Alumnae Association Response to Reunion Changes

You've heard by now that starting with Reunion 2013, which reunion each class attends is changing. This is the new schedule:  
Reunion I: 2^nd, 10^th, 20^th, 25^th, 30^th, 40^th, 50^th, 60^th, 70^th
Reunion II: 5^th, 15^th, 35^th, 45^th, 55^th, 65^th, 75^th

There are a lot of alumnae unhappy about this change, and the Alumnae Association sent class officers the following email. We're pasting it here to share with you, and would love to hear your feedback. Please comment on the post with your name, or email your thoughts to mtholyoke2006@gmail.com. We hope to hear from you!

The 2006 Class Board

Dear Alumnae Class Officers:

You may have heard recently from a group of young alums calling themselves the “Reunion Redo Ad Hoc Committee.” These alumnae are organizing a petition in opposition to the separation of the 2nd and 5th reunion classes, starting in 2013.

We would like to provide you with some of the facts behind this part of the recent changes to reunion class distribution, so that you can evaluate the petition and its call to action.

The Ad Hoc Committee notes that the 2nd and 5th reunion classes are the only two at reunion who were on campus together at Mount Holyoke and cite the opportunity for people at their fifth-year reunion to reconnect with the alumnae who were first years when they were seniors.

While we appreciate that some young alumnae enjoyed the opportunity to attend reunion with classes that they were on campus with as students, it should be noted that the 2nd and 5th classes have only been grouped together for their reunions since 2008, when a pilot program began.

Attendance rates at reunion during that period indicate that the regrouping did little to encourage young alums to attend. Less than 20 percent of the 2nd and 5th year reunion classes attended reunion each year during the 2008-2010 pilot program years, down from higher attendance rates in the years immediately preceding the pilot’s initiation. As such, it is difficult to justify maintaining the grouping of these classes, since the intended effect – increasing the number of young alumnae who attend reunion – was not achieved.

The Ad Hoc Committee also notes that the two youngest classes comprise the majority of alumnae who cite “Laurel Parade as their most important reason for attending reunion,” and thus are hurt more than other classes by ending the 5th reunion class’s participation in Reunion I.

The Alumnae Association’s August 24 announcement about reunion class distribution cited, though apparently inartfully, data from a 2005 survey of alumnae views of reunion. Those citing the findings, however, should know more about the survey results.

Young alumnae (defined as alumnae out of college 15 years or less) were indeed more likely to choose the Laurel Parade as “very important” – but only in comparison to other groupings of alumnae also citing the Parade as very important. Most young alumnae actually had more qualified views than that individual statistic suggests. The majority of young alumnae in the survey listed Laurel Parade as only “somewhat important” – 36%. Those identifying it as “very important” made up only 20% of the responses – tied with the number who identified it as “very unimportant” and less than those who viewed it as “somewhat unimportant” (24%).

Of course, the purpose of the new distribution of classes at reunion is not to implement survey data. It is instead to more equitably distribute classes between the two weekends so that all alumnae can alternate the years that they participate in the Laurel Parade and other Reunion I traditions, and the years that they take part in the new Reunion II traditions.

Starting in 2013, the first year of the return to the former distribution of classes at reunion, non-class year alumnae groups will be organizing reunions for their members as well, such as alumnae athletes. Having these groups on campus will provide alumnae with multiple reasons to attend reunion – and we believe it will encourage more alumnae to attend reunion across the board. That is, we know, everyone’s goal.

While the Alumnae Association board of directors believe that these changes will result in stronger alumnae ties to Mount Holyoke across class year – and now, affinity group – alumnae who feel strongly that they want to attend a reunion on the same weekend as a younger (or older) class in which they have friends are welcome to register for reunion with that class. This is an option open to all alumnae, regardless of class year.

We hope that this provides you with the information you may need to evaluate the Reunion Redo Ad Hoc Committee’s petition proposal. Please feel free to share this with your classmates as you feel appropriate. And as always, if you have any questions about the changes to class distribution at reunion or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Erin Ennis ‘92
Chair, Classes and Reunion Committee
Chair, Reunion Review Task Force, 2010-2011

Cynthia Reed ‘80
President, Alumnae Association

Jane Zachary
Executive Director, Alumnae Association

Pictures from Reunion

Our five-year reunion was a fabulous time, filled with catching up with old friends, getting to stay in the new dorm, and, of course, eating M&Cs. Here are some photos of the weekend. Have some you'd like to share with the class? Email them to amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com.

