Welcome Keuka Class of 1967
50th Reunion Highlights
Dear ’67 Classmates,
Simplest way to put it, our 50th reunion was a moveable feast.
Following are highlights, photos, and video to offer those who came another chance to reminisce, and those who couldn’t, a taste of what they missed.
The weather was spectacular. Sunny, warm, bright. The lake pristine, the sky blue, the grass green, leaves turning. The campus was a knock-out. Familiar buildings beautifully restored, and new ones with impressive features and state-of-the-art resources. Wow, Keuka had come a long way. A flashback in real time. And a little scary. What would it be like reconnecting with our past after five decades? Turns out, it was a blast.
Our gathering place between activities, the Guest Cottage/Class of ’67 Reunion Headquarters, eased us into hours of conversation and discovery. We reminisced, got caught up, swapped illuminating alternative takes on shared experiences, laughed our heads off, learned about fascinating lives led over half a century, and remembered 17 classmates no longer with us in an informal and moving round robin of memories, led by Susi Cornwell Van Wickle and Joyce Cohen. Joyce’s photomontage of those classmates helped trigger recollections as each of their yearbook quotes was read aloud.
Connie Champney Adams and husband Charles
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13th
The first event was the Pathfinders Luncheon held in Lightner Library with a panoramic view of Lake Keuka. As newest Pathfinders (alums of at least 50 years) we enjoyed lunch and the opportunity to chat and compare notes with folks from previous classes. To celebrate our status each of us was presented with a Green and Gold medallion necklace and had photos taken with President Dr. Jorge Díaz-Herrera and Board Chair Alan Ziegler. Class President Kathy Sims Ginett presented Dr. Díaz-Herrera with a green and gold leather portfolio of documents pertaining to our Class Gift “The Signature Field Period Scholarship”, which also included a gold embossed binder for future recipients’ Field Period application, essay and follow-up report. Afterwards, our official class reunion photo was taken outside Ball Hall.
The second event, The Capital Campaign Kickoff Gala Friday evening was a grand affair held in the equally grand JMW Recreation and Athletics Center. Well-attended by students, parents (it was also Parents’ Weekend), faculty, staff, families, and alums, all were regaled with the college’s future plans. Four lofty “pillars” with video presentations described targeted projects to be funded “For the Next 125 Years.” Flanking the four pillars was a beautiful ice sculpture of the 125th campaign logo. Among the stirring presentations, Dr. Díaz-Herrera’s was memorable, particularly when he shared how his commitment to education began humbly, but definitively. A year too young to start school, he successfully negotiated permission to audit class in exchange for carrying his own chair to the classroom.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14th
Many activities and outings were offered throughout the day, including side trips to the WindMill, wineries, sporting events, recitals, an Awards Banquet, art show, lectures, and campus tours of the new Keuka Commons Building housing the Wolf Den Coffee Shop, Bookstore (where Susan Squire Smith did a book signing), health center, classrooms, offices, digital learning labs, etc. A popular choice for several in our class was the workshop on “Reframing Aging” facilitated by faculty member Stephanie Craig, Social Work Professor and her students. It became a subject of lively discussion later at the Guest House.
The crowning event of the weekend - made possible and wonderful by Wendy Craig Wollenhaupt’s planning and execution - was The Class of ’67 Luncheon at the Hampton Inn in Penn Yan. Situated literally at the top of Lake Keuka, we were treated to another view to behold from our lakeside dining room, excellent wines provided by Trustee Gene Pierce, owner of Glenora Inn and Wine Cellars, Dundee, NY and delicious fare. The 50+ in attendance included Class of ’67 alumni, spouses, partners, as well as Barbara and David Allardice, Dr. Díaz-Herrera, Laurie Adams (Alumni Relations), and Tara Bloom (Field Period Program). A video memoir of our Class of ‘67 journey through four years and reunions was created as a gift to Class of ‘67 thanks to the 460 pictures classmates sent to Joyce over the past year. An update on the Field Period Program and a status report by Kathy Foote Wilhelm on our Class Gift fundraising were presented. Memorabilia and photos provided by Joyce Cohen were on display for sharing and in the “spirit of downsizing” several classmates brought items for anyone who wanted them! Marilyn Hegarty Gardner and Kathy Sims Ginett sported their ’67 blazers. They still fit!
Honorable mentions:
Standing in beautifully for Reverend Sharon Smith Smith who was unable to attend, Reverend Charles (Terry) Newberry (Barbara Groff Newberry’s husband) delivered the invocation.
A touch of nostalgia adorned each place setting with a small pewter acorn and familiar candies including Red Wax Lips, MaryJanes, Dots, Sugar Daddies & more.
Kathy Sims Ginett was unanimously re-elected Class President.
In acknowledgement of all her efforts over the years, Dr. Díaz-Herrera presented a gift from our class to Wendy Craig Wollenhaupt - a cashmere throw monogrammed with the letters RWLY - ”Remember Who Loves You”- Reminding us that “reunion is just a weekend, but our bonds are forever.” Wendy also emphasized that RWLY was meant for every member of our class.
For traveling all the way from Sweden Marja Persson Fahl and husband Nils received special appreciation and thanks.
A pause that refreshed. With full hearts and bellies we headed back to the Guest Cottage for more R&R, conversation, sifting through memorabilia that classmates brought and photos thanks again to Joyce Cohen, and a hilarious video of our men’s synchronized swimming routine comprised of five brave men who are staff at Keuka College along with Kathy Foote Wilhelm’s husband, Ralph, Elfriede Muller Tompkin’s husband, Roger at our 45th reunion. A must see, trust us.
Lucina hospitality. Dr. Díaz-Herrera hosted an open house at the Lucina later in the afternoon. Most folks gathered outside on his veranda or lakeside lawn, drinking in the still beautiful day along with wine, hors d’oeuvres and the company of alums from other classes, students, faculty, and staff. A group of ‘67ers bonded with alums from the Class of ’52 thanks to Nancy Archimede Gallagher and her husband, Dale. We realized these women experienced for the past 15 years what we have in store for us during the next 15 and we’ll connect with them in the future, for sure. Similar bonds formed with students and already e-mail and text exchanges have launched.
Fireworks galore. Punctuating a remarkable couple of days, the night sky over the chapel dazzled us with a light show. We oohed and aahed accordingly and continued conversations and laughter into the evening.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15th
After a morning chapel service on yet another sunny day, more group photos on the lawn, talk of an informal mini-reunion in 2019, and fond farewells, we went our separate ways, our 50th reunion in tow.
‘67 50th REUNION UPDATE
Winter, 2018, Susi Cornwell Van Wickle traveled to southern CA and reunited with classmate, Judy Money Abeles. They visited Sarah McAfee who was recovering from a stroke that she experienced summer, 2017. They presented Sarah with her 50th reunion medallion and mementos from our 50th reunion weekend. Sarah is doing much better. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing notes penned from her Keuka College classmates and she sends her Love and Hello to everyone.
Meanwhile, on the East coast, Spring, 2018, Joyce Cohen went to Baltimore, MD where she did the same with Sharon Smith Smith. They didn’t miss a beat after 50 years, enjoyed Baltimore sights & sounds, visited Sharon’s terrific family, talked with Wendy Wollenhaupt by phone who couldn’t attend due to her work schedule, and shared a reunion lunch at the Baltimore Art Museum with Kathy Sims Ginett. While setting up the mini lunch reunion, they connected with Laurene Brown Petcovic, Diane Rockhill O’Brien, Linda Vollbracht Bauch and Lois Schneider Antos who also live in MD. They each send HELLOS and GREETINGS to ’67 classmates.
Summer 2018 another ‘67 mini reunion was shared when Sue Sheffield visited Holly (Stillson) and Paul Love in VT. Kathy and Joe Ginnett were enroute to Canada and Joyce met them in CT for another medallion reunion.
October 2018 SueEllen Bordwell returned to campus to drive one of the electric carts for Green and Gold weekend. Here she is chauffeuring Sue Goodrich, Keauka College Class of ‘54.
‘67’s 50th reunion chapter couldn’t close without special recognition to our Reunion Planning / Class Gift Committee and Keuka College staff/faculty who helped to pull it all together. For attending to a myriad of details and so much more, THANK YOU
Sarah MacAfee Micki Toner Daley
Joyce Cohen Kathy Sims Ginett
Elfriede Muller Tompkins Kathy Foote Wilhelm
Diane Hall Fitzgerald Wendy Craig Wollenhaupt, Reunion Chair
Laurie Adams, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Kathy Waye, Director, Community Relations and Events
Brett Williams, Digital Media Producer
Pete Bekisz, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
April Higgins, Information and Professional Studies Librarian
The Late Frank Strong, Keuka College Trustee Emeritus, Interim President
Anton Witting, Technology & Creative Services www.awptc.com