Keene State Today

100 Great Things About Keene State College

Your fondest mememories, funniest stories, biggest heroes, and more

The Potato Diggers

Due to a shortage of workers during World War II, Keene Teachers College students pitched in and helped harvest potatoes at three farms in Cheshire County. They got five cents for every bushel they dug.

The Keepers of Buildings and Grounds

Buildings and Grounds crew photo by Chris Justice

People who visit campus for the first time often remark on how beautiful it is. As do people who return to campus after a time away. As do those who have the privilege of working or studying here every day.

The folks who have to do the hard work of keeping it that way, often in hot sun or freezing cold or at odd hours, are known around campus for being friendly, involved in campus life, dedicated, and very, very skilled.

Thank you, Frank, Bud, Jeff, and everyone!

Admissions Staff

Of the seven counselors
on the Admissions staff,
six are alumni of Keene State.

Charlie Sheaff

Dr. Charlie Sheaff '72 has a reputation among his students as a phenomenal artist – talented, patient, and fun to have a class with. His class may be called Woodworking, but he also teaches problem-solving and creative thinking.

“Charlie has been my advisor, professor, mentor, and friend. He has helped me with anything and everything that I ever needed and has taught me a lot about woodworking. I most deeply appreciate this because many years ago my grandfather taught Charlie these skills, and now I am learning them from Charlie.… I hope someday I will be half the teacher, mentor, and friend that Charlie has been to me.”

– Kyle Robbins '08

Jean Whitcomb

We couldn't possibly say it any better than Dean of Arts and Humanities Nona Fienberg, writing to offer her nominations for the 100 great things about KSC:

"It's all about the people.
"And for the people in Arts and Humanities and much of the rest of the campus for the last 30 years, it's been all about [Divisional Administrative Support Coordinator] Jean Whitcomb.
"Whatever you need to know, whatever you need to accomplish, Jean will help you solve your problem. She is a steady hand, with good humor, who takes care of business for hundreds and hundreds of us!"

Henry Freedman

Henry Freedman essentially was art history at Keene State for 37 years. He brought a potentially dry field alive for students, whether in the lecture hall or on tours of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts or the Met in New York.

His reputation as a great storyteller and his respect for his students made his classes popular.

A final preretirement lecture in February 2008, entitled "An Art Historian's Circus," drew so many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members that the crowd sat on the floor and eventually overflowed the room entirely.

Norma Walker

You can read more about Norma Walker ('51, '59) in the Spring 2009 issue of Keene State Today than we could hope to fit here.

She's a tireless volunteer on behalf of the College, has won both the Sprague W. Drenan and Granite State awards, is an Alumni Association past president.

She's taken the Golden Circle classes (those who graduated 50 or more years ago) under her wing and become their social secretary.

She also remembers birthdays and corresponds with literally hundreds of alumni. ("She must get the most mail in Swanzey," says Patty Farmer, director of Alumni and Parent Relations.)

And she is by far the most prolific contributor to Class Notes.

Norma Walker, Don Carle and Mike Maher

Don Carle

If you're an athlete, or the parent of an athlete, you may know Don Carle '52, '56.

He's one of the Owls' biggest fans. He's also a former alumni director and seemingly tireless volunteer.

The Don Carle award is given to the sports team with the highest GPA.

Don's roots here go deeper than most: He was born in Elliot Hall when it was the community hospital, grew up on campus while his father was dean of men, and married an alumna. As a result, he is a fount of Keene State knowledge, particularly about athletics of virtually any era.

EDITOR'S CHOICE:

Chris Justice
CDC Playground
Hollyhocks

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THE KEENE STATE COLLEGE MAGAZINE FALL 2009
FEATURES Time and Again 100 Great Things Reunion 2009 DEPARTMENTS Contents From the Desk of By the Way Owl Notebook Class Notes New Class Notes Spotlight Alumni Notebook Magazine Staff Magazine Search Back Issues KSC LINKS KEENE STATE HOME ALUMNI HOME CENTENNIAL NEWSLINE PHOTO GALLERY KEEP IN TOUCH GIVING TO KSC CAMPUS NEWS	100 Great Things About Keene State College Your fondest mememories, funniest stories, biggest heroes, and more The Potato Diggers Due to a shortage of workers during World War II, Keene Teachers College students pitched in and helped harvest potatoes at three farms in Cheshire County. They got five cents for every bushel they dug. The Keepers of Buildings and Grounds People who visit campus for the first time often remark on how beautiful it is. As do people who return to campus after a time away. As do those who have the privilege of working or studying here every day. The folks who have to do the hard work of keeping it that way, often in hot sun or freezing cold or at odd hours, are known around campus for being friendly, involved in campus life, dedicated, and very, very skilled. Thank you, Frank, Bud, Jeff, and everyone! Admissions Staff Of the seven counselors on the Admissions staff, six are alumni of Keene State. Charlie Sheaff Dr. Charlie Sheaff '72 has a reputation among his students as a phenomenal artist – talented, patient, and fun to have a class with. His class may be called Woodworking, but he also teaches problem-solving and creative thinking. “Charlie has been my advisor, professor, mentor, and friend. He has helped me with anything and everything that I ever needed and has taught me a lot about woodworking. I most deeply appreciate this because many years ago my grandfather taught Charlie these skills, and now I am learning them from Charlie.… I hope someday I will be half the teacher, mentor, and friend that Charlie has been to me.” – Kyle Robbins '08 Jean Whitcomb We couldn't possibly say it any better than Dean of Arts and Humanities Nona Fienberg, writing to offer her nominations for the 100 great things about KSC: "It's all about the people. "And for the people in Arts and Humanities and much of the rest of the campus for the last 30 years, it's been all about [Divisional Administrative Support Coordinator] Jean Whitcomb. "Whatever you need to know, whatever you need to accomplish, Jean will help you solve your problem. She is a steady hand, with good humor, who takes care of business for hundreds and hundreds of us!" Henry Freedman Henry Freedman essentially was art history at Keene State for 37 years. He brought a potentially dry field alive for students, whether in the lecture hall or on tours of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts or the Met in New York. His reputation as a great storyteller and his respect for his students made his classes popular. A final preretirement lecture in February 2008, entitled "An Art Historian's Circus," drew so many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members that the crowd sat on the floor and eventually overflowed the room entirely. Norma Walker You can read more about Norma Walker ('51, '59) in the Spring 2009 issue of Keene State Today than we could hope to fit here. She's a tireless volunteer on behalf of the College, has won both the Sprague W. Drenan and Granite State awards, is an Alumni Association past president. She's taken the Golden Circle classes (those who graduated 50 or more years ago) under her wing and become their social secretary. She also remembers birthdays and corresponds with literally hundreds of alumni. ("She must get the most mail in Swanzey," says Patty Farmer, director of Alumni and Parent Relations.) And she is by far the most prolific contributor to Class Notes. Norma Walker, Don Carle and Mike Maher Don Carle If you're an athlete, or the parent of an athlete, you may know Don Carle '52, '56. He's one of the Owls' biggest fans. He's also a former alumni director and seemingly tireless volunteer. The Don Carle award is given to the sports team with the highest GPA. Don's roots here go deeper than most: He was born in Elliot Hall when it was the community hospital, grew up on campus while his father was dean of men, and married an alumna. As a result, he is a fount of Keene State knowledge, particularly about athletics of virtually any era. Loving the Lilacs Daddy Mason Fiske Quad Counting Cupolas Keeping History Alive Three Certain Signs of Spring Commencement Clapping Through "Enter to learn…" 75th Jubilee The 1963 March to Concord World War II Symposium Playing for Peace Concert Harriet Huntress Pumpkin Lobotomy The Inaugurations… Hidden Beauty KSC 100 Relay and Fireworks 1909, 1939, 1963, 2009 Children's Literature Festival Festival Owls Speaking Out Biodiesel Collaborative Science Center… Student Center Opens "The safety and health…" Communicorps… Sizzlers Spring Weekend Concerts The Vegan Station… Social Activities Council Greek Life …Old Student Union and Pub? Night Owl Café Chalk Talk Great Track Team Appian Way The Cohen Center… Welcoming the Other… Golden Circle Society K-S-C. Knowledge-… Alternative Spring Break Habitat for Humanity Trips Academic Excellence… The Advising/Aspire Staff The Potato Diggers Keepers of Buildings and… Admissions staff Charlie Sheaff Jean Whitcomb Henry Freedman Norma Walker Don Carle Distinguished Athletes… Jay Kahn Pauline Dionne "…the orneriest faculty in …" Marathon Man Adam Skibek Jim Draper Melinda Treadwell Major: Film Major: Sociology Major: Mathematics Major: Environmental Studies Major: Education… Major: Education Major: Education Major: Chemistry Major: Theatre and Dance Major: Athletic Training Students on Stage:… KSC Film Society An Evening of Dance …Art show postcards WKNH Faculty Satisfaction Arboretum and Gardens Professors will… Whooo Is the Owl? Midnight Madness Consistent Winners The Three Bears and… Chicken Patties Old Mabel Brown Room… A New Tradition… Athletics Moves from… Men's Basketball "Elite 8"… Library Shafted Ron Butcher's 500th… Dean's List Predicting the Weather by… The CDC CDC and Early Sprouts Faulkner Murals Depict… …Brickyard Pond Story Science Center: High-Tech… Professors who want… Our Best Ambassadors "…a single Johnny Jump-up" Theory Meets Practice… EDITOR'S CHOICE: Chris Justice CDC Playground Hollyhocks Previous Next