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!

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!

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!

Are you as excited as we are about Reunion Weekend, June 4, 5, & 6? Sign up online now! We’ll have some great gatherings and activities. Be a student again (all the fun, but no exams) and stay on campus in our award-winning Pondside III residence hall or the newly renovated Huntress Hall! Visit our Reunion web pages for more information!

You’re always welcome on campus, and never more so than during Reunion, when we really roll out the red carpet and do our best to host a great party. Reunion this year is June 4, 5, and 6, so mark your calendar and start making plans!

Is your class celebrating its 10th, 25th, or 50th reunion? Your classmates are likely planning special gatherings and dinners to celebrate. Relive the good old days by booking a room in one of our classic dorms like Huntress or Fiske, or experience a couple of nights in our new dorms by booking a spot in one of the Pondside III suites.

Keep checking the Reunion webpage for updated info and online registration. And be sure to block the first weekend in June 2010 as “Save for Keene”!

The Keene State College Alumni Association recognized three distinguished individual at its Annual Meeting and Luncheon during Reunion weekend.

• Debora Murray ’99 was recognized with the Sprague W. Drenan Award for her active leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of alumni, both as the Chair of several Reunions and as an active two-term member of the Board of Directors.
• Lorna Letourneau ’57 was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in recognition for her exceptional career in education, both primary and secondary and her commitment to helping students who initially struggle in their academic pursuits to succeed through the founding and stewardship of an alternative high school.
• Larry Benaquist, Professor of Film Studies, was honored with the Outstanding Service award, which recognizes service to Keene State College through leadership, commitment, and influence in programs and activities of the College.

For more information about past recipients or nominate a future honoree, please visit the Awards page on the Alumni website.

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 Alumni & Parent Relations office is busy, busy busy these days with registrations for the June 5-7 Grand Reunion coming in by the hour!

We’re all hands on deck to be sure you and your guests have a great time:

• Kay MacLean, the Event and Program Coordinator, has been organizing most of the 15 events for the weekend, including catering and entertainment details.
• Andrew Cunningham, Web Communications Coordinator, developed the online registration software.
• Pauline Dionne, College Ceremony Coordinator, has been cataloging online registration responses with painstaking detail to ensure you all get the right accommodation assignments and event tickets at the check in tables.
• And Alumni volunteers have been hard at work for months preparing the event schedule and making visual displays spanning our hundred-year history.

Want more information about who’s going and what’s planned? We thought you’d never ask. A listing of Alums who have consented to share their attendance in advance of the big celebration and a full schedule of events with online registration can be found at the KSC alumni webpage.