From a simple beginning . . .

A Personal Perspective on the Evolution of the Harvard Extension Alumni Association

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Grossman

by Ruth Voutselas Gove, ABE '67

It was not really by candlelight or oil lamp that a small group of alumni and alumnae met with Dean Reginald Phelps, AB '30, AM '33, PhD '47, to establish the Harvard Extension Alumni Association (HEAA), but it does seem like a long time ago. If one came to Harvard by Cambridge Street in the late 1960s, it was possible to park on Prescott Street or Broadway. All the gates of Harvard Yard were open at night. There was no need to scurry around to find a way out. Walking near the Square was not considered perilous.

The minimum wage was $1.60. A one-semester credit course cost $5. A Harvard Extension School degree could be earned for somewhat less than $1,000. Faculty in the program such as Frank M. Carpenter, George W. Goethals, John U. Monro, Francis M. Rogers, Robert G. Albion, and John V. Kelleher were highly regarded. They were still accepting hand-written papers.

Dean Michael Shinagel, Dr. Julia Phelps, Deans Adams, and Phelps

It was a time of civil unrest. Protests, confrontations, and the assassinations of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., made us all more somber.

"From a simple beginning" was the caption over the announcement of the new Harvard Extension Alumni Association (HEAA). Dean Phelps, director of University Extension, explained that because of the growing interest, a separate association, similar to those at other Harvard schools, had been approved. Harvard degree holders were all members of the Associated Harvard Alumni (AHA) and each school had its own alumni(ae) association, from which a "director" was appointed as a representative to AHA.

In 1967 Edgar Grossman, ABE '66, Ella Smith, ABE '66, Professor Carpenter, and Dean Phelps met with the general secretary of the AHA and voted to form the HEAA. On January 31, 1968, a small group of alumni(ae) got together to create the framework for the organization. Dean Phelps acted as temporary chair, Mr. Grossman was elected president and Mary O'Brien, secretary. In April, Eloise Tompkins, ABE '67, became vice president and Patricia Cote, ABE '62, treasurer. By the time of the first published Harvard Extension School Alumni Bulletin in May, there was a banquet committee and an editorial committee, and a date had been set for the annual meeting and banquet. A nominating committee was named, and 13 members made up the steering committee. For several years, membership on the steering committee was open to any alumnus or alumna who wanted to participate in the work of the Association. After a few instances of someone showing up for one meeting with a lot to say, then never returning, it seemed prudent to require attendance at two or three meetings before inclusion.

Michael Lynch, ABE '66, David Kaplan, ABE '64, and Elliot Klitzman, ABE '67, worked with the AHA to draw up a basic constitution, which was published in the first Bulletin. At the annual meeting and banquet, the officers and the constitution were voted on and ratified. Praise was high for the committee of two, Eloise Tompkins and Mary O'Brien, who arranged the banquet, which turned out to be a joyous reunion.

Perhaps the beginning was simple. Reading the stated purpose of the HEAA in the constitution, one could infer that the alumni(ae) looked forward to pleasant times together. The words of the purpose were:

This organization shall be a nonprofit organization, organized and operated exclusively for the advancement of the education purposes of the Commission on Extension Courses, Harvard University, and for the promotion of mutual acquaintance and good fellowship among the members.

Mr. Grossman added a further note that the meetings, the activities, and a couple of Bulletins a year "should enable us to maintain a continuing interest in Harvard."

After several business meetings, it became evident that there were essentially no funds with which to carry out any activities. Was that what Dean Phelps meant by "simple?"

It was puzzling to be part of the AHA without any financial support from Harvard. The Dean reminded us that the Extension School was sponsored by the Lowell Institute. Tuition paid by students supported the courses and was kept low, because there was "none of the hoopla" that usually accompanies college life. Students generally knew, and appreciated, the education they were receiving because of the will of John Lowell, Jr., and the commitment of his descendants at the Lowell Institute.

The Lowell Institute- Harvard connection began in the 1909-1910 school year, when the president of Harvard--Abbott Lawrence Lowell--appointed a dean-- James H. Ropes--and Harvard professors to teach Institute courses at the College. In 1913, the first Extension degree was awarded at Commencement. The Adjunct in Arts was approved by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and required the same number of courses as a degree from the College. Two or three Extension students graduated each year, except in 1954 and 1957, when only one walked across the platform. In 1960, under Dean Phelps, a Bachelor of Arts in Extension Studies (ABE) replaced the Adjunct in Arts. This was cause for celebration--a leap toward respectability. Twenty-two degrees were awarded in 1967. By now, the number of alumni(ae) had swelled to more than 300.

The new Alumni Association, with a growing population and a need to raise operating funds, discovered that casual meetings were becoming obsolete. The fortitude that helped students to earn a Harvard degree, in turn, made it possible for them to survive the growing demands put upon them as alumni(ae). Demands came in many forms. Assistance did, too.

Dean Phelps oversaw the HEAA and improvements from its inception until his retirement in 1975. Just before the Association was founded, Lehman Hall became the center for commuting Harvard students. Dean Phelps made sure Extension students were welcome. The convenience of having a place to study in the Yard, with dining services available for the first time, made many student's lives more comfortable. The Grossman Library opened on the second floor. Another upgrade took place when it became possible to appoint a director to the AHA. In 1971, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences approved the associate in arts degree. As expected the number of alumni(ae) increased with two degrees available.

Commencement during the early 1960s

Upon Dean Phelps's retirement in 1975, Michael Shinagel, AM '59,
PhD '64, became dean. In his report to the HEAA, he quoted from II Kings, that he hoped, like Elisha, he would inherit his predecessor's spirit. Now, 25 years later, Dean Phelps is still with us, so Dean Shinagel's high spirits must be his own.

Dean Shinagel has presided over major changes in the Extension School and the HEAA. The master in liberal arts degree stands out above the rest, because so many were waiting for it, but were afraid that it would never be possible. The certificate programs have been well received. Titles of Dean and Assistant Dean have been conferred. Extension is officially a School, with a coat of arms and a class ring.

Throughout most of the HEAA's rich history, John Adams was on the scene. He may have retired, but one of these days he will reappear, plaid jacket and all, at one of the alumni(ae) functions or at the Commencement day hospitality suite, just like always. You have been missed, John Adams. Trying to sum up Dean Adams's moments of assistance is a daunting assignment. Writing for and editing the Bulletin, acting as liaison to the Dean, offering his opinion at HEAA business meetings, doing the "little suppers"--just being there so much--come quickly to mind.

Meetings were conducted by many fine presidents, but a few performed beyond the call of duty. First named has to be Ella Smith. She was one of the initiators of HEAA and still holds an office. She is director to the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA)--successor to the AHA--and chair of the banquet committee and hospitality suite. Through the years Ella has held different offices in the HEAA, including being president more than once. On one occasion she and Marion Cameron, ABE '71, stepped in during a leadership crisis and became co-presidents. It isn't the longevity, it's the character that counts.

Marion Cameron, another early president, was a notable officer. Her several terms as president were conducted civilly, bringing a refined manner to whatever she attempted. Her efforts to put the HEAA budget in the black by the sale of Extension insignia items would have caused others to abandon the task. Marion also was director to the AHA.

The late Edgar Grossman contributed in a different way. First president of HEAA and first director to the AHA, he worked with the deans to establish the Grossman Library in Sever Hall, the HEAA, and the Grossman Common Room at 51 Brattle Street. Edgar's love for Harvard, the Extension School, and the Extension Alumni Association, was demonstrated by his generous efforts to make each one better for students and alumni. From his student days to his senior alumnus days, his contagious enthusiasm touched everyone around him.

