Share your UMass memento

Deb Wendell ’71: "I come from a family of UMass alums including my parents, my sister, and me. Pictured here is my father in the UMass Glee Club Orchestra in the late 1920s."

Greg Gale ’65: "This is from when I was a freshman in Wheeler House. I graduated with  my BS in Psychology in 1969. Highlights from my time at UMass (1965–1969): Northeast Blackout in fall of 1965. The Red Sox win in 1967 (thousands flood the streets to downtown Amherst). And, Little Stevie Wonder, The Animals, and Johnny Carson."

Bruce G. Gordon ’77: "Somehow my rugby kit managed to survive 40+ years in California. UMass rugby shirt, circa 1974–75."

Elizabeth Moss ’81: "My ID photo taken during freshmen orientation 1977, a lifetime ago..."

Jane Shaw Pereira ’70: "I have always liked cartoons. Now, I draw them all the time. I send them in letters, and I'm sending one to you now. We all learn about economics one way or the other."

Joel Leonardi ’77: "This is a memento that I have saved since my undergraduate days at UMass Amherst. As I get older, I find myself thinking more often about those years and realizing just how special they were. If I could, I’d go back to those days in a heartbeat. This photo is of Senior Day, May 20, 1977, and there I am wearing my world-famous Astronomy Club T-shirt and holding my Senior Day mug! My other Class of ’77 classmates in this picture are (from left to right): Russ Lavery, Ken Castle, Pam (Robinson) Waterman, yours truly, and Gino Valeriani. What I wouldn’t give to recreate this picture now that we’ve all aged a bit. But I wouldn’t be able to wear that shirt!"

Marla Richmond ’75: "Here is a real Don MacGillvary senior day mug from my next-to-the-last day as a Umie. The key wasn’t mine (I wasn’t going to pay for it!) it belonged to an old boyfriend. I think he lived in Brett."

Kendra (Gordon) Cooper ’70: "My husband W. Bruce Cooper and I met at a “ mixer” at the Student Union in Spring 1968. I attended UMass both summers and winters, completing graduation requirements in three years. We lived in the then beautiful new Southwest Residential area and our dorm windows faced each other. We both finished UMass requirements in 1970 and, with the Vietnam War in full swing and a Draft Number of five, Bruce enlisted in the Navy, serving all over the country but ending his four-year tour of duty stationed on Old Ironsides. I taught high school English a couple years at the then brand new Triton Regional High School in Byfield MA. We married in 1973. This photo is of our “Mugbook” (annual directory of freshmen photos)—the UMass paper precursor to Facebook. 

As to the date of my graduation, that’s a story in itself. Bruce took four years and graduated in 1970. I finished my requirements in spring 1970 but student taught in fall 1970 at Quabbin Regional, completing with extra credits and my diploma says February 1971. However, I sat on the field for both graduations! 1970 had graduates entering the football field to a drum roll and protests of the Vietnam War. 1971 graduation was a more traditional ceremony in music and program as students marched  into the stadium. Those confusing, chaotic 1960s-1970s were in some ways different, yet, in some ways, very similar to the present."

Dan Vasconcelos ’99: "This is an old flyer I made for WOCH, the student-run radio station that used to broadcast on channel 13 on the campus cable TV network. I was a DJ and also helped run the station as program director for several years. The studio was on the first floor of Grayson Hall.  We hung hundreds of flyers all over campus to find potential DJs and attract new listeners. It wasn't easy explaining to people that we were a radio station you listened to on your TV. I have some great memories from my time at WOCH, and best of all I met my wife there, fellow DJ Shannon (Barry) Vasconcelos ’01."

Judy Fredman Feola ’61: “Autumn in Amherst Painting 
Once upon a time… 
In the fall of 1957,
I began at UMass Amherst
In the Arnold House freshman dorm 
Having two majors, my future careers to form 
In Fine Arts and Elementary Education, I became 
This oil painting of “Autumn in Amherst” is the first subject of my beginning studio classes. 
I learned to stretch a white canvas with pliers 
Filled the tiers of a tackle box with tubes of color 
Learning their proper pigment names 
Invented at the time when the Impressionists 
Could paint “en plein air” (outside) to gain fame. 
Learning every size of my brand-new brushes 
Linseed oil liquid gold used by the masters of old. 
Best of all, my first and forever collegiate crush 
Starting our early partnership of joys the same 
Finishing touches of art works with basic design 
The four elements of color, shape, patter, and line 
With his expertise in precisely custom frames. 
We still together rejoice when the glorious palette 
Of brilliant colors that adorn the ever-changing 
Seasons that so swiftly pass. 
In the corners of my mind are picture perfect 
Cherished memories of the radiant afternoons 
Of Autumn in Amherst that have become 
Treasured keepsakes of my freshman year 
Truly a beautiful dreamer. 
That splendid first semester at UMass 
The best and brightest only begun 
Officially calling myself sharing the pride 
Of being the spectacular Class of ’61.” 

Justin Petraitis ’14: "This isn't my memento, but it is one from my grandfather who also went to UMass. It's his student handbook from 1957–1958 that he's kept in a box for all these years. He (John Petraitis) majored in Turf Management at Stockbridge School of Agriculture, and graduated in 1958."

Pam (Robinson) Waterman ’77: "When I was in high school and college, a class ring was a big thing. However, when I was graduating in 1977, a ring was not in my budget. So, I found this charm in a jewelry store in downtown Amherst, had them engrave the year on the back and wore it on a chain. Your request for mementos sent me digging into the box of mementos I've hauled around the country as I've moved over the years. I wonder if anyone else will send a photo of this same charm?"

Terri Beardsley ’87: "My freshman year I lived on the 15th floor of Washington Tower. I still have the glass that was given to each floor member after we won the tower scavenger hunt. The only thing I remember as being on the list was a ticket from the Mass Pike toll which a floor member rode his bike down and back to Palmer to get one. We had THE BEST floor ever. So lucky to still be friends with several floor members to this day." 

Judith vanBever-Green ’78: "I purchased the pendant with the orange beads from an Israeli woman who used to sell her work at a table right outside of the bookstore in the Campus Center. Originally the pendant hung from an orange silk string, now long gone. I wear it on a wire, and remember the old days. I made the silver pendant at the craft shop in the Student Union . . . we didn't use the term LGBTQ in those days, but it was at UMass that I discovered myself and went to the craft shop to create a symbol. The class ring . . . well, my parents were far from affluent, and they told me they would pay half of the cost of the ring if I could save the other half. Not easy—I needed $30! I managed to save $15 and then I got desperate. I decided to take my chance at a Bingo game at one of the churches in Amherst, and miraculously I won the other $15 and was able to get my ring."   

Alisa Rosen ’85: "I am very excited and proud to share my piece of UMASS history with you: The one, the only, the original COSMIC WIMPOUT! Made 1979 in South Hadley, MA. Who would have thought 36 years and 3,000 miles later I’d still have the game, let alone play it? It is a classic!"

Jodi Green Kaplan ’86: "The kick a** UMass coozie is a 80’s UMass memento that I still have. I sold these in P-Lot at football games and at all of the outdoor concerts. This product got me my first job and paid for the first/last/security deposit of my first apartment in Boston! Come on….who still has their coozie????"

Don Green ’80: "Here is a photo of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity house at 14 Elm Street. Elm Street was a small street that connected Lincoln Avenue with Sunset Avenue, about a quarter mile beyond Southwest. The chapter closed shortly after we graduated in 1980, and after a brief revival in the mid-1990’s, the chapter is long gone. The beautiful, but quite rundown, Victorian house we had is now a private home to some lucky family who probably has no idea what went on there so many years ago. My wife, Mary Cosindas ’80, who I met a UMass, took the photo in the spring of 1979, at the end of our junior year. You can see the clothes line on the roof, and if you look closely, right in front of the chimney, that’s my roommate’s girlfriend, Helene, with the chapter’s mascot, a delightful and friendly mutt named Chief. We have this photo framed upstairs in our home in Needham."

Dave Stebbins ’00: "I bought this T-shirt the day of my graduation! It was all I could afford as I scrambled around the student gift shop. I was in a hurry that day in the spring of 2000, as I had to report to my new career with the US Fish & Wildlife Service as an inspector that same week! As a natural resource major, I was hired about a week before graduation and had to annoy my professors on what my grade was. How well I did depended on my pay!! Good times!"

Chris James ’73: "My picture shows mementos from two generations of UMass grads. The mug and ring on the left belonged to my dad, John Manlich ’50, ’51MS. The other ring is mine ‘73. I was born while my parents lived on campus—the building was still there when I was a student. My dad was on the GI bill after serving in WWII, Battle of the Bulge. His degrees were in public health and he worked for the March of Dimes most of his life. My major was home economics education, archaic now, but it lead me to three different and rewarding careers. I am still in contact with my Emerson House friends and wonderful house parents, Ron and Jean Collins. I wear my ring every day and it’s been a conversation starter and icebreaker in many situations. I have a mug somewhere but it was not as fancy as my dad’s!" 

Dennis Prescott ’80: "Those were the days at the Pub! Photographed: me, Peter Russell, and Dave Bemis." 

Mike Parent ’69: "Senior day mug, class ring, and student ID. Along with a few photos and many great memories from my days at UMass, I stroll down memory lane quite often. I have been very fortunate to stay in touch with the campus life. My daughter, son, daughter in law, one grandson, and one granddaughter have all received their degree from here. Enjoyed catching up on our 50th. Can’t wait for the next."

Justin Beland ’98: "Happy to still have my ID, circa 1995. I lost my first ID, which I received at undergraduate orientation in 1992, and the stress of losing it was so great I’ve been unable to part with its replacement. This thing went through a lot and reminds me of one of the most amazing periods of my life."

Sandi (Marble) Thibodeau ’73: "I came to UMass in September of 1969 from a small Central Massachusetts town. It was an exciting new world filled with lots of new friends, classes with hundreds of students, first class basketball and, in the spring, a student strike. I wore this arm band as I demonstrated in front of Draper Hall. That experience was an important part of my education at UMass." 

John Milkiewicz ’86: "I wanted to pass on this photo I have during my time at UMass and with the UMass Rugby Football Club (UMRFC). My Freshman year I traveled with the team to participate in an international tour. Along with playing for UMFRC during my four years at UMass, it was one of the best memories while attending UMass!!!"

Bryna Davidow ’82: "These have been sitting in my dresser for a few years."

Felice Cohen ’92: "I used to paint men's neckties. In fact, Chancellor Subbaswamy has one of my men's basketball ties. (A photo of it was in the UMass magazine last year I think.) Anyway, this picture is a tie I painted of the Old Chapel. I don't remember who bought it, but I have many fond memories of painting ties and silks at the craft center in the Student Union, and selling them on the campus center concourse." 

Jean Cassinelli Murphy ’72: "In 1969, on a date with a friend named Richard, we found this unusual item at Hadley Barn Store and nicknamed it 'The Brain'. I bought it to decorate my dorm room. We were married upon graduation in ’72, and 48 years later it is still decorating our bedroom in Gales Ferry, CT."

Ken Blanchard ’75: "Attached is a photo of my key memento from UMass Amherst. I was elected to Phi Beta Kappa there. After graduation as a philosophy major, and deciding against law school, I spent a couple of years as a guitarist in a disco/show band touring much of the eastern U.S., then 35 years in corporate America, until following my true calling as a UMC pastor. You never know what doors the key of education may open!"

Neil Rhein ’85: "I came across my original UMass ID while cleaning out some old files. 40 years later, I have so many great memories from my time in Amherst. "

Elizabeth Fitzgerald Hebert ’76: "I still have this T-shirt which I bought at my freshman orientation in the summer of 1972. It was my favorite and I always thought it was a classic design. I wore it for well over a decade. It is threadbare and stained, however, I can’t throw it away as it carries so many happy memories. I am pictured here wearing it somewhere in Maine with my father and grandmother in the mid 70s."

Mindy Sue Cohen ’75: "Hi fellow Umies, I graduated with my B.S. in Environmental Design and Urban Planning from the Class of 1975. This photo is of the program cover for the “Toward Tomorrow” fair held June 24–26, 1977, on the UMass campus. This event explored alternative energy systems, housing for the future and sustainability concerns. 

I was the volunteer site coordinator for the 120 booths surrounding the campus pond. All volunteers had multiple responsibilities to organize and prepare for a festival of this size. I helped screen print the signs which were hung up around the campus, constructed chain link fencing around the festival area, and drove to the Hartford airport to pick up speakers coming to the festival. There were over 30,000 attendees to this festival over the course of one weekend. The speakers included Buckminster Fuller, Julian Bond, Murray Bookchin, Hazel Henderson, Barry Commoner, Ann Wigmore, Ralph Nader, Helen and Scott Nearing, and Helen Caldecott.

Music provided by Pete Seeger, Malvina Reynolds and Guy Davis." 

Brad Herling ’69: "This is the chapter house photo from my Tau Epsilon Phi (TEP) fraternity."

Mary Ellen Mackin ’70: "I still have my Tri-Sigma ring."

Richard D. Longo ’66: "I joined the Kappa Omicron chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity because of its mission to serve the community. Paul was the head of the chapter, and he presented this paddle to me after my membership was approved. We wore the dark blue armbands whenever we were out working on a project."  

Michael Brugger ’79: "UMass opened my eyes to problems at home and around the world and to take action."

Steven "Sonny" Incropera ’70: "Three items I have saved for some reason for 50+ years.   

1) My dorm room key. I believe it was 720 Webster. I spent all 4 years in Webster because we/I couldn't afford the extra $100 to join a fraternity and my father would have nothing to do with any thought of moving off campus. I knew that when I left my room for the last time that I may never be able to see the room again and relive any memories (good or bad). I remember listening to the NIT game on a radio, Dr. J, Marquette 62 UMass 55, Dean "The Dream" Meminger, I believe. 

2) The Senior Day pin (I think). 

3) The white gold class ring which I haven't worn for years because it doesn't fit any more and is too heavy. I believe we picked them up in the old Student Union. 

As they say, 'Youth is wasted on the young.' How true. Oh, what I would give to go back knowing then what I know now! Slide rules forever!!"

Lynn Goonin Duncan ’72: "Was the Class of ’72 the last class to be given beanies? Our freshman year of 1968/69 was a year of momentous change at the university and in the country. We were also still called the "Redmen" and we have come a long way since then."

Cristian Gomez ’07: "This photo is my favorite memento from my time at UMass. I would spend an excessive amount of time hanging out at the campus pond, photographing the ducks, the library, and anything that looked interesting. On this day, I happened to see the UMass mascot walking to one of the sports games. He was just walking by like any other student, across the campus pond bridge. I had to take a photo. Such great memories."

Mary Anderson Hildreth ’71: "This is one of the items that have been in my possession since I arrived at UMass in 1966. Dissatisfaction with the name 'Redmen' began that year, and it has been changed since then."

Bob Ramsay ’65: "This was taken at the 1962 Yankee Conference X-country championship at U Vermont on a muddy golf course; I think we won. I’m in the upper right, and future track and cross country Coach O’Brien, who was a senior at the time and just retired a couple of years ago, is second from left in back."

Steve Brykman ’90: “Being editor-in-chief of this rag way back when landed me a job as managing editor of National Lampoon.” 

Jonathan D. Tamkin ’80: “Halloween in Southwest 1977 with my bride Cindy. Four kids later, still going strong. Our triplet UMass seniors Dylan, Jenny, and Ricky graduate in May. Great memories and I still regularly see and speak to old 4 South friends Bob "Robo" Hurwitz, Kenny Krozy, and my brother from another mother, Larry "Pender" Pendergast. Great memories and very lucky to have be back on campus so often the last four years.” 

Kathy Cail ’95: “My parents bought this for me at the Book Store in 1991. It has served me proudly for through four interstate moves over the last 30 years. The coffee always tastes better in it.” 

Martha S. Milton ’74: “These University of Massachusetts baby booties and baby bottle were given to us on the birth of our beautiful baby girl La Titia Collette born in March of 1971. The gift was given to us in 1971 by Winsome Henry graduating class of 1973.” 

Ronita Lewis ’01: “I graduated from UMass Amherst in 2001 with a BSc in Family & Consumer Studies. My friend, who also graduated from UMass Amherst, bought me this sweatshirt for graduation. I really can't believe the sweatshirt has held up so well. I am 41 now.” 

Debra Joy ’83: UMass is definitely a family affair for Debra. “In 1983, I graduated from UMass with a degree in community services, my brother Jeff graduated from the business school, and my mom, Linda Johnson, got her master’s in Education. My other siblings attended UMass in the 1980’s and 1990’s. 
My dad also got his bachelor’s and master’s at UMass in Physical Education. He went onto being the Head of Physical Education in Amherst for decades and served as the assistant football coach for UMass in the 60’s. We have lots of memories of UMass! 

Virginia Bachand Brousseau ’73: “My memento is an ink wash I did looking out the window of my third-floor dorm room in Eugene Field House (looking toward Webster), in 1972. I graduated with a BA in 1973 under my maiden name, Virginia Bachand, and married my UMass boyfriend Bill Brousseau in 1975. We’re still married—celebrated our 45th anniversary this past September.” 

Laurie (Gordon) Jessup ’79: “I still have my Senior Day mug.” 

Jeff DePiero ’91: “My friends and I started a co-ed team, we named it the Screamin’ Yellow Monkey, and created T-shirts which we wore during games. We played basketball, softball, and football and we had so much fun being together. After the games, we would go to The Pub or Charlie’s. In the fall of 1990, our football team was able to win the co-ed championship and we received T-shirts for our win. Both shirts remind me of the friendships I made over thirty years ago.” 

Betsy Ferguson ’81: “This is a photo of the meal tickets we used in the late 1970s and early 1980s at UMass. I have fond memories of meeting my dorm mates to walk over to the "DC" for dinner, stand in line with our ticket book and ID, and then go through the serving line, before all sitting together at those long tables. I know much has changed about dining at UMass since then, but hopefully not the sense of friendship that accompanied those dinners together. I treasure those memories, as you can clearly see from my nearly 30-year-old meal book!” 

Cheryl Evans ’68: “I helped form the Student Afro-American Organization in 1966 and was elected the first President. This photo is from the march to Whitmore in November, 1968. The list of demands presented and negotiated resulted in the formation of the UMass Black Studies (Du-Bois Dept) in 1970.” 

Nancy Ellis Ice ’79: “A photograph, by a UMass photographer, of my UMass twirler days in The Cage.” 

Glenn Flaherty ’83: “We used to have happy hour in the Southwest Dining Common. Bottle of rum in the backpack—lots of Cokes from the fountain. My favorite DC meal was the Turkey Divan. So much so that I make Chicken Divan regularly. And it tastes best on this set of DC-ware that accidentally got packed up when I moved out of Washington Tower (14th floor) where I lived for all 8 semesters.” 

Bob Viator ’62: “I met Lim Chheang Chhuy in 1960 at UMass Amherst. I was a dorm counselor at Abigail Adams House and he was a recently arrived Fulbright scholar with little English. With my few words of French and his in English, we became friends. I discovered someone from Cambodia, on the other side of the globe, had a philosophy much like mine. His Buddhism was similar to my Unitarianism.  We both identified with Jean Jacque Rousseau and the French philosophes. He went on to become a Vice President at International Flavors and Fragrances and made lots of money. My wife Jane who I started dating while we were both taking teacher certification courses at UMass School of Education, came to like Lim as much as I do, and together we have had many good times together, mainly centered around food and drink and discussions of politics.  Here we are in Tahiti.  The staff at our hotel on Cook’s Bay in Moorea called Jane, ‘La dame avec deux maris’ or ‘The lady with two husbands.’” 

Carolyn Lannon ’63: “This was given to us on the first day of freshman orientation. I loved UMass and have so many fond memories. I graduated as a mathematics major and have always appreciated the wonderful background I received. I went on after graduation to work in the computer field in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles—thanks to UMass! 

Sierra Archer ’19, ’22: “From my freshman year, I knew that being an RA was something that I would want to pursue during my time at UMass and so I saved all my door decs from that year on in hopes that I could completely cover my door when I became an RA! It was fun to see my collection grow over the years, and so I wanted to share it.”

Kathleen Doherty ’91: "Two of my dearest friends! We rode together on the UMASS Bicycle Racing Club and they are still a big part of my life 30 years later."

Fred Dyka ’68, ’73: shared an entire cache of mementos with us, including: a Stockbridge cap and yearbook, class of 1968 ring, a course bulletin, and a Food Marketing brochure. He also kept course description lists from summer and fall 1972 (remember when these were printed pamphlets?), a Massachusetts Daily Collegian report on the Fine Arts Center (which was being constructed at the time), a football ticket book, and even a blue book from one of his exams.

Sara Hickey ’17: "The first time I ever stepped on the UMass campus was when my family was touring the school for my brother, who is two years older. The one part that I remember so clearly is being by the campus pond and looking across at the library. Little did I know that I would be attending UMass in just a few years, and that it would become my favorite place. This year's paint night at UMass Homecoming was so fun because it allowed me to reminisce on the very first time I saw UMass, as well as the countless incredible memories I have made since then!"