Incoming students learn about the Green Bikes on campus from Peggy Richmond ‘93, Director of Admissions.

The Alumni Association helped host the first campus-wide Legacy Scavenger Hunt on Friday, August 27, as part of Orientation. This activity provided a fun, interactive way for students to learn about some of the important resources on campus, as well as some of Keene State’s history and traditions. Over 50 alumni, staff, and faculty members participated in a variety of ways: planning the activity, giving information to students at one of the 34 locations across campus, and providing information for alumni profiles that were set up in the Alumni Center. The event went really well and allowed us to bring over 1,100 first-year students into the Alumni Center to celebrate their first few days on campus and as part of the KSC community!

Changed jobs lately? Gotten a promotion? Taken a cool vacation? Acquired a new family member? Presented at a conference? Done some community service? Be sure you keep us in the know! Alumni tell us all the time that they really want to hear what their former classmates (that would be you) are up to. We publish that news in the “Class Notes” section of Keene State Today (your alumni magazine) and lots of people (us included) love reading it.

So, what’s up? It only takes a minute to let us know. Write a few lines and send them to your class secretary or use our handy online form.  We really do want to know!

Abe Osheyack ’06

Abe Osheyack ’06 recently landed a position as sports information director at Smith College.  A journalism major, Abe worked with KSC sports information coordinator Stuart Kaufman from 2003–2006, when the seeds for success were planted.

“Working at Keene State opened my eyes to a field that I never knew existed.  It’s a field that combines my two loves: sports and writing,” says Abe.

More information from the Smith press release.

Chelsea Converse ’08 has hired on as communications samurai at North Star Marketing, a marketing and public relations firm in Providence, R.I. She was a communications major with a minor in studio art at KSC.

Chelsea Converse ’08

What’s a communications samurai? According to the company’s press release, Chelsea will lay the groundwork for North Star’s campaign strategy development and implementation – problem solving and contributing creative ideas while managing myriad moving parts on behalf of the firm’s account-service team.

For more information, here’s North Star’s press release.

Is there a more beautiful time on campus than the fall? Keene never looks better than when she’s wearing her autumn colors. Miss it? We thought so, so we’re giving you the perfect excuse to come back and enjoy KSC at her best. More than just a homecoming, the Alumni Fall Festival & Homecoming will feature opportunities for you to meet with old friends and current students who are members of campus clubs and organizations. You can also look forward to some great entertainment, tailgaiting, and KSC pride competitions out at Owl Stadium. Relive the excitement of cheering on the men’s soccer team under the lights Saturday night. Look for more information in August on our website.

Though June’s Reunion Weekend was over a month ago, people are still talking about the great time they had. Everyone seems to think it was one of the best Reunions ever. No doubt, the new Alumni Center made people feel especially welcome. This magnificent building clearly states that KSC values and welcomes its alumni. You met the same cherished old friends, enjoyed the same great food, and had a great party in your new Center – no wonder everyone was so happy.

So how do we build on that momentum and make next Reunion even better? The Alumni Reunion Weekend Committee will be getting together soon to review the event and make plans for 2011. If you attended Reunion 2010, please help us plan for next year by filling out our brief survey. Tell us how you liked the events, venues, schedule, food, etc. Your opinions matter! We make adjustments each year based on the feedback we hear from participants.

You can even sign on for a seat on the 2011 committee and really make a difference!

Thanks!

Do many of your fond memories of KSC involve the time you spent as a member of a student club or organization? Wouldn’t it be a blast to meet up with the old group again? Well, here’s your chance – the Alumni Fall Festival Weekend is coming up in October, a great excuse to get the old gang back on campus. The Alumni Office will be happy to help you organized a gathering and can help you coordinate with current student groups, arrange a meeting place, plan for refreshments, and get the word out to your special affinity club or group.

Sound good? Email the Alumni Office, or give them a call at 603-358-2369.

