Reunion 2006: Together again
More than 1,000 alumni and friends returned to Clark for Reunion 2006/Alumni Weekend, held May 19-22. This year's weekend of special events and activities on campus included the commemoration of two historic groups of alumnithe first class of women to graduate from Clark's undergraduate college and the first class to graduate from the evening college, now Clark's College of Professional and Continuing Education.
The women of the Class of 1946 celebrated their 60-year reunion with a special reception at Harrington House. Women from the Class of 1946 who attended Reunion included: Barbara Andersen, Clare Cassidy Condon, Ann McKenny Early, Phyllis Freeman Gustafson and Estelle Huff Kay.
John Kilcoyne '56 and Paul Rossman '56 were among the first graduates of Clark's evening college. They received special recognition at Friday night's New England Clambake.
The following are just a few of the other highlights from another great Reunion celebration.
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A large crowd of alumni and friends gathered for the President's Reception Friday evening, followed by the New England Clambake. And what would a Clark Reunion be without a challenge from the weather? A week of torrential rain caused the reception and clambake to be moved to the Dolan Field House, which was quickly filled with the festive atmosphere of alumni returning to their alma mater. |
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On Saturday morning, alumni and friends heard "What's new at Clark?" from President and Mrs. Bassett and learned about the recent activities of the Alumni Association. |
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Alumni and friends enjoyed an enhanced schedule of "Back to the Classroom" sessions taught by Clark's talented faculty and staff. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including computer technology, physical fitness, creative writing, wines and wine tasting, and a sociology book discussion. |
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The Spree Day Family Picnic brought back memories of Spree Days gone by. Children enjoyed free face painting, balloons and a juggling performance. |
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The weekend included special tours of the new Cathy '83 and Marc '81 Lasry Center for Bioscience, the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Clark's revitalization initiatives in the Main South neighborhood. |
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Alumni and friends also enjoyed traditional Reunion favorites: special reunions with student organizations, the Alumni Class Banquets, a live jazz concert and Dancing Under the Stars. |
The weekend closed with the Class of 1956 and the 50-Year Association leading this year's graduates in the commencement procession on Sunday afternoon. Alumni participation in this new Clark tradition continues to grow, so don't miss your chance to lead the procession next year at Reunion 2007!
View and buy photos of Reunion 2006-Alumni Weekend online at www.clarku.edu/reunion.
2006 Alumni Association Awards
Each year, the Alumni Association presents the following awards during Reunion weekend to recognize alumni and students for their dedication and service to the University.
Distinguished Service Award The late Patti Love '81 was named the recipient of this years' Distinguished Service Award, the Alumni Association's highest honor. Love, who died in April 2005 of an extremely rare form of cancer, served as a model for alumni support and involvement. She was an active member of Clark's Alumni Association and an ardent supporter of Clark from her first day as an alumna in 1981. Over the 25 years since her graduation, Love served as a remarkable ambassador for Clark and became known for her unyielding commitment to the University and the Alumni Association. In presenting the award, President Bassett reported that the Patti Love Endowed Scholarship Fund, established by her family and friends, now stands at more than $70,000 in gifts and pledges. Love's parents, Bob and Heggy Love, and her brother, Bill Love, attended the award presentation. Her first cousin, Catherine Catalucci Ageloff '82, accepted the award on Love's behalf.
Distinguished Young Alumnus/a Award This award recognizes alumni for extraordinary achievements in their community and profession. This year's recipients, the alumni of the Custom Made Theater Company, exemplify the Clark ideals of challenging convention and changing our world for the better. The Custom Made Theater Company was founded in 1996 by Leah Abrams '96 and Brian Katz '94. Their first production was in Worcester, but the company soon moved to Boston and is now based in San Francisco, where David Ampola '93 joined the company. Custom Made stages at least two full productions a year, with a dedication to sociopolitical theater. Custom Made is now poised to grow as both a producing organization and as a cultivator of talented young actors, directors and writers. Abrams and Katz attended Reunion 2006 and accepted the award.
Alumni Rookie of the Year, for a senior(s) who has performed exemplary service in Alumni Affairs programming: Shawn Goodspeed '06.
Rose M. Sachs Award, for a senior woman who best exemplifies "the spirit of Clark University" through her accomplishments and activities: Rebecca Dezan '06. This award was established by Jacob "Yank" Sachs '26 in memory of his wife Rose.
Alumna, Worcester teacher named Outstanding Secondary Educator
Lisa Dyer '92, M.A.Ed. '98 received this year's Outstanding Secondary Educator Award from the Clark Alumni Association. The award recognizes secondary-school teachers for the critical role they play in preparing students for higher education. The award was presented at Honors Convocation ceremonies, held just prior to commencement exercises on May 21.
Dyer currently serves as a district literacy coach for the Worcester Public Schools, a position created as a result of the high-school reform effort through the Carnegie and Small Learning Communities Grant in partnership with the Jacob Hiatt Center at Clark. She taught at Worcester's North High School as an English and language arts teacher from 1995 to 2001 and also served as an MCAS specialist. She was voted "Teacher of the Year" by her colleagues at North High in 1998. In addition to her degrees from Clark, Dyer holds secondary principal certification and is currently pursuing a master's degree in educational leadership at Worcester State College.
Dyer's former student Cesar Vega '06 nominated her for the award.
"The zeal with which she sought to educate students with my background exemplifies the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world,'" says Vega. "Unlike other teachers, she never looked at my [weak] academic record as an indicator of future academic performance. She believed at-risk students like me had the potential to succeed at any academic level."
"School counselors, teachers and administrators often overlooked students with my record and reputation, and offered little guidance for improvement," Vega adds. "Mrs. Dyer challenged me to regain my confidence and get back on track. Her positive feedback and words of encouragement inside the classroom inspired me to overcome many obstacles in life and pursue higher education."
Vega, a government major, described his bachelor's degree as "truly a reflection of her teaching abilities."
On receiving word of the honor, Dyer said, "Nothing can define success more to a teacher than recognition of outstanding work by a former student. For me, the circumstances that surround this honor are poignant, inspirational and offer us all a "teachable moment.'"
This is the 22nd year that Clark's Alumni Association has presented the Outstanding Secondary Educator Award. Clark seniors nominate their high-school teachers for the award and then discuss the nominees with a committee of Alumni Association members.
Reunion Giving Challenge 2006
Each year, Reunion classes participate in a friendly competition to see who can achieve the highest class-giving participation and who can raise the largest class gift by Reunion weekend.
This year, the Class of 1976 raised the largest class gift, with $102,282. Accepting the award on behalf of her class was Reunion Gift Committee Chair Jane Miner '76.
The Class of 1956 had the highest class participation, with 43 percent. Accepting the award on behalf of their class were alumni from the Reunion Committee, Shirley Kane '56, Gary MacConnell '56 and Marc Smith '56.
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Clarknews Summer 2006
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