Alumni Reunite at Bloomfield College Homecoming

Alumni Reunion and Homecoming was held on Saturday, October 14, 2017.

A true celebration of the Bloomfield College Alumni community, the day began with an alumni baseball game and a special roundtable with Reverends Dr. Nancy Schluter and Eleanor Edwards. Rev. Schluter is a former trustee of the College, and Rev. Edwards is an alumna of the class of 1970.

“The College’s mission reflects my own. I am so committed to the essence of what the College teaches students,” said Rev. Dr. Schluter, who helped craft the College’s current mission statement and vision statement. “The College has completely transformed since my time with the College. It’s wonderful.”

“Bloomfield College stood out. I knew it was what I was looking for,” said Rev. Edwards, who commuted from Newark as an adult student. “I don’t know how many other colleges that would do what Bloomfield College does for its students. When we journey, everything on our journey comes together, and Bloomfield College is a big part of my experience.”

The event went into full swing around noon, with hours of live music and festive food. Alumni reconnected with former classmates, took a nostalgic walk through campus, posed for pictures with Deacon the Bear, and checked out yearbooks from varying years.

Alfred Smith ’57 was last on campus 60 years ago when he graduated from Bloomfield College. He spent much of the afternoon flipping through pages of yearbooks, pointing himself out to current Bloomfield College students, some who will graduate in 2021.

The College recognized alumni in the classes of 1957, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012 at a special pinning ceremony.

“When I was a student, attending chapel was mandatory,” reminisced Milton Estelle ’67, a former high school biology teacher and a current adjunct professor at Ocean County College. “I haven’t been to campus in 50 years. I hope to come back to visit more frequently. All the changes I’ve seen are all very positive. The national recognition the College has received is excellent.”

The Class of 1967 and alumni involved in the World Campus Afloat program, a multi-country study abroad program on a ship open to students of all majors, emphasizing global comparative study, served as highlights of the institution’s annual celebrations, with the College honoring its 50th reunions.

“World Campus Afloat really sparked in me a desire to see the world. It was because of that semester at sea that I went on to live in Spain for graduate school and would continue to travel ever since,” said Dolores Trimiew (Mayberry) ’68, a retired Spanish teacher. Trimiew flew in from Georgia to attend Homecoming. “All my experiences made my four years at Bloomfield College very special.”

“I wanted to participate in World Campus Afloat to observe religions all around the world and see how they practiced their faith there, versus how we practice here,” reflected Rev. Edwards ’70. “That semester at sea allowed me to observe practices in over 15 countries.”

The day brought together Bloomfield students past, present, and future, making for an unforgettable afternoon on the College’s campus.

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