New Facebook Page

Keep in touch with classmates and in-the-know about all the latest class news by following our Facebook page!

Update Your Contact Info!

To keep up on the latest news from the Class of 2006 and the Alumnae Association, make sure we have your correct address! If you've moved recently (or at all) and haven't updated your address, be sure to send your new contact info to AIS@mtholyoke.edu.

How Was Reunion?

If you went to reunion this year, take a minute and fill out this survey. We'd love feedback so we can make our next reunion better than ever!

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Rebecca Vernon

Rebecca Vernon, Ithaca, NY 

The picture is me with the statue of Eleanor Roosevelt at the FDR Memorial in DC. I love her! I think she's a Mt. Holyoke woman at heart.

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?

Probably graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, although surviving four upstate New York winters is also a contender.

• What's your favorite MHC memory?

I seem to remember bowling and playing baseball in the halls of North Rocky first year, using water bottles and a rubber bouncy ball. That was a particularly fun time. I also enjoyed driving to Northampton for the sole purpose of going to Herrell's. I believe Miss Katie MacDonald was my primary comrade on those trips.

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?

Living and learning in a place where I felt 100% comfortable, all the time, surrounded by brilliant and interesting women. Also knitting in class. And Atkins cider donuts.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?

Seeing some of my favorite people in the world, all at once!  And, if I'm lucky, meeting President Pasquerella.  I love her, if only for her inauguration speech.  (If you haven't watched it, you should!)

• What's the coolest thing you've done since graduation?

Submitting a brief in a court case in India to get the government to take steps to end witch hunting. I collected tons of data about different witch hunting incidents and then argued that it's a human rights violation and India is disregarding its international legal obligations by not passing better laws and properly prosecuting those who engage in witch hunts. Unfortunately, the court dismissed the case, in part because the violations weren't "serious enough." But the Indian NGO I worked with is appealing the decision.

• What's the best book you've read?

After staring at my bookshelf and my Goodreads list, I've decided I can't pick one.  Here are a few favorites: Iran Awakening by Shirin Ebadi, The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles, Empire Falls by Richard Russo, Buddha's Orphans by Samrat Upadhyay, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery...  Okay I'll stop now.

• How many cities have you lived in?

Two: Nîmes, France, and Ithaca, New York

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday?

The Rockies, for fried dough, muffin tops, elephant ears, and smoothies

• Another fun fact:

Last summer I had the thoroughly lovely experience of crashing my mom's mini-reunion with her friends from MHC class of 1974.  MHC women are absolutely marvelous at any age, and it's so much fun to think about my friends and I doing the same thing 30 years from now...

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Reunion Information

Here’s some useful info about reunion weekend:

Class Headquarters: Creighton Hall

Breakfast Center: Ham Hall, Dining Room

Class Photograph: Saturday, May 21 2:45 p.m. Skinner Steps
A professional photographer will take orders on the spot. Order envelopes will be provided at registration. Please fill them out ahead of time and bring with you. (Rain location for Skinner steps will be in McCulloch Auditorium, Pratt Hall).

Class Meeting: Saturday 4 p.m. Creighton Hall, Living Room

Saturday Class Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Blanchard Campus Center, Great Room

Preliminary Reunion Schedule

Preliminary Schedule

Friday, May 20th

9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Reunion Registration

Mary E. Woolley Hall, New York room, second floor

11:30–12:30 p.m.

State of the College address by President Lynn Pasquerella ’80

Art Building, Gamble Auditorium

1–4 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)

Tour of Joanne V. Creighton and Safford Halls

Meet at Safford; tour will proceed to Creighton.

6:30 - 10 p.m.

Taste of the Valley

Greet your classmates and enjoy great food and drinks you used to love while in the Valley.

$5 for food & drinks, no pre-registration required.

