June Alumni Perspectives: Shay Totten '91

What a month! 

It began with a well-attended and energizing all-class alumni gathering in Los Angeles and ended with Bennington’s 90th Commencement!

On May 5, more than 75 alumni attended a networking event at the iconic Mack Sennett Studios hosted by Bryn Mooser ’01, a Bennington College trustee. Then, three days later, alumni gathered in Portland, Oregon. Following that, we had a small, invite-only Gen X gathering in New York City and an all-class gathering outside of Washington, DC. And then…Commencement and 200+ newly minted alumni!

Since last September, we’ve brought alumni together in North Bennington; Seattle; Chicago; San Francisco; Washington, DC (twice!); Portland, OR; and New York City. 

And, lucky me, I got to be there for almost all of these get-togethers. Sure, it’s my job, but getting to hang out with my fellow alumni is the best kind of perk. It keeps me energized and on my toes.

As I’ve mentioned, one of my goals in this first year as Director of Alumni Engagement is to relaunch an official Alumni Association. With alumni help, I hope we can roll this out at Reunion. I’ve had such incredible support and guidance from fellow alumni so far that I know we can build something sustainable and reflective of our unique way of moving through this world.

If you’d like to be part of that conversation and/or volunteer to lead a chapter in your community, email me! My plan is to host a few Zoom meetings over the summer and an on-campus session during Reunion and start planning out key events for 2026.

One thing is clear: Alumni want to connect with each other and with the College, especially its students. Wherever our journey has taken us since graduation, we share an experience and a language that transcends the decades. I know  that my own feelings about the College’s actions and my own actions as a student have been, shall we say, complicated. I’ve learned over time to give that younger me some grace and forgiveness. Perhaps you have, too? 

More importantly, today’s Bennington students and recent grads want to be part of our community. So reach out to me if you want to speak to a class, meet with students, offer Field Work Term jobs and internships, or interview prospective students. I’m happy to help make it happen. 

I hope you had a chance to watch the 90th Conferring of Degrees on May 31. Such an impressive group of new alumni. I look forward to welcoming them at upcoming alumni gatherings.

In the meantime, please share any life or career updates (or plug a project) in the Class Notes section of Bennington Magazine. Here’s the link to submit your update.

If you’re feeling left out, there is still an opportunity to spend time together before Reunion. There is a summer picnic happening on Saturday, July 26, from 4:00–7:00 pm at the home of the Hendricks Churchill family (’91, ’25, ’28) in Sharon, Connecticut. It’s rain or shine. RSVP here. 

Reunion! 

If you would like to be part of a group of alumni volunteers who are stepping up to think about ways to ensure this fall’s All-Class Reunion is a success, please fill out this form. I’ll be convening a couple of meetings this summer.

I’m looking for folks who are interested in:

• Talking with students and/or parents as part of a panel about your particular career path post-Bennington. 
• Mentoring or providing career advice in a 1:1 setting.
• Offering a workshop or talk.
• Curating a storytelling event.
• Getting your alumni friends to join you in attending the reunion.

The official Reunion registration process will open soon, but I would recommend reserving a place to stay now, as fall is a busy time in Vermont. 

A couple of places have set aside rooms for us: You can book a room at Hotel Vervana (formerly the Paradise Inn). Just let them know you’re part of the Bennington College Reunion group to get a discounted rate. You can also call Knotty Pine and mention “Alumni Reunion" when booking the room. 

We are working to reserve blocks of rooms at additional area hotels and will add them to this list as we secure spots. Here is a handy list of additional places to stay, if you don’t want to wait. 

Onward,

Shay Totten '91
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement