following week for a resume critique, and 28 students took advantage of that.
Then on February 28, 10 KSC alums volunteered to participate in the Student Center Leadership Development Program’s Second Annual Etiquette Dinner. This group of alums joined 60 current students for an evening of networking, conversation, and sharing.
Later this spring, recent alums will participate in a “Life after KSC” panel covering such topics as choosing a career path, navigating the transition from school to professional life, deciding about graduate school, and much more.
Melanie Gosselin ’90 among Outstanding Women in Business
Our own Melanie Gosselin ’90, executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank, has just been named to the New Hampshire Business Review’s 2010 list of Outstanding Women in Business. These annual awards “celebrate the success and achievements of women across the state’s diverse business community.” NHBR states that each year, it recognizes “six women who have truly excelled, not only in their professional lives, but as leaders and role models.”
After Melanie took over the New Hampshire Food Bank in 2003, she saw the organization’s food distribution more than double from 2.3 to 5.8 million pounds in 2009. The Food Bank also now supports 411 programs – more than twice as many as it did when she first took the reins. Quite an accomplishment!
Do you know Melanie? Use the “comments” link below to drop us a note.
Job Fair Open to Alums & Students
Are you looking for a career opportunity? Keene State College alumni and students are welcome to attend the annual New Hampshire College and University Council Job Fair, Wednesday, February 17, from 1–6 p.m. at the Center of NH Radisson Hotel (700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101). This is the largest academically sponsored job fair north of Boston.
David Gagne ’73 Recognized for His Service
Though Alumni Board Past President Past President David Gagne ’73 planned to attend the Winter Celebration in the Rhodes Hall atrium on January 30, he was very surprised when current Board President Sue Fortier ’86 presented him with a handsome KSC wall clock at the gala. With wife Pamela and several alums, including Norma Walker ’51, Mike ’72 and Kitty ’73 Maher, and Steve Fortier ’86 looking on, David graciously accepted the gift of appreciation.
While David has served the college in many capacities in the past, including as an Alumni Board member and as the Alumni Trustee to the USNH system, he had a tremendous impact as Board president, a position he held for four years. Thank you, David, for your leadership and the vision you have for KSC alumni and students.
Alumni Center Construction Nears Final Stages
Construction on the Alumni Center, just across Main St. from Hale, is almost finished. Alumni from all over the country have pitched in to help raise funds for the project, and we truly appreciate everyone’s support!
The entire Advancement Division (Advancement Services, Alumni & Parent Relations, Development, and Marketing & Communications) are sorting files and packing boxes, getting ready to move into their new offices on March 16th!
- Five Sprague Drenan Award recipients (l–r: Deb Murray ’99, Mike Maher ’72, Deb Child Trabucco ’78, Patty Adams Farmer ’92 (Director of Alumni & Parent Relations), and John Trabucco ’77, took a tour of the new construction.
For more information about the project or to help support the Alumni “All in” fundraising effort, please visit the Alumni Center page. There you will find architectural renderings, floor plans, and information about the new programs for alumni. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home!
New Year, New Alumni Database!
Your membership in the KSC community sure doesn’t end when you graduate, and we’re always looking for ways we can serve our alums. We just finished a Herculean effort (whew!) to update and improve our alumni database, and now we’d like your help. As you know, a database is only as good as the information in it, so please check out our new Update Us! form and make sure the personal and career information we have for you is up to date.
Why personal info? This helps us create programs of interest to you, in your area, and make sure the alumni magazine, Keene State Today, and other information (including Newsline!) reaches you.
Why career info? We are launching a new career network program that should be a great resource for alumni and students. Alums working in related fields, or seeking employment in a particular field, can share information, and students hoping to enter a career can contact alums to learn of job opportunities or internships and receive professional advice.
So keep in touch, and we’ll keep in touch with you!
Update: The Harriet Ames Story Told ’Round the World
The heartwarming story of how 100-year-old Harriet Richardson Ames ’31 received her B.Ed. the day before she died was picked up by the Associated Press and quickly spread around the world. The article appeared in major US newspapers, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and hundreds of other outlets nationally and in Canada.
It received extensive national radio and TV coverage, and was cited by CBS News, Minnesota Public Radio, Forbes Magazine online, The Huffington Post, and many other niche blogs.
It also ran in The Guardian (Manchester, UK), the Belfast Telegraph, the New Zealand Herald, and even in India.
If you missed the video of her, watch it here.
A way lot more people know about Keene State today than they did two days ago!
Calling All Women’s Basketball Alums
Keene State College will be commemorating its 40th year of sponsoring women’s basketball on Saturday, January 23, at Spaulding Gym, when the Owls host the Beacons of UMass-Boston.
If you were a former women’s player or coach, or if you contributed to the program’s growth in any way, KSC extends you a special invitation to attend. Players and coaches will be introduced at halftime of the women’s game and are invited to a post-game social at the Night Owl Café.
- Saturday, January 23, 2010
Women: Keene State vs. UMass-Boston, 1 p.m.
(Former players and coaches will be recognized at halftime. )
Men: Keene State vs. UMass-Boston, 3 p.m.
(Players- and coaches-only reception at halftime.
)
Post-Game Reception from 5–7 p.m. in the Night Owl Café (Young Student Center)
If you plan to attend, please use the online registration form to tell us you’re coming.
If you can’t make it, use the “comment” link below to drop us a note. Heck, drop us a note and share your memories even if you can make it.
New KSC video tells our story in a brand new way!
Please check out our new video, featuring alumni, students, and staff. The video’s just over nine minutes long; take a look, then come back here and let us know what you think. Who did you recognize? How does it reflect your KSC experience?
(The link above takes you to the standard high-definition version. If you have a slower connection, or want closed captioning, or both, there are other viewing options available at that site.)
Theater Alum to Hold Rigging Workshop
Alum Jon Sharpe ’98 from United Staging and Rigging will hold a rigging workshop on December 11 at 1 p.m. for students and interested theater and dance alumni. Jon has been with USR for ten years and will share his considerable expertise in this highly technical field.
Interested? Contact Craig Lindsay in the Keene State Theatre and Dance department.