The Last Word
by Mary “Missy” Feeley ’78 Chair, Allegheny College Board of Trustees
Moments of Discovery If you followed Allegheny’s social media this spring, you may have seen photos of several members of the Class of 2020 after they defended their Senior Projects via online meetings. The coronavirus pandemic brought an unexpected change to that rite of passage for our seniors. Judging by the screenshots of students smiling side-by-side (virtually) with their faculty advisors, the joy of the achievement surmounted the challenge of the distance. Those moments illustrate the tremendous difference that Allegheny mentors make — through not only the Senior Project but all that leads up to it. During my first year as chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, I have again and again heard stories from our students and alumni about the time and care that faculty and staff have invested in them. Its influence often extends far beyond graduation.
From my own experience and what I continue to see, the rigor and depth of Allegheny’s curriculum make it an extraordinary place for students to prepare for an evolving future.
I, too, have one of those mentoring stories I’m fond of sharing — Professor Sam Harrison ’63 sparked my interest in geology, ultimately leading to my career as a geoscientist. I vividly recall Sam taking my Introduction to Geology class through Meadville’s Greendale Cemetery and a nearby ravine. He wove together his astute observations of the terrain and the history of the community to tell the story of how the landscape was formed. Looking back, I recognize that this experience was an “aha moment.” It’s where I first learned to appreciate how different subjects could interplay, inform each other and lead to a more nuanced
understanding of an issue. I credit Sam, and my entire Allegheny experience, with teaching me how to solve problems by integrating disparate data and looking beyond the surface (both figuratively and literally, particularly in those geology courses). Decades later, I am inspired by President Hilary Link’s and the Board of Trustees’ commitment to sustaining an environment built on that same close-knit advising. That kind of approach requires substantial resources. However, I believe that investment pays critical dividends for our world. Allegheny continues to have a fundamental responsibility to educate creative, confident people who consider different viewpoints, engage in dialogue and confront society’s most critical challenges. Addressing those challenges is anything but easy, particularly in a rapidly changing world. From my own experience and what I continue to see, the rigor and depth of Allegheny’s curriculum make it an extraordinary place for students to prepare for an evolving future. The College also fosters opportunities for students to take what they learn in the classroom into the world beyond, near and far. In turn, students bring those experiences back to campus to enhance their learning. In other words, Allegheny is an excellent incubator for those “aha moments” just like I had in Sam Harrison’s class. Those moments of discovery go on to shape young people’s lives. I am very honored to serve the College and, with you, advance its traditions of mentorship and innovation that have endured through more than two centuries of changing times.
