Remembering Carolyn (Crossett) Rowland ’37
A life trustee of the College, Carolyn (Crossett) Rowland—Crossie to her Bennington friends—died this week at the age of 96. She was a trusted advisor, dedicated philanthropist, and most extraordinary woman.
A member of the College's second graduating class, she studied photography at Bennington and went on to study with Ansel Adams, traveling extensively as a photographer herself. She joined Bennington’s board in 1995 and was a devoted supporter of Crossett Library, which was named for her father. In addition to Bennington’s, she served on the boards of the University of Massachusetts, the Shipley School, the Osterville Free Library, the Boston Metropolitan Chapter of the American Red Cross, Boston Children's Services, Massachusetts Bay United Way, and others. Crossie was an overseer of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She was one of the first women vestry members at Trinity Church in Boston and served on the boards of directors for the Crossett Lumber Company, the Crossett Chemical Company, Public Utilities of Crossett, Fordyce Lumber Company, and Crossett Timber and Development. Crossie was an avid sailor and skippered Wianno Seniors sailboats since the 1930s.
We at Bennington will miss her indomitable spirit, intrepid nature, sly humor, and most especially her grace. Our love goes out to her entire family and all of her dear friends and colleagues.