Colby-Sawyer College Alumni Magazine Winter/Spring 2024

cover:

Corey Rondeau ’10 enjoys the mountain views from the slopes of Smugglers Notch, Vermont. An avid snowboarder and outdoors enthusiast from an early age, Rondeau credits the college’s graphic design program for providing him the tools necessary to pursue a career that aligns with his passions. Rondeau currently serves as a senior graphic designer for the Vermont Energy Investment Company and also works on a freelance basis for Burton snowboards.

The cover image was shot on Kodak Gold 200 roll-film, an 80’s era color negative 35mm filmstock that was recently re-released in 120 medium format for the first time in over two decades.

Corey Rondeau ’10 blasts through the powder on an off-piste snowboard run at Smugglers Notch, Vermont.

Greetings from COLGATE HALL

The students in the Science of Maple Sugaring course have hung the sap buckets on the large maple trees on campus. This always lifts my spirits, as it means spring is coming soon to New London. Our students are preparing for their upcoming spring break. Once they return, the semester will pass quickly as we move toward Commencement.

This issue includes stories that focus on outcomes, relationships, resilience and service. The cover story features several graphic design alumni who have paired their expertise with passion to create successful careers. Graphic design alumni are able to apply their skills to a range of companies, including Burton Snowboards, Vermont Energy Investment Company, Vermont Teddy Bear Company and HP Hood dairy corporation.

People often remark that Colby-Sawyer has a unique sense of community. I always explain that this characteristic has been part of the fabric of the college for decades. The college has enjoyed so many wonderful people associated with it — students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, friends of the college — who have brought the campus to life and kept the focus on doing what is best for each student. For 30 years, Pete and Karin Berthiaume have had a positive influence on thousands of people — their students and the colleagues who have had the privilege to work with them. Together, Pete and Karin have built meaningful relationships with all constituents and are but two examples of why the college enjoys such a sustained sense of community.

Another feature focuses on the incredible resilience of alumnus Jayme Severance ’14. Jayme is an extraordinary example of turning a significant challenge into a positive outcome. He has reflected on his journey in a memoir. We can all learn from his determination and courage.

As the world has returned to a more stable state since the COVID-19 outbreak, our faculty and staff have reinstated our service-learning trips.

Whether traveling domestically or internationally, our students are stretched by these trips in important ways. For some, the trips offer a chance to fly on a plane or travel outside of New England for the first time. For others, these excursions introduce them to new cultures and additional perspectives about their major or other interests. In January, faculty led a trip to Morocco for our nursing students. The story in this issue illustrates the impact these experiences have for all involved.

The Schaefer Center for Health Sciences continues to progress well. Construction crews were focused on the interior work during the winter months. The project is on schedule to open in time for the fall 2024 semester. In this issue, we celebrate those who generously helped make this facility possible.

Spring is a time of renewal, and we feel this sense on campus. The new building combined with a mild winter has enabled our students to be active outside on Burpee Beach, and across campus, there is great energy and enthusiasm. Before we know it, graduation will be here and we will celebrate the Class of 2024. This group of seniors arrived at Colby-Sawyer during the height of COVID-19. They, too, exemplify relationships, resilience and service.

Thank you for your support of the college. We are grateful for your continued interest and engagement with Colby-Sawyer.

Wishing you all the best for the months ahead.

DONOR SUPPORTED

As Construction Winds Down, All Funds for Center for Health Sciences Raised

When members of the campus community gather in a few short months to commemorate the grand opening of the Janet Udall Schaefer ’52 Center for Health Sciences, there will be more to toast to than simply the end of construction.

That’s because earlier this year, the Office of College Advancement officially accepted the final gifts needed to fully fund the $19.1 million project.

“To have the entirety of this transformative project supported through donations speaks volumes about the Colby-Sawyer community and its belief in the educational opportunities we provide our students,” Colby-Sawyer President Susan D. Stuebner said. “We are truly fortunate to have so many alumni, students, families, faculty, staff and friends who are committed to the institution and its future.”

Giving started from the top, with 100% of the college’s Board of Trustees making financial contributions to the project before public fundraising efforts began in 2022. From that point forward, contributions from every corner of the Colby-Sawyer community, as well as from individuals and organizations throughout the region, came pouring in.

Among the more substantial contributions to the project was $1.5 million in federal funding allocated — with help from the advocacy of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen — as part of the 2022 government funding legislation signed into law last year.

Colby-Sawyer announced plans last year to name the building in honor of Janet Udall Schaefer ’52, who died in February 2022 at the age of 89. Schaefer, who was inducted into the college’s Legends Society in 2004, in recognition of lifetime giving of more than $1 million, and awarded the Susan Colgate Cleveland Medal for Distinguished Service in 2015, left one of the largest one-time gifts in Colby-Sawyer’s 186-year history, with a portion being designated to help fund construction of the building.

The college has also announced it will name the second floor of the new center for health sciences the Gail Graham Lee ’62 Nursing Simulation Center. Lee, who received the alumni service award in 2012 in recognition of her outstanding volunteer service and died in 2020 at the age of 77, left a $2.9 million bequest to Colby-Sawyer, most of which was used to fund the new building.

Plans to construct a new 20,500-square-foot home for Colby-Sawyer’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences were announced in March 2022 as part of the college’s ongoing commitment to increasing enrollment in its health science programs and addressing a critical shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in the workforce.

To learn more about the Janet Udall Schaefer ’52 Center for Health Sciences, or to discuss making a gift, contact Vice President for College Advancement Dan Parish at 1-800-266-8253 or visit colby-sawyer.edu/building-on-tradition.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Wendy and Chase Carey understand the power of giving. Since 2019, the Careys have gifted nearly $2.2 million to Colby-Sawyer, including $1 million toward construction of the Janet Udall Schaefer ’52 Center for Health Sciences.

A member of the college’s Board of Trustees since 2019, Wendy is a firm believer in the college’s commitment to the health sciences.

“Colby-Sawyer wants to provide first-rate nursing and health sciences programs and we need a first-rate facility with the latest technology to deliver on that mission and to help prepare top-notch healthcare professionals,” Wendy said. “With this new, cutting-edge facility in place, we will attract students who are interested in and committed to Colby-Sawyer.”

College News

Professor Randy Hanson Appointed Dean of School of Business & Social Sciences

Professor Randy Hanson has been named dean of the School of Business & Social Sciences. He began a five-year appointment in January.

Hanson, who taught in the history and political studies program and was named the David H. Winton Endowed Teaching Chair, has been a member of the Colby-Sawyer faculty since 1996. A two-time winner of the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, the college’s highest teaching award, he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Arts and PhD from Indiana University, Bloomington. He received the New Hampshire Professor of the Year Award from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2001.

Hanson currently serves on the college’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Campus Safety Advisory Committee and the Wesson Honors Advisory Group. In the past, among other leadership roles, he has served as chair of the Social Sciences and Education Department, coordinator of the college’s Liberal Education Program and chair of the Academic Policies Committee.

College Carpentry Shop Dedicated in Honor of Norm Green

The carpentry shop located within the Facilities Management building on Main Street was dedicated in honor of former Master Carpenter Norm Green during a ceremony in December.

Green, who died unexpectedly last spring at the age of 65 — just days after being awarded the Judith Pond Condict ’62 Award for Excellence in Service — spent 25 years at the college. A native of the area, Green was hired in 1997 and quickly made a lasting impression on students and colleagues alike. His passion for woodworking was especially beneficial to those on campus during warmer months, when seats at the more than 20 picnic tables handcrafted by Green are rarely vacant.

During the dedication ceremony, Green’s former supervisor, Director of Facilities Management Dom Gioioso Jr., delivered brief remarks in front of Green’s portrait and presented a plaque commemorating his years of service, newly hung on the carpentry shop wall. More than 30 people attended the dedication, including Green’s wife, Lonna, daughters, Shannon Carnevale and Estelle Howe, son, Glenn Lowe, and grandson, Caleb Howe. Lowe also works for Colby-Sawyer’s facilities department in the role of trades supervisor.

Wesson Weekend Miami Trip Focuses on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Six Colby-Sawyer Wesson Honors students spent their fall break in Miami for the first Wesson Weekend trip since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. Like all Wesson Weekends, this trip, led by School of Business & Social Sciences Assistant Professor Christina Perez and Dean Randy Hanson, offered students in the honors program an experiential opportunity to further develop intellectual growth and personal leadership away from campus.

The faculty leaders chose Miami as a destination so students could learn about diversity, equity and inclusion from multiple perspectives. The six students, Colby Volkernick ’25, Sara Robinson ’24, Emelia Potter ’25, Courtney Brewster ’25, Destiny Cruz ’25 and Emma Yalmokas ’24, visited various areas of the city with their faculty sponsors to learn about immigration status, socioeconomic disparities, the impact of climate change and the LGBTQ+ community in the city.

The next Wesson Weekend trip is planned for the spring semester, with Randy Hanson and Director of the Student Learning Collaborative Caren Baldwin-Dimeo taking students to Mexico.

Students, Faculty Attend Transgender Healthcare Conference

Colby-Sawyer College and Dartmouth Health cosponsored a daylong conference titled “Healthcare for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patient Populations” in early November in Lebanon, New Hampshire, to address the knowledge gap of providers regarding transgender issues, which, according to the National Institutes of Health is the primary barrier to adequate healthcare identified by transgender people.

The conference explored the key aspects of gender-affirming care and the challenges faced by transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) patient populations. Areas of focus included identifying societal issues affecting TGD patients’ healthcare experiences,

gaining insights into the roles of healthcare professionals in a team-based approach to caring for TGD patients and discussing the support structures needed to address these challenges.

The 185 conference attendees included students and faculty from Colby-Sawyer College, Dartmouth College, Rivier University and River Valley Community College, as well as healthcare workers and administrators from around the region, including from Dartmouth Health, the University of Vermont Medical Center, Concord Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Association and rural primary care locations.

Six New Members Inducted into Colby-Sawyer Legends Society

Six new members were inducted into the Colby-Sawyer Legends Society, and two anonymous donors were honored, at a ceremony in October. The Legends Society recognizes the exceptional philanthropy of those who have made $1 million or more in lifetime gifts to the college.

This year’s inductees were the late Agnes Cornell Cook ’47, Chase and Wendy Carey, the Davis Educational Foundation, the late Gail Graham Lee ’62, The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation and the Withington Foundation.

Formed in 2003, the Legends Society’s roster includes alumni, members of the local community and charitable organizations that support higher education, among others. This year’s inductees come from a variety of backgrounds, and many have directed that their gifts, in part or in full, be used for specific purposes by the college.

“Colby-Sawyer is so fortunate to benefit from the support of so many alumni and friends,” Colby-Sawyer College Board of Trustees Chair Lisa Hogarty said. “Through their generosity, these inductees to the Legends Society have made a lasting and positive difference in the life of the college.”

the uncertainty of publication

Balancing Subjective and Objective Reality

Advocating for TBI Awareness through Memoir

Editor’s Note: Jayme Severance ’14 came to Colby-Sawyer in 2009, three years after suffering traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident. Following the accident, Jayme was comatose in the hospital for nearly two months before being transferred to a rehabilitation center where he had intensive occupational, physical and speech therapy. Jayme has written about his experience in a recently self-published memoir, The Hayden Diary: Chasing the Prom from a Hospital Bed. In the memoir, Jayme uses atypical formatting and voice to give his reader greater insight into the internal world of a person with traumatic brain injury.

His unedited reflection on the process of authoring his memoir appears below.

As I sat in Colgate Hall Room 220 during the fall semester of 2011, I listened to the instruction of an award-winning author, David Elliott. I was struck when he mentioned that when you get published, nothing happens.

And having had the experience of authoring two manuscripts before attending college, I knew in my heart that nothing at that moment could be more true.

Indeed, many books, especially self-published ones, are doomed to a life of obscurity. Here are two statistics that bear that out ¹

• Each year, no less than one million books are published.

These are print books at publishing houses. But…

• When you factor in self-published books, that figure triples to nearly four million books.

the strangeness of the hayden diary

I only bring this up because my recently published memoir, titled The Hayden Diary: Chasing The Prom From A Hospital Bed, is written most unusually.

It’s not written in a way a publishing house would even dream of accepting.

For example, given that the book is broadly about my journey of recovery from a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) sustained when I was a senior in high school, I took extreme creative liberties to demonstrate the impact of my condition.

I show this through:

• Blank pages;

• Intentional typos;

• Disorderly formatting, and;

• Invasive thoughts that disrupt the narrative. But this isn’t without reason.

the goal of the hayden diary

I’m trying to demonstrate the reality of life with a TBI. And through that, I am also trying to raise awareness of TBI as a condition.

That’s why the objective since the publication of my book was not to profit from my experience.

Any profits are reinvested back into my book’s marketing so it can reach more people and cultivate greater TBI awareness.

And I’ve got a TBI worse than many—the damage is severe.

And the thing with the severe version of TBI is that 90% of the people who sustain them never regain consciousness. And the remaining 10% that do are substantially impaired. ²

a golden opportunity

This presented a rare opportunity for me to publish The Hayden Diary as a member of that 10%. It’s an underrepresented voice in literature.

By authentically depicting the subjective reality of my injury with my narrative, and tying it to objective reality by including real medical reports about the events of The Hayden Diary, it’s my mission to raise the profile of TBI.

That’s even if it’s only by putting my self-published memoir out there in the world.

Sure, nothing further may happen beyond this article, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to make something happen.

The mission is too important.

If you want to know more about my book apart from the limitations of this 500-word article, I invite you to read (or Google search for) my LinkedIn article, “Raising TBI Awareness With Memoir: From Hospital Bed To Bookshelf.”

References:

1. Rob Errera. (2023, August 18). How Many Books Are Published Each Year? {2023 Statistics}. TonerBuzz. https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/how-manybooks-are-published-each-year/

2. Collins, J. (2021, November 12). Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) - Diagnosis. MRI Online. https://mrionline.com/diagnosis/diffuse-axonal-injury-dai/

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A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS with Zoë Tice Adams

Hi all, I’m pleased to share an exciting new development that will have a powerful impact on the sustainability efforts of our campus community and our surrounding communities. In collaboration with Colby-Sawyer Community Engaged Learning Coordinator Katherine Burt, the Office of Sustainability & Innovation has successfully launched a new program called Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC) through Campus Compact and AmeriCorps. Colby-Sawyer College is one of only eight higher education institutions nationwide to be selected as a host site for the project.

A focal point of the program is conducting home energy assessments for residents in the Lake Sunapee region to increase awareness of carbon emission reduction strategies and encourage the use of low-tech interventions aimed at reducing energy use and costs. The program also aims to share information about climate issues through educational presentations and engaging activities and work on local eco-restoration projects.

Katherine and I recently recruited and hired Anna White, our new climate action leader, to work on various initiatives that meet the required benchmarks of the program and support some of the college’s sustainability goals. Anna comes to us with a psychology degree from the University of Rochester, where she was an active student leader in numerous climate and sustainability initiatives. She is currently recruiting up to four current and former Colby-Sawyer College students, referred to as climate action energizers, to support our efforts with CCAC and build our site team.

Sixty percent of the work the team completes will be geared towards community engagement projects, and the remainder of their time will be spent working closely with me to initiate sustainability programs on campus. As the main host site supervisor, Katherine will oversee the program’s completion through the lens of research-based community engagement theoretical framework and ensure that all CCAC requirements are met.

Several courses at the college cover these topics, making the program an ideal fit for students to utilize the skills and knowledge they are gaining in classrooms, apply them to real-world situations and positively impact their communities. Katherine and I are thrilled to see this program through and hope to continue to run it for years to come. We’re especially excited to report back to you about the work Anna, our students and our community members will have achieved by the program’s end date in July.

Zoë Tice Adams is the sustainability coordinator for the Office of Sustainability and Innovation. She holds a BA in anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2017) and a MA in Sustainability from Wake Forest University (2020).

Graphic Design Alumni Shine in the Workforce

With its focus on blending the creative process, practice and theory with professional preparation, Colby-Sawyer’s graphic design program has produced many talented graduates. The diversity of their career paths reflects the breadth of opportunities that exists for prospective graphic designers.

Take Corey Rondeau ’10, for instance.

As a child, Rondeau dreamed of working for Burton Snowboards. He was introduced to the company through its affiliation with a nonprofit organization called the Chill Foundation, which provides under-served kids opportunities to explore board sports. It was this introduction to snowboarding that inspired his interest in photography and, eventually, design.

Rondeau was given the opportunity to realize his dream of working for Burton through his connection to fellow Colby-Sawyer alum Jake Palmer ’09, who was already employed by the company. With Burton in need of a freelance graphic designer to complete a series of timely projects, Palmer recommended his friend, providing the foot in the door that jump-started Rondeau’s career.

The result was Rondeau spending the next 10 years working full time at Burton, beginning first in soft product design before eventually serving in the role of lead designer. During his time as a full-time employee, Rondeau had the opportunity to perform a variety of different tasks, including assisting with massive events like the Burton U.S. Open, held in Vail, Colorado.

Today, while Rondeau occasionally lends a hand on Burton projects when needed, he has shifted his focus to the clean energy industry. He now works as a senior graphic designer for the Vermont Energy Investment Company (VEIC), a nonprofit that develops energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

“I think that’s the coolest thing about design for me … learning constantly,” Rondeau said. “In my new position, I’m learning about all things clean energy. And it’s important and very timely, I think, which is a big part of why I made the transition.”

