Last week, Cliff and I attended my 60-year-college class reunion at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Harrisonburg, VA is a long way from north Florida, so we took a Delta flight. The distance measured in time: a 14 to16-hour car trip, or a 4-hour flight, allowing extra time for one layover.
Laden with luggage, we navigated the complex Atlanta airport, Cliff appropriating a modified wheelchair to make a tight connection. Although I’d sent copies of My Checkered Life on ahead, there was still a LOT to chug, running from Concourse A3 to D33. Phew!
In Charlottesville, we finally arrived at the friendly car rental kiosk. Friendly and casual, “We’ll help you load up.”
Famished, we found food at Macado’s, famous for stuffed sandwiches and such.
At last, on Friday, a leisurely stroll through the EMU campus, nestled “amid the purple mountains of Virginia,” the opening lyrics to our college song. Here, the college center, our former administration building followed by the logo for the prize-winning sports’ teams, the EMU Royals. Ten years ago, I visited the campus in 2013, but that’s a different story.
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The next day, Friday, I presented a PowerPoint story about writing Mennonite Daughter: the Story of a Plain Girl to residents of VMRC, the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center. Before my talk, Arlene Leaman Kliewer (in red) surprised me by showing up. In our youth we were both members Bossler Mennonite Church near our hometown of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Here, Arlene and I catch up with a laugh as other residents begin to gather in the Strite Auditorium.
On Saturday, members of the Class of 1963 gathered at the Cline Community Center, festively decorated with the EMU colors, blue and silver. I met up with former room-mates, ate a delicious chicken & veggie dinner, and presented an homage to class member who have passed on. Three other class mates and I were able to display our books for purchase as well.
On Sunday morning, reunion attendees and others gathered in the Lehman Auditorium on campus to worship and to honor former graduates with distinguished service awards. I was dumbstruck by the presence of a gargantuan pipe organ, one of the largest in Virginia, enjoying pride of place in the right front corner of the sanctuary. Musical instruments were verboten in worship when I was a student. In fact, our class gifted the college with its very first piano, to be used exclusively for piano instruction, not to interfere with à cappella singing, so valued in Mennonite culture.
My, how times have changed!
Before leaving the campus, I snapped a photo of artist Esther Augsburger’s sculpture Guns into Plowshares from two angles. Formerly, the art piece was prominently placed In Washington, D. C., a peace monument fashioned from 3000 handguns, weaponry donated by the District’s police. Mrs. Augsburger’s son, Michael, assisted her in the logistics of creating this 20-foot-tall plowshare.
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The morning was brightened when Verna Mohler Colliver and I spied each other after the worship service. She and I were room-mates at EMC/EMU, and after graduation both secured positions teaching English at Lancaster Mennonite School in Pennsylvania and became roommates again. Another EMU graduate, Dr. Stan Godshall, snapped our photo (below), and later we reminisced some more over soup and baguettes at Panera.
Our class treasurer, Verna is currently participating in a project to honor and to educate students and other citizenry about Indigenous Peoples. She will be part of a Native American event at Lebanon Valley College (PA) in November.
On Monday, our final day amid the purple mountains, Cliff and I visited with Melodie Miller Davis and her husband Stuart over a bagel breakfast. Melodie and I have read and reviewed each other’s books, but until now, had not met face to face. I have her to thank for all of the photos taken at VMRC. An editor and author of various cookbooks and at least two memoirs, she has recently published My Unimagined Career: 43 Year Inside Mennonite Media.
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Some snafus. . . no trip is complete without them!
- I got very sick about 3 days into our excursion. Did I catch a stomach bug during the plane trip? Was my sickness a result of catching a late lunch at a not-to-be-named diner with questionable sanitation standards a day earlier?
- The audio-visual presentation I prepared to honor deceased class members did not project from the LCD camera as planned. Class members gathered around my small computer screen up front to view the tribute. Later, it occurred to me that I could transfer the presentation to YouTube where others could view at their leisure, multiple times. Even absent class members would not miss out!