The demands on active members involved fundraising for the most part. The agenda of the open meetings included the Bulletin, mailings, annual meeting and banquet, and constitution amendments. Many enjoyable events brought alumni together: an Evening with Champions, Boston Pops concerts, museum lectures with Dr. Julia Phelps, Holly Festivals, and Valentine's Day socials. Officers and steering committee members brought home-baked pastries for the local parties. The Extension School also sponsored receptions for degree candidates. Notable changes to the constitution, ratified in 1995, were the acceptance of certificate holders as full members of the HEAA and the assignment of the president to appoint, with the consent of the steering committee, the director to the HAA.

John Adams and Vincent Dixon, ABE '75, EdM '77, along with other duties, wrote for and were editors of the Bulletin. President Charles Lowder, ABE '80, ALM '95, appointed an archive committee to sort available HEAA materials for the Harvard Archives. Getting to a meeting like getting to classes in New England weather was worthy of commendation by itself. Any agenda item could occasionally turn into a matter of contention--even at Harvard. The number of meetings varied every year depending on the leadership style of the president.

But HEAA business meetings were a place where one got to know one's colleagues and form lasting friendships. Alumni(ae) who were active in the beginning days still attend functions. Ruth B. Robinson, ABE '67, mentor and unselfish advocate, recently heard Dean Comeau speak about The Little Prince with fellow alumna, Ruth Glickman, ABE '76. Catherine Minahan, ABE '71, assists at the hospitality suite and lends her faithful support whenever asked.

Commencement week offers the most exciting events. On June 12, 1968, at the Busch-Reisinger Museum, a proud group of 150 alumni(ae) attended the first annual meeting and banquet. A one-time-only payment for the bar bill was made by the AHA. Socializing in the garden preceded the buffet dinner. Dr. Carpenter, a long-time supporter of the Extension program, addressed the group. The evening was warm, so after the banquet some of the alumni(ae) went to the concert in the Yard.

Harvard Yard on Commencement Day is a most happy place to be. Graduation in 1968 was just as exciting as it is today. There were fewer people receiving degrees, and many less watching the ceremonies. Graduating Extension students sat in the first couple of rows on the right, facing the platform. The class walked up the stairs and across the platform, where we were handed our diplomas, then down the other side. Not many walks can compare with that in our lifetimes.

Graduates of the Extension School had no accommodations on Harvard grounds. Most left campus to attend family functions. Included in a Bulletin report was the following: "Several other matters, such as the right of females to participate in the General Alumni Spread and the possibility of an Extension Alumni meeting place in the Yard, were considered."

By 1968 Lehman Hall was secured for an HEAA hospitality suite. Alumni had a place in the Yard to relax and have a cool drink between the graduation ceremonies and the chicken salad spread. Next stop was the awarding of diplomas at Boylston Hall. It would then be time to march in the Alumni Parade to the afternoon meeting of the AHA. The sidelines of the parade were crowded with spectators who clapped and shouted when they spotted a friend. Some formerly active members still drop in at the present location at Sever 22 to say hello and have refreshments. Bob Pagliarulo, ALM '92, CAD '85, is always there with his camera. Conrad Morrissey, ABE '76, and the late George Fred Shelton, ALB '89, were gracious bartenders for a long time at the suite and at the banquet. Anh Ryan, ALB '90, ALM '92, usually comes in to lend a hand.

Today new faces greet us at the office or at get-togethers. Chris Queen, Dean of Students and Director of Alumni(ae) Relations, is liaison to the HEAA and editor of the Bulletin. Alumni such as Larry Sheehan, ALM '94, Theresa DiLando, CSS '83, Santo J. Aurelio, ALB '83, ALM '85, are leaving their mark on the Association. Alumni(ae) functions take place smoothly for the members and are elegantly done. The annual meeting is now called the Banquet. Gone are the days of struggling for operating funds. We have a new style for a new millennium.

Being involved in the developing Harvard Extension Alumni Association has been a bonus educational experience, a first-hand observation of organizational evolution. Best of all has been working with so many delightful people and gaining many loving friends. It doesn't seem like such a long time ago, after all.