February Alumni Perspectives: Shay Totten '91

Since joining the College’s staff in September, one of my main goals was to help pull together an All-Class Reunion to bring y’all back to Campus. 

To make it a success, I’m going to need your ideas and your energy. If you have an idea or would like to help bring some of the current ideas to life, please fill out this form.

As a way to make Reunion chock full of creativity, we are working to bring 24 Hour Plays to campus this year, which we hope will be a draw for both performers and those of us who love watching what our talented Drama alumni can create when they put their minds together. And, it’s an important fundraiser for two scholarships: the Nicky Martin Memorial Scholarship for Performing Arts and the Spencer Cox '90 Field Work Term Fellowship for Student Activists at Bennington College.

In addition, I’m looking to create spaces during Reunion for alumni to bring art to sell and display (think Art Bazaar), as well as a performance space for readings, musical performances, dances, and whatever talent you’d like to showcase to your fellow alumni and students.

I’m also planning to host an Alumni Town Hall to help me re-envision an Alumni Association that is by, of, and for alumni. I am working with Alumni Trustees and a handful of alumni who’ve been part of the previous Alumni Association and Alumni Cooperative to recreate an association. I am hopeful that by Reunion, we will be able to unveil the basic structure of the Association for feedback, input, and volunteers who can help us have as many alumni-led “chapters” throughout the country as possible.

Speaking for myself, a reimagined Alumni Weekend and Alumni Association would start rebuilding a frayed relationship that many of us have had with Bennington. For years, I felt as if I wasn’t welcome at the College; whether it was reality or imagined is irrelevant. I’m sure others have felt this way, too. But to make the College feel a part of our lives and to help us rebuild these connections to better serve each other along with today’s students and the students for whom Bennington must exist going forward, we need to find ways to reconnect to this important place. 

The official Reunion registration process will open later this spring, but I would recommend booking a place to stay now, as fall is a busy time in Vermont. 

A couple of places have set aside rooms for us: You can book a room at Hotel Vervana (formerly the Paradise Inn). Just let them know you’re part of the Bennington College Reunion group to get a discounted rate. You can also call the Knotty Pine and mention “Alumni Reunion" when booking the room. 

We are working to reserve blocks of rooms at additional area hotels and will add them to this list as we secure spots. Here is a handy list of additional places to stay, if you don’t want to wait. 

One final note: I’ve been working with alumni from around the country to help pull together local gatherings. As you read this, one will have just happened in San Francisco, and we’re in the process of rescheduling one in Los Angeles that we postponed due to the wildfires. If you would like help hosting a pop-up alumni gathering near you, just let me know.

Onward,

Shay Totten '91 
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement