Home Base at Vassar: Veterans Gather at the Alumnae House
Veterans from across the Vassar community—students, alums, and employees—came together on October 8 for a special Affinity Engagement gathering at the Alumnae House. The evening offered space to reconnect, recognize military service as an important part of their Vassar experience, and learn how Affinity Engagement supports veterans in their transition from undergraduates to alums. Attendees also explored how the Alumnae House serves as a “Forever Home” for them and for all Vassar alums, who are members of the AAVC (Alumnae/i Association of Vassar College).
Photo by Stockton Photo, Inc.
Planned by Sharon Parkinson, Director of Affinity Engagement in the Office of Advancement, the event emphasized how Affinity Engagement fosters lifelong connections among alums through their shared identities and experiences. Alisa Swire ’84, representing the AAVC, spoke about the association and encouraged attendees to view the Alumnae House as a welcoming home base. General Manager Martha Barry ’86 shared insights into the Inn's history and recent renovations, and Colleen Mallet, Director of Veteran Students Outreach and Support, joined in welcoming participants.
“Transitioning from student to alum can feel like losing connection—Affinity Engagement helps bridge that gap,” noted Parkinson. “This event is meant to introduce student veterans to Affinity Engagement early on, and to let alum veterans know we are here to help support them as recent graduates and members of the 42,000+ alum body.“ Addressing the vets and others at the event in the Alumnae House Library, Parkinson said she was especially glad to be introducing veterans to the house. “You have served others, so we’d like to be able to serve you,” she said.
“The Alumnae House is a hidden gem that some of you, especially undergrads, don’t know about,” said Swire to those in attendance. “This place is here for all of you.”
Photo by Stockton Photo, Inc.
Barry echoed those sentiments. “Welcome to Alumnae House; it’s a ‘forever home’ for all of you,” Barry said. She noted that the building has 20 guest rooms, 13 of which had been recently renovated, thanks to a $1 million gift to the College. She said she and her staff host more than 200 catered events each year—weddings, funeral receptions, baby showers, and other occasions for members of the Vassar community and the general public.
Photo by Debbie Swartz
Following the remarks in the library, Barry led the group on a tour of some of the guest rooms, and then everyone adjourned to the Pub for snacks and libations.
Two veterans who attended the gathering said they were glad to have learned more about the Alumnae House. “I’d seen it many times while I was here, but I’d never been inside until I attended an event for veteran grads,” said Navy vet Jaco Chery ’25.
Navy vet Lilly Kinney ’28 said it was her first time inside the building since she arrived at Vassar. “I never knew much about the place and didn’t know it was open to all of us,” she said.
Photo by Stockton Photo, Inc.
Mallet said she was pleased to see new students, returning students, alums and faculty and staff gather at the Alumnae House. “All of them share a common theme of serving or having served our country,” she said. “They were able to learn about the deep history of Alumnae House and their place in it. When I first came to Vassar, the Pub was a popular place for lunch. It was magical seeing it come to life again; it was really special to see 'my' students enjoying the space. Everyone is asking when the next Pub night might be.”