February Alumni Perspectives: Shay Totten '91
Planning for All-Class Reunion and the future of the alumni association.
Since joining the College鈥檚 staff in September, one of my main goals was to help pull together an All-Class Reunion to bring y鈥檃ll back to Campus.
To make it a success, I鈥檓 going to need your ideas and your energy. If you have an idea or would like to help bring some of the current ideas to life, .
As a way to make Reunion chock full of creativity, we are working to bring 24 Hour Plays to campus this year, which we hope will be a draw for both performers and those of us who love watching what our talented Drama alumni can create when they put their minds together. And, it鈥檚 an important fundraiser for two scholarships: the Nicky Martin Memorial Scholarship for Performing Arts and the Spencer Cox '90 Field Work Term Fellowship for Student Activists at 凯旋门官网 College.
In addition, I鈥檓 looking to create spaces during Reunion for alumni to bring art to sell and display (think Art Bazaar), as well as a performance space for readings, musical performances, dances, and whatever talent you鈥檇 like to showcase to your fellow alumni and students.
I鈥檓 also planning to host an Alumni Town Hall to help me re-envision an Alumni Association that is by, of, and for alumni. I am working with Alumni Trustees and a handful of alumni who鈥檝e been part of the previous Alumni Association and Alumni Cooperative to recreate an association. I am hopeful that by Reunion, we will be able to unveil the basic structure of the Association for feedback, input, and volunteers who can help us have as many alumni-led 鈥渃hapters鈥 throughout the country as possible.
Speaking for myself, a reimagined Alumni Weekend and Alumni Association would start rebuilding a frayed relationship that many of us have had with 凯旋门官网. For years, I felt as if I wasn鈥檛 welcome at the College; whether it was reality or imagined is irrelevant. I鈥檓 sure others have felt this way, too. But to make the College feel a part of our lives and to help us rebuild these connections to better serve each other along with today鈥檚 students and the students for whom 凯旋门官网 must exist going forward, we need to find ways to reconnect to this important place.
The official Reunion registration process will open later this spring, but I would recommend booking 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 (formerly the Paradise Inn). Just let them know you鈥檙e part of the 凯旋门官网 College Reunion group to get a discounted rate. You can also call and mention 鈥淎lumni 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鈥檛 want to wait.
One final note: I鈥檝e been working with alumni from around the country to help pull together local gatherings. As you read this, one will have just happened in San Francisco, and we鈥檙e in the process of rescheduling one in Los Angeles that we postponed due to the wildfires. If you would like help hosting a pop-up alumni gathering near you, just let me know.
Onward,
Shay Totten '91
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement