Dr. Susan Herman (photo by Mark Corliss)

We are saddened to learn that Dr. Susan Herman, professor emerita of Management, passed away early this morning, June 24th. Dr. Herman was an energetic and engaged teacher, professional, traveler, outdoorswoman, and cook. The KSC Human Resources office uses her 1994 book, Hiring Right, as a sound basis for the College’s recruiting protocols. Dr. Herman was also an important catalyst in the evolution of the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies, which established the Susan J. Herman Award for Leadership in Holocaust & Genocide Awareness this past April to honor her vital contributions to its work.

Dr. Paul Vincent, professor of Holocaust studies and history, mentioned a meeting with Dr. Herman in early spring, when she was still undergoing tests for pancreatic cancer in Boston. He recalled a statement she made that summed up the strength of her character: “You know, Paul, I want to live. But if that’s not to be, I’ve had a wonderful life.”

“The world is a dimmer place without the magic of her life,” Dr. Vincent said.

For a wealth of photos and information from Susan and her family, including notification of upcoming memorial services in Dorchester, Mass., and Keene, visit her Caring Bridges web pages.

If you remember this warm and wonderful teacher, please use the “comments” link below to let us know, and visit the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies blog to leave and read memories.

(l to r) Brian Kolacz, Peter Najem, and Allison Chamberlain

Three Owl tracksters stepped out to win themselves – and KSC – some serious bragging rights. Allison Chamberlain, a sophomore from Scarborough, Maine, was named the Little East Conference Women’s Outdoor Track Runner of the Year. Senior Peter Najem, from Derry, N.H., was named the LEC Track Athlete of the Year, and sophomore Bryan Kolacz (Brentwood, N.H.) was selected as the LEC Field Athlete of the Year. Brian was also the 10th Keene State College student-athlete in men’s track and field to capture a national championship with his 61.48-meter hammer throw at the 2009 NCAA Division III Championships hosted by Marietta College (Ohio).

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The Little East Commissioner’s Cup (courtesy photo).

Keene State College athletics set a record that will be tough to beat when it won its ninth-straight Little East Commissioner’s Cup. The Owls averaged 6.552 points to win the trophy in each of the nine years it has been awarded. The Commissioner’s Cup measures an institution’s overall performance in the 19 sports that the Conference sponsors. They don’t call us the top NCAA DIII public intercollegiate institution for nothin’.

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The Grand Centennial Reunion is this weekend!

We’re expecting more than 500 alumni and guests at this point. And you’re not too late to get in on the action. A few of the events we have planned:

• An alumni preview screening of the first 40 minutes of the Centennial film on Friday night. Call us at (603) 358-2106 to reserve a seat.
• Fireworks for all at 9:40 on the A-Field, and a social in the Redfern Arts Center
• Saturday morning tours of campus with student tour guides
• Decade tents on Fiske Quad, also Saturday morning
• The Music Majors Luncheon and Jazz Ensemble Alumni ‘rehearsal’ session in the Band room
• The Annual Meeting Luncheon of the Alumni Association
• A Saturday afternoon commemorative photo with 1-0-0 spelled out in alums wearing red Centennial t-shirts — you won’t want to be left out of that!
• Renderings of the new Alumni Center and a beam for alumni to sign in support of the Center
• Saturday night BBQ on the Quad and dance featuring the Tom Foolery Band. Tickets will be on sale for $10 at the door.
• Sunday morning brunch, hosted by President Helen Giles-Gee

For more information about Reunion, including a complete schedule, visit our reunion webpage.

The KSC Alumni Association’s ballots are counted, and the Association is pleased to announce that the following Alumni have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors: Alan Hodsdon ‘69 has been re-elected for a second termon the Board of Directors, and Ralph “Rudy” Werninger ’54, David Westover ’72, Jim Rice ’97, and Matt Ulvila ’02 have been newly elected. Each will serve a three-year term.

Newly elected Officers of the Board for 2009-2010 are: Sue Fortier ‘86, President; Linda Lacey ‘73, 1st Vice President; and Al Hodsdon ‘69, 2nd Vice President.

Congratulations, all.

At its Annual Meeting on  June 6th, the Alumni Association will recognize the outstanding efforts of its retiring Board members: Association President David Gagne ‘73, Carmen Prandini-Trafton ‘95, Craig Sheil ‘03, and Ed Wojenski ‘85.

The Alumni Board of Directors is made up of 15 Alumni, the KSC Alumni Trustee to the USNH Board, the President of the College, the Student Body President, and the President of the Senior Class.

If you’ll be on campus this summer – especially if you’re coming to Reunion – check out the Centennial exhibit at the Thorne. It’s a real walk down memory lane that includes lots of photographs and memorabilia documenting 100 great years of campus history. You just might find yourself in one of the photos. Let us know if you do!

The exhibit also features some of Andy Warhol’s  Polaroid and silver-gelatin prints that the Andy Warhol Photographic Legacy Program donated to KSC. It’s the first time they’ll be on public display. The show opens for Reunion weekend, Friday, June 5, from noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, June 7, from noon to 4 p.m.

What are they watching? Were you there? Are you in this picture? Comments, por favor.

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