Class Headquarters - TBD

Saturday, May 21st

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Parade breakfast

Complimentary breakfast goodies and drinks, no pre-registration required.

Class Headquarters - TBD

8 a.m.–noon

Reunion Registration

Mary E. Woolley Hall, New York room, second floor

(Exception: classes of 1936 and 1941 will register at the Willits-Hallowell Center)

9 a.m. (line-up starts at 8:45 a.m.)

Alumnae Parade and Laurel Chain Ceremony (rain or shine)

Abbey/Buckland Circle

10:15–11:30 a.m.

139th Alumnae Association Annual Meeting

Richard Glenn Gettell Amphitheater

(Rain Location: Mary E. Woolley Hall, Chapin auditorium)

11:30 a.m.

Old-fashioned Community Cookout

Pre-paid registration required

Skinner Green tent

2:45 p.m.

Class Photo

Skinner Hall steps

4:30 p.m.

Class Meeting

Join us! We will be voting for a new class board for the 10th reunion!

Class Headquarters - tbd

6:30 p.m.

Class Dinner (with 2009)

Pre-registration required

Blanchard Great Room

8:30 - 10 p.m.

The Devil Made Us Do It

A big screen viewing of Junior Show, all your favorite M&Cs and cocktails

Class Headquarters - tbd

11:00 p.m.– 1:00 a.m.

2011, 2009 & 2006 Party

Blanchard Great Room

Sunday, May 22nd

12 p.m.

Checkout

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Joanna Pushee

Joanna Pushee, Easton, Massachusetts

Picture taken in Annecy, France, this spring

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Surviving 7 months of teaching French teenagers in the Alps with no internet

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
Driving back to campus from Northampton on Rt. 47, looking at the rolling hills, farms and fields

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
Having a close-knit community of interesting friends and classmates who love discussing anything from which color fish nets to wear for the Drag Ball to the intricacies of Foucault’s writings on power to the best way to get to New York City for a conference/protest/shopping spree

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
Seeing my friends!

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation?
Having lived in Prague for two years and traveled around Europe

• What's the best book you've read?
There’s too many! A biography about Frances Perkins comes to mind, though… The Woman Behind the New Deal by Kirstin Downey

• How many cities have you lived in?
3 places – home in Massachusetts, Prague, and Saint Michel de Maurienne in France

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday?
Abbey/Buckland for crèpes

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Adriana Olaya

Adriana Olaya, Bogota, Colombia

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Becoming the HR Director of an important company at age 24!!!

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
Sooo many wonderful memories!!! But dressing up as a squash ball was great... I still laugh when I think about walking from Ham to the gym nearly naked!!!

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
My Scums and Squashies... being able to share 24/7 with my closest friends.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
Seeing my Scum family who I have missed terribly!!!

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation?
Visiting my friend Pam in Guatemala for the Panam games in 2010.

• How many cities have you lived in?
I have lived in Boston, Chapel Hill, San Jose (Costa Rica), Bogota and Bucaramanga

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday?
Ham or Prospect!!!

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Sofia

Sofia

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation? 
I bought my first car and have met a lot of great people.

• What's your favorite MHC memory? 
Hard question — Mountain Day a few times over, pulling an all-nighter with Sara Marruffo our first year for no reason at all.

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley? 
I miss the people, the sense of calm and community the Valley offers (except for during finals) and the beautiful campus.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion? 
I am looking forward to seeing the new residence hall, driving around the Valley, seeing people I haven't in a while and Laurel Parade!

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation?
Having completed a 30 day yoga challenge.

• What's the best book you've read? 
No way I could pick just one.

• How many cities have you lived in? 
Two

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday? 
Prospect or Abbey/Buck

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Erin Rocchio

Erin Rocchio, Philadelphia, PA

 

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation? 

Going to med school and getting published

 

• What's your favorite MHC memory?

Dinner every night with amazing friends!
 

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley? 

The beautiful scenery and trees
 

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation? 

Medical mission trip to Guyana

 

• What's the best book you've read? 

Breaking Night

 

• How many cities have you lived in? 

4

 

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday? 

