Last week we held our annual reunion weekend, always an enjoyable weekend at the College. Alums who graduated a few years ago join with those who graduated over 60 years ago to share stories and experiences. A wide variety of events were available throughout the weekend and a good time was had by all.
Among my favorite events of the year is the luncheon for those celebrating their 50th reunion. I hear about the College from the past and each year I am reminded that in some ways we are very different but in other important respects we have not changed.
In 1959, the College was a Catholic institution for women. The Sisters ran a tight ship with many rules, although I learned that the students found many ways to circumvent the curfews and other rules. At the time they thought they were fooling the Sisters but now they realize that their antics were probably well known. There were 89 members of the class of 1959, some of whom lived on campus while others were “day-hoppers.” There were only a few buildings on a campus that was then in rural Pittsford. The 1959 class members remembered that tuition was about $500 a year.
Today, we are no longer a Catholic institution, and we are co-ed. The many campus buildings are spread over 150 acres of land, and Pittsford is not quite as rural. The entering class is much larger with 465 freshmen and 160 new transfers, and the total enrollment of undergraduates and graduates is over 3000 students. The class of 1959 would be surprised by the relatively few restrictions and rules. And, tuition is slightly higher than $500 a year!
But in so many important aspects, the College has not changed. The 1959 class members spoke fondly of their teachers and the sense of community that existed on campus. Today, students repeatedly tell me that the two things they like best about Naz is the sense of community and the faculty’s commitment to student success.
The fifty year reunion alums also noted the strength of a liberal arts curriculum that was connected to preparation for professional programs, like teaching, nursing, and social work. Today, while the number of programs and majors has expanded, one of the hallmarks of the Nazareth education continues to be the integration of liberal arts and professional education -- an education that prepares students for making a life as well as making a living.
So too, the class of 1959 understood the importance of serving the wider community. And, today,Nazareth remains proud of all the different ways it is making a difference in the region and beyond.
As I sat at the 50 year reunion luncheon I was reminded that sometimes the more things change, the more they remain the same!
What I remember about my 50th reunion (a couple of years ago) was the warmth of the people from the college who welcomed us. From the luncheon, to the day after the closing Mass, everybody on the staff was friendly and fun!
We asked for help in getting something going to make a class gift to Nazareth. So, people from the Develpment Office and the VP, Kelly Gagan gathered 9 members from the class of 1957 together at the old Mother House. We had an hour meeting talking about starting an endowed scholarship fund. Happily, the class members were enthused about this and in a little over a year, the $25,000 fund was complete.
I suggest that each 50th reunion class do something similar. The bigger the class, the easier it will be to complete the project (depending on what it is!).
I love being back on that beautiful campus, but I have to admit that with the expanse of the acreage and buildings, I'm glad I went to Nazareth when it was "little". True, the same overflowing goodness is there, but our class was so close because of the intimacy that exists in a "tiny" school.
Needless to say, I'm very proud of Nazareth for what it was and what it's become and I'll continue to support it in any way possible.
Posted by: Marie "Mimi" Baglio | June 27, 2009 at 09:04 AM