If you are interested, you can click below. The video also shows plain hair styles of women graduates in the 1960s at EMC — and some men with plain suits cut in the Nehru style. Music: Ashokan Farewell
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Meeting old friends and seeing haunts from long ago was a highlight of our trip. However, nature put on a glorious show, one blue and golden day after another.
Has my recent trip sparked memories of school days, college semesters, or other milestones in your life?
If you are an EMC/EMU graduate, are your memories similar to mine? different?
Good morning, Marian! It looks like such a wonderful trip–except for the getting sick part!
Wonderful photos. You are so photogenic.
Guns into plowshares indeed, and if only.
I have never been to any school reunions.
As you know, Mennonites are a peace-loving people and left Europe centuries ago to escape persecution and live peaceably. Yes, if only . . .
Thank you, Merril! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian. 🙂
Just as beautiful and colorful as you two are.
You are kind. Thank you, Carolyn! 😀
Wonderful! So glad you were able to attend. But how awful that you were sick during the trip! I hope you’re feeling better.
Lovely photos! And what a great venue for your book!
I haven’t been to a reunion in many years. I usually hear from classmates I’ve kept up with. 😄😄😄
My sickness lasted just a short while; I felt better after 8-10 hours or so.
You connect so well with other readers on your blog, so it’s not hard for me to imagine you keeping up with classmates. Thanks for caring, L. Marie!
Such beautiful photos Marian! Those trees, the colours, you and Cliff, you with friends. Sorry about the bug. Happens at the most inopportune times.
I’m happy to see you here, Susan. The “bug” was over quickly but our memories (and the autumn beauty) are still vivid. 😀
Hi Marian – so great to see pictures of your college reunion trip. I’m sorry to hear you got sick during the week, but it looks like you still got a lot in. It’s a nice feeling to return to a college campus. I’ve only been back twice – once at 5 years and then about 10 years ago when my son was looking at schools. Did you notice a lot of changes on your campus?
Changes? Yes! The buildings seemed spiffier, and I’m sure there was new building + expansion of sports department into new fields, etc. Thanks for asking, Barbara!
I recovered quickly from the bug and didn’t really miss out on any event I wanted to attend. (Missed out on dessert at our class banquet though 🙁
Oh, dessert is hard to miss, but glad you’re feeling better and that you rebounded quickly 🙂
Yes, thanks! 😀
Marian — Oh, how I enjoyed your gorgeous photo tour! Thank you for sharing it with us.
You’re welcome, Laurie. Creating the post felt like re-living the event, that’s for sure. 😀
I attended a college class reunion once.
It was enjoyable but almost surreal, sort of like a costume party. It seemed as though many of my former classmates had white wigs on and wore extra sweaters and clothes underneath their exterior dress up clothes to look wider and rounder. I suppose I somewhat fit that category myself except the white wig!
Hmm. I guess life goes on.
Thanks for helping with all the prep before/after and then the chauffeuring in between. I could not have done it without you. . . especially schlepping the book boxes. <3
Marian, I’m so glad we got to have breakfast together, very enjoyable for us and I hope for you likewise. I was fascinated to watch your video of your classmates who’ve gone to their heavenly rewards and surprised to see how many I knew quite well: Martha Augsburger, Marlene Benner, Al Keim, Gerry Rush–but also surprised to see how many coverings and straight coats seniors were wearing at that time! I’m glad my time at EMC/U came a little later. 🙂 Coverings not required. 🙂 Martha was a “pastor’s wife” when Don served at North Goshen, and then he baptized me; Marlene was married to my colleague Dick Benner and she critiqued many of my columns before they went to press; Al Keim was my most favorite history teacher ever, he was a gem; and Gerry Rush was well known around here. Nice to reminisce, but even better, to make new memories with you and Cliff!
Yes, Melodie, meeting you and Stuart was a highlight of the trip.
Thanks for taking the time to detail your professional connection with various of my classmates. Your mentioning Marlene Keller Benner prompted another memory: She told us once that the way to avoid the gray edging around the yolk of a hard-cooked egg is to let it come to not-quite boiling and then place the pan on another surface for 20 minutes before trying to cool it. Sometimes that strategy works for me, and sometimes not. 😀
What a wonderful visit (except for the getting sick part)! The exterior of the campus is gorgeous, an ideal college setting. I’ve never attended any of my college reunions, if they were even held. At the time I attended as an adult student, Old Dominion University was primarily a commuter college. I have very fond memories of the education I received there.
Computer colleges don’t promote the camaraderie of dorm-type colleges, so it’s understandable that you wouldn’t have close connections at Old Dominion. Florida State College/Jacksonville where I taught had no student residences either and no yearbook, but students say they received a good education nevertheless. Thanks, Liz! 😀
How wonderful to meet up with former classmates and another writer! And a great opportunity to showcase and sell your books too. And what a glorious time of year as well. The photos are all amazing!
I loved all of the above: connections with friends, new and old: showcasing my books — and of course seeing fall foliage, a highlight as well. Thanks, Darlene! 😀
Hi,
Isn‘t it interesting to see your university and how it has changed? Whenever I go home, I see the changes, like things we couldn‘t do that are now okay to do.
You mentioned musical instruments not being used when you were there. Well, I have a beautiful jazz rendition of Great Is Thy Faithfulness and it is played be Brian Doerksen and The Mennonite Jazz Band. In fact it is the wake up song that I use as my alarm. It is absolutely a beautiful rendition.
Shalom shalom
Thanks for all the detail here, Pat. I perked up when I read about your waking up to the EMU Jazz band rendition of “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” I did a Google search and came up with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3grB1cDQ40&ab_channel=AndreaWenger
Not that specific hymn, unfortunately. ;-/
I’d appreciate the link so very much.
And thanks so much for chatting here again today! 😀
How great to be able to reconnect with old friends after so many years. It was terrific of you to make your presentation of your deceased classmates. Hopefully, you’re feeling much better now.
Yes, Pete, the sickness was short-lived, fortunately, but sweet memories live on.
As I mentioned, the snafu with the PowerPoint presentation ended up in a more permanent format, so a disappointment turned into a blessing, which is often how life goes. 😀
I certainly can picture you and Cliff in that setting. Sorry we could not meet up the way we did ten years ago. We were at the Goshen College homecoming the week before the EMU homecoming so decided not to travel two weekends in a row. We also did not have reunions this year. I love the way reunions follow the life cycle. That was so dramatic when I visited the 5,10,15,20,25, etc. reunions. And then the 50+ years.
Both of us have reached the Jubilee Years when we show up for EMC/EMU celebrations. I’m glad you and Stuart have enjoyed fall weather in more than one setting this year. How blessed we are, Shirley! 😀
Thanks for sharing your reunion and trip pictures, Marian. I moved several times while in school and could never experience the joy of reuniting with my former classmates.
I’m sorry to hear this, Josephine. 🙁
But it occurs to me that such lack has not affected your ability to create realistic, fictional characters.
Thanks for tuning in with a comment today. 😀
I loved everything you shared here (except hearing you got sick).
I get together with a small group of college friends every other year or so. This year my friend who lives in New York planned a gathering for us near the Finger Lakes. This year seven of us came from five different states, and the glow from being with old friends in a landscape new to me (and quite beautiful) continues long after the week long gathering.
On another note, your sharing of the bereavements touches me in another way, because my sister died at EMU (than EMC) in her senior year. This year I had a week without grandson and daughter around to catalog and pack up my sister’s journals and letters and art to send to the archives at EMU. It was an emotional week. I miss my sister so much.
Thank you for sharing from your heart, Dolores. I know you miss your sister. My brother passed away in 2018, and I understand to some extent how hard the death of a sibling can be. May you feel God’s comfort. You have done a kind and honorable thing, packing up your sister’s journals, letters, and art for posterity. I wonder if you kept any of your sister’s art works as a memento for yourself.