Prospect

 

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Laura Campbell

Laura Campbell, Toulouse, France

The picture is me with my husband Bart in Cambridge, England. We spent 10 days in England this March.

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
I live in France, which is not easy. I had to pass my drivers license over again, renew my residency paperwork every year, and figure out the French employment scene. That last one is still a work in progress...

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
My favorite MHC memory would have to be Glee Club. It was so much fun singing with such a great group, preparing concerts and Christmas Vespers, working with men's choirs from other universities. And the parties were pretty great too!

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
I miss the great sandwiches at Tailgate and driving through the trees to Amherst or Northampton. I miss the sense of community especially.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
I'm really looking forward to seeing friends I haven't seen in a while, some since graduation. I'm really happy to visit Massachusetts and the campus too. 

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation? 
Something cool I did when I lived in Foix, France (an hour south of where I am now) was visit the caves in Niaux, which have prehistoric drawings. They limit the number of people who can visit each day, so in a group of 8 we used flash lights to find our way to the end of the cave and look at art made by people living in the same mountains thousands of years ago.

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley! 

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Layne

Layne

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Well, I *would* say, "graduating from law school," but I am still 3 exams and 1 paper away from that...so...best to not count the chickens before they hatch.

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
Creating and implementing a full-scale beer scavenger hunt in the library during finals, on approximately 25 minutes of sleep. Coincidentally enough, it was probably also my greatest accomplishment while actually IN college.

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
Living down the hall from all of my friends and taking classes where it was not only acceptable, but where you were encouraged, to answer questions starting off with the phrase, "I feel like…"

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
FINALLY getting to see a screening of the much talked about "Junior Show."

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation?
I sat through a murder trial where the defendant was a rapper named C-Murder (brother of Master P), and blogged about it from the courtroom. Somehow, the blog started getting passed around and it was
eventually sent to the Judge of the trial. He started commenting on it, and later sent me an email telling me how much he enjoyed it… despite the fact that I called him Judge Blagojevich-hair and implied that he was eating popcorn during the trial.

• What's the best book you've read?
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters is the best book I've read this year.

• How many cities have you lived in?
Since graduation? Just 3: New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans.

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday?
There was something about seeing the Black Friday-esque mob scene of people shoving each other out of the way to get to the fried dough at the Rockies, which always brought some comedy to my life…

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley! 

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Sarah (Keleher) Napoline

Sarah (Keleher) Napoline, Medford, Massachusetts

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Getting accepted to Harvard... and then turning them down! I'm proud of following my gut and going back to school to get my masters to become a minister.

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
All my 2003 senior ladies in Prospect, living in Mead my senior year, putting together Junior Show, Vegas Night (three of them, at least!), my first ever religion class with Professor Penn, listening to friends sing in the M&C's...

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
THE LIBRARY. I miss the library so much. I miss having my closest friends two doors away. I miss the Valley: the gorgeous fields, the peace and quiet, the FOOD. Andiamo, mmmm.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
Walking in the Laurel Parade, getting together with all my classmates, sharing the campus with my MoHos new husbands!

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation?
Traveling to Transylvania with my church choir and staying in homestays with families from our partner church! We didn't share a language, but that trip was amazing! I also have to say, marrying my high school sweetheart on our tenth anniversary was pretty memorable, too. The photo is the two of us last fall.

• What's the best book you've read?
I just read Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup and cried for the first fifty pages. A great book.

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday?
I cannot wait for the waffles (with blueberries!!) at Ham/McG.

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley! 

Submit Your Updates for Summer Class Notes!

Hey 2006,

With just under a month until reunion, we are beyond excited about heading back to campus and are sure you are too! While you've got MHC on the brain, send us an update for class notes. We'd love to hear from all of you about new jobs, moves, travels, kids, weddings - anything at all!

Please send updates to scribe06@mtholyoke.edu by May 3.

Happy Spring,
Amy & Lindsay

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Yaminette Diaz Linhart

Yaminette Diaz Linhart

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Finished a dual degree Masters program with a kid and a law student for a husband!

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
Taking walks by lower lake in the pitch dark with my MHC peeps

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
The vibe!

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
Being on campus again!

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Paige Ryland

 Paige Ryland, Florida

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?

That I've been passionate about all my post-grad adventures and have moved along at my own pace.

• What's your favorite MHC memory?

Two things: Meeting the FFL at MHC. Giving popsicles out in the library during finals to people who would dance for them.

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?

I miss seeing so many wonderful faces everyday.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?

Hugs and a personal, taste of the valley tour. I'm also pretty excited about taking a class or two.

• What’s the coolest thing you’ve done since graduation? 

My time in the Peace Corps will probably be the coolest thing I ever do. (The picture is of my first maize crop, the staple food in Malawi) 

• What's the best book you've read? 

Every book I read ends up being my favorite but I particularly enjoyed Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.

• How many cities have you lived in? 

I have lived in 5 cities. (7 by the end of August)

• What dorm do you wish you could visit for brunch on Sunday?

While Prospect omelette bar has long been a favorite, I think Ill be indulging elsewhere as part of my personal, taste of the valley tour. Seriously, while planning our reunion trips, the FFL were most concerned with the food we would eat.

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley! 

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up With Damaris Santos-Palmer

Damaris Santos-Palmer Santa Cruz, CA

Damaris is a blogger and freelance writer, and also writes the beautiful blog Kitchen Corners. Of her blog, she says:

Kitchen Corners is about me, and about my family, and about you because you are the reason I write. It is you who I talk to about my life and it is from you that I get feedback and the energy to continue doing what I do.

Kitchen Corners is a silly name for a blog. It started out as Within the Corners of my Kitchen, but that was too long and I occasionally have the pleasure to leave my kitchen and travel, so that title had to go. Then the blog became Kitchen Corners, because it's short.

But I love Kitchen Corners, even with all it's imperfections and silly name.

I've been blogging since 2007. Kitchen Corners has changed from a recipe blog to a giveaway/product review/design/anything-I-can-think-of-blog. However, now I do giveaways on my Facebook page, and have fun random conversations on twitter, and share my food design obsession on my design blog. It's better this way, because now I can focus on what I really love to do which is have conversations about life and food with you.

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Having two kids

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
Big sister during freshmen year

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
Having intellectual conversations and silly conversations all within the same lunch hour with friends in Wilder

• What are you looking forward to at reunion? Seeing people I miss

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Peter Berek is Retiring - Share your memories!

This was passed on to us from an '03 alum. Since many of you probably took classes with Peter Berek, we want to make sure you have a chance to share your favorite memories!


Dear Mount Holyoke Alumna,

If you haven’t already heard, Professor Peter Berek is retiring this May! Over the last 20 years, Prof. Berek has been teaching English to Mount Holyoke students – you may recall him from English 200, the first-year seminar “Pasts and Presences,” or his Shakespeare class – and has served as dean of faculty and provost (1990-1998), as well as interim president of Mount Holyoke (1995). For many of us, Prof. Berek has also been an advisor, mentor and friend. Indeed, he’s a Mount Holyoke institution! (You can read more about Prof. Berek's many accomplishments here.)

In honor of his retirement on May 18th, we are soliciting your farewell thoughts and memories of Professor Berek to compile in a scrapbook that will be presented to him during his retirement ceremony on May 18th. Please consider contributing your memories of Prof. Berek or farewell message and send it to: peterberekmemories@gmail.com. Your submission may be any length (preferably no more than 1,000 words), and may include photos or drawings. Please email your submission by April 30.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at jessie.babcock@gmail.com. Thanks!

Jessie Babcock
MHC Class of 2003

Countdown to Reunion: Catching Up with Amanda Englund

Amanda Englund, Portland, Oregon

• What are you most proud about accomplishing since graduation?
Starting two small businesses and becoming a mother.

• What's your favorite MHC memory?
Sprawling out in the library during finals, sharing the crack-out sensations with my friends.

• What do you miss most about MHC/the Valley?
The green farm land, having access to 5 colleges worth of information and a free bus system.

• What are you looking forward to at reunion?
Showing off my beautiful son! And reconnecting with friends I haven't seen in so long!

