FAVORITE MEMORIES OF WILLIAMS

Lane Faison, who once took me into the college museum and showed me how to “really look” at paintings by facing away and looking up at the paintings between my legs. True story.
Ken Roberts and the Choral Society on tour, performing Alexander Nevsky at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
The regular late-night gatherings with Ita Roberts of assorted friends stopping by our room in Lehman East after the Library closed at 11 p.m.
Dennett stairwell parties.
So many good and lifelong friends.

WILLIAMS CLUBS / ACTIVITIES

Choral Society and Choir
Junior Advisor (as a senior) to the incoming first four-year coed class

CURRENT INTERESTS, PASSIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS

History, especially American; family history; Civil War
Travel and hiking
Pownal Historical Society, board member Hoosic River Watershed Association, board member
Pownal Public Library, former board member and chair
Williams Class of ‘72, VP and coordinator of getting the women in the class to return to campus for our 50th reunion

LIFE SINCE GRADUATION

Shortly after our 25th Williams reunion, I became director of Alumni Relations at Williams and secretary of the Society of Alumni. In those dual roles I had the privilege of working with alumni across classes young and old, encouraging engagement with the college and making lifelong friends. I viewed my role as making Williams accessible to all, creating comfortable and meaningful “portals” through which alumni could connect and reconnect, with the college and with friends old and new. That first decade of the 21st century, pre-2008, was also a time of prosperity and growth for the college, a vibrant environment in which to work. Of particular satisfaction during those years was working with the executive committee of the Society of Alumni. It was an honor to serve the college I love; the friendships I made and the work that we accomplished together for Williams is one of the great joys of my life.

During my working years I also found opportunities to travel, and to hike. With dear friend Jackie Oliveri ‘73 I have traveled much of the world, hiking our way through the mountains of the US and Europe. After retirement, those trips have become longer and include explorations of Eastern Europe and Central and South America, including Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands, and exploring regional histories and hiking. Another special trip was hiking across northern England on the Wainwright Trail (over three years) with friends John and Nancy LaPann.

Peter ‘74 and I have now lived in Pownal, Vt., for more than 40 years. We raised our children, Sam and Matt, here, and have been active participants in community life. I’ve been able to combine my love of history with that of Pownal, and even with Williams. I find the personal aspects of history most intriguing, and have served on the board of our local historical society for over 25 years. In 2010, Pownal celebrated its 250th anniversary; I co-authored an “Images of America” historical photo book of Pownal and participated in the creation of a State Historic District on our street in Pownal Center. After retirement, I chaired our library board and had the great satisfaction of overseeing a large addition to our library, which has become a true community space.

Keeping connected to Williamstown, I also serve on the board of the Hoosic River Watershed Association. And I’ve even been able to continue to serve Williams for several years as director of its Oral History Project. Gathering the personal histories and unique Williams stories of professors, administrators, and alumni was an unexpected privilege and combined my loves of history with the college.

The anchor and the center of my life is family: husband, Peter; our sons, Sam and Matt; Matt’s wife, Jennifer Burry; and our beloved grandchildren, William and Sophie. Until recently it also included my parents, Wayne (Wilk) (Williams ‘41) and Sookie, who retired to Williamstown more than 35 years ago. So much shared experience, so much love and support. So many good and happy memories. Life’s great blessing.