Also, I’m glad you could meet with college friends at the Finger Lakes. One of my blog friends lives in the area and often posts scenes on her blog or Facebook pages. I smiled when I read your description of the week together with friends as “glow,” for so it is!
As you know, Marian, there is no place lovelier than the Mid-Atlantic states in October and your photos attest to that. I hope your classmates bought some books. Both your memoirs are treasures. I had to laugh when I saw all the suitcases for an extended weekend. I pack carry-on for the most part anymore although they sometimes check it anyway due to a shortage of overhead bin space which is annoying. Lol.
Thanks for dropping in, Susan. As a wise editor/author friend, I value your opinion of my work and appreciate your expressing it here.
About the books: Yes, we brought copies of both books, and I sold some at the retirement center event and also to my classmates, including a roommate. In retrospect, I could have had brought fewer, but you never know. On the plane, we got priority boarding, needing more time to board. Anyway, it all worked out. 😀
Sounds like a wonderful trip except for the getting sick part! What a great idea, Marian to honour classmates who have passed away! Recently I’ve been reading letters my husband Hardy and I wrote to each other over a two year period while he was in Congo and I was in Canada attending Canadian Mennonite Bible College. I attended only one year as we got married when he returned the next year. I have no memory of many of the things I wrote to him at that time, so this has been a trip down memory lane! My high school class never had reunions but I’m still in touch with two friends from that time.
The YouTube tribute was our class president’s idea, not mine, but it may set a precedent for other classes. I’m glad the memory is available to a larger audience now in spite of the snafu. In fact, because of it.
The letters you and Hardy exchanged are coming back to bless you. Reading his words must be a bitter-sweet experience, really touching your heartstrings; you have shared so much together. I’m thinking that maybe his letters originally also helped you acclimate to the Congo as I believe after marriage you both served there together.
Thank you for sharing this, Elfrieda! ((( )))
What a fun post (except for the snafu)! Though I graduated from EMC/U in 1963, I’ve never been to a class reunion there. I do however plan to travel to Ontario for a 60th reunion of graduating from Rockway Mennonite High School in Kitchener soon. Because I thought Rick would recognize some of the folks pictured in the bereavements video, I invited him to watch with me. He had lots of commentary. Dorcas Martin good was his 6th grade teacher at West Fallowfield Christian School. Joyce Rutt Eby taught him Algebra @ at LMS. Robert Wert was dorm supervisor when he lived in the dorm for his Junior year there. We both knew Ralph Alderfer and Martha Augsburger. Irla Brubaker was from my area in Ontario. The accompanying music was so fitting. I thought it quite appropriate that you ended the video with a photo of resurrection lilies. Rick also commented that in addition to having you for English one year, he had Verna for English another year. You can tell this blog took him back many years. Thanks for telling us about your Homecoming weekend.
And huge THANKS for reply with such a gush of memories. I’m thrilled when a blog post hits home like this one has, sparking pleasant connections. I counted at least six honorable mentions that resonated with you and Rick.
Safe travels to your class reunion soon, Ruth. The longer we live the more we realize the value of friendships over the years. 😀
What an action-packed post. I’m sorry about the sick part, but it’s wonderful that you have a friend named Arlene. 🙂
I have never been to a reunion, and will likely avoid them. Maybe I’m missing something?
Yes, I have at least TWO friends named Arlene–ha!
You should go to a reunion only if you want to. I was class secretary so there was an obligation of course, but I really wanted to go this time, since we will probably use ZOOM for future gatherings, not face-to-face as this one was. 😀
I’ll keep your experience in mind the next time a reunion crops up.
;-D
Hello, Marian,
Here is the link. It is on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/CO1UqeEL5Yo?si=UbQ9-h6Ng261DJWo
Also, this version is streamed on iTunes Music, and I am a customer. I believe iTunes has more music in the streaming of music, but that is just my opinion.
I hope you enjoy it. This song goes deep into the cavities of my heart. It is so. beautifully done.
Shalom shalom
Oh, Pat, I’m so thrilled that you returned with a link. As I tap out these words, I am listening to these precious lyrics. THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Maybe others will listen too.
