April Alumni Perspectives: Shay Totten '91
Learn more about how to reconnect with fellow alumni in the Bay Area and in North Bennington this spring.
Hello from campus! It’s (almost) spring, which means the weather is slowly warming up despite the occasional snow flurry. We made it!
As I noted in last month’s notes to my fellow alumni, we are working to launch a new alumni association this year. The leadership group is set up and will start meeting regularly. There is talk of some virtual events, so stay tuned.
If you’re interested in helping build alumni chapters in New York City; Los Angeles; the Bay Area; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; or local to campus, email me! Our main focus this first year is to build the infrastructure necessary to launch several chapters where we have strong numbers of alumni and then build out further in the years following.
On that note, we have two alumni gatherings this month to connect us with each other and think about creating chapters. I hope you can join us for one of them.
If you’re an alum living in the Bay Area, we are gathering Sunday, April 19, at the home of John McManus ’89 and Ariele Taylor ’91. Invites were sent this week, but if you didn’t get one—or you’re visiting the area and would like to attend—you can RSVP here. I’ll be there to talk about what’s happening on campus and the new ways alumni can connect with and support current students.
If you’re an alum living within a reasonable drive of campus, we’re holding an alumni gathering at the Prospect Writer’s House in North Bennington on Tuesday, April 28, at 5:00 pm. Our hosts are V. Hansmann MFA ’11 and Amy Buckley ’83. Interim President Elissa Tenny will be there to provide updates about the College and her return to Bennington. I’ll be there to give an in-person update on how to help build a new association, engage with students, and more. You can RSVP here.
Interested in hosting an alumni gathering in your community? Email me.
As I mentioned last month, one of my many projects here is working to bring alumni into the classroom so they can meet and share knowledge with current students. We’re halfway through a term-long pilot course, Life After Bennington. The course features a different alum each week and, so far, has been a hit with both students and the alumni who’ve participated. For alumni who can attend on campus, we have dinner before class and students can join us. I’m planning the next iteration of this course for next year, so If you’d like to present in a future class, email me. We can accommodate both Zoom and in-person participation.
I’m also working with the Field Work Term office to set up a virtual networking event with graduating seniors and alumni. This is a follow-up event to the speed networking session at Reunion, which proved to be a big hit. Those who raised their hands to be mentors should be on the lookout for an email invite.
In other words, there are plenty of ways that alumni can support current students by sharing their experiences and expertise.
Finally, if you’re ever in the neighborhood, let me know, and I’d be happy to treat you to lunch in the Dining Hall and spend time with you on our beloved campus.
Onward,
Shay Totten ’91
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement