When my grandmother turned 100 I remember reading an article or hearing a public radio talk show about centenaraians and how this special group survived because they were able to respond well to change. My grandmother certainly saw that during her life spanning from 1900 to 2003. That story certainly resonated with me and I hoped that if I lived that long, since my genetics may make that happen, that I would be one who looked forward and not backward.
To date I have been quite sheltered from change. Both of my parents are alive [Mom: 83/Dad: 85] and they still live independently in the home they purchased the summer I was born, 49.5 years ago. My Dad wants to stay at home until he dies and he has told me that he will haunt me if I sell the farmhouse and the accompanying property. My answer to him has always been that I will do all that I can to preserve the property. Luckily I have not been called to act just yet.
Which brings me to NMH and the consolidation and sale decisions. I attended NMH for two years and lived in Marquand both years. Even though I realized the school was going to have to consolidate after attending a reunion financial seminar, it was still a shock to me when the actual decision was announced and that the Mount Hermon campus would be the new site. I immediately contacted Dick Peller whom I had stayed in touch with since graduation. He shared with me his thoughts which were in support of the consoldation. [You can read a shortened version of this in his blog on this site "A Momentous Day". ]. I really respected Dick’s viewpoint so I decided not to let this change in location alter my support. While I still covet the blanket with all of the Northfield Dorms on it and love to reminisce about the Marquand days, I decided to focus on the “new” school on the one campus. At my recent 30th reunion I did not revist the Northfield campus, but rather walked around the MH campus to see/learn about all of the changes. I have been continually impressed about all the subtle yet important ways the school has incorporated Northfield attributes to the one campus [the bells, the curve roads, the colors used in the facade of the new arts building, etc.]. I also decided to support the school with action in addition to financial. I joined the Alumni Council which has forced me to come to campus and see the ongoing changes and see for myself how the school is doing. During volunteer weekend last fall, I was incredibly impressed by how articulate, intelligent and funny all the student were who participated in the 8 am panel. This winter I am going to go on campus a day earlier than our planned committee meeting so I can shadow a student for a day.
NMH could not complete the shift/change to one campus until there was a plan for this property and as the years passed, my fear was that the buildings, that needed repair at the time of consolidation, would be torn down instead of restored. So,when the news that 5 million dollars was going to be used to restore Sage Chapel and others so greatly in need, I was thrilled. The $100,00 sale price does not bother me since I would rather that the money be earmarked for restoration rather than for initial purchase. As I see it the school gets many financial benefits from this sale and the buildings stay intact.
NMH will continue to change in looks and personnel but the circle has now been completed. The school has changed location but to me it is still the same school. Schools do not often have to make these type of shifts but I recently attended a mini reunion of my veterinary school, University of Pennsylvania, and because of a decrease in case load and state funding cuts the school is having a hard time. And this is one of the oldest veterinary school in the United States. So NMH is not immune but most of our schools do not get sold.
What is more common and predictable is the loss of one’s parents and potentially the loss of one’s childhood home. I entitled this blog “Preparing for the real “sea change” because the “sea change” for me will be these two events. Being at part of this NMH change has helped me respond to get ready for the big hurdles ahead. I just hope that I can someone be as great a steward as Tom has been and figure out a way to save a lovely Connecticut farmhouse.
Carrie Niederman, 78