Yes, “This song goes deep into the cavities of my heart” too. ((( )))
What a wonderful trip down memory lane for you Marian. I’ll admit I just saw a reply to another reader and that you believe this is the last face-to-face reunion for your class. Thank goodness you went and embraced it all. I’m sure that means a lot to you. I’ll admit that I attended both high school and college reunions from my 20’s into my 30’s, but the desire waned over time. I’m now going to sincerely try and get to one sooner rather than later so that I know I did it; that I saw everything (possibly) one last time. That feels important. Also I loved your purple sweater and your fall photos since I, too live in Florida. The colors are amazing.
Oh, Melanie, I’m glad you feel an impulse to connect with classmates from long ago. You won’t regret it. Thanks for commenting here and “liking” my purple sweater. When I chose what I’d wear for the reunion I don’t believe I thought about synchronicity between the “purple mountains” and my outfit.
Yes, the fall foliage IS amazing. A Floridian, I’m so glad I could see such gorgeous tree last week, possibly at their peak. 😀
Oh yes, from your photos, I agree that you caught the best colors of the season! 🍂 😀 Welcome home!
Hi Marian, thank you for sharing your lovely trip. I am sorry you got sick but it doesn’t seem to have hampered you to much. The video of the people – have they all passed? They wouldn’t have been that old so it seems like a large number which is sad.
Thanks, Robbie, for reading the post and taking time for the video too. These people being honored are rather old, having graduated from college in 1963. The photos were from their college graduation.
No, my sickness didn’t spoil the vacation: I was sick for a short time compared to the 6 enjoyable days I spent surrounded by beautiful people and lovely scenery. 😀
I thought they were from your year. I was thinking Covid 😢. Hopefully it was old age for most of them. The pictures are very interesting. I noticed the caps worn by some of the ladies. I was also interested that there was a black man in that decade which was quite fraught.
The pictures in the video are from college days many years ago when the students, now deceased. were in their 20s. Now they would be in their 80s. About the black man: Mennonites have always been very inclusive regarding race. The college campus these days represents a wide range of cultures. Thanks for noticing, Robbie. 😀
I found it very interesting and thank you for this extra information. Have a lovely weekend 💕
Thank you, and the same to you, Robbie! 😀
That had to be a blast from the past in so many ways Marian. It looked like a lovely and well-planned time. I’m sorry, I had to laugh at so much luggage for the event. Lol, I thought I was bad. 🙂 xx
As I read this, I’m visualizing the cover of “Have Bags, Will Travel” and giggling.
Actually, the extra luggage was a mis-calculation on our part about where to send a set of books. Had I sent them to one address instead of the other, we could have saved paying UPS postage on two boxes of books. Live and learn, as they say. I’m glad you could relate to this post, Debby! 😀
I’m glad you had a good time overall at your reunion. Reading this and thinking about it, it seems incredible how far we’ve all come since our college days. Sorry your presentation didn’t work in the moment, but good fix. And love the photos of you and the gang. So fun!
You’re right: I’m certainly not the cautious woman who graduated from EMC. I could not imagine then where life would take me. Actually, I had plans to sign up for a Teacher’s Abroad Program (TAP) in Europe and meet a blue-eyed, blonde-haired German boy.
Guess what happened!
How exciting and wonderful it must have been to catch up with your old class mates and meet fellow blogger! I hope you are fully recovered from your ailments. Big hug.
Thanks so much, Fatima. The stomach bug disappeared quickly but my happy memories live on. It’s good to seen you again. 😀
I’m glad your trip worked (mostly) well. I loved the photos. I’m flying to NC to see my son next week. I don’t love flying, especially since my hearing has become such a problem, but my local son will drive me to the airport here and the other will pick me up at the airport in Raleigh. May all be well.
You’ll do JUST FINE. I’m sure of it, so will your two sons. And maybe Raleigh will provide you with a second taste of autumn beauty.
I’m happy that you can travel to NC. Let those boys of yours pamper you. You deserve it! 😀