Reunion 2013

There is no better time in New England than fall, as the Bay Path alumni who attended Reunion 2013 on Saturday, October 26, found out much to their delight!

Over 150 alumni, spanning the decades from the class of 1938 to the class of 2012, returned to campus for Reunion 2013. Still going strong, Venessa O'Brien '38 held the honor of being a member of the oldest class year. And the class of 1963 had the largest contingent. The day-long event featured student presentations, social hours, and a special presentation on university status. The highlight was the awards luncheon where President Leary recognized the following outstanding individuals:

PRESIDENT'S AWARD to Trustee Emeritus Edward J. (Ted) Fleming III

JAMES McGILL CARPE DIEM AWARD to Fay Henry, class of 1948

BOLD CLASS AWARD 2013 to the Class of 1963

Read excerpts from President Leary about the award winners....

Emeritus Edward J. (Ted) Fleming III

The President's Award is given to an individual, non-alumni, who has done much to serve the College and the community, and who has been an inspiration to Bay Path's President. This year, I am honored to present the PRESIDENT'S AWARD to Trustee Emeritus Edward J. (Ted) Fleming III.

For over 35 years, Ted Fleming has held an advisory and leadership role at Bay Path College. His calm manner, wise council, and his ability to have faith in the future have had an incredible influence on the College's entrepreneurial spirit, which in turn has allowed us to thrive and flourish. Even more important, he is an astute businessman, ever vigilant of Bay Path's financial health, yet practical in character to know that risk balanced with prudent financial investments lays the foundation for tomorrow. In brief, he is not hesitant to say: "Go for it!"

Ted was originally named to the Bay Path College Advisory Council in 1977, and was elected to the Bay Path Board of Trustees in 1986. He served as chair of the Board from 1997 to 2001, and although retired, he still serves as an active member of the Finance Committee and the Investment Committee.

Always willing to offer his time and talent, Ted is also a generous and consistent donor to the College. A member of the Legacy Society, he has left his mark in a very significant and lasting way. On the lower level of this building, often teeming with students, is the Fleming Book and Gift Center named in his honor. Recognizing the Blake Student Commons as a community center, Ted's leadership gift to establish the Fleming Book and Gift Center was inspirational and profound. Education, learning, and the printed word have always been close to his heart...

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. During his career, he held positions as vice president of the educational division at Milton Bradley Company, president of Taylor Rental Corporation, president of DMGT Corporation, and president of the Windsor Marketing Group. In his position as head of DMBT Corporation, a leading credit card processor for direct marketers and catalogs, Ted was named a finalist twice for New England Entrepreneur of the Year.

Fay Henry, Class of 1948

The James McGill Carpe Diem Award recognizes an alumna who's educational, employment and civic contributions truly epitomize the College's Motto-Carpe Diem...Seize the Day! It is named in honor of Bay Path graduate James McGill, class of 1935.

This year's distinction goes to Fay Henry, class of 1948.

A native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Fay's spunk and spirit inspire those around her to seize the day.
After graduating from Bay Path College, Fay worked in Springfield for one year before returning home to the Berkshires where she began a successful 45-year career in medical administration. Fay attributes her humble upbringing combined with a strong work ethic instilled in her by her parents--Fay's father was a local businessman-as instrumental in that success. And Fay would be quick to add: her Bay Path education not only prepared her to thrive in the workplace, but gave her confidence, strength, and determination.

Fay believes strongly in the power of scholarship support. She has made a gift to the Carpe Diem Fund in almost every single one of the 65 years she has been an alumna. Fay you may hold the record...we will have to check! In addition, she has supported the Carol A. Leary Scholarship for First Generation College Students, of which Fay proudly states she is one, and in 2012 she became a Bold Woman scholarship donor.

The year 2012 was also a significant milestone for Fay. It took 64 years, but Fay made her first trip back to Bay Path since graduating in 1948! She took a student-led tour and marveled at the transformation. As an undergraduate, she was a resident of Empsall and was delighted to see it was now the admissions office. Fay...it was also my home at one point! Her return was prompted by a Legacy Society Luncheon, where she and others were honored for establishing scholarships for our students. For generations to come, the Fay J. Henry '48 scholarship will ensure that a student can now attend and graduate from Bay Path, following the footsteps of Fay.

Fay also epitomizes the Bay Path motto: Carpe Diem. A lifetime proponent of the arts, she volunteers weekly at Arrowhead Museum, the former home of Herman Melville. She loves the opera, and is an avid reader. She currently lives in Pittsfield, and from my remarks to this point and her obvious remarkable energy, you may be surprised to learn that she is legally blind. But Fay Henry's boldness and bravado have made her life's horizon limitless.

Class of 1963

The Bold Class Award was created to recognize the alumni of a particular graduating class whose commitment to serving, supporting, and representing Bay Path College has set a bold example for all alumni, and has helped advance the mission of the institution. These are women of example, courage, and heart.

I am delighted to recognize the class of 1963 as the BOLD CLASS AWARD recipients for 2013.

These are women who lead - as bold women do. The class of 1963 understands the need for annual support that directly impacts the lives of our students, and they truly "walk the walk." In that spirit, in anticipation of their 50th Reunion they established the Class of 1963 Scholarship, and to date raised $12,500 for Bay Path students.

Source: Baypath