The Keene State College Alumni Association hosted its 2010 Reunion Weekend June 4–6. As a part of the festivities, three outstanding alumni were honored at the Annual Reunion Luncheon on Saturday, June 5.

Bruce Stronach '74, Alumni Achievement Award

Bruce Stronach ‘74 received the Alumni Achievement Award, given to a Keene State College alumnus/a whose professional achievement in her or his chosen field brings honor to herself or himself and to KSC. Stronach currently serves as dean of Temple University, Japan Campus. He was president of Yokohama City University in Japan from 2004 to 2008 – the first foreign president of a Japanese public university – and is known as an expert in Japanese popular culture and politics, and as an educational pioneer and reformer. He served as acting president, provost, and chief operating officer at Becker College in Worcester, MA, from 1998–2004. Books, articles, and monographs he has published include Beyond the Rising Sun: Nationalism in Contemporary Japan, Politics East and West: A Comparison of Japanese and British Political Culture, and Popular Culture in Japan and America.

Brent Elwell, Outstanding Service Award

Brent Elwell (1977–2010) was honored with the Outstanding Service Award, given to an individual or organization that has provided outstanding service to KSC through leadership, commitment, and influence in the programs and activities of the College. Anyone who has been around Keene State College athletics the past 15 years knew Brent Elwell. At KSC sporting events he could be found handing out a towel or words of encouragement, videotaping the history of KSC sports, or just providing a pat on the back for a job well done. He also worked on campus in the mailroom and in the bookstore. Brent died in January at age 33, after a long battle with cancer. His father Ned accepted the award on his behalf.

Jack Griffin '72, Sprague Drennan Award

Jack Griffin ‘72 received the Alumni Association’s Sprague Drennan Award, given to a KSC alumnus/a who has demonstrated noteworthy participation in alumni activities and events. Griffin served on the Alumni Association Board for six years (one year as president); was a leader for the Career Planning and Placement alumni efforts to help and support students with job searches, resumes, and interview skills; and is a strong supporter of regional alumni events.

The recipe for a successful reunion weekend: great people + great food + great energy! We were pleased  to host alumni from every decade – all way back to Bea Patch ‘35, who celebrated her 75th class reunion. The weekend was wonderful and the spirit was great! We loved watching folks reconnect, revive old memories, and create a few new ones. We were delighted to see so many members of the classes of 1960, 1975, and 1985. Whether they hung out on the quad or danced the night away to the Tom Foolery Band, a good time was had by all. See you next June!

KSC’s Alumni Association is represented by a 15-member Board of Directors. The Board helps assess the needs of the more than 25,000 alumni with regard to information, career support, and campus connections and works to develop and execute a strategic plan that incorporates programs and services for students and alumni. Linda Lacey ‘73 and Brian Parda ‘01 were both re-elected to second three-year terms. Martha LaFleur ‘67, Mark Metivier ‘06, and John Mitchell ‘88 were elected to their first three-year term. Each have a great deal of passion for KSC and the energy and initiative to move current programs forward. Welcome aboard Martha, Mark, and John, and thanks, Linda and Brian, for your continued service and support!

Lenny Nelson ’70, Jim Barry ’77, John Barry ’71, and Pat Cassin ’86 atop Monadnock, America's most-climbed mountain, June 4, 2010.

Six intrepid climbers kicked off Reunion Weekend in fine style and kept a noble tradition alive when they shared camaraderie and fond memories during the Second Annual Alumni Monadnock Hike on June 4. The fearless Lenny Nelson ’70 led the group, which included Jim ’77 and John Barry ’71 (sons of former Alumni Director Fred Barry), Pat Cassin ’86, Michele Dilley ’85, and Marketing & Communications writer/editor Mark Reynolds.

We had a beautiful day and a most pleasant hike, with lots of time to swap stories, thoughts, snacks, and breathtaking vistas. Check out our photos (of the hike and the rest of a great weekend) on SmugMug.

We’ll be climbing Monadnock again next Reunion, so make a note to yourself to be there!