Dear Class of 2002,
Again, I am sending you a wall of text (your Class Board has been busy). TLDR in bold.
The weekend of November 1-3, I spent time with MHC alums from the classes of 1957 to 2026, as well as representatives from MHC, including President Holley, at the European Alum Symposium. The entire weekend was inspiring and fortifying, and reminded me that being an MHC alum has all kinds of value. The results of the US election reinforced my positive feelings about being part of this global network and about the role we can play in our communities. At the College, and for Class of 2002, there are big changes in the works and I am asking you to be engaged.
The Alum Association (AA) is changing and we need you to vote at an online class meeting in January. Our class is currently a subordinate organization under the AA and our treasury is held and managed separately by the Class Board. Under the proposed changes, the AA will encompass all classes in a single treasury. This will affect some of the ways that the Class Board operates, but will not affect the oversight of our class funds (our Class Board will still decide how funds are spent).
2002 Class Board is recommending that our class approve this change and will sign the Collaboration Agreement (roles, responsibilities, and function of the Class and the AA going forward). The entire Class of 2002 will vote on the Merger Agreement and the Class Charter (replaces our Class Bylaws). Please be on the lookout (mark emails from the College and AA as not spam) for an email from the Alum Association with the time/date of our class meeting, and plan to attend so we can achieve a quorum for the vote. The AA will share information and take questions prior to the vote.
From our side, the Class of 2002 is forging a new opportunity to support current students. I’m guessing you remember what it was like to be at MHC when the Twin Towers were hit on 9/11/2001. We were very young and about to graduate into a world that had just changed in ways we couldn't forsee. MHC students right now are also unsure what their country and world will offer them when they graduate in a couple of years, but we can help them to prepare. The Class of 2002 is building a connection with the Class of 2027 and expanding the Connections Classes program.
The Connections Classes program was established by the Class of 1961 in 2011 to connect Alum classes preparing for their 50th reunion with the class that will graduate that same year. 50th reunion classes hold campus events and offer support and encouragement. During the 50th reunion weekend—commencement weekend—seniors are welcomed into the worldwide community of MHC alums and receive class color scarves from the 50th reunion class.
We have already initiated a relationship with the 2027 Class Board, currently sophomores. Throughout ’27’s time on campus, we want to help them focus on career readiness, a major focus of MHC Forward, President Holley’s new Strategic Plan, and share the experience we have gained at this point in our own lives and careers. My hope is that our connection with ’27 will be valuable to them as they consider plans post graduation, but also to us as a way to give back and support students as they become young alums.
As their “25th Connections Class,” we will offer Class of 2027 virtual, informational interviews; a series of panels featuring members of our class discussing topics such as working in healthcare or applying to grad school; and a networking event during their graduation / our reunion weekend in May of 2027, in cooperation with Class of 1977.
You can make this connection successful. Here’s how:
Virtual informational interviews via The Gates (If you haven’t yet, join The Gates!)
January 23–25, 2025 is Sophomore Institute for Class of 2027, run by the Career Development Center. Members of 2027 will explore their career goals, their values, and prepare to navigate their futures. And they will connect with alums in the fields they are interested in. You can sign up for 20-30 minute, pre-selected, one-on-one informational interviews on Saturday, January 25, 2025, between 2–3:30pm ET. Students want to talk to alums like us. »Fill out this form by November 30 if you are able to help.
Connections beyond the Sophomore Institute
3. Share your ideas
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Last week made me tired in ways I’m sure many of you can understand. This week I’m looking for ways to build momentum again. I hope you also see engagement with MHC students and alums as a way to reconnect, rebuild, and stay strong.
All my best,
Ramona Marks
Class President 2002
P.S.: How can we best keep in touch with you? If you haven’t yet, we’d like every class member to fill out this form. And please join us online on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
P.P.S. Seen any classmates lately or have other news to share? Please send updates to our Scribes, Jennifer Garrow and Maggie Lichter Grady, at scribe02@mtholyoke.edu.
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