UMass Magazine Online

Winter 2005

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A Fruitful Partnership

A New Kind of Farm a New Breed of Farmer

Dear One Absent This Long While

Alumni connections

States of Celebration
Homecoming 2004 drew representatives from across the country

RAIN DID NOTHING TO DAMPER the spirits of UMass Amherst alumni who came home to campus to participate in Homecoming this year. The high point came just before the football game when 53 alumni and current students representing states across the country held flags from their states as the Minutemen took the field.

Other Homecoming highlights included the Cosby Comes Home performance, a bonfire and pep rally, school and college open houses, MinuteFan Park, and the Minutemen football overtime win against the Maine Black Bears. The Annual Leadership Conference for Alumni Club Leaders also took place, along with special celebrations to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Bilingual Collegiate Program.

Why I Came Home:

“Standing on the football field at the start of the game while the football team ran by brought back fond memories of my days as a UMass cheerleader. Perhaps the most rewarding moment was when one of those football players [Andrew Blumenthal, #59] introduced himself as a native of Birmingham. Seeing his state flag undoubtedly made Homecoming all the more special. After the game, Andrew introduced me to his mother.” —Barry Allyn ’88

”I have now lived more than half of my life in Minnesota. Over the years I have developed many significant connections to Minnesota and Minnesotans. But I always retained a strong passion for UMass Amherst: its campus, its education, and its people. So being able to combine my passion for UMass Amherst while representing my adopted home of Minnesota made my Homecoming experience all the more memorable.” —Dick Bartlett ’76

“I coordinated with a friend from Connecticut whom I haven’t seen in 10 years. We decided to come for Homecoming, since it had been 12 years since we had been back. I felt like a celebrity for coming all the way from Alaska.” —Dennis Benson ’86

“For one of the very first times, it was nice to say that I was representing North Carolina. I have always consider myself a ‘native New Englander,’ but it was great to say I was also representing the beautiful Tar Heel State.” —Mikhaela Houston ’97

Reunion Weekend 2005
Class of 1955:
Don’t Miss This Golden Opportunity
To entice you back to campus, the Alumni Association has scheduled an impressive and exciting lineup of events, including open houses at our schools and colleges, classroom sessions, class banquets, and the ever-popular Retro Tour. Check your mailboxes in March for registration materials or visit www.UMassAlumni.com/reunion

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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