I’m a third-generation Laurentian. My grandfather graduated from the St. Lawrence Theological Seminary and my mother earned her degree in 1941 so when I got to pick a liberal arts college to apply to, it was St. Lawrence. When I visited the campus everyone was so friendly that I didn’t notice the ground was still frozen in late April!
Visitors to campus and Canton might see a small school and a small town, but my education and experience were shaped by big ideas. This is where I learned to look beyond the traditional or the expected. It was where I saw my first foreign films and my first hockey game, which I found thrilling.
Anne Lauriat ’68 in an Australian Koala park
At that time there were only two programs offering a junior year abroad at St. Lawrence: Spain or France. Being an English major, I wanted to go to England. I was thrilled to be awarded a study abroad scholarship and traveled the summer before my senior year (my first time out of the country) to the Orkney Islands of Scotland. My travel bug started there and probably contributed to my joining the Peace Corps after graduation.
It’s because of all of these experiences and more that I have proudly given back to my alma mater nearly every year and joined the Manley Society a number of years ago. I grew up in a family where giving financial support to education was a tradition and I’m pleased to be caring on this tradition at St. Lawrence. I had such a good time celebrating my 50th Reunion last June, connecting with close and long-lost friends that it motivated me to formalize my estate plans so they could be counted in launch last fall for The Campaign for Every Laurentian.
I would encourage every Laurentian to contribute to St. Lawrence — to keep the liberal arts alive in this ever-specializing world. College for me was a combination of the academics and my own personal growth. I’m not sure we give enough credit to the dorm experience: living with people often so different from ourselves. I was lucky enough to get a roommate who has remained one of my dearest friends to this day. I was a dorm counselor in Whitman and I’ll never forget Dean Stiles emphasizing the position’s responsibilities. Her comments influenced my future career decisions, like becoming a psychiatric aide, then entering my profession [Human Resources].
I recall one of my favorite sociology professors, Barbara Williams, admonished us to savor our college experience because never again would we be in such a safe, care-free environment where we could be intellectually challenged as much as we wanted. I’m not sure I fully appreciated that. Academically, our alma mater is even better today.
I have been class reporter for more than 50 years since graduation in 1968. That fact, coupled with having met some of my dearest friends, has kept me close to St. Lawrence to this day. I am a Manley member because I want future Laurentians to have those same lifelong experiences that I did and I encourage you to join me.