Bringing Alumni Together
Thank you for the alumni stories that make connections. The autumn 2023 “Voices” story by Jean Gordon ’87 Kocienda (“The Kindness of Strangers,” p. 10) was of personal interest because I have known Jean since living on the same floor in KED freshman year. It was wonderful to learn more about both her family past and her current service to her community.
Additionally, the cover story two years ago about Kimber Clark ’87 Baldwin and her Fiber Optic Yarns business (“Color Ways,” winter 2022, p. 48) has rekindled a connection after 25 years. In her interview, Kimber mentioned having visited the store my mom owned back in the 1980s and how that (and my teaching her to knit) inspired her. I was able to find contact information for Kimber and learned that she has been visiting Maryland, only about 10 miles from where I live, for the past 15 years. We connected last year during the annual festival in Maryland. As a return visit, I took my mom to Ohio so we could visit Kimber’s store. It has been wonderful to reestablish a connection with Kimber.
And on a related interest, our class editor recently shared information regarding classmate Billy Jalbert in Maui. I did not know Billy while at Colgate, but was pleased to establish a connection that permitted me to provide support after the fires.
These stories provide opportunities to connect and support each other and are truly appreciated.
Sharon Hefter ’87 Loving
Appreciative of an Alumna
What a great article (“For the Greater Good,” summer 2023, p. 79). As a forensic psychologist, I am so appreciative of mental health professionals [like Kianna Cole ’99] who work in reentry programs and other areas that serve the severely mentally ill.
Anna Lawler ’95
Commending the Cattle Queen
So great to see Faith [Hamlin ’18] highlighted in the Colgate Magazine (“Cattle Queen,” summer 2023, p. 84). She was one of my all-time favorite students when I taught high school (am I allowed to say that?!). Wonderful to see her find her own place in the family business and then take it to the next level. Although nobody who knows her would expect any less!
Kenny Hadden ’04
Additional Remembrance
In the autumn 2023 issue, alumni remembered the day JFK was assassinated (p. 96). Here’s an additional remembrance:
The day and hour that President John F. Kennedy was shot, I was sitting in my car at the traffic light in the center of Hamilton, N.Y., heading for my room at Professor Mundt’s home off campus. It was on the radio live; I immediately turned around and drove back to the Beta house to watch it.
Charles Callahan ’64