• Coolest thing I've done: Traveled in Japan and Costa Rica, learned to prepare placenta medicine for mamas, became the editor for an awesome feminist parenting magazine and got married to my first and long lost love. My husband and I started a commercial kombucha brewery and are about to take over the Pacific Northwest! Oh! And I sang in a Reggae band for a little while too...

Let '06 alumnae know what you're up to! Email amy.cavanaugh@gmail.com with updates. See you in South Hadley!

Extending Deadline for Nominations

Good news! We're extending the deadline to submit nominations for the 2011-2016 Class Board Term until April 15th. Please send your nominations to mhc2006nominations@gmail.com.

Your Class of 2006 Nominating Committee,
Annie Brinkmann, Allison Doran, Blythe Keller & Paige Ryland

Sign up for reunion!

It's finally that time — sign up for reunion! Fill out this form and get it in by April 15. Just 46 days to go!

2011 Class Board Elections

The Nominating Committee is currently accepting nominations for the following positions to be filled during the next class election. Elections for class officers will take place during reunion weekend, May 20-22, at the class meeting.

The positions to be filled are:

President
Vice President
Reunion Chair
Secretary
Scribe
Treasurer
Head Class Agent
Web Coordinator
Nominating Committee

All positions are co-chair optional. Nominated candidates need not be present at reunion to be elected.

For more information on each position, please see
http://alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/volunteers/res/classres/coh2009.pdf (pages 11-20).

Submit your nomination(s) to mhc2006nominations@gmail.com no later than April 5. In your email, please include the name of the person to be nominated, the position the person is nominated for, and the person's contact information.

Sincerely,
Your Nominating Committee
Annie Brinkmann, Allison Doran, Blythe Keller & Paige Ryland

Reunion Survey

We need your help creating signs for Laurel Parade and planning other reunion events! Take this quick survey to help us learn what you've been up to since we graduated and which M&Cs you wish you could still eat nightly. We'll use the answers to make signs to carry in the parade.

Preliminary Reunion Schedule

Friday, May 20

9 a.m.–9 p.m.

Reunion Registration

Mary E. Woolley Hall, New York room, second floor

11:30–12:30 p.m.

State of the College address by President Lynn Pasquerella ’80

Art Building, Gamble Auditorium

1–4 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)

Tour of Joanne V. Creighton and Safford Halls

Meet at Safford; tour will proceed to Creighton.

6:30 - 10 p.m.

Taste of the Valley

Greet your classmates and enjoy great food and drinks you used to love while in the Valley.

$5 suggested for food & drinks, no pre-registration required.

Class Headquarters - TBD

Saturday, May 21

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Parade breakfast

Complimentary breakfast goodies and drinks, no pre-registration required.

Class Headquarters - TBD

8 a.m.–noon

Reunion Registration

Mary E. Woolley Hall, New York room, second floor

(Exception: classes of 1936 and 1941 will register at the Willits-Hallowell Center)

9 a.m. (line-up starts at 8:45 a.m.)

Alumnae Parade and Laurel Chain Ceremony (rain or shine)

Abbey/Buckland Circle

10:15–11:30 a.m.

139th Alumnae Association Annual Meeting

Richard Glenn Gettell Amphitheater

(Rain Location: Mary E. Woolley Hall, Chapin auditorium)

11:30 a.m.

Old-fashioned Community Cookout

For alumnae, seniors, families and guests; pre-paid registration required, except for graduating seniors

Skinner Green tent

2-4 p.m. (TBD)

Class Photo

Skinner Hall steps

4:30 p.m.

Class Meeting

Class Headquarters - tbd

6:00 p.m.

Class Dinner (with 2009)

Pre-registration required

Blanchard Great Room

7:30 - 9 p.m.

The Devil Made Us Do It

A big screen viewing of Junior Show, M&Cs and drinks

Class Headquarters

10:00 p.m.– midnight

2011, 2009 & 2006 Party

Blanchard Great Room

Letter from the Class President

Hey ‘06,

Mark your calendars and start making plans! Our 5th Year Mount Holyoke Reunion will take place during Commencement Weekend, May 20-22, 2011. Come back to campus to reunite with friends and classmates, see what’s changed since your last visit and welcome a new generation of MHC alumnae.

