UMass Magazine Online

Winter 2005

Departments

Alumni connections

Features

A Fruitful Partnership

A New Kind of Farm a New Breed of Farmer

Dear One Absent This Long While

Alumni connections

A Doorway to the World
Being involved in the life of her alma mater gives one alumna reason to reflect

–Mary Beth Mitchell Splaine ’55




	Mary Beth Mitchell Splaine ’55 (photo by Fifi Greenberg)

THERE IS A DEFINITE SENSE of community and service surrounding UMass Amherst students and alumni. I am confident that if we tallied our combined contributions to social causes, community welfare, and volunteer services we would be impressed by the impact the values we received on campus have had in the world. These values have inspired me to stay involved in the life of our campus. I am excited to volunteer my time and talent to help the Alumni Association organize the Class of 1955 50th Reunion in June.

When I returned to UMass Amherst to sharpen my French skills in a winter session class in 1999, I was astounded by the growth of the campus. The most obvious positive change I experienced was the increase in diversity of both students and faculty. During that month I broadened my knowledge of the world as well as my language ability. I was also heartened by the addition of Commonwealth College and its service to our academically talented students.

As alumni, we need to increase our efforts to make sure that the opportunities we had on campus are available to current and prospective students. I encourage you to get involved in the life of UMass Amherst, as I have. Joining your local alumni club, becoming an Admissions volunteer, advocating on behalf of the campus and attending UMass Amherst events are just a few ways you can be involved.

I encourage the Class of 1955 to get involved in the 50th Reunion Planning Committee to make our return to campus in June a meaningful experience. We have stories to tell, pictures to share, laughs to have and plans to make.

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A Doorway to the World

States of Celebration

Measuring Success on Richter's Scale

Measuring Success on Richter's Scale: larger image

From the Playing Field to the Classroom

From the Playing Field to the Classroom: larger image