Rondeau said he’s also inspired to work with clean energy because of the other new role he’s taken on: father. Since his daughter’s birth in 2022, Rondeau said he thinks about the future far more than he ever had before.

“In having [my daughter], I’m a little more invested in the future,” he said, echoing a mindset shared by his wife, Rachel Kuiken Rondeau ’13, who launched a company this past March called Mama Time, geared toward self-care and nutrition for new mothers. Rondeau, with his skillset, has been an asset when it comes to website and product design.

Rondeau is just one of the many Colby-Sawyer graphic design alumni doing work they love.

Jake Palmer, who helped Rondeau secure his position at Burton, is a New Hampshire native who grew up with a singular passion for snow sports. Palmer said he was drawn to Colby-Sawyer by the strength of its graphic design program and ski team. Soon after finishing his degree, Palmer accepted a temporary position at Burton assisting with catalog design. The decision has parlayed into 10 years (and counting) with the company.

During Palmer’s time with Burton, his talent has been steadily recognized and he has been promoted through the company’s ranks. Today, he works as a designer on Burton’s global brand creative team, and if you’re into snow sports, you’ve probably seen his work. Palmer’s department is responsible for establishing brand guidelines, which includes standards for every point of customer interaction — from digital to retail — as well as the handling of all Burton’s marketing campaigns.

Before Palmer and Rondeau emerged into the job market, they were preceded by another Burlington-area designer.

Peter Mailloux ’06 works in a teddy bear factory — at least, that’s where his office is located. Like many graphic designers, Mailloux often works remotely, under the supervision of his trusted sidekick, Pepper the Corgi. Mailloux is the lead graphic designer for Vermont Teddy Bear Company, the leading manufacturer of handcrafted teddy bears in the U.S., located in Shelburne, Vermont, just outside of Burlington.

Mailloux’s primary responsibility is supporting the marketing team. He designs marketing emails and ads for social media, as well as retail signs and print ads. He also puts together bro-

chures and pamphlets that guide people to the company’s store

— “The kind of thing you’d see at a tourist stop,” he explained.

As much as Mailloux said he enjoys the design process, one of his favorite aspects of the job is his coworkers, with whom he collaborates in creating marketing materials and general branding campaigns. One recent project Mailloux and his colleagues were tasked with was establishing a campaign for Valentine’s Day.

“We created a whole new look and feel for all of our marketing to try to make it more cohesive, across all of the avenues — from our social to our email to our websites,” he said. “It really helps increase our brand awareness during the [Valentine] season.”

Fine-tuning his skills on campus alongside Mailloux was Mike Mandolese ’05, who graduated just one year ahead of the future Vermont Teddy Bear designer. Mandolese said he learned about graphic design as a high school student, and from there, called the decision to join Colby-Sawyer’s program an easy one.

“Colby-Sawyer was really my one and only choice for schools,” he said.

Today, Mandolese works as a senior design manager for HP Hood, the iconic New England dairy company headquartered in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. But that’s just one of the hats he’s worn as a designer. Before joining HP Hood, Mandolese spent seven years at a company called Ceaco, where he designed board games, brain teasers and puzzles for the tween game industry. In fact, during his time at Ceaco, he designed the board game Forbidden Island, which became so popular that it was featured on the television show, The Big Bang Theory, and carried by Target.

“Don’t be afraid to take that minimum-wage internship to build your portfolio,” Palmer said. “And, don’t be afraid to take a temp job, because it might work out, as it did for me.”

Mandolese admitted his decision to make the transition from game design to more traditional marketing design at HP Hood felt a little risky at the time. But now, after more than five years with the company, Mandolese said he has no regrets and called the move a “great change.”

“I was a little nervous getting into a more corporate, larger scale operation,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, or if it was going to be creatively rewarding in the same way. But it has been such a great change. I absolutely love working for them.” Mandolese said that one of his favorite things about HP Hood is the variety of work he does, leading him to refer to his department as a “design Swiss Army Knife.”

“The reason I think I have stuck with [graphic design] and have had some success in my career is because of the … opportunity it gives you to solve problems for other people,” Mandolese explained. “It’s a chance to use your creativity and your imagination to solve real-world problems in a way that a lot of other people in the business world aren’t able to do.”

More recent graduates of the program are also blazing their own path.

Rebecca Letourneau ’15 works as a graphic designer for Southport Printing, a local mom-and-pop printing company in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with the slogan “Print local.”

Letourneau said she enjoys the variety of the work she does with local businesses; it’s not uncommon for her to create custom design work — like graphics and logos — for customers or to adjust client files to ensure they’re print ready. It’s this aspect of serving her community that Letourneau said drew her to her current employer.

“My manager really loves getting to connect with the local businesses, especially the members of the greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce,” Letourneau said. “I have really enjoyed just how many local businesses I have been able to do work for.”

Letourneau also uses her design skills to support her community in a different way. That’s because she also spends time working for Seacoast Repertory Theatre, where she assists with backstage work and assistant stage management for productions.

Along with having found success in their design careers, each of these alumni said they have learned a lot on their professional journeys and had advice to offer newcomers in the field. Many emphasized the opportunities that can arise from unpaid internships and part-time or temporary positions. For Palmer, a two-month temporary job turned into a 10-plus-year career.

“Don’t be afraid to take the internship that you’re getting minimum wage for to build your portfolio,” Palmer said. “And, don’t be afraid to take a temp job, because it might work out, as it did for me.”

Mailloux, too, said he carved out his career path by pursuing opportunities that allowed him to show what he could offer. For him, it was an unpaid internship that he credits with opening the doors that furthered his career.

“It’s definitely a lever you can pull to get your foot in the door somewhere,” he said, adding that it’s also important to keep up with the work of fellow designers. “Learn from other designers and absorb as much of what’s being created out there, especially what’s being done right now.”

Cory Dinsmore, assistant professor of graphic design at Colby-Sawyer, said it’s no surprise that so many of the program’s alumni have gone on to accept meaningful positions in fields they’re passionate about. In addition to instruction in fundamental design principles and techniques, Dinsmore credits the program’s focus on visual and verbal communication, critical thinking and creative problem solving with providing students the tools they need to succeed.

“When you blend graphic design into the richness of a liberal arts curriculum, it develops first-rate problem solvers,” Dinsmore said. “With this, our students have an immense amount of possibility for their professional futures.”

“Colby-Sawyer was really my one and only choice for schools.”

-Mike Mandolese ’05

Despite low snow totals and warmer-thanaverage weather, Colby-Sawyer Chargers enjoyed all that winter had to offer, including outdoor recreation and indoor traditions like the dance show, events at Lethbridge Lodge and student theater productions. They also got to watch in real time as the Janet Udall Schaefer ’52 Center for Health Sciences took shape from the ground up, preparing for a fall 2024 opening.

Nursing Students Experience Moroccan Healthcare, Culture Firsthand

In the days before the start of the spring semester, while most students were still back home for Winter Recess, a group of Colby-Sawyer nursing students were in the midst of a culture shock.

For many of the 16 students, it was their first time out of the country. For all of them, it was their first time in Africa. The college’s Nursing Global Health Connections program, now in its third year and headed by School of Nursing & Health Sciences Assistant Professor Arianna Anton ’11, provided them the opportunity to spend nine days in Morocco — and while taking part in the trip may have meant cutting short a well-deserved break, for these students, the trade-off was worth it.

“Due to the rigor and structure of the nursing program, there are limited opportunities for students to participate in study abroad programs,” said Anton, who also serves as the college’s clinical coordinator and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) simulation coordinator. “Through the Nursing Global Health Connections trips, we largely focus on providing students with an immersive experience into the local culture. We typically stay with local families and eat meals together, share stories and experiences together and play games together — truly becoming part of the family.”

The trip focused on educating students about the complexities of Morocco’s health systems while also allowing them the opportunity to experience the country’s culture firsthand through local

homestays and guided activities. To be eligible, students must have successfully completed both Health Assessment and Fundamentals of Nursing, two required courses in the nursing program.

“I think one of my favorite parts is witnessing how the students really push themselves out of their comfort zone,” Anton said. “I have now gone on three of the trips and [it] is amazing to watch as our students are willing to explore and gain more cultural awareness. They find ways to connect with those around them — even when there is a language barrier — and make meaningful relationships that last beyond the trip.”

REFLECTIONS

This trip to Morocco was something that I had been dreaming about since I was seventeen years old. I truly enjoyed every minute of the trip, but one of my favorite parts was staying with the host families, which gave me insight into a different and welcoming culture. My host family made me feel like I was home and I enjoyed learning about their traditions. Riding camels obviously came as a close second because that was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

-emily

I loved the trip to Morocco. I think that for me the most memorable part of the trip was staying with our host families. I really enjoyed getting to know the families [and] how they lived, and experience their culture. The food was amazing (and the tea) at my home and my family was so welcoming. I definitely think that the visits to the NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and the overall trip reaffirmed why I chose nursing. I hope that more nursing students can experience a trip like this in the future because of how eye opening it is seeing how different life is in another area of the world. I really hope there is another trip next year. I’d be there!

I had an amazing time on the nursing trip to Morocco. It was such a unique and incredible experience learning about their culture and healthcare. I think hands down the best part of the trip was staying with the host families in Rabat. Personally, I had an amazing family that was willing to show me everything about their culture and were very inviting. I never once felt unwelcome or unsettled in their home; they were the best. I also really enjoyed talking with Moroccan college students about school and our countries. That activity was really fun to do and I made some good friends and connections through that. When it comes to Morocco’s healthcare system I was surprised at how underdeveloped it is. I knew from the start that they wouldn’t be as [advanced] as the U.S. but I learned so much more about their healthcare through the visits and presentation by the doctor. I couldn’t believe that in their entire country there was only one PET scan for patients. Also, there are not many available health centers in the rural areas of Morocco. People have to travel far in order to even get a check up at times, and not everyone has a way of transportation. This trip definitely helped broaden my view of healthcare worldwide. I have only ever known about America’s healthcare system and it was interesting to learn about another country.

-amanda hughes, class of 2025

I was interested in attending the global health connections trip to witness, be a part of and better understand different cultures. Through our various experiences in multiple cities in Morocco we were able to engage in these cultures. We gained a sense of community, their values and their family styles. The host family experience was an incredible experience. It allowed for complete immersion into the culture. We were able to gain an understanding of family practices, daily routines and community interconnectedness. The communities in which we stayed were all incredibly welcoming and kind. There was a very clear display of closeness among neighbors and community members. They were incredibly welcoming to one another as well as to all of the students who were complete strangers to them.

My goal for this trip was to go with zero expectations of culture, living situations, values or biases. I hoped that my experiences would establish my knowledge not any false expectations or assumptions. This mindset is very beneficial when it comes to patient care. Many conclusions can be drawn when reading a patient chart or receiving [a] report that can lead to inaccurate and unfair conclusions being drawn [about] the patient. This trip was an excellent reminder of that truth, and I hope to keep this experience as a reminder of that for a long time to come.

Smriti Sharma Sapkota ’22 was the recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses after receiving two nominations that recognized her expert professional care and genuine compassion for her patients in the intensive care unit at the Medical Center of Aurora in Aurora, Colorado. Sharma Sapkota has been working at the Medical Center of Aurora since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Masha Coy , clinical mental health counselor at the Baird Health and Counseling Center, was invited to lead a workshop on expressive arts techniques for emotional and cognitive processing at the Cape Cod Institute in Orleans, Massachusetts, on August 15, 2023. Recognizing that people often feel limited by verbal processing, struggling to find the right words to adequately describe feelings and thoughts, Coy used art to offer an effective and fun alternative, providing a creative channel for the exploration of individuals’ insights. In the workshop, she guided participants in bringing their paintings to life while reflecting on their experiences through the use of watercolors mixed with ocean water she had collected prior to the workshop.

Malia King Minnick ’14 , who also holds a PhD in higher education from New England College, recently wrote a chapter for a new textbook, Becoming and Supporting Online Adjunct Faculty in a Gig Economy. Minnick used her experience teaching more than 25 online undergraduate course sessions at the University of Arizona Global Campus to promote the importance of building rapport with students in short-term, solution-focused settings.

Alums Jen Lachance Taylor ’10 and Ben Taylor ’09 founded the nonprofit Bark & Bray Farm Animal Sanctuary in May 2023 in Wilmot, New Hampshire. Their mission is to provide forever homes to abused and neglected farm animals by adopting them from rescue organizations,

portfolio publications, exhibitions and awards Office of Marketing & Communications

then rehabilitating and rehoming them. By providing them with security and safety, they take animals with traumatic pasts and allow them to heal and find joy in life again.

Natalie “Lee” Hartwell Trasher ’80 served as the 2022-23 president of the Service Club of Manatee County, a volunteer women’s service organization that has been supporting children in Manatee County of Florida since 1927. During her tenure as president, the organization raised more than $133,000, which was distributed through grants to 31 vetted children’s service organizations in the local community.

This spring, Casie Weaver ’14 is visiting classrooms to share her experiences and research on monarch butterflies. Weaver, who wrote and published a book, A Monarch Grows in Maine , has also designed a butterfly-themed t-shirt, which she sells on her website, monarchsinmaine.com. The t-shirt’s front shows a photo of a butterfly and milkweed; the back reads, “Caterpillars have to dissolve into a disgusting pile of goo to become butterflies. So if you’re a mess, wrapped up in blankets right now, keep going.” The t-shirt was inspired in part by Weaver’s friend Eric, who died by suicide in December.

In December, Andrew Cahoon , assistant professor in the School of Arts & Sciences, had an article published in The Physics Teacher , the peer-reviewed journal published by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Cahoon’s article, “Water Bottle Stability,” is based on a lab that he designed for his introductory physics class. It discusses a mathematical model that he derived to investigate the stability of water bottles

filled with different amounts of water. In the lab, students measure the tipping points to determine when the bottle is the most stable and compare it to the predictions of Cahoon’s model.

Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences Hilary Williams has co-authored an article that appeared in the winter 2024 issue of The Department Chair , an award-winning periodical written for academic administrators. The article, “Self-Awareness, Empathy, and Inclusion: A Powerful Trio for Leadership,” was based on a presentation the authors gave at the 79th annual meeting of the American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD), held February 22-24, 2023, in Tampa, Florida.

Payton Edwards ’23 recently launched Swiftlit, a weekly Taylor Swift podcast with a literary twist. The podcast started as Edwards’s capstone project for creative writing and literature, and it became a reality in October 2023. Episode topics include reflections on Swift’s specific albums and eras, analysis of themes present in her discography and discussions of recent happenings in the world of Taylor Swift. It is available on all podcast platforms.

Carolyn Wilson ’06 , who graduated with a degree in exercise science, was named the 2023 Connecticut Professional of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals. Wilson is the senior health promotion coordinator for the Ledge Light Health District, the local health department for East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington and Waterford, Connecticut. She coordinates the Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

Colby-Sawyer Photographer and Videographer Chris Peirce ’18 has created The Midnight Empty , a 12-page photo zine featuring images of liminal spaces taken using 35 mm and medium-format film between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. The images are intentionally low-fi, transitional and dark at the edges. Twenty-five print copies will be distributed to coffee shop bulletin boards and little free libraries in the Concord, New Hampshire, area, where many of the images originated.

School of Arts & Sciences Adjunct Professor Alicia Bergeron recently participated in a three-day photography workshop at Kimball Jenkins School of Art exploring the 19th century wet-plate collodion process. The workshop, led by fine art photographers

Beverly Conway, Claudia Rippe and Gary Samson, the seventh artist laureate of New Hampshire, introduced the basics of wet-plate photography and its history, including mixing chemistry, pouring plates, development, exposure and plate varnishing. For the last two years, Bergeron has been taking Colby-Sawyer students on field trips to work with Samson in wet-plate photography; each student returned home with a unique, handmade portrait. She plans to continue this tradition and further introduce students to alternative photographic processes.

opposite: smriti sapkota ’22 holds her daisy award.

top: a black-and-white photo from chris peirce ’18’s zine the midnight empty, taken in an under-construction parking garage in concord, new hampshire.

A Colby-Sawyer Love Story

How Pete and Karin Berthiaume Found Meaningful Work, Each Other

You can learn a lot about Pete and Karin Berthiaume from their offices.

Pete, organized, thoughtful in every decision, always with an eye toward safety, exudes calmness in his decor. His desk, situated with purpose to maximize visibility of the doorway, bears only the essentials needed for the task at hand — a mouse and keyboard, a small notebook and a pen and a 10-inch laptop to complement his desktop computer.

Opposite his desk is a small rocking chair for visitors, which sits a few feet from a bookshelf neatly filled with emergency management plans, college policies and reading material from his days as a master’s student in the University of New Hampshire’s public administration program. Affixed on the side of the bookshelf is a small mirror positioned so that, if engaged with a visitor, he still has full visibility of the doorway.

Karin, meanwhile, sentimental to her core, exhibits a more cluttered, albeit cozy, workspace. Bulletin boards and cabinet tops don personal photos of family and friends, while her office walls showcase meaningful artwork, her favorites created by her and Pete’s son more than 20 years ago.

Drawers and file cabinets are filled to capacity with 30 years of keepsakes — cards, heartfelt notes and trinkets from students and colleagues alike — and, in a show of resourcefulness, dozens of books, those that don’t currently qualify for a spot on her fashionable, wooden bookshelf, line an oversized windowsill. Always willing to talk, she has a pair of soft, inviting seats that encourage visitors to get comfortable, and coffee mugs with phrases like “Wait for it” and “My girls make me breakfast” (complete with a sketching of a hen) ensure those conversations will be anything but dry.

“Both Karin and Pete are calm and reassuring presences,” Vice President and Dean of Students Robin Davis said, adding that Pete and Karin were some of the first people she met when she arrived at Colby-Sawyer in 1996. “Both are advisors in the truest sense of the word. They’re exceptional listeners. This is true when working with students and when mentoring staff. I find that as people are talking through their questions or concerns or ideas with Karin or Pete, through their quiet presence and encouragement, people often find their own answers. That is such a gift.”

While their offices may suggest opposing preferences as to workspace feng shui, when it comes to their outlooks on life, personal values and the positive influence they have on others, Pete and Karin couldn’t be more similar. And it’s because of these similarities that Student Development’s husband and wife power couple have earned the endearment of Colby-Sawyer community members for more than three decades.

“Karin and Pete mean a little something different to everyone — it’s never one size fits all,” said Vice Chair of the Colby-Sawyer Board of Trustees Tony Librot ’94, who met the Berthiaumes as a student in the early 1990s. “They both have the uncanny ability to adjust their message to match the needs of the student they’re providing guidance to. For many, they’ve provided guidance through some of the most important transitional years of a person’s life.”

Pete and Karin’s pathways to New London couldn’t have been more different.

Karin’s journey to Colby-Sawyer is akin to the stars aligning. Originally from Ohio, she fell in love with New England during trips to the area as a child. After graduating college with a degree in political science, she moved to Manchester to work in residential education at Hesser College, and later Notre Dame College, as well as various YMCA facilities.

In 1991, Karin headed to Croydon, New Hampshire — less than 15 miles from New London — to accept a summer position as director of horseback riding at YMCA Camp Coniston. She loved the work, but with fall approaching and her contract set to expire, it was time to act. Karin applied for a position as an area coordinator at Colby-Sawyer and was granted an interview in late August.

“The school year had started but it took a while for them to decide to hire me,” Karin remembered. “As I waited day after day in my little cabin with my dog CB at my side, I had resigned myself to returning home to Ohio if this didn’t work out. I was out of money and out of time.”

Fortunately, she got the call that ended up changing her life. Karin moved into Best Hall on a Tuesday in late September and remembers the excitement of the next morning when at 10 a.m., the bell atop Colgate Hall rang to signify it was Mountain Day.

“Colby-Sawyer felt like home to me from the beginning,” Karin said. “People were welcoming and kind from the start. My work was valued and I felt that I mattered here. In over 30 years, that feeling has only strengthened.”

Pete, meanwhile, returned to civilian life following six years in the U.S. Army to work as a security manager for a private firm in and around New York City. Through this work, he spent time providing security on college campuses, where he developed positive relationships with students and administrators alike.

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In January 1993, Pete’s firm was contracted by Colby-Sawyer to provide security on campus, and it wasn’t long (we’re talking days here) before he realized exactly how life-changing the move would be. When the college decided to enter a new agreement with a different security firm later that year, ColbySawyer bought out Pete’s contract, enabling him to remain on staff as its director of campus safety.

“You might not know it yet, but if you let them, these people will become family, and this place will become home.”

– Karin Berthiaume

“My sense of place became more about community and relationships and less about the other things that are sometimes used to measure success,” said Pete, adding that his work at the college came as a welcomed reprieve from the highly competitive and stressful atmosphere of previous positions he’d held. “I found my people at Colby-Sawyer and so that’s where I’ve stayed.” Of course, it didn’t hurt that he also found love.

As the story goes, Pete serendipitously found his way to a certain lunch table in the dining hall frequented by Karin and her colleagues. These occasional run-ins quickly turned into unofficial lunch dates, until one snowy day (we’re still in mid-February 1993 here) they decided to share their first off-campus lunch at nearby Peter Christian’s Tavern. This get-together was an opportunity for the two to talk less about their work and learn more about each other, though it’s said the lunch lasted well beyond the one-hour break employees are allotted.

Later that day, Karin was notified that a student had been taken to a nearby hospital after being injured in a car accident. Determined to be by the student’s

side but fearful of navigating the snowy roads, she turned to Pete. The two made the drive to Claremont, and after visiting the student and ensuring they’d be okay, Karin expressed her gratitude with her best bear hug.

By the end of the year, they were married.

“When I arrived at Colby-Sawyer, I certainly didn’t think I would meet the person who would become my wife,” Pete said. “Karin was a big part of my campus onboarding experience and I quickly realized what a special person she was. Needless to say, we began spending a lot more time together, on and off campus, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Both Pete and Karin are solution-oriented individuals, and, when faced with a challenge, spend a great deal of energy generating ideas that often produce the desired result. While working with students, though a certain amount of patience is often required, Pete and Karin agree that giving students the tools to find their own solutions — and watching them realize those solutions — is often the most satisfying aspect of their jobs.

Pete said that he and Karin are “very intentional about limiting shop talk” when they’re at home but added that, at least for him, the advantages of working with his wife — like helping him see issues through a more student-centric lens — far outweigh any disadvantages. It’s a sentiment Karin emphatically agreed with.

“I love working with Pete,” Karin said. “From the start, we have been able to approach issues or situations on campus from our own unique discipline and perspective while respecting and appreciating the point of view and insight of the other.”

Pete spent his first 27 years at the college working as its director of campus safety before accepting the position of associate dean of students and director of emergency management in 2021. While always under the umbrella of Student Development, this change in position and office — Karin and Pete’s offices are now located within 50 feet of one another — has brought the couple even closer.

He said that aside from his direct work with students, he’s perhaps most proud of how far the college has come with its emergency preparedness efforts during his time in New London. And in true Pete fashion, despite his leadership in those efforts, he’s quick to credit the roles others played in enhancing those plans.

Karin, who left Colby-Sawyer briefly in 1994 after the birth of their son Jack, returned to the college in 1996 as a resident director. In 2003, she was promoted to assistant director of residential education, and she briefly served as interim director in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Karin has held several additional positions across campus over the years as well, including work in the student activities office and as an academic advisor and international student advisor.

“For me, Pete and Karin represent the best qualities of the Colby-Sawyer community,” Colby-Sawyer President Susan D. Stuebner said, adding that she is the fourth president who has had the benefit of working with the Berthiaumes. “They share their considerable talents in their respective roles, performing such important, complex and crucial work in support of students day in and out. They are deeply committed to the success of those around them — students, of course, but also their colleagues. And they build authentic and long-lasting relationships with people. This college has benefited greatly from their extraordinary presence for the past three decades.”

Davis, who has worked hand-in-hand with the Berthiaumes for the past 26 years, agreed.

“The work can be hard and there are times of the year when we spend more time with our Student Development colleagues than we do our families,” Davis said. “Kindness, laughter, true appreciation for the gifts and strengths of your colleagues and caring enough to notice when they are struggling and then lending a hand, those are the keys that Karin and Pete have taught me and used to build our team.”

Karin admitted that she’s never been one for planning too far in advance but said the concept of retirement isn’t one she and Pete talk about often. After all, she said they both are still inspired by the work they do and know the impact it has on others.

Still, for future members of the Colby-Sawyer community who may not have the good fortune of meeting the Berthiaumes, Karin offered some words of wisdom.

“You have landed at a special place where good, meaningful work is happening,” she said. “You are surrounded by people who believe in you, who want you to succeed, who will partner with you. You might not know it yet, but if you let them, these people will become family, and this place will become home.”

Michael

The Fruits of Their Labor

Brewing Students Host Beer, Cider Tasting

On a rainy afternoon in December, in the great room of Lethbridge Lodge, a jovial group of students, staff and faculty gathered around the bar of Galligan’s Pub.

Unsurprisingly, the common purpose that brought them together was the appreciation of adult libations — but this was no mere end-of-semester happy hour. Rather, they’d assembled at the invitation of the students of Colby-Sawyer’s Brewing/Vinting Science course for the purpose of sharing the results of more than two months of planning, research and consistent effort — their very own concoctions of beer and hard cider.

The event was hosted by two student teams that each worked together to brew one cider and one beer, alongside their professor, Jim Killarney, who also contributed a creation of his own. As guests rotated between the two teams’ stations, they were presented with samples of each brew, as well as thoughtful explanations of the scientific mechanism of fermentation and the many considerations taken into account during the elaborate brewing process. The first team, consisting of Jordan Piechowski ’23, Nadine Spigel ’24, Simone Long ’24 and Dakota Pike ’24, presented a gose (pronounced like “goes”) that was brewed with tangerines, raspberries, coriander, lemon and salt.

“It’s not an easy beer to make,” Spigel said. “Jim was so scared for us.” Their second selection was a cider made from apples harvested from the exceptionally prolific tree right outside of the Lodge and flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and clove.

The next group, consisting of Jared Marshall ’24, Abigail Larrabee ’24, Lyndsi Stone ’24, Quinn Heyneman and Chesley Smith ’24, created a dark IPA that was made using half crystal malt.

Fortunately, despite having chosen recipes that some might consider risky for beginners, both groups were able to say that their ambition and creativity paid off, as attendees seemed delighted by the flavor of all four student brews.

“We tried to offset the IPA’s natural bitterness,” Smith explained. The group’s cider offering was a dry cider made from crabapples and quinces collected from bushes that grow outside the Ware Student Center.

Fortunately, despite having chosen recipes that some might consider risky for beginners, both groups were able to say that their ambition and creativity paid off, as attendees seemed delighted by the flavor of all four student brews.

Killarney’s brew, dubbed “the faculty cider,” was made with apples and pears. Killarney said that brewers usually kill off natural yeast in the liquid at the beginning of the process, replacing it with a specific yeast of their choice in order to have relative control over the outcome. But sometimes, he said, the wild yeast manages to survive and overtake the introduced variety, resulting in an unpredictable flavor, for better or worse.

“Wild yeast may have outcompeted the yeast that we added,” Larrabee said of the faculty cider. “So we’re not sure which one won.” Regardless of the yeast strain that ultimately deserves the credit, the tasters agreed the faculty cider, too, was delicious.

As much as the students seemed to enjoy the opportunity to share their discoveries with the community, the course itself isn’t all fun and games. Killarney’s academic discipline is chemistry, and he drew on his background as a scientist to guide his students to a deeper engagement with the culture and practice of brewing.

“They go through this rigorous process, researching and consulting with people in the field,” he said. “They made these recipes themselves.”

This involves an element of chance, of course, since even a slight miscalculation can derail the entire process, leaving the brewer with a vat of undrinkable vinegar, or worse.

“It’s a seven- to eight-week process, so there’s no trial,” Killarney said.

But he doesn’t mind if their recipes fail, he explained, because that creates an opportunity for his students to go back and find out what they did wrong.

As he looks to the next iteration of the course, which is scheduled to run in the fall of 2024, Killarney said he intends to further develop certain aspects of the content. One of these will be a marketing component.

“Student groups will have to design a logo or poster of one of their products,” he said. “The ‘fermenters’ would pitch their ideas to the designers based on the description of the beer, wine or cider they are making.”

Killarney would also like to involve more data analysis, and possibly even find ways to provide such services to community partners in the industry.

“Data analysis is important for product consistency and quality in the industry,” he explained. “We have analytical capabilities that could benefit everyone.”

FROM UNDER THE RADAR TO ON WATCH

Bullen Taban’s Emphatic Introduction to NCAA Hoops

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

At 6 feet, 9 inches tall, Bullen Taban ’25 is hard to miss around campus.

But for someone who stands out as much as he does, Bullen’s journey to Colby-Sawyer came surprisingly under the radar. A quiet, reserved individual by nature, the junior forward is anything but on the basketball court, often making his presence felt through thunderous slam dunks and aggressive rebounds.

That loud on-court personality was introduced to a national audience late one January night when, hours after his team’s 97-89 victory over in-state rival New England College, a vicious alley-oop thrown down by Bullen was featured as the No. 7 play on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays, a popular segment on ESPN’s nightly television broadcast. The feat marked the first time a Colby-Sawyer athlete has been showcased on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays and served as an emphatic introduction for Bullen to his peers.

Bullen’s journey to New London began in Phoenix where he was a typical high school student before personal circumstances forced the standout athlete to drop out. Still determined to earn his high school degree, Bullen successfully completed the necessary coursework online while also continuing to pursue his dreams on the basketball court.

Following one season at Tyler Junior College, a renowned junior college in Tyler, Texas, that’s produced numerous Division I athletes, Bullen was given the opportunity he’d been hoping for — to play NCAA basketball — through an offer from Colby-Sawyer Head Basketball Coach Dan Kaigler.

“We really wanted Bullen here to have a major role on our team and to be the hub of our offense,” Kaigler said. “Bullen is one of those guys that is very shy and quiet, but once you get to know him, he has a lot of nice things to say and is a very curious kind of person. It has been a great experience just being around him. He is a big fan favorite, playing one-on-one with some of the younger community members and signing autographs for those who ask.”

During his time at Colby-Sawyer, Bullen has been a star both on and off the hardwood. In 22 games this season, Bullen is averaging 8.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Off the floor, the business administration major was named to the Dean’s List this past fall and is slated to walk across the Commencement stage to accept his bachelor’s degree in May 2025.

“I did not have a lot of opportunities to come out and play basketball and coach Dan was persistent and showing love to me every day,” Bullen remembered. “Now that I am here, I love it because of the great scenery and the great people. It’s a great environment where everyone is friendly and nice. It feels very homey to me.”

WOMEN’S TENNIS REPEAT AS GNAC CHAMPS

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

WOMEN’S TENNIS:

The Colby-Sawyer women’s tennis team was crowned 2023 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) champions this past fall for the fourth time in the last five years.

The Chargers finished the season with an 8-4-1 overall record, including a perfect 4-0 mark against conference opponents. Coach Barry Schoonmaker’s squad kicked off its season in sweeping fashion, handing Albertus Magnus College a 9-0 defeat before suffering a rare loss to Eastern Nazarene College the following week. The Chargers responded with a streak of five straight victories, however, catapulting the team to the top seed — worth homecourt advantage — for the GNAC tournament.

Once in tournament play, Colby-Sawyer made quick work of its semifinal opponent in the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), earning a 6-1 victory to secure its fourth straight trip to the finals. The Chargers were carried by individuals wins from No. 1 Grace Carpenter ’25 (Milford, N.H., 6-2, 6-0), No. 3 Amelia Campanella ’25 (Chepachet, R.I., 6-2, 6-0), No. 4 Mary Thoms ’24 (Northwood, N.H., 6-0, 6-0) and No. 5 Mei Genest ’25 (Keene, N.H., 6-1, 6-1), while teammates Carpenter and Maria Espinosa Lopez ’27 (Merida, Mexico, No. 1, 8-0) and Thoms and Genest (No. 3, 8-4) led the way in doubles action.

Colby-Sawyer picked up right where it left off in the championship against Regis

College, willing its way to a 6-3 victory with help from a dominant showing in singles play. Once again it was Carpenter (6-2, 6-3) who set the pace at No. 1 singles, with Elise Hogan ’25 (Duxbury, Mass., No. 2, 6-2, 6-0), Espinosa Lopez (No. 3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1), Thoms (No. 5, 6-1, 6-1) and Genest (No. 6, 6-1, 6-1) also earning individuals wins. Thoms and Genest tallied the Chargers’ lone doubles win, 8-0.

Five Chargers were recognized for their play over the course of the season with GNAC All-Conference honors. Carpenter was named 2023 GNAC Player of the Year and Schoonmaker was awarded Coach of the Year honors. Hogan and Espinosa Lopez were named to the GNAC All-Conference Singles First Team, while Thoms was named GNAC Tournament MVP and Taylor Bentley ’24 (New Milford, Conn.) was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY:

Paced by GNAC Runner of the Year Adrianna Nadeau ’26 (Londonderry, N.H.), the Colby-Sawyer women’s cross-country team raced its way to a fourth straight conference championship. The Chargers were represented twice on the all-conference first team, with Nadeau and Tessa Millette ’25 (Barrington, N.H.) each earning recognition while, with Heather Hanson ’25 (Barnstable, Mass.) and Leah O’Neill ’26 (Peabody, Mass.) earning second team all-conference honors.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY:

The Colby-Sawyer men’s cross-country team placed third at this year’s GNAC championship. The Chargers were led by Hayden Goyette ’25 (Epsom, N.H.) and Jesse Gushee ’24 (West Linn, Ore.), who both were named to the all-conference first team. Martin Steucek ’25 (Ashburnham, Mass.) rounded out the Colby-Sawyer’s all-conference representation, earning a spot on the second team.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL:

The Colby-Sawyer women’s volleyball team ended the season with a 7-24 overall record and 5-10 conference record. The Chargers picked up their first win of the year in front of friendly fans in late September, besting Fitchburg State University, 3-1, at the Dan & Kathleen Hogan Sports Center. Among other highlights over the course of the season was Brooke Patnode ’26 (Weare, N.H.) recording a career-high 18 digs in a loss against Saint Joseph Maine and Audra Fontes ’25 (Fresno, Calif.) achieving her 1,000th career dig during a tri-match with Emmanuel.

Olivia DeShane ’25 (Grantham, N.H.) earned a spot on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship team, while Fontes and Ally Majenski ’25 (Marshfield, Mass.) earned spots on the Colby-Sawyer Academic All-District team. Fontes ended the year with 401 digs, 47 assists and 42 service aces, and Majenski registered a team-high 241 kills, 90 digs and nine aces.

MEN’S SOCCER:

The Colby-Sawyer men’s soccer team finished the season with a 3-11-4 overall record and 1-9-4 conference record. The Chargers’ first win of the season was earned at home in impressive fashion. Led by a career-high four-goal effort from Cullen Visscher ’27 (Katy, Texas), Colby-Sawyer shot its way to a 12-0 victory over Vermont State University, Lyndon. Two games later, the Chargers picked up win No. 2 with help from a late penalty kick from midfielder Ryan Wilson ’25 (Mattapoisett, Mass.) to clinch a 2-1 decision over Lasell. Colby-Sawyer picked up its third and final win late in the season against Vermont State University, Castleton, 3-2. Midfielder David Herrera ’27 (Kissimmee, Fla.) netted his first collegiate goal in the contest, before forward Kaden Lewis ’27 (Lunenburg, Mass.) scored what proved to be the game-winning tally.

Visscher ended his first year as the team’s leading scorer with six goals, followed by Wilson with five, including one game winner. The Chargers were represented twice on GNAC all-conference teams, with Lewis being named to the GNAC All-Rookie team and defender Josh Warner ’26 (Barrington, N.H.) being named to the all-sportsmanship team.

WOMEN’S SOCCER:

The Colby-Sawyer women’s soccer team ended its season in the semifinals of the GNAC tournament, rounding out the year with a 12-7-3 overall record and a 10-4-1 conference record. The Chargers were led by Bridgett O’Connell ’25 (Peabody, Mass.), who capped off the season with 21 goals on 123 shots and five assists. This offensive output earned O’Connell GNAC Offensive Player of the Year honors, a spot on the all-conference first team, United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors and recognition on the NEWISA All-New England third team.

Kara Keiper ’24 (Peterborough, N.H.) earned second-team honors behind eight goals and six assists, and Riley Paul ’27 (Londonderry, Vt.) was recognized with a third-team selection. Paul played a full 90 minutes in all 22 games this year, registering one goal and one assist. Sam Bishop ’24 (Windham, N.H.) also had a notable season, recording 11 assists to put her in second place in program history for assists in a season.

FIELD HOCKEY:

The Colby-Sawyer field hockey team finished the 2023 campaign with a 14-5 overall record that ended with a loss to Johnson and Wales in the GNAC title game. The Chargers were led by Aleah Murph ’24 (Portland, Maine), who earned all conference first-team honors behind 26-point season on nine goals and eight assists. Murph also added a program-record 11 defensive saves, and continued to make history as the first ever member of the field hockey team to be selected to the all-region first team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Sabrina Lippold ’25 (Windham, N.H.) and Courtney Larson ’25 (Auburn, Maine) were selected to the GNAC All-Conference second team, with Lippold registering six goals, an assist and two defensive saves, and Larson contributing six goals and five assists. Taylor Gaudette ’26 (North, Conway, N.H.) and Ryleigh LaPorte ’27 (Leicester, Vt.) were both awarded GNAC All-Conference Third Team honors.

Gaudette scored three goals to complement three assists, while LaPorte led the team in goals with 10. Mikayla Thornton ’27 (Lebanon, N.H.) joined LaPorte on the GNAC All-Rookie Team. Thornton started every game for the Chargers and registered an assist from the back line.

news from alumni relations

Homecoming & Family Weekend

Save the date now for Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024: Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 20. Alumni, parents, family and friends are invited to campus for a fun-filled weekend featuring the Colby-Sawyer Athletics Golf Tournament, food and live music at the Quad Fair, workshops with faculty, campus tours and much, much more. Milestone reunion celebrations will take place for alumni with class years ending in 4 and 9. Additional information can be found at colby-sawyer.edu/homecoming.

Thanks to everyone who attended Homecoming & Family Weekend 2023. Photos from the event can be found by visiting www.flickr.com/photos/ csc_alumni/albums.

Congratulations to the 2023 Alumni Award Recipients

During Homecoming & Family Weekend 2023, the college honored three alumni for their accomplishments, service and commitment to Colby-Sawyer College. Debra Taubert Morris ’79 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, Leslie Blair ’83 recieved the Alumni Service Award, and Ben Maines ’18 received the Young Alumni Achievement Award.

Read more about the recipients at colby-sawyer.edu/alumni-awards.

Thank you to Leah Hodder-Romano ’12, who represented Colby-Sawyer and President Susan D. Stuebner at the Bowdoin College inauguration festivities on Oct. 14, 2023.

Alumni Events

The Office of Alumni & Community Relations organizes a variety of events, both online and in person, to keep alumni, families and friends engaged with the college community. We invite you to participate in events such as lectures featuring beloved faculty members, campus updates from President Stuebner or panel discussions with accomplished alumni in various fields. Explore our upcoming events schedule at colby-sawyer.edu/alumni/events. If you couldn’t attend a previous event, you can access our Virtual Event Archive at colby-sawyer.edu/alumni/events/archive to catch up.

Stay Connected with Colby-Sawyer

At Colby-Sawyer, we want to be certain you are able to remain connected to the college and your classmates. To ensure you receive the latest updates about Colby-Sawyer news and events, we need to have your current contact information on record. Visit colby-sawyer.edu/update or call (603) 526-3426 to update your information today.

a case study in resilience:

carissa morton ’13 continues to author her own story

Carissa Morton ’13 is not the sort to leave things to fate. Exhibit A: she remembers attending a psychic reading party — something, she is quick to mention, that she would never do again — at the home of her god sister, back when she was a college student who planned to marry, have a family and live in the house she grew up in, close to her parents’ dairy farm in Vermont. Her last name was Neddo then, and she’d just completed her first course of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.

“She could see that I was sick,” Carissa said, “because I didn’t have much hair, and I was wearing a bandana or a hat or something. And [my god sister] made comments, like, she said I had a long road ahead of me. This was before my transplant when I thought I was good to go. And she told me, ‘Maybe you’ll have to take time off school.’ ‘No, no, I will not,’ I said. And I asked if I would ever live in my old house, and she said, ‘No.’ And I thought, no. That’s not what’s going to happen.”

It was a lot to overcome. Carissa, a promising first-generation nursing student at Colby-Sawyer who intended to specialize in neonatal intensive care, had seemed just fine. One day she developed a cough, and just couldn’t shake it. Then she began to show more alarming symptoms, like swollen lymph nodes, and soon, lumps the size of plums protruded from her neck and her underarms. A course of antibiotics had no effect. Next, there was a visit to a specialist, a biopsy, an agonizing wait, a life-altering phone call, and she suddenly found herself in a new version of reality: Carissa Neddo, aged 19, nursing student, was now a cancer patient.

Hodgkin lymphoma, the variety of cancer that afflicted her, is a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. When Carissa was diagnosed, her cancer had already reached stage four, meaning that it had begun to spread to other parts of her body. For many cancers, stage four is a lethal designation. But with treatment, Carissa was told blood cancers like Hodgkin lymphoma are 80-90% curable. And so, treatment began.

Carissa’s regimen was a schedule of chemotherapy, which she underwent while continuing to attend classes, even as the drugs sapped her energy and her hair began to collect in the shower drain. But Carissa was determined to hang on to the hopes and dreams of her old life — to finish school and become a nurse, a wife and a mother. These goals were now joined by a simpler

aspiration that most other teenagers could take for granted — a healthy body that was strong enough to make those plans possible.

About a month after she completed her initial course of chemotherapy, the lumps returned — evidence that the treatment had failed. Carissa was informed that her best hope of recovery was to undergo a procedure called an autologous stem cell transplant. She was devastated to learn that procedure would mean a longer hospital stay of two-to-three weeks, meaning she would certainly miss the fall semester of her sophomore year, possibly more.

During that time, stem cells from Carissa’s own bone marrow would be harvested and preserved. She would then undergo intensive chemotherapy at much higher doses than she was accustomed to, with the purpose of destroying her remaining stem cells. The preserved stem cells that had previously been extracted would then then be returned to her body, and, if all went as intended, would begin to restore her immune system.

“I don’t really remember that whole week of chemo,” Carissa said. “I was just very sick. I brought lots of stuff to do in the hospital, but I really didn’t do any of it. … And they would let you walk around the rest of the hospital if you had family versus just around in circles on the unit. I didn’t like doing that. I thought, ‘Everybody’s staring.’ So, I would walk around with my family when they came down. And then just the waiting, waiting, waiting.”

Before her discharge in early December, Carissa told the nurses who cared for her that she would be back in the classroom that spring, a prospect they treated with gentle skepticism. At times, even Carissa, too, struggled with doubt.

“I did have very sad moments of being like, ‘Should I go back to school? Should I just try to go on with my life, if my life’s going to be shorter?’” she said. “’Or should I get a job that I don’t have to go to college for and just live?’ There were points that I was thinking, ‘What if I die? What would happen to my parents and my brother?’”

She also became aware that yet another of her dreams was in jeopardy: The therapy drugs can damage the ovaries, and while her care team focused on saving her life, Carissa grappled with the possibility that even if she beat her cancer, her future might be quite different from the one she’d envisioned — one that she’d hoped would include the experience of pregnancy and motherhood.

Back at Colby-Sawyer, Carissa found a community that was ready to support her recovery and her ambitions; her medical training would ordinarily have exposed her to communicable illnesses that could have threatened her fragile health, but her instructors and classmates worked together to ensure she handled cases that were less likely to challenge her fledgling immune system.

Meanwhile, even as her body healed, the psychological wounds remained. But just as she had with the physical rehabilitation process, Carissa confronted this obstacle head-on.

“Fall semester of our senior year, we could pick the clinical we wanted,” she said. “When I was going into college, I thought I wanted to work in the NICU. … But when I was in the hospital and getting treatment, everybody said, ‘Oh, you should come over here [to hematology-oncology].’ And I thought ‘I don’t know about that. I want to not be here, really.’ But then, I thought, ‘Maybe I could do that for my clinical work and see how I like it.”

At first, Carissa found it difficult to revisit the place where she had grappled with so much pain and uncertainty. But she also recognized that she had an unusual gift to offer her patients in the HemOnc ward: personal knowledge of a patient’s point of view.

Hodgkin lymphoma, the variety of cancer that afflicted her, is a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. When Carissa was diagnosed, it had already reached stage four, meaning that it had begun to spread to other parts of her body. For many cancers, stage four is a lethal designation. But with treatment, Carissa was told blood cancers like Hodgkin lymphoma are 80-90% curable. And so, treatment began.

She didn’t share her story with every patient, but for some patients, she found that telling them about her own experience helped instill the hope they needed to endure the grueling regimen. This was especially true for the younger patients who were facing a grim diagnosis, just as she had.

Six years later, regular monitoring had revealed no signs of recurrence, and Carissa was finally declared “cancer-free.” In the interim, she’d been busy. She graduated and became a fully qualified nurse specializing in hematology-oncology. Then she had elected to work in the very same unit at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where she had been treated years before. She had married and, despite the previous concerns about preserving her fertility, she’d become a mother — twice over, in fact. And, eventually, in defiance of her god sister’s discouraging prediction, she moved into her childhood home near her family’s dairy farm in Vermont, just as she had planned.

During this time, Carissa was approached by a colleague who was seeking to generate a case study to educate students and caregivers who were involved in cellular transplant therapy. The utility of such a text was obvious, but the mechanics of producing it were complex, given the tight restrictions on the disclosure of medical information.

Fortunately, Carissa had two resources that would prove uniquely advantageous: access to her own lived experience and a strong, trusting relationship with her patients. Carissa had full access to her own medical history, so rather than generating a fictional record, she was able to supply specific data related to her own treatment. Meanwhile, she and her colleagues were able to approach patients in the midst of their treatment and gain permission to share their stories.

What was initially intended to be a single instructive case study eventually grew into a collection of narratives that intertwined information from the patients’ medical experiences with their own voices and those of their caregivers. Over a period of several years, Carissa and her colleagues developed these stories, collecting evidence, identifying and encouraging participants and conducting interviews.

The final result was an invaluable tool, both for people undergoing cellular transplant therapy and for those who treat them — a book that explicates a variety of scenarios that might arise during the course of a cellular transplant procedure by combining a medical perspective with the lived experience of real patients and their caregivers.

The resulting work, titled Patients’ Lived Experiences During the Transplant and Cellular Therapy Journey, was released by Springer in 2023. It features the stories of 11 individuals who received transplant and cellular therapy, interspersed with art and poetry created by the patients and caregivers themselves. The first chapter is preceded by a watercolor painting depicting Carissa while she was pregnant with a child she’d been told she was unlikely to ever conceive.

There, Carissa’s own story is recounted under a pseudonym that embodies the central concept of her experience both as a patient and as a nurse: “Hope.”

class notes

1939-1944

Send your notes to the Alumni Office at 541 Main Street, New London, NH 03257 or alumni@ colby-sawyer.edu.

1945

SHIRLEY GLIDDEN SPLAINE s.splaine775@gmail.com

Hi classmates. I was disappointed not to hear from any of you. Did you know that there are only 10 of us left? Please do send me any news about where you are and what you are doing. My family has decided that I should have people with me ‘round the clock. This is a change for me. I do have several nice gals looking after me, which is different from my independent self! I am tired of winter and looking forward to spring. Best to you all. Love, Shal.

1946

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Jean Arnold Taylor enjoyed her 2 years at CJC and remembers many happy times. At 97 years old, she is in good health and has lived in the same house for over 70 years. Her 2 daughters and her son take good care of her.

1947-1948

Send your notes to the Alumni Office at 541 Main Street, New London, NH 03257 or alumni@ colby-sawyer.edu.

1952

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Noel Henriques Brakenhoff is sad about the passing of Sarah “Sae” Bond Gilson . Noel says, “She was a good friend, and I was in contact with her often. She died on her terms, which makes me happy for her, while my sadness continues.”

1953

1949

ELIZABETH REYNOLDS MATTHEWS elimtth@aol.com

1950

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

1951

BARBARA EASTERBROOKS MAILEY smlbluebird@outlook.com

Marguerite “Maha” Cline Almy is living independently in Savannah, GA. She has a home in Dartmouth, MA, as well. She is happy to function without the assistance of caretakers. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are doing well, and she loves watching them grow. Marguerite’s husband died April 12, 2023. She was his primary caretaker until he died at home. Marguerite would love to be in touch with classmates and she wishes everyone well. Mary Em Bodman Kenner recently called the Alumni Office. She shared, “Even though we’re getting older, it’s nice to know that some of us are still around!” At almost 93, Mary Em is living independently in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Her 3 grown children are all college graduates, married and doing well in their careers. Her daughter works in the banking industry and her oldest son works for the Federal Canadian Government. Her youngest son lives and works in Anchorage, AK.

1955

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Joanne Holden Miller enjoys residing at Sunapee Cove in Georges Mills, NH. Joanne appreciates the nice view of Lake Sunapee, the great meals and a wonderful group of friends.

1956

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

1954

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Jo-Anne Greene Cobban, who served as the 1954 class correspondent 2003-2023.

Jo-Anne Greene Cobban recently moved into assisted living in Goffstown, NH. She lives with 15 other residents in an old Victorian home where all her needs are tended to. One of her favorite pastimes is sitting in the solarium watching the birds at the feeder. Jo-Anne’s family recently honored her with a 90th birthday party.

Diane Dorr Saunders moved back to Boothbay Harbor, ME, after living in FL for 8 years.  She is enjoying the independent living apartment at St. Andrews. Barbara Beals Beal enjoyed another family-filled year, with the highlight being grandson Chase’s wedding on Church Island in Aug. Barbara shares, “My summer at Squam Lake (May to Nov.) was filled with family from one moment to the next — a special privilege and pleasure.” Barbara also keeps occupied singing 2 nights a week in a chorus and a choir. Judith Davis Somers is now in assisted living in SC. Her sister Joyce lives nearby in her own home. During a recent visit to the eye doctor, Judith was diagnosed with macular degeneration.

1957

JILL BOOTH MACDONELL jillphotoart@yahoo.com

After CJC, Diane Gash Brusman worked in NYC in advertising for the president of a large ad agency until she met her husband, Peter. The couple relocated to NJ, and Diane worked for Peter’s business until its eventual sale, prompting another move to VA. They moved to Ford’s Colony, where Diane reunited with Katrina “Trina” Barhydt Duff . Diane has been in Williamsburg, VA, for 24 years now. She plays golf and volunteers in the visitor center at Colonial Williamsburg, though not in costume!

Her daughter lives in Richmond with her husband and 2 daughters, aged 9 and 12. Her son and his wife live in Mt. Pleasant, SC, with their 2 boys, aged 18 and 21.  Diane Shugrue Gallagher, Suzanne Vander Veer and Jan Eaton Atkins loved their Road Scholar trip to Chicago, which was their 3rd or 4th trip. “Chicago is a happening town for sure, and this is from a New Yorker, no less,” said Diane. Robin McDougal remembers how excited we were for Mountain Day at CJC. It was a big hike and we all got to know each other better. She is glad the tradition continues! Robin is slowing down due to severe scoliosis but tries to keep active. Kim Yaksha Whiteley also appreciated the experience of the Mountain Day tradition at CJC. She wishes her classmates well and hopes we all continue to enjoy the outdoors.

1958

CINDY GRINDROD

VAN DER WYK

cindyvanderwyk@gmail.com

Meredith Chase Boren is staying busy. She’s currently taking 2 community college history courses. She also serves on a board to raise funds for the restoration of architecturally and historically significant properties in the state of MD. Meredith sends her best to all classmates. George Powell, widower of classmate Katrina “Tina” Schneider Powell , reached out to Judy Cameron Barwood in Sept. George and Tina had fond memories of getting together with Judy when they lived in Wilder, VT. Sadly, Tina passed away in April 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She lived a long, blessed, giving and happy life, with 2 children, and numerous grandchildren. In addition to being a wife and mother, she had her own bookstore and was on the board of directors of the American Booksellers Association. Judy Cameron Barwood enjoyed attending our 65th reunion last Oct. along with Connie Taylor Raven and Catie Gold Hubbard ’59 MT . She was sorry that more classmates were not able to attend. Judy shares, “It is always nice to return to campus to see all the impressive improvements on

campus and to chat with professors and staff.” Judy has 4 grandchildren in college and 2 grandchildren in high school. Her daughter, Sarah Hoover, resides in Louisville, KY, with her husband and 3 children. Her son Justin calls White River Junction, VT, home with his wife, Becky, and 3 children, and son Jonathan lives in Payson, AZ, with his wife, Amanda. Judy maintains a house in Tucson and enjoys spending a couple of months there each year. I, Cindy Grindrod van der wyk , so wanted to attend our 65th reunion but had second thoughts after 5 surgery/procedures on my legs. However, I was there in spirit reminiscing about so many memories. From walking backward on Freshman Day to watching Elvis in the Best Dorm living room in 1957, endless games of bridge in Burpee, surviving a 48 below zero temperature in a corner room and skiing from the back of Best to PE daily. Every moment holds a special place in my heart. I fondly remember my roommate, Jill Booth Macdonnell ’57 , who turned out to be a wonderful lifetime friend. Above all, I received a great education for the future! After graduation, life became the challenge for the next 65 years. To me, Colby-Sawyer was the epitome of a great life. I’d love to hear from more of you — there must be more than 3 of you out there. Let’s finish with Paul Harvey’s favorite saying, “And now for the rest of the story….”

1959

MARSHA HALPIN JOHNSON marnamhj@gmail.com

Linda Perlmutter Goldman and husband, Barry, have been living in St. Augustine, FL, for the past 30 years. They love the oldest city and living near the ocean. They have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren scattered throughout the country. Linda is amazed by how much Colby has grown

from our days. Ann Darracq Graham and husband, Roger, celebrated their 35th anniversary. It is the 2nd marriage for them both, and together they have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. They enjoy a quiet retirement in LaMesa, CA, with lots of family nearby. Carole Hamell Wenthen and husband, Fred, are living in Myrtle Beach for the winter. Fred was diagnosed with leukemia and is managing it well. One of their 3 children works as a computer consultant, one works as a Bluegrass music performer and one works on cars to get better mileage. It is quite a combination. The last year has been quite eventful for me, Marsha Halpin Johnson , and my family. My husband, Bruce, had emergency surgery as a result of an aneurism behind his knee. After 3 surgeries to try to save his leg, he had his leg removed above the knee. He was in the hospital for 10 days and then in rehab for another 10 days. He is now managing to use a prosthesis. It is a slow procedure, but eventually he will manage it. Our 4 adult children have been more than helpful to us. We are both immensely thankful.

1960

PATTY CANBY COLHOUN

pccolhoun@gmail.com

Recently, Ann Parsons Klump enjoyed two trips, one by way of Iceland. The other took her to Phoenix, AZ, with a night in Sedona — a beautiful area. This trip was to celebrate her youngest grandson’s completion of his Eagle Scout. Ann has 4 grandchildren, including a great-granddaughter who turned 1 in Jan., residing in a nearby town. Judy Johnson Gibbs loves her life in Maine! She and her husband celebrated their 62nd anniversary in Feb. The entire family, including their 2 sons and their wives, and 6 grandchildren, rented a large condo in Breckenridge, CO. Judy happily added a French

Brittany Spaniel puppy to her household, bringing in a bundle of energy. Ellie Tomlinson joyfully retired from teaching at the Tower School in Marblehead, MA, in 2004. She stays active by riding her mountain bike, playing squash and walking her 12-year-old cream-colored golden retriever, Lily. Ellie has showcased her paintings in several shows and self-published a book called “Molly’s Pal,” available on Amazon. Content living in her house by the sea, Ellie is a lady of many talents. Now a snowbird, Birgit “Bea” Rasmussen Talbot lives in North Fort Meyers, FL, in the winter and in North Bennington, VT, for the summers. Her husband, Joe, passed away 14 years ago. Bea reconnected with an old high school boyfriend, Larry, and they have been together for 9 years. They use his house during the winter and hers in the summer. Bea sends love to all her classmates. Sue Barto Monks and her friend Jim have embarked on various trips, ranging from theater and concerts to family weddings and cruises. They enjoyed a 13-day Viking Mediterranean cruise. Sue opened her summer house at the shore in Old Lyme, CT, and later spent time at a family home on Roque Island, ME. Sue and Jim split their time between his place in Naples, FL, and her home in MA. Hannah “Haydi”

wrist surgery. I eagerly await a Viking riverboat cruise with my sister in late April. I am always seeking news from more classmates. Please drop me a line!

1961

LYNNE GOODWIN HORN joly76@aol.com

Caldwell Sowerwine recently returned from a 5-week trip to Nepal — not a vacation, but a productive working trip with clear day views of the Himalaya-Annapurna Range. They visited numerous schools with the Looma device, some of which were doing well and others not so well. The Looma is an innovative, complete education system that delivers a modern education for everyone in Nepal, including those without reliable access to electricity, the internet, textbooks or trained teachers. Haydi reports that their planning meetings with a small team in Nepal were fruitful. Check looma.education. com to learn more. I, Patty Canby Colhoun , reflect on a wonderful year that included a Viking riverboat cruise from Amsterdam to Basel with my next-door neighbor. Thanksgiving was spent with my son, CB, and his family in Cedar Rapids, IA, followed by Christmas in Paris with my daughter, Ann. Ann and I enjoyed a once-in-alifetime, fantastic 2-week Viking Ocean cruise from Sydney, Australia, to Auckland, NZ. I spend my days volunteering for St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, the Boothbay Region YMCA and Lincoln Health with my standard poodle, Daphne. Together we visit the long-term care facility at St. Andrews Village. I am back to hooking rugs after

Alive and well at almost 83, Sue Romer Ladouceur is filled with very fond memories of her years at Colby. She cherishes the dear friends and family that made those years so special. Sue is married with 2 amazing daughters and one precious granddaughter. Inspired by the growth and resilience of Colby-Sawyer, Sue admires the college’s commitment to evolving with the needs of the 21st century. She applauds all the visionary efforts to keep this place of learning “alive and well” among the hills of NH.

1962

TILDA MACGREGOR HUNTING tildah@gmail.com

1963

DONNA DEDERICK WARD meadowoodfarm@comcast.net

1964

KATHY CONATHAN REARDON kathyr1230@aol.com

Since graduating from Colby Junior 60 years ago, Mary Lee Mamer Thayer (Burpee) has never returned to campus due to various transfers for work (NJ to MO to WI to OH, where she has lived for 40+ years) and general busyness. Mary notes that her mother’s passing in March of her freshman year was made more manageable due to the support she received at CJC. My recent email soliciting news for our class column found her at a reflective time, prompting her response. Mary continued her education at American University in DC, followed by some

graduate work at NYU. In 1967, she married Richard Thayer, and they are approaching their 57th anniversary. They have 2 sons, both happily married, and 4 grandchildren. Mary feels she could write a book about her truly wonderful life. Ann Franklin Ewig and her family are doing well. Her husband, Tom, underwent a 2nd successful knee operation in the fall, allowing him to walk with the agility of his younger years. Leslie “Lee” Norris Gray acknowledges the significance of the year for many — the turning of 80. With the loss of family members and close friends, like classmates Liz Ridley Mills (Lee’s roommate) and Ellen Terhune Schauff , Lee rises each morning with gratitude for another day. Lee and Rick split time between Bonita Springs, FL (for golfing and sunshine) and Hampton, NH (for sunny days cruising Lake Winnipesaukee on a pontoon boat).

Lee looks forward to a special Labor Day wedding for her eldest grandson, Kellen, and his fiancée, Hayley, at the John Hay Estate, The Fells, on Lake Sunapee. Bringing Lee’s 3 sons and their families together for the wedding will be very special, especially since Mark’s family resides in Seattle, WA, and David’s family is in Savannah, GA. Four of Lee’s grandchildren are out of college and have entered the

During a trip to the UK for a family wedding, (l to r) Anne Baynes Hall ’67 enjoyed lunch with Rod Benzie (husband of Janet Baynes Benzie ’71), Tom Baynes (son of Dick Baynes ’76) and his wife, Angelina Tagliatela Baynes ’08.

work force, one is a first-year student at Washington & Lee and another is a senior in high school. After many years of doing so, Betsy Myers Hunnewell and Bob didn’t winter in FL this year. Instead, they planned a 5-week cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti and other Pacific islands in Feb. to celebrate (or bemoan) their 80th birthdays. Betsy reflects on never envisioning reaching this age during her idyllic years at Colby Jr! In family news, Betsy’s daughter Chrisa serves as an NP at Dana Farber Hospital in Boston. Grandson Kevin is a sophomore at Sacred Heart in CT, and granddaughter Lauren will graduate high school this spring, set to play Div 1 lacrosse at Iona Univ in NY. Betsy’s son, Curt, resides in Wellesley, MA, with wife Courtney and their 3 children – Jack (12), Wyatt (10) and Sadie (9). Working at BAC private bank, Curt and his family navigate the hectic life of work, carpools, Boy Scouts, skiing, dance, baseball and more. Betsy and Bob love their small condo in Plymouth, overlooking Mass. Bay. While the days of horses and boating are behind them, they’re presently focused on improving their golf game and lowering their “shameful” handicaps. Betsy humorously adds, “It can only go down!”

Betsy notes the passing of a

this new chapter of life, Martha finds solace in her large and loving family, which continues to grow. They warmly involve her in their busy lives. Martha maintains residences in Williamstown, MA, and Westport, NY, on Lake Champlain, with children residing in both places, along with dear friends. Martha knits and weaves, tends to her garden, cooks, reads, walks and plays golf.

1966

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

dear classmate and great friend to the college, Nancy Woodring Hansen , on December 5th, expressing that she will be missed.

1965

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Ruth Elliott Holmes continues to reside in Michigan, actively working full time as a forensic handwriting examiner specializing in cases involving forgeries, fraud, bomb threats and even murder. Ruth’s daughter, Sarah Holmes Tucker ’95 , collaborates with her in this professional endeavor. For those interested in their work, there is an old case featured on Forensic Files titled “Personal Penmanship.” Ruth was recently featured in a Michigan magazine, Downtown . Visit downtownpublications.com/ single-post/ruth-holmes to see the article. Ruth recently had the pleasure of catching up with her CJC roommate Debby Glidden Saliba on Cape Cod. Ruth ends her note by stating, “Retirement does not mean we stop.  It means we put on a new set of tires!” Martha Mullendore Storey faced a profound loss in Nov. 2022, as she said goodbye to her best friend and dearest love, John. In navigating

Residing in France for over 50 years, Pamela Huntington Darling has dedicated more than 3 decades to creating and organizing highly exclusive cultural travel programs for Fortune 100 corporations, prominent American cultural institutions and private groups. Prior to that, Pamela established her own consultancy firm in Paris, advising Fortune 100 corporations on corporate communications, media training, crisis management, lobbying, major event coordination and sponsorship. She is a member of various cultural institutions, including the World Monuments Fund, Europa Nostra and Amis du Louvre, among others. She also holds memberships in private clubs such as the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée in Paris and the Polo Club de Paris. Ann Blackman Putzel kept a daily Covid journal with pictures for almost 3 years, documenting how the pandemic affected her family, friends, neighborhood and the political landscape surrounding topics such as masks, vaccinations and staying home. She reflected on who did and who didn’t participate in various measures and how national movements like BLM and QAnon unfolded alongside the 2020 presidential campaign. Ann believes this documentation will offer valuable historical insights for future generations and histo-

rians. With a new campaign underway and viruses again rampant, she has resumed journaling. Having retired from over 30 years as a realtor, Kathie Kock Hewko continues to cherish life in Sonoma County, CA. Since 1976, she’s completed 94 Golden Gate swims. Hilde Body Clark finds joy in retirement in the East Bay of CA, where she resides near Beth Roland Hunter ’70 . She keeps engaged in social justice issues while nurturing her spirituality. Her 3 children thrive in VA, KY and CA. The Clarks have 5 grandchildren and 2 bonus great-grandchildren spanning 7 to 18 years old. Despite earning a 5-year BSN degree after her 2 years at CJC, she didn’t practice long, instead focusing on raising a family. Hilde remains active in her Ontario, Canada, island community, where they spend their summers, driving 2,000 miles from Lafayette, CA. After her children were born in the 70s, Hilde learned desktop publishing and database programming. Annually, she publishes a 350-page yearbook for her Ontario, Canada, cottage community. Natalie Rice Ireland ’s husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last April. He’s currently doing ok, despite dealing with back pain. Given his diagnosis, Natalie didn’t travel overseas last year, but has plans for 2 trips in 2024: the Azores in June and Northern Ireland in the fall. Natalie enjoyed having her son from Tucson, AZ, and her daughter from Baltimore, MD, and their families with her for the Christmas holidays. Roz Manwaring retired from Rozzie May Animal Alliance in 2015 and moved to Cape Cod. She keeps busy with activities like Zumba, ukulele and a workout group formed in response to Covid. Her latest addition to the family is Rosie, a long-haired Chihuahua. Sue Chapman Melanson , having lost her husband in Jan. 2023, sold her home in Shapleigh, ME, and relocated to Tewksbury,

MA, closer to her daughter Kristen Horn Guerrieo ’03 and her family. She now resides in a 2-story condo in a 55+ community near the Tree House Golf Course and Brewery, with convenient access to amenities like Starbucks, Market Basket and various restaurants. Sue finds joy in living near Kristen and family, including grandsons Ryan (15), Matthew (13) and Nick (6). After 57 years of staying in touch and coordinating reunions, 6 classmates, accompanied by 4 husbands, enjoyed a 5-day mini-reunion in Sept. 2023 in Plymouth, MA. The group included Babbie Dorman Conroy from CT, Carlyn Cleaves Kroitzsh from ME, Carola Howard Howe ’67 MT from CA, Linda Walker Fuerst from NH, Deedee Wolcott Stockman from AZ, Nancy Fitzherbert Walker ’67 MT from England and Marcia Quimby Troy from MN. When not indulging in refreshments and heartfelt conversations on the porch of the charming antique home they rented, they ventured out to explore the surrounding areas, including Plymouth, Barnstable and Hyannis. Their dinner at 42 Degrees North in Plymouth served as a perfect conclusion to a delightful reunion. Despite disruptions caused by Covid, the group aims to reconvene in 3 years for their 60th reunion.

1967

SIS HAGEN KINNEY kinivan06@gmail.com

Elizabeth “Beth” Holloran Bourguignon says not much has changed, which is good for us at our age. She continues to work part time at Needham Children’s Center with Susanne Day Teachout ’01 and her sister Carolyn Day Reulbach ’09 , mainly in administrative support. Beth spent another wonderful summer on Long Island, ME, in Casco Bay, with her son Greg, daughter, Amy, son-in-law, Mike Marsh, and grandson, Drew, who turned 8 last summer. Beth shared that Drew loves spending several weeks with her, and says, “An island in Maine is a kid’s playground in the summer, and the front yard is indeed Fenway Park north.” She is contemplating downhill skiing this winter, despite a cautionary note from her doctor after a bad fall on her last run in March 2023. Beth thinks a discussion with her doctor is in order, asserting that “perfect conditions on a beginner slope are safer than walking around the neighborhood, right?” The highlight of Anne Baynes Hall ’s year was a trip to the UK, where she visited her sister, Janet Baynes Benzie ’71 , who is bedridden in a care home. Anne attended the

wedding celebration of Janet’s daughter, Laura. The ceremony took place 2 years ago, but due to Covid restrictions, attendees were limited to immediate family and a couple of attendants. The celebration included renewing vows and welcoming almost 100 guests from around the world. Laura’s matron of honor was CSC alum Lindsey St. Louis Kaskons ’14 . Anne volunteers for CSC, her church and the New London Barn Playhouse, where she is the usher coordinator. As she puts it, time doesn’t stand still for her! Meredith Jones noted that her daughter, Rebecca Yturregui , who attended Colby-Sawyer in 1991-1992, transferred to Simmons College for a big city experience. Recently hired as the vice president of donor engagement at the Maine Community Foundation, Rebecca is following a career path similar to Meredith, who served as the foundation’s president. Many of the donors and staff with whom Rebecca works are the same people Meredith worked with in the past. Meredith enjoys that they each receive reports about what it was/is like to work with her and Rebecca. Linde Keleher McNamara is still running her own real estate company in Hanover, NH, and continues to enjoy it. Her husband, John, manages the financial end of the business, and their daughter, Diana, is the tech person.

Diana and her husband, Neil, call Scotland their home, but they spend a good amount of time in NH. Linde has taken on a few more realtors and plans to expand her business. She has become more involved with the Hanover Conservancy, working to protect large portions of land in Hanover from development. Linde has 4 granddaughters, including 24-yearold Emma, who was recently married, 21-year-old Lily, a college senior, 19-year-old Grace, a college junior, and 10-year-old Chloe, who is just a joy. Linde and John spent a month in Europe last summer, traveling from Scotland to visit Diana and Neil to Sweden for Linde’s family reunion. They also got a new black puppy, Newbeary, after taking 3 years to recover from the loss of their beloved dog, Bear. Linde is still a marine biologist and raises money weekly for Ocean Alliance in Gloucester, MA, and continues to swim with whales. This past year has been relatively “normal” (whatever that means!), and both my husband, Bobby, and I ( Sis Hagen Kinney ) are doing well, considering we’re in our late 70s. We’ve traveled back to Newport News, VA, several times to visit our daughter, Natalie, and her family, as well as to see dear old friends. Our 2 youngest grandsons spent time with us in NC this past summer, and we had visits from relatives

and friends. We enjoyed several family visitors in Oct. We traveled to the Cleveland, OH, area for Thanksgiving and participated in the 1-mile walk at the Cleveland Turkey Trot. In Dec. we celebrated my oldest son Kenny’s 50th birthday in the Wake Forest, NC, area. We are grateful for our health and continue to enjoy living in this beautiful area, participating in various activities and events in Linville Land Harbor and the Western NC High Country. Visitors are always welcome, and we hope some of you will take us up on that offer!

1968

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Deborah Larus Doolittle has served as the historian and correspondent for her high school class of 1966, and has helped to organize all of their reunions, including the recent 56th and 57th gatherings, with plans for another in the near future. Recently, she has taken on a volunteer role at the Humane Society of MO, where she assists with the care of rescued dogs from puppy mills or surrendered by owners. She had also been involved with Spot Savers in St. Louis, focusing on rescuing Dalmatians. She’s had 4 rescues, including a lab. Spot Savers disbanded and they are

now part of CO Rescue Organization. Deborah swims at the YMCA 2-3 times per week and engages in regular workouts, although her running activities had to be discontinued after a herniated disc surgery in Aug. 2019. She is now retired from sales but has a side business specializing in succulent and cactus plants. She also makes dish gardens and fairy gardens and sells them as gifts.

1969

DEBI ADAMS JOHNSTON

debiajohnston@gmail.com

After the trustee meetings and commencement at Colby-Sawyer last May, JoAnn Franke Overfield visited fellow classmate Holly Lippman Trevisan and her husband in Orleans on the Cape. Despite residing in Washington state, JoAnn manages to meet Holly in person sporadically to catch up. July held a special significance as JoAnn celebrated her daughter Erica’s wedding on their property. Her new son-in-law, much like her, is a transplant to the Northwest from the East coast. Barbara Gary wrote from Koh Mak, a serene and untouristy island in Thailand, where she and husband, Paul, enjoyed the sun and massages. Christmas found them in Friuli, Italy, in the lovely town of Cormons, where

they have a 250-year-old home. Sue Dudley Broomhead visits regularly. Barbara and Paul have transitioned from playing bridge to Scrabble, a daily ritual regardless of their location. Their home in Lesvos, Greece, has become a mini cat sanctuary, with neighborhood strays adopting them. They enjoy cultural fixes, like King Lear in London and Domingo in Portugal and Florence. Barbara expressed her fondness for Collio wine compared to the Taylor Lake Country red swill from her Colby days. Barbara reminisced about her journey from the Barn Playhouse with Gene Youngkin and Norman Leger to Broadway and the Met Opera. She said leaving NYC after 47 years was surprisingly easy, as things had changed, not necessarily for the better. In a Christmas message, Pam Hersey MT (ASCP) shared that life on Peaks Island, Maine, had become quiet and cold with the departure of tourists and a decrease in golf cart activity. Pam stays in touch with several friends, including Pam Herd Mackellar, Pam Prescott, Marion “Molly” Cate, Louise Cutting Dorian, Barbie Crockett Collins ’67 and Randi Van Dusen Thekan ’67 , and expressed hope for a reunion, though she acknowledged the challenges of being in her mid-70s have caused her to lose her “get up and go.” She happily shared her married life with Captain Paul “Fuzz” Legere and the enjoyment of time spent with friends at their Gazebo. Pam has several books available on Amazon under PR Hersey, spanning murder mysteries, a romantic adventure, a children’s book and more. She was awarded a Who’s Who in 2024. Pam still misses Colby, her friends, and all the wonderful adventures. She was fortunate to have her cousin Betsey Martin Devaney ’68 at the college during the same time, as well as 2 other cousins who were fraternity brothers and

hockey players at Dartmouth. Cindy Obenchain Fahay has returned to New England, specifically Maine, and expressed her love for the region. She drove through the Colby-Sawyer campus a few years ago and enjoyed seeing the changes, but also appreciated all that remained the same. Cindy’s husband is a retired fishery biologist. Their daughter, based in NYC, owns a nonprofit theater company focusing on social justice. Elizabeth “Liz” Mulligan Jacques recently downsized to an apartment in Keene Valley, NY. She was finding it difficult to maintain her home, and it was too large for one person. Thrilled with the change, she is now able to walk to most anyplace in town. Walking her dog multiple times a day keeps her moving. Liz keeps busy with various activities, including subbing at the local school (and she loves it when she has the opportunity to read one of Jan Brett ’s books to the children), serving as the church secretary, singing in the choir and playing handbells. During the summer, Liz can be found on the golf course, primarily in Lake Placid. She occasionally encounters fellow classmates Darsie Putnam Townsend and Emily “Bunny” Apthorp Goodwin in town. Liz would love to see anyone else who finds themselves in her area. Having completed Wyoming and New Mexico master naturalist certifications, Meredith Dodd Taylor now teaches ethnobotany classes about wild edible and medicinal plants. Meredith has successfully engaged both kids at Camp Bighorn and interested adults, self-described as “plant nerds.” She also writes a regular column for the Wyoming Native Plant Society newsletter “Castilleja,” named for Indian paintbrush, the state flower. Small world! I, Debi Adams Johnston , completed my master naturalist certification during the Covid lockdown. I wonder if

there are more of us out there who pursued similar certifications? Mrs. Courier’s class left a lasting mark on my soul; I cherished every moment of it. The Johnston family remains scattered across the globe. Son Ian continues to reside in Naples, Italy. Garth is a software engineer with GM in Michigan, and his daughter, Brianna, recently completed her Plebe year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Emily Jane Johnston, the original blogger, is still based in London, and Alec was married in Key West last year. I’m so excited to have welcomed a new grandson, Cooper Adams Johnston! It’s delightful to have a toddler in the mix alongside my college-aged grandchildren; it certainly keeps me young. I appreciate that you all continue to surprise me with your email messages. Please keep them coming, and I’ll continue to share them in this column. Here’s to 55 years and counting, my CJC classmates! Keep smiling and have a fantastic summer!

1970

joys the sense of community and proximity to the seacoast. Her children, Jason and Jessica, both live nearby, allowing Bonnie to enjoy quality time with her grandchildren: Nick (23), Cam (20), Zack (18) and Ella (10).

1971

Sarah Haskell is pleased to share that she is in good health, always welcome news at our age. She remains active with summer swimming, winter cold-water dipping, cross-country skiing, walking and yoga, among other pursuits. A professional artist, her latest exhibit was on display at the Maine Jewish Museum in Portland, ME, Jan.11-March 1. Sarah dedicates one day a week to caring for her granddaughter, Billie Louise. Grateful for the opportunities and experiences life has offered so far, Sarah eagerly anticipates many more years of growth and exploration. For those in the York, ME, area, she extends an invitation to connect. To catch up on her recent activities, you can find her on Instagram, @sdhaskell. Since retiring, Bonnie Beaton Rozzo has kept busy by substituting in Durham, NH, schools. Taking an alternative path to teaching, she converted her BS in medical technology into a science certification. “It was a good fit for me as I enjoyed years of teaching middle schoolers,” she shares. Eight years ago, she made the move to Dover, NH, where she en-

It was good to hear from some classmates this time. Having news to share always makes my job easier. As a playwright, director, choreographer and actor, Randolyn Zinn has staged and acted in plays at Juilliard, Columbia University and the Williamstown Theatre Festival, choreographed for The Guthrie Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage and on Broadway for the Pulitzer Prize-winning original production of Sunday in the Park with George, and coached Harvey Keitel for a couple of his films. She has directed works by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Strindberg, Mee, Miller and Lorca, among others. Her own plays have been produced in and out of NYC at BACA Downtown, New Georges, Williamstown Theatre Festival, West Bank Cafe and Living Room Theatre. Lucy’s Wedding earned a nomination for Outstanding Original Play 2019 by the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association. With an MFA in creative writing from the New School, Randolyn’s fiction and poetry have earned her a travel grant to Spain from the Jerome Foundation, and she has taught at Circle in the Square Theater School and Pace University. Her latest play, Her Name Means Memory, a reimagining of Trojan Woman, was nominated for the 2023 Sugarman Prize for the World Premiere of an Original Play. In Feb., the Brooklyn Academy of Music will host backers’ auditions for her play, aiming for a NYC run. Randolyn’s husband, Allen McCullough, is an actor, and their son, Angus, is a multi-disciplinary artist. Linda

Nillson Phinney and her husband, John, reside in Somers, CT, where they run a landscaping business and John is a grocery manager. Linda retired in 2017 from home-care nursing. Despite facing challenges, including a broken hip in 2017 and a fall at the airport last year, Linda remains resilient, though the injury forced her to stop playing cornhole and bowling. The family has exciting plans, with a trip to the Bahamas in April to celebrate her granddaughter’s 21st birthday and a visit to St. Augustine, FL, in May for her youngest daughter’s wedding. Writing for newspapers, magazines and tv, Liz Karagianis had a distinguished career as a Boston journalist. She served as the executive editor of MIT’s magazine for 22 years and later taught journalism at Boston University. Recently retired, she embraced a “gap year,” much like the students. Liz is now actively volunteering, learning and having fun. She attended Homecoming last year and marveled at the breathtaking foliage on Lake Sunapee. As for myself, Ellie Goodwin Cochran , I am eagerly anticipating a return winter visit to FL with the grandkids. I hope my upcoming foot surgery is successful so I can keep up with them! Please keep in touch!

1972

LINDA KELLY GRAVES dikeroka@aol.com

I hope you all are enjoying a healthy and happy start to 2024. In early Dec., I met with some high school classmates, including Kathy Norris , for a reunion lunch. Kathy is doing well and thoroughly enjoying her retirement. She stays in touch with Cheryl “Cherry” Semple White , but I didn’t receive any updates on Cherry. Responses to my call for news were nonexistent, except for my friend since middle school, Lydia Biddle Thomas . In July 2023, Lydia spent a week with

Kate Dixon-Rose in her beautiful hometown of Sausalito, CA. It had been 4-5 years since they last got together. Kate’s husband and eldest son were both recovering from back surgeries. Kate manages a consulting business focused on helping people renovate and downsize. The week was filled with sampling good food, reminiscing and exploring the City by the Bay and the picturesque surroundings of Sausalito. Kate’s husband, Barry, is the general sales manager at Bonneville Broadcasting International. Their eldest son, Nick, serves as a senior brand success manager at the tech company Faire in San Francisco, while the younger son, Jake, is a psychiatric therapist at Kaiser in Los Angeles. Lydia shares, “Their schedules made my head spin as I’m fully retired and operating in low gear.” Life in NYC for Lydia is full with volunteer work at the American Museum of Natural History, participation in not-for-profit boards, museum visits, and attendance at Broadway and Off-Broadway theater. She’s resumed international travel, visiting Italy, Patagonia and a quick week in London. I, Linda “Kelly” Graves , was fortunate enough to be in town when Lydia visited Philadelphia for Christmas with her sister. We had a fun lunch and caught up even more. It’s always a pleasure to connect with longtime friends (notice I didn’t use the word “old”). That’s the latest for now. Please share your updates; I know you all enjoy hearing about your Colby-Sawyer classmates!

1973

Beth Marshall Weaver has enjoyed learning what her fellow 1973 classmates have been doing over the last 50 years. Reflecting on her time at Colby, she views those years as the foundation of enduring

friendships and an education that paved the way for a successful career in the sales and marketing of disposable medical products. Currently retired, Beth dedicates her time to serving as the president of the Board of Directors at TONE Forest Recreation Association. The association’s members enjoy hiking, fly fishing, kayaking, cross-country skiing and vacation getaways across 3,200 acres of private land, featuring 5 year-round homes. Beth keeps in touch with Mary Cunniff Lambert and Sue Wheeler McLymond ’74 , both of whom are also enjoying retirement.

1974

First and foremost, please remember to book your trip now for our 50th CSC reunion: October 18-20, 2024! It promises to be an unforgettable weekend and a great chance to reminisce with old friends! (Did I say “old”?!) Susan Smart Ferguson resides in Kansas City, which she’s called home since 1979. After a fulfilling career spanning 21 years with the Blue Springs School District, Susan retired in 2020. While she misses the students and staff, she is enjoying this stage of her life. Susan babysat her youngest grandchild from birth to age 3 (2020-23) and wouldn’t have missed that for the world. She has 7 grandchildren ranging from age 3-15 and all live nearby. Susan plays tennis several times a week and started quilting again in her free time. In Sept., Susan enjoyed a visit to The Villages in FL to catch up with her roommate, Pam Moe Dunn . Susan’s mother also lives in that area, so more visits are in the works! Ann Woodd-Cahusac Neary remains dedicated to her role as a high school English teacher. Recently, she received a grant to spearhead a community writing project. Her students are working with

a renowned playwright and the local historical society to create monologues based on research of folks living in Westport, CT, 1760-1860. They have explored and examined artifacts from the historical museum and are learning the craft of playwriting. Last spring, Ann and her husband, Matt, embarked on a memorable hiking trip to the Tetons with 4 of their 6 children, relishing the beauty of the national parks and cherished family time. As for me, Susan Brown Warner , Mike and I continue to enjoy our winters (Jan.-March) in Naples, FL, soaking in the Gulf views and warm weather. We look forward to an annual visit from Ann Woodd-Cahusac Neary and her husband, Matt, during Ann’s winter break. When in CT, I’m still teaching English as a Second Language to a diverse group of adult students, including Haitians, Ukrainians, Japanese, Koreans, Columbians, Peruvians and Guatemalans. Additionally, I find fulfillment in tutoring 2nd graders who are honing their reading skills at a local elementary school. My grandchildren — 9-year-

old Anna and 4-year-old Keira — are growing up fast. They live nearby, so we are able to visit them often. Did I mention? Don’t forget to plan your trip to New London for our 50th Reunion: Oct. 18-20, 2024!

1975

1976

JANET SPURR spurr1@msn.com

Hi everyone, I, Janet Spurr , recently embarked on a thrilling adventure to Fiji. The Fijian people made the trip unforgettable; they are the most welcoming, friendly, fun, wonderful people I’ve ever been around. The positive atmosphere was unlike any place I’ve ever visited. Fiji has 300 islands and day trips were wonderful. One afternoon, while on a boat, I kept looking at an island thinking, “Is that real?” Another time while walking on the beach, I couldn’t believe the beauty. As they say in Fiji, “Bula Bula.”

1977

DEBRA BRAY MITCHELL dbraymitch@gmail.com

1978

JODY HAMBLEY COOPER-RUBIN jcoop323@gmail.com

1979

DEBRA BRAY MITCHELL dbraymitch@gmail.com

1980

Natalie “Lee” Hartwell Thrasher lifegrd121@aol.com

Happy New Year, Class of 1980! Time is marching on so quickly and I hope you are all doing well. I am sorry to report that classmate Valerie Kourian Feuerstein passed away on Sept. 20, 2023. Betty Ayers Mesarina (Austin Hall) has been on a 6-month missionary trip to Argentina and Chile, and upon her return to Miami, she will resume her role as an occupational therapist. Dana Peters Frizzell (McKean Dorm) does a fair amount of travel from her NH home, venturing throughout Europe for research for her exciting novels. Be sure to look her up. One of my former roommates, Jane Reed Fecto ’79 (McKean), is enjoying retirement in Keene, NH. It has been a joy to have stayed in touch all these

years. We catch up on birthdays and Christmas. This past year, I, Natalie “Lee” Hartwell Thrasher, served as president for a local non-profit for children in our Bradenton, FL, community. Our gala helped raise over $132,000 in grants for those in need of food, shelter and clothing. Please reach out if you are in the area or have updates on your endeavors. Wishing you all the best and more in 2024!

1981

PAMELA AIGELTINGER LYONS

pamalyons@verizon.net

1982

SUSAN HOLDERNESS CUSACK

susanelizabethcusack@gmail. com

Kim Boyle Birrell and her husband retired a couple of years ago and are thoroughly enjoying this stage of their lives. Their daughter Kelsey works as a nurse in Nantucket, while their daughter Mackenzie is busy planning her upcoming wedding in April. Kim maintains close contact with Martha Munroe Callahan and cherishes the friendship between their daughters. Kim and her husband reside in Scituate, RI, with their 2 dogs, Siobhan and Camille, relishing the simple joys of life. Kim sends her warmest regards to all her CSC friends. Jenny Lubrano Clayton enjoyed a brief visit to campus in Oct. and saw Peg Rogers Andrews ’85 and Jen Ellis ’85. She was delighted to see the new nursing/health sciences building under construction and found the campus as beautiful as ever. Jenny keeps in touch with classmates such as Sara Prouty, Ellen Dwyer Parnell, Lisa Hayward Lalumiere, Marcia Brodhead and Teri Persutti Campbell, relishing the timeless bond they share. Jenny and her husband, Mark, continue to reside in Hingham, MA, cherishing the moments spent with their children, grandchildren and extended family. Life for them is an exciting adventure. Susan Holderness Cusack recently published her 1st book, Lovers Leap, a collection of poetry inspired by the life of the Greek poetess Sappho. The book can be found on Amazon under her pen name, Elizabeth Cusack. Her recent poetry can be found with Fevers of the Mind Poetry and Art. Her work has been featured in many of their anthologies, which are also available on Amazon. Susan finds joy in mixing music and collaborating with fellow poets, musicians, and actors. She is grateful for the international community of creators she has encountered online. Currently splitting her time between CA and NM, Susan finds solace in the serene beauty of the desert.

1983

GAIL SMART SCIBELLI

gail@famapr.com

1984

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Dana Gring Wall resides in Northwestern IL, 3 miles from the Mississippi River and 3 miles from WI. Currently, she works as a school counselor. Dana and her daughter live in a small house surrounded by trees, sharing their space with 4 cats and 2 dogs. She embraces minimalist living. Balancing full-time work and full-time school, Dana aims to graduate with her master’s in mental health counseling in May 2025, coinciding with her youngest child’s high school graduation. Upon graduation, she will hold two master’s degrees, spanning 36 years apart. Nancy Cramer Pingitore extends greetings for the new year! Reflecting on 4 decades since graduation from Colby-Sawyer, Nancy acknowledges the same amount of time has passed since she submitted an update for class notes. She hopes others will follow her lead and send news for future issues.

Nancy has had an enjoyable career in the cable and broadband industry, working with both established and start-up entertainment, sports and tech companies. For those curious about her journey, highlights can be

Marc Wysocki ’94 was named the 2024 recipient of the Frank George EATA Doctoral Scholarship

found on her LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/nancy-c-pingitore-9903677. Throughout her career, Nancy has made various stops along the East Coast, settling in Hernando County, FL, with her husband, Nick, and their beloved dog children, Charlie (RIP) and Rita, for the past 9.5 years. Personally, Nancy’s love for sports remains steadfast since her youth, with golf, tennis and pickleball being her top choices. While attempting semi-retirement, she currently advises a pickleball company start-up, Absolutely Pickled! (absolutelypickled. com) and facilitates funding for other projects in sports and leadership training. Kim Fish Rumrill had a difficult 2023. She moved her mom from FL to NH and sold most of her mom’s belongings, including her house, after her stepfather died. Kim’s dad was hospitalized with dementia until late last summer. During that time, Kim emptied his home, sold his belongings and found a nursing home for him to reside. In addition, her favorite car, which was completely paid for, was totaled while in a parking lot, and in Oct. Kim tore her knee, resulting in surgery. We hope for a better 2024 for Kim!

1985

JEN ELLIS

jen.ellis@colby-sawyer.edu

1986

RACHEL HOBBIE

rahobbie@yahoo.com

Hi everyone, it’s Rachel Hobbie! I am your new class correspondent for the alumni magazine. Please send your news and updates my way, and I’ll gladly forward them to be included in the magazine. If you have any address or email updates for yourself or perhaps a classmate who may have lost touch, feel free to send that information along as well. I’m currently working at UMass-Amherst Li-

brary as a lending specialist and student supervisor in the Interlibrary Loan department. I’m entering my 37th year with the library, holding the distinction of having the longest tenure of anyone in our building. Outside of work, you’ll find me showing my English Setter, Libbie, and spending time with Premier, my horse, as well as tending to my gardens and various projects around my 1740 farmhouse. Now, I’m eager to hear from all of you! Please send in photos of your kids, grandchildren and snapshots of you with your CSC friends. Dig through your photo albums — there must be some fantastic shots from dorm parties, battle of the bands, team photos or those memorable fall, winter and spring weekends.

Let’s reminisce together! In Aug., Karen Craffey Eldred, accompanied by her mother Ruth Malmquist Craffey ’59 and 15-year-old daughter Samantha, enjoyed a trip to Sweden to trace Ruth’s ancestors. They explored Stockholm and took a side trip to Estonia, thoroughly enjoying their time together. For the past 3 years, Penny MacDonald Sirjane has been working as an office manager at an upscale plant nursery and landscaping business in Barton, VT. In July, she and her husband, Jeffrey, welcomed their 1st grandchild, Millie May O’Neill, born to their daughter Zoe and her husband, Matt, in Hanson, MA. In Oct., Penny had the opportunity to travel to Turkey for 2 weeks on a family trip with her siblings and 86-year-old mother, an experience she treasures. Starting in Jan., Penny is embarking on a new venture by launching her own bookkeeping company, Alpine Peaks Bookkeeping.

1987

KYM PRINTON FISCHER mkjfischer@yahoo.com

Hello, Class of 1987! I would love to hear from everyone for the next edition. I hope everyone is doing well. I was so excited to catch up with Holly Fasa-

no Georgiadis and Peg Rogers Andrews ’85 in May at the alumni event at The Liberty Hotel in Boston. It was such a great surprise to see Holly and we had a great time catching up. It has been way too long! Hope to see everyone at the next event!

1988

MELISSA CLEMONS RUSSELL

melissarussell6699@outlook. com

1989

CAROLYN CHERUBINO MCGRAW

mcgraw.carolyn@gmail.com

1991

GRETCHEN D. GARCEAU-KRAGH redsoxfan78210@yahoo.com

1992

BETH BRYANT CAMP

ecamp@colby-sawyer.edu

JENN BARRETT SAWYER jjmasawyer@comcast.net

1993

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

1994

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Stacey Banks Nieman graduated in Dec. with a Doctor of Education in Higher Education: Assessment, Learning and Stu-

dent Success from Middle Tennessee State University. Her dissertation examined the impact of a first-year experience course on community college student persistence. She’s now relishing her free time and plans to travel over the next few months. Marc Wysocki was awarded the 2024 Frank George EATA Doctoral Scholarship with Moravian University’s Doctor of Athletic Training program. Marc is the only the 4th recipient of this scholarship. Jeannine Timchak Audet and Chris Audet reside on the coast of ME with their 2 dogs. Jennine is celebrating her 24th year of employment with Bank of America. In her spare time, she enjoys creating portraits for friends and family and actively volunteers for several local organizations. Chris has transitioned from athletic training to teaching full time at Belfast High School. During the summer, he serves as a master Maine sea kayak guide and instructor. Over the last few years, they’ve traveled to various destinations, including AK, HI, Iceland, Scotland, Newfoundland and the Faroe Islands. They also enjoy spending time outdoors hiking and camping with their dogs. Neil Cremin resides in Wakefield, MA, and serves as a loan officer for Piscataqua Savings Bank in Portsmouth, NH. A proud father of 2 girls, aged 17

and 14, Neil’s eldest daughter is preparing for college, prompting reflections of his formative years at CSC. He fondly recalls the supportive student body, dedicated faculty and nurturing environment that facilitated personal growth and transition to adulthood. Neil hopes his daughters will find a similarly enriching experience in their college journeys. Dave Morin embarked on a new career path in 2021, transitioning from freelance design to become the marketing director at LockNLube, a small greasing tools company in West Lebanon, NH. Celebrating his upcoming 4th year with the company, Dave finds fulfillment in his role, which allows him to utilize his design skills honed at CSC under Joe Hruby, while expanding his experience in business and marketing. His passion for cars aligns perfectly with his work in the automotive-adjacent industry, affording him opportu-

nities to attend prestigious trade shows such as SEMA, the largest auto aftermarket show in the US. At LockNLube, Dave manages a 3-person creative team, producing digital and print advertising, social media, package designs, an e-commerce website and more. Dave and his wife, Sara Hodgkins Morin ’95, celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary last Aug. Their son Jack is a junior at Sterling College (VT). As an outdoor education major, Jack is thrilled to have mentors like “Uncle” Dan Berry. Dave and Sara remain close with many of their CSC friends and enjoy their annual trip to New London for Homecoming Weekend. Life is going well for Holly Long Maturo in CT. She is working as a crisis response team clinician for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, a position she desired over a decade ago. Her caseloads, though intense, are manageable, akin to triage. With her son now a freshman at Quinnipiac University, Holly has embraced the empty nest by welcoming a puppy into her life. Holly, Hillary Waldbaum and Kathy Campbell Wrisley are looking forward to our 30th reunion in Oct.

1995

ALLISON LATHAM HOSGOOD

ahosgood13@gmail.com

Allison Latham Hosgood and Derek Hosgood reside in Round Rock, TX, just north of Austin. Recently, they celebrated their 50th birthdays and 25th wedding anniversary. On her 50th birthday, Allison lost her maternal grandmother, who was 97. As Allison celebrates her birthday every year, she will be honored to remember her grandmother. Allison and Derek’s daughters, Page and Hope, will mark significant milestones this year, with Page turning 20 and Hope turning 23. Derek has made a transition from physical education to behavioral education at the elementary school where he works in Austin. During the holiday season, he took on the role of Santa’s helper at a local retail outlet, assisting families in capturing the perfect picture with Santa. Allison works in operations for AustinPeopleWorks, a small, outsourced HR and recruiting company. She has a honeybee hive and looks forward to learning more about the amazing world of bees.

1996

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

1997

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

1998

JAMIE GILBERT KELLY kellynewhouse2015@gmail.com

CHRIS QUINT christopher.quint@gmail.com

1999

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Kyle Battis is doing well in Concord, NH, alongside his fiancée Charis and their 3 children, Caleb, Miles and Ati. As the owner of a digital marketing agency, NHStrategicMarketing.com, Kyle has been leading his team since

2012. Recently, Kyle and his family enjoyed a trip to Puerto Rico, creating lasting memories together. Sera Parent Anderson resides in Charlotte, VT, with her husband of 15 years and their 12-year-old son. Her husband owns an accounting firm, and Sera owns and manages a receptive travel operator business. She specializes in designing motorcoach travel itineraries across New England and Canada. As a hockey, baseball and golf family, they keep busy with sports, with Sera’s husband often taking on coaching roles. Sera’s love for travel and fitness drives her to explore new places while prioritizing self-care for a prosperous and healthy life. Hilary Sherman Hawkins recently completed her Master of Science in nursing leadership at CSC, her 2nd master’s degree. In her spare time, she serves as a trauma reviewer for the state of WA and as a TA for George Washington University. Hilary’s children all live in UT, and her grandchild count is up to 12!

2000

TARA SCHIRM CAMPANELLA

taracampanella@gmail.com

JENNIFER PRUDDEN MONTGOMERY

jenpmontgomery1978@gmail. com

Hi everyone! Tara Schirm Campanella checking in. My oldest, Gianna, is halfway through her 2nd year at San Francisco State, and we love visiting her in the city. Meanwhile, my youngest, Sofia, is a junior in high school and learning to drive, which is a mix of terror and excitement! Thankfully, she’s a natural behind the wheel. My husband and I are gearing up for trips to Reno, NV, and Ireland/ London in the spring. We’re also hoping to visit NH in the summer or fall to see family and catch up with CSC friends like Michele Stantial James and Dina Cannata ’99. Wishing everyone a blessed 2024! Hi all. Jen Prudden Montgomery here. It’s

been a while since I’ve checked in. I still reside in Andover, MA, where I continue to teach 3rd grade. My family and I recently purchased a house and are in the process of settling in. My kids, currently in 3rd and 6th grade, keep us busy with their various sports activities. Kurt Svoboda celebrated a college football national championship win on Jan. 8. He leads communications, public relations, digital platforms and creative units for the University of MI, which secured the title with a 34-13 victory over the University of WA.

2001

DANICA LETARTE MEDEIROS danicamedeiros@gmail.com

2002

NICOLE FOWLER MARTIN nicole.martin3@gmail.com

2003

LISA NOYES HARDENBROOK litha81@hotmail.com

2004

ERIC J. EMERY ericemery20@gmail.com

2005

MONICA MICHAUD MILLER michaud_monica@hotmail.com

2006

CLASS CORREPSONDENT NEEDED

Kristen Pobatschnig recently opened Colors in Space, an art studio and gallery which showcases her paintings, located in Fryeburg, ME. Kristen primarily works in acrylic, and her paintings have recently been featured in ebook Kinetic Pointillism: An Emerging Movement. Her website is colorsinspace.com.

2007

STEPHANIE GUZZO IRELAND stephanie.guzzo@gmail.com

ASHLEY RODKEY rodkeyah@yahoo.com

2009

2008

SARAH HEANEY PELLETIER sh.heaney@gmail.com

Ashley Goulter and Christopher Houston-Ponchak ’06 welcomed their baby boy, Cillian, in Oct. Since July 2022, Jesse Lundberg has been self-employed under his own Lundberg Graphics LLC. During this time, Jesse has contributed artwork to various indie comic titles for publishers such as Alterna, Mad Cave, Scout and Dynamite. Additionally, he has provided artwork for sketch cards with Dynamite and Upper Deck across multiple licenses. Jesse, along with his wife, Margaret McCarthy Lundberg ’10, and daughter, Erin, resides in Laconia, NH, where he also creates logos and shirt designs for local businesses. Kelly Grant Coker and her family are relocating back to New England this summer, as her husband, Alex, begins his executive officer tour at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Kelly looks forward to spending time with family and is eager for her children, Caroline and Teddy, to experience the 4 seasons and snow for the first time after 4.5 years in FL. Brittany Marcy Rouleau has started her own business, White Birch Creations, featuring sola wood flowers. She keeps busy with multiple weddings, custom orders and teaching classes. Brittany rents permanent space at the Manchester Craft Market in the Mall of NH.

ELIZABETH CRESSMAN ecressman1986@yahoo.com

2010

BRITTANY MAILMAN bjmailman@gmail.com

2011

JAYCEE MCCARTHY johnmccar.11@gmail.com

Alison Eko married Todd Thurston on June 24, 2023.

2012

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Recently, Jessica Cassidy spent time in Aruba to focus on animal rescue work for the foundation she helps run, New Life for Paws. During her stay, she successfully rescued 9 puppies. Chris Casey recently graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. Currently an oncall firefighter for Oxford, MA, where he resides, Chris is actively working towards securing a full-time firefighter position with them in the upcoming year. In addition, he plans to enhance his credentials by pursuing an EMT course this spring. After 5 years working in college admissions in NY, Elizabeth Allen accepted a position at Quinnipiac University in CT. She reports that things have been busy on campus since Quinnipiac won their 1st national championship in men’s hockey last April. Continuing their spectator traditions from CSC, Elizabeth and fellow alum Mark Nailor never miss an opportunity to check out a QU sporting event.

2013

MATT MULDOON

mattmuldoon123@gmail.com

Kaitlyn Hayward Fontes married Jeremy Fontes on Oct. 21, 2023, in Foxboro, MA.

2014

STACY HANNINGS

stacy.hannings@colby-sawyer. edu

2015

MOLLY PAONE

mollypaone1109@gmail.com

Cara Shaw Smith is the director of admissions for a retire-

ment community where she has worked on/off for 12 years. Her husband, Benton Smith ’17, serves as the director of sales management for his family business, Coach Bus Company. The couple welcomed their 1st child, Emmabelle, in 2022. After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Taylor Decknick Snow went on to complete her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis in 2021. Since then, she has obtained certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Taylor’s role involves working with children aged 3-7, where she develops programs and assists staff in teaching crucial social, emotional and communicative skills to clients with autism.

2016

MEREDYTH JOLY

meredyth.joly@gmail.com

Brianna DeFilippis Puksta and her husband, Michael, welcomed their 1st child, Luke Anthony Puksta, on May 30, 2023. DJ Ayotte works full time as the lead personal trainer and manager at Limitless Fitness LLC in Epping, NH. Additionally, he serves as an assistant cross country and track and field coach at Southern NH

University. DJ and his girlfriend, Jane Martina ’17, reside in Epping and are excitedly anticipating the purchase of their 1st home later this year. Meredyth Joly, Zac Kershaw and Patrick Wyman reunited at the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Annual Meeting in Boxborough, MA, in Nov. 2023. They actively participated in the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee’s continuing education program, Trauma-Informed Care and Developing Resiliency for the Athletic Healthcare Provider, and discussed strategies for promoting safer participation in sports and overall health and wellness at their respective secondary schools as athletic trainers. Also in attendance were former CSC Head Athletic Trainer Scott Roy, who is now at Kimball Union Academy, and alumna Catie Moulton ’13, who is at the Frederick Gunn School. Meredyth is currently in her 7th year as assistant athletic trainer at the Berkshire School and holds positions as the concussion coordinator and health & wellness professor. She also serves as a board member on the NEPSAC Sports Medicine Advisory Council. Zac is in his 3rd year as assistant athletic trainer

(L

at Phillips Andover Academy and serves as a board member on the NEPSAC Sports Medicine Advisory Council. Patrick has been the head athletic trainer at Westview Sports Medicine since 2021 and has been working for Westview School since 2019.

2017

MORGAN WILSON

morganwilsonportfolio@gmail. com

Katerina Kelly became engaged just prior to Christmas and has begun planning her wedding. She is pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counseling at Lesley University. With her media studies degree from CSC, Katerina can bring a unique perspective to the mental health field, particularly in understanding the impact of media portrayals on our emotional well-being.

2018

BEN MAINES

bamaines@stanford.edu

2019

WILL HYLAND

willhyland207@gmail.com

Jillian Marcus Romeo married Anthony Romeo on June 10, 2023, in Eliot, ME.

2020

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Conroy

been working towards obtaining her teaching certification while concurrently serving as a special education teacher at Keene Middle School, where she oversees a life skills program. Maddy Beaulieu relocated to Nashua, NH, and works as an eCommerce digital/web designer at The Potpourri Group in MA. She’s been working for the multi-channel online retailer for nearly 3 years, and she loves it. Outside of his full-time job as an English teacher at a boarding school, Ethan Sabatella dedicates his creative writing talents to his Substack blog, Senchas Claideb (swordslore.substack. com). Publishing weekly articles and an original short story monthly, Ethan’s blog recently reached a milestone of one hundred subscribers, with each post attracting hundreds of views. Ethan will have a new short story published in DMR Books’ upcoming anthology, Die by the Sword volume 2, slated for release in March. Meghan Doane earned

her master’s in special education from Merrimack College in May 2023. She currently works as a special education teacher in Lynnfield, MA, focusing on kindergarten-2nd grade severe special education. Sam Thomas continues his design work in the music industry, recently pivoting from album packaging design to merchandise design. He has designed official merchandise for The Beatles, Ice Spice, Big Sean, Imagine Dragons and others. Much of Sam’s recent work has come from Bravado, a leading merchandising company and distributor, as well as various record labels and indie brands. Reflecting on his time at Colby-Sawyer, where music design had been a focal point, Sam embraces the opportunity to continue this passion in the professional realm. Last fall, Christian Smith began a new role as an HR business partner at Easterseals NH, where he’s thoroughly enjoying work in the human services sector. Christian received his master’s degree in human relations and organizational development from Champlain College

2021

michael.queen@colby-sawyer. edu

2022

CLASS CORRESPONDENT NEEDED

Upon receiving her BSN from CSC, Bri Cappello successfully became a registered nurse and relocated to NH full time. Bri works on a new unit at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, which focuses on trauma and acute surgery. She has met many great co-workers, learned new skills, and was promoted to the role of charge nurse on the unit. Bri recently made the decision to move back to Boston in May, where she hopes to continue her career as a bedside nurse. After graduating from Colby-Sawyer, Nico Adornetto was offered a position in product management

for Microsoft Surface Connect. As he enters his 2nd year with the company, Nico has expanded his professional network and enhanced his skill set to support his career development. Now looking to pursue an MBA at Southern NH University, Nico is excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead. Charlie Graffius is pursuing a Master of Arts degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in NYC. He is working in the Center for Cerebral Palsy Research and posts monthly episodes for the Movement Fluidity Podcast, focusing on topics related to his research. Charlie misses the nature and mountains of NH and has managed to make a few trips back to the area recently.

2023

LAUREN WILKINSON

laurenwilkie28@gmail.com

Right after graduation I, Lauren Wilkinson, accepted a 5th grade teaching position in Lynn, MA. The year has been going great, and I am very grateful for the experience and preparation Colby-Sawyer gave me to be the best educator I can be. I look forward to seeing my 22 students every day while helping them learn and achieve their goals. In my free time I am learning to balance work and taking up new hobbies, such as yoga, while continuing to travel during school vacations. Jordan Weaver adopted a new hobby, delving into the world of martial arts. The

sport has helped with her discipline, with her mind, body and soul benefiting. It’s been a lot of fun for her, and she’s met many new people. Jordan now proudly holds belts in taekwondo, judo, karate and aikido.

Nancy Drake Woodring Hansen ’64

Former Alumni Trustee Nancy Drake Woodring Hansen ’64 died December 5, 2023. She was 79.

Hansen earned her Associate of Arts in liberal arts at Colby Junior College before earning a bachelor’s degree in child development from Tufts University and a Master of Education from Keene State College. She and her husband, Harold Roger Hansen, were married for more than 50 years and had three children. While raising her own children, Hansen also worked as an early childhood educator and had a particular affinity for working with preschoolers.

Hansen served on the Colby-Sawyer College Board of Trustees as an alumni trustee from 1999 to 2002 and was a member of both the Academic Affairs and the Buildings and Campus Planning Committees. She was a longtime volunteer and supporter at the Keene State College art gallery, the Ladies Charitable Society in Keene, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Linda’s Closet, a free clothing resource for women in the Monadnock Region. She served as a board member and board chair of Maps Counseling Services in Keene.

Hansen was passionate about the arts and enjoyed creating beautiful gardens, painting, quilting and listening to rock and roll music. She was also an active swimmer and bowler.

Hansen is survived by her husband, three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Polly Black Koerner ’53 MT

Koerner was born in South Orange, New Jersey, to Jane and James Black, and was a graduate of Columbia High School in nearby Maplewood. Following high school, Koerner headed to New London, New Hampshire, to study medical technology at what was then Colby Junior College. It was during her time in college that she met John “Jack” Koerner, with whom she was married for 68 years until his death in 2022.

Koerner remained connected with her alma mater following graduation and served as a member of the college’s Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1998. During her time on the board, Koerner served on the Academic Affairs, Buildings and Campus Planning, Finance and Student Development Committees. She was also a generous supporter of Cazenovia College, the Cazenovia Library and the Cazenovia Watercolor Society, and was a member of the Junior League of Syracuse. Koerner developed a passion for horses at a young age — a passion she passed on to her children — and often volunteered at local stables and 4-H clubs.

Koerner was predeceased by her husband, Jack, and her eldest child, John Harold Jr. She is survived by her four daughters, Kathy (Gray) Johnson, Lesley (Maurice) Lepine, Stephanie Ayer, Susan (Scott) Pearson; her twin sister, Susan Knox; her brothers, Jim and John Black; and 11 grandchildren.

1943

NATALIE BLACKWELL MCDONOUGH

December 24, 2023

1944

NANCY FULKERSON BISHOP

September 2, 1993

GLORIA HIRSCH FLANZER

October 25, 2023

RACHEL PURINTON MURPHY

September 25, 2023

1945

NANCY LOVEJOY BREUNER

June 21, 2012

LEAH KEEVER COTTON

January 18, 2024

GLORIA WELLS MCCREERY

January 1, 2022

DOROTHY PAINE RADEBAUGH

September 16, 2023

DOROTHY KOLONIA TUPPER

September 2, 2020

1946

JEAN MANCHESTER BROWN

February 20, 2020

JANE TREADWAY NOEL

June 8, 2014

HELEN FORTUNA SZEPAN

November 9, 2023

1947

MARILYN HUMMER EVERITT

February 3, 2013

GLORIA WALLACE HARTSHORN

August 30, 2023

CAROLYN ROBINSON SCOTT

March 8, 2018

1948

ANN PARRY MCKEE

September 27, 2015

JEAN ROWLANDS O’NEILL

January 25, 2020

1949

NANCY BEAIRSTO HAULENBEEK

August 29, 2023

BARBARA HALLETT KING

October 15, 2023

JOANNE HOGG LOOMIS

June 9, 2023

JANE COULSON MACDONALD

November 20, 2023

JANE EVANS RUSSELL

October 27, 2021

1950

CHARLOTTE FAYE SHARP

November 21, 2020

JUNE WEST SMITH

July 10, 2015

LOIS SMITH THORNTON

March 15, 2019

NANCY CLARK WEBB

December 31, 2012

1951

PATRICIA SEYMOUR FORSTROM

November 17, 2023

1952

ELAINE BOWSER HUDSON

September 29, 2022

SHIRLEY DONALDSON MUNROE

November 7, 2023

SALLY HUMPHREYS NICOLL

August 29, 2023

JAYNE ANGELL MCADAMS

March 3, 2021

INGA LUNDBORG SMILLIE

December 19, 2005

MELBA HARRISON WALLACE

October 15, 2023

1953

GORDON MCALLEN BAKER

October 12, 2023

SYBIL “SCOTTIE” SCOTT DUPUIS

November 5, 2023

JEAN OWEN IZARD

August 3, 2023

POLLY BLACK KOERNER

October 3, 2023

KATHARINE C. PURRINGTON

January 19, 2024

1954

MARILYN BUSSOLINI DUMAS

February 12, 2024

MYRTLE WESTHAVER FLIGHT

January 5, 2024

ELLEN WELSH PANDISCIA

October 26, 2023

MARGARET “MARGOT” THOMPSON

December 7, 2023

1955

ELAINE ANDREWS

DEMETROULAKOS

September 13, 2023

FAYE SIEBER HOCH

February 28, 2023

SALLY ROESSER JOHNSTON

October 25, 2023

1956

SALLY MARKER HAYWARD

December 30, 2023

BETTY JANE HALL PHILLIPS

December 26, 2023

ANN BOYD SEIDEL

August 19, 2023

AUGUSTA “GUSSIE” CROCKER STEWART

January 4, 2024

1957

ELLEN HUMPHREYS INGRAM

February 8, 2024

JANET ALLARD MOSHER

January 8, 2024

1958

JANE M. DAVIS

January 18, 2024

LYNN JOHNSON EVANS

February 3, 2024

MONICA GREIG KAHN

February 3, 2023

KATINA “TINA” SCHNEIDER POWELL

April 8, 2023

1960

JANE WILBUR BROWN

May 9, 2023

DEBORAH E. KLOTER

October 10, 2023

1961

FELICIA MARINELLI CONNOLLY

December 21, 2023

LOUISE MOSCARDINI VIEHMANN

September 21, 2023

1962

JEAN SCOTT DYBDAL

December 7, 2023

TRACY RHOADS LINTNER

September 19, 2023

BARBARA RUSSELL WILLIAMS

December 1, 2023

1964

NANCY WOODRING HANSEN

December 5, 2023

LINDA B. WILLARD

May 22, 2020

MARIANNE OLMSTED

January 28, 2024

1965

MARLENE “LANIE” BEEBE

January 4, 2024

NANCY GIRARD KIMBLE

November 10, 2023

ROBIN WRIGHT STEWART

January 15, 2023

1966

SUSAN R. FISHER

January 10, 2024

1967

KATHLEEN HAMLIN BREWER

October 12, 2023

JANET SAWYER CAMPANALE

January 19, 2024

1968

ETHEL KIMBALL TURNER

October 8, 2023

1970

COREEN WALLACE SCHARFE

December 27, 2023

1971

LAURA MORAL JABADO

January 16, 2024

1973

MARSHALL SOUDER LAWSON

November 24, 2023

1977

JOAN M. BABISH

November 12, 2023

1978

ALLISON FRASER CORDEIRO

February 3, 2020

1979

ALICE “MARI” HANABERGH

O’SULLIVAN

August 8, 2016

1980

VALERIE KOURIAN FEUERSTEIN

September 20, 2023

Former Faculty

ROBERT C.S. DOWNS

September 22, 2023

PHYLLIS M. KATZ

April 10, 2021

CHARLES W. VANSEN

June 29, 2022

A HISTORY OF PERSEVERANCE

FROM THE ARCHIVES

It could be said that Colby-Sawyer students have an unusual level of determination and community-minded spirit in the face of difficult challenges. Colby Academy graduates joined the Union Army and went off to fight in the Civil War; Colby Junior College women took overnight fire-watch shifts during World War II in case of air raids; and, despite the economic calamity going on, eight new buildings were constructed on campus during the Great Depression. Perseverance has always been a core part of what makes our students so unique.

From 1837 to 1928, Colby-Sawyer was a coeducational institution. The decision to become a women’s college came at a time when the higher education market was oversaturated, and the school needed to specialize in order to compete. Though the preparatory model had fallen out of fashion, Colby would not otherwise have been able to survive with so many other colleges — like Dartmouth, UNH, Plymouth State, and Saint Anselm — in close proximity. Creating an all-women’s school in the junior college model would set Colby apart from the rest. The decision to become Colby Junior College for Women was nearly unanimous, and the school thrived under the leadership of President H. Leslie Sawyer. Even when the school transitioned from Colby Junior in 1975 to become Colby-Sawyer, a fouryear baccalaureate college, the school continued its nearly fifty-year tradition as a women’s college.

The higher education landscape began to shift in the 1980s as political and cultural attitudes towards women’s colleges turned. Lower enrollment, fewer college-bound students, and a demographic shift in young women’s attitudes toward women’s colleges led Colby-Sawyer to create a task force to address these problems. They concluded that the admission of men into the student body would help with these issues as well as the college’s financial stability.

Frank Riccio ‘23 is the archives fellow at the Susan Colgate Cleveland Library/Learning Center. He holds a BA in history and political studies from Colby-Sawyer College.

Liz Charpentier ‘24 is a history and political science major at Colby-Sawyer. She serves as the assistant archivist at the Susan Colgate Cleveland Library/Learning Center.

In 1990, for the first time in 62 years, men moved into Colby-Sawyer’s residence halls as first-year students. The female students banded together to welcome the first Colby-Sawyer class of male students. Hesitant students reported that over the summer, they had come to understand and accept the change, and they were actually excited for the men to arrive.

The Board of Trustees’ announcement in the early spring of 1989 was met with mixed feelings. Many students, community members, faculty and staff supported the decision. Others were concerned about the impact this would have on female students. Finances, time and attention would be dedicated to creating men’s sports, curriculum and residence halls, taking resources away from the services that had been provided for women as a single-gender college.

After the college’s press release that spring, a media frenzy erupted on campus. Articles written by The Boston Globe, the Associated Press and others covered the change, along with the student protests on campus. Many students adamantly protested the introduction of men on campus; in one instance, students organized a sit-in inside Colgate Hall, locking the doors from the inside and demanding that the decision be reversed. Concerns over safety, cleanliness and overall campus culture were called into question by some students. Alumnae who were on campus at that time may remember the protests expressing fear that Colby-Sawyer would lose its identity by admitting men as students.

In 1990, for the first time in 62 years, men moved into Colby-Sawyer’s residence halls as first-year students. The female students banded together to welcome the first Colby-Sawyer class of male students. Hesitant students reported that over the summer, they had come to understand and accept the change, and they were actually excited for the men to arrive.

In the almost 35 years since that first coeducational class arrived on campus, the college has continued to provide a welcoming environment for all students. In the 2000s, as students’ gender identities evolved and expanded, the college kept pace with student needs by developing gender neutral housing, name and pronoun policies and a commitment to creating a community in which transgender and gender expansive students are respected and valued.

But, then, that’s the thing about Colby-Sawyer students. Determination and perseverance — and a true sense of community-mindedness — are what really sets them apart.

adventures in learning: Past, Present and Future

Editor’s Note: This past fall, Adventures In Learning (AIL) — the college’s community-based, adult learning program — wrapped up a yearlong celebration commemorating its 25th year. The following is an excerpt from a piece originally published in AIL’s 25th anniversary commemorative publication.

When Colby-Sawyer College professor Hilary Cleveland hosted a small group of friends at her home in 1998 to discuss establishing a community-based, lifelong-learning program in the greater Kearsarge-Lake Sunapee region, it is unlikely that she could have imagined the profound impact the program would have over the next 25 years

Along with founding members Julien and Priscilla LeBourgeois, Sue and Dick Eaton, Charlie Carey, Carolyn and Dick Sweetland, Susie and Bob Gray, Mary and Allan Doyle, Peter and Jean McKee, and Dick and Deniza Martin, Cleveland worked to flesh out the details of the program and gain the sponsorship of the college. Though Anne Ponder, then Colby-Sawyer’s president, was not particularly enthusiastic about the idea initially, Hilary, characterized as “a force of nature” by Mary Doyle, persevered.

The group’s vision was to provide noncredit courses on a wide variety of topics that would allow community members to engage with both interesting subject matter and each other to facilitate an educational adventure of sorts. In fall 1998, Adventures in Learning, named by Priscilla LeBourgeois, came to life through five courses and the curiosity of 118 participants.

And it has been gaining strength ever since. Longtime AIL member, study group leader and member of the Curriculum and Membership Committees Julie Machen reflected on the development of the program since she has been involved: “I am continually impressed that such a relatively small community can produce so much talent. Friends in other towns and states also wonder how it’s possible. I am most appreciative of those who had the foresight to make AIL happen.”

Since the program’s formal inception in 1998, AIL has offered more than 700 unique courses (in addition to several reprises) taught by 313 different instructors at a wide variety of local venues. Though some courses are still hosted in the greater community, most are now held in Lethbridge Lodge, AIL’s dedicated classroom space on Colby-Sawyer’s campus since summer 2016.

Former AIL board president and longtime AIL member and study group leader Art Rosen touts AIL as “the retired person’s best local outlet for scholarship.” Despite the fact that AIL may be smaller than neighboring Osher, he notes that AIL’s small size can also be a benefit. “The people we usually meet in classes are neighbors, [and] because the people taking each AIL course have common interests, it is also a great source of social contact,” Rosen said.

Now at the end of its 25th year, Adventures in Learning is a staple in the local community, delivering year-round on its mission to “provide lifelong learning experiences for adults with an interest in the world of ideas and who wish to continue their intellectual growth in an informal setting.”

This celebratory year brought a wealth of new programs, members and courses, and a revival of programs like field trips. It also provided new opportunities for members to connect socially through the New Member Coffee gatherings and the June 8 celebration. AIL bolstered its engagement with existing and prospective members through the launch of a new website in January. And, the organization successfully conducted its first capital campaign. Certainly, the future is bright for AIL.

Students find their true calling at Colby-Sawyer with your support. Thank you for investing in their journey. Make a gift to Colby-Sawyer today at colby-sawyer.edu/give-now.