Alumnae Medalists Strengthen MHC Community
Reunion I medalists (left to right) W. Rochelle Calhoun ’83, Leslie J. Gianelli ’83, Margaret E. Broadbent ’38, Sandra Klamkin Schocket ’58, Carolyn Bump Marsh ’58
Seven alumnae, including the outgoing executive director of the Alumnae Association, were awarded medals of honor during Reunion. Each alumna was lauded for her ongoing service and commitment to MHC.
Margaret E. Broadbent ’38 has helped maintain the strong bonds among members of her class for seventy years. Her many volunteer roles include class president and vice president, sixtieth-reunion chair, class agent, and reunion gift caller. She also served on the Alumnae Development Committee and the Nominating Committee of the association. She has been an active member of the Cape Cod Club, organizing class reunions and events for more than twenty years.
W. Rochelle Calhoun ’83 began her long career at the college in 1986 as assistant dean of students, and then went on to make her mark as ombudsperson, director of diversity and inclusion, and associate dean of the college/dean of students. Five years ago, she became executive director of the Alumnae Association and has worked to respond to the needs and wants of alumnae with judiciousness and empathy. Always willing to go the extra mile to strengthen and honor the growing membership of the association, Calhoun moves on to Skidmore College as dean of student affairs.
Leslie J. Gianelli ’83 began serving her class and the college before she graduated, assuming leadership as class president in her sophomore year— and stuck with that job for the next twelve. She also served as a class agent, reunion gift caller, and Nominating Committee member. She has been active in the Hartford Club, and the Washington, D.C. Club, and held the positions of Ways and Means Committee chair, second vice-president, and assistant admissions representative, as well as Clubs Committee chair for the Alumnae Association. Gianelli served two years as a member of the association’s Outreach Committee.
Carolyn Bump Marsh ’58 has served the Alumnae Association on a number of committees, including the Sesquicentennial Auction Committee, Bylaws Committee, Alumnae Development Committee, Council Committee, and Nominating Committee. In addition, she played a major role on the Alumnae Association board, serving as director of alumnae development. For her class, she served as class agent, reunion gift caller, reunion chair, regional team chair for the Northeast, and most recently, class vice president. For the Western Suburbs Club, she has acted as Ways and Means Committee chair and as a leadership gifts volunteer.
Sandra Klamkin Schocket ’58 has served the association and college in a variety of volunteer roles. An active member of the Northern New Jersey Club, she acted over the years as club president, vice-president, Nominating Committee chair, and Career Alumnae Network chair. She volunteered as reunion gift caller and gift chair, class agent, and Nominating Committee member for her class. She served a distinguished five-year term as president of her class, and gave of her time and energy as a Program Committee member for the association, and on the Alumnae Association board, a position to which she brought her considerable knowledge and expertise in the area of education.
Suzanne Lenz Janney ’68 (at right in photo to right) has served in a variety of significant volunteer roles: class agent, reunion gift caller, and, for the past five years, president of her class. In addition, she has been instrumental in the success and vitality of two regional alumnae clubs. For nearly twenty years, she was active in the Westchester County Club, volunteering as director-at-large and board member, program chair, Nominating Committee chair, leadership gifts volunteer, and president. For the Southwest Florida Club, she gave generously of her time as secretary, vice president and program chair, and now, president—a role she fulfills simultaneously with her role as class president.
Arax Simsarian ’43 (at right, in yellow hat) began work as a volunteer for the Alumnae Association nearly forty years ago when she stepped up to serve on the Finance Committee. She went on to serve on the association board as director of finance and as a key member of the Founder’s Fund Committee. As the years progressed, she continued to play a crucial role in helping the association, the class of 1943, and the New York Club grow and prosper. She also contributed a generous amount of time and energy helping organize reunions for her class and serving as reunion gift caller and Nominating Committee member. Finally, she served as a major-gifts volunteer and member of the Campaign/Legacy of Leadership New York Celebration Committee.