To make reunion a fun and memorable weekend, we need your input. While your class officers and class volunteers will be working hard in the coming months to make the 5th Year Reunion possible, we are always looking for new people to lend a hand and offer fresh ideas! If you are interested in volunteering before or during reunion or just have ideas that you would like to share, please email us at mtholyoke2006@gmail.com.

During Reunion Weekend, we will be holding a class meeting to vote on a new slate of class officers. We will be looking for a president, two reunion chairs, a treasurer, two class scribes and two class agents. If you would like to nominate a classmate (or yourself), please send an email to mhc2006nominations@gmail.com with ‘Nomination’ in the subject line. Our class Nominating Committee will be compiling the names you provide and hosting an election. The committee will also accept nominations from the floor during the class meeting.

In honor of our reunion, our Head Class Agents, Sulaiha Schwartz and Liz Mullin, will be reaching out to you over the coming months regarding our 5th Year Reunion Gift. With your gift, we can help ensure that current and future students will have the same amazing collegiate experiences we enjoyed. Our class has set a goal of raising $7,500 with 25% class participation for this gift, which will provide a one-year named scholarship to a talented student. If we reach this ambitious goal, a student with demonstrated financial need will be named ‘The Class of 2006 Annual Fund Scholar’ and will be in touch with our class regarding her Mount Holyoke experience. With your donation, we can help ensure that current and future students will have the same amazing college experiences we enjoyed. To participate in the class gift and help provide a better opportunity for a student, please visit https://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/develop/giving/givenow.shtml.

The Alumnae Association advises that reunions normally cost about $350 for the entire weekend or $250 for Saturday only. We recognize that times are tough right now and will do our part to make this weekend as affordable as possible. To help you plan for the cost of reunion, the Alumnae Association offers a flexible prepayment plan. There is no fee for this service and the money is refundable if you have to cancel your plans to attend reunion. For more information or to apply, please visit the Alumnae Association’s website.

For the most up-to-date information on reunion, please visit www.alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/go/reunion.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Best,

Tiffany M. Dembowski
Class President

Reunion Travel

Not quite sure how to get to South Hadley from where you're based? MHC has rounded up travel links, so whether you're flying into Bradley International Airport or taking the bus from New York, there's helpful advice.

Mount Holyoke College is located at 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075.

By Air

• Bradley International Airport (airport code BDL) is located 31 miles south of campus on I-91 in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Airlines serving Bradley include America West, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways, and a number of regional carriers.

• Boston's Logan International Airport (airport code BOS) is situated 95 miles to the east, a straight drive down the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90).

Several companies provide transportation service to and from campus with advance reservations:

• Valley Transporter 800-872-8752
• Michael's Limousine Service 800-533-8470
• Seemo Shuttle 800-908-2829
• Bluebird Airport Transportation 413-221-4512
• AirportLimo.com 877-278-5466

By Car

From the south (including Bradley Airport):

• Travel north on Interstate 91 to Route 202 (Exit 16, Holyoke/ South Hadley).
• Head north on 202 through Holyoke across the Connecticut River, and around the rotary to the exit marked South Hadley Center-Amherst, Route 116 north.
• The College is approximately 2.5 miles from the exit.

From the north:

• Travel south on Interstate 91, take Exit 16, and follow the directions above.

From the Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90, east or west:

• Take Exit 5 (Holyoke/Chicopee) and bear to the right.
• At the end of the ramp, turn left on Route 33 for five miles to Route 116.
• Turn right onto 116 and drive approximately 1.5 miles north to the College.


By Train

The Amtrak rail station nearest to South Hadley is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Call 800-872-7245 for ticket prices and schedules.
By Bus

Peter Pan Bus Lines offers service from Boston and New York City to South Hadley, with transfers in Springfield. Call 800-237-8747 for ticket prices and schedules.

Welcome!

Reunion is just three months away! The dates are May 20-22, so start thinking about coming back to campus. Check back here frequently for updates, but you can start preparing by checking out the schedule or pre-paying online. We'll use this space for reunion news and planning, but also general class news.

Be sure to follow the Class of 2006 on Twitter and check in on the reunion Facebook page.

See you in South Hadley soon!