Bonnie writes: “The best decision I made in 2013 was to attend our 50th Reunion. It reminded me of who I was in 1959 when we all arrived on campus. The entire reunion weekend was uplifting. How could the reunion weekend not be, when we were surrounded by our 1960’s good friends, talented musicians, and inspirational messages? I will not forget the unique St. Olaf reunion experience.

That reunion also helped me answer some important questions. I transferred as a junior to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Should I have done this or attended the University of Michigan for four years? After coming back to campus for the reunion, where I felt so comfortable and energized, I knew attending St. Olaf as a freshman and sophomore had been the right thing for me. I will always be grateful for the good start for college St. Olaf gave me. I went on to graduate from the University of Michigan with B.S. in zoology and M.B.A. degrees.

The other question I answered at the reunion was how well do I remember events? Often when recollecting something, I would defer to someone else who I thought had a better memory than I did. After the reunion when I remembered the First Nighter in the gym and the Wizard of Oz production, which was an answer to a mealtime quiz, I was confident that my memory was better than most. I asked Judith Nyquist ’63 and Rebecca Lerud ’63 if they remembered hitch hiking to the University of Minnesota to attend a program on careers in science. They didn’t remember this notable trip. The first vehicle that picked us up was a van with father/son occupants, and we sat in the back on bales of hay. It sure beat going to the U on the 6 a.m. bus.

I told my family that the remainder of 2014 should be a time of extreme thankfulness for us. I had a 25-year career in business research and investment management, mostly with A. G. Edwards/Wells Fargo Advisors. My husband Bob retired as a Chemistry Professor at the University of New Mexico. We have two sons and a daughter, all well employed and married, and five grandsons and a granddaughter. Anyone traveling on I-40 or I-25 through Albuquerque is invited to enjoy our New Mexico sunshine and our resident roadrunners and stay a while.

Several years ago the kids and I came to campus on a warm summer day. There was a music conference in the chapel, and all the doors and windows were open. As we walked past a choir was singing a beautiful arrangement: God be with you ‘till we meet again, By his counsels guide, uphold you, With his sheep securely fold you, God be with you ‘till we meet again. May God be with all of you as you go on your life’s way.”