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Mayor of Saipan Visits KSC

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Proud alums José and Janice Sablan ’79
Proud alums José and Janice Sablan ’79

It’s not unusual for politicians to visit campus, and when the Mayor of the island of Saipan brought his wife to the US a couple of weeks ago, Keene State was one of the principal stops on their itinerary. It’s true! Though he really isn’t still a politician, but the former mayor (1999–2002), and he and his wife are José and Janice Sablan, proud alums from the class of 1979. Still, their visit reflects the remarkable bond that many alums feel for KSC. Here’s what Janice told us:

“This year was the first time we have been back to Keene since our 20th reunion in 1999. It had changed then, but it was even more unrecognizable this time. The city itself has changed so much! We were surprised to hear that there is no longer any married student housing. We stayed in the Tisdale apartments during our five years at KSC.  

Our son, Keoki, who attended Wheelock Elementary School along with his brother, Alex, died while serving in the U.S. Army in 2012. Since then, we have come to the mainland each summer to be with Keoki’s daughters who were living in Mississippi with their mother. This past year they all moved back to Saipan, so we came to the mainland early so we will be back home when our grand daughters get out of school for the summer.

We plan to come again next summer and bring at least one of the girls and our daughter and her sons. We would like to spend a little more time getting to know Keene again. Also, we still have friends in New Hampshire whom we did not get to see on this quick and unplanned visit.   

We have so many fond memories of our time at KSC that it is impossible to name them, but we will forever be grateful for all the help, encouragement, and kindness we were shown. It was truly our home away from home, and the wonderful staff, not only at KSC but at Wheelock as well, were our family.”

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