In 1973 I graduated from the then Rosary Hill with a degree in Art Education. I was hired immediately by a local school district and retired after teaching 33 years. During those years, I received 2 Master degrees and still remain ABD (all but dissertation) toward a Ph.D. I hated being retired. My second career was a historical society curator. My third was becoming their Executive Director. In that role, after applying for to the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation for a grant to make the National Registry Landmark museum handicap accessible, I had the incredible good fortune of not just receiving their grant award, but also the position as their Executive Director. In my role as Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation I oversee grant requests of $5 million annually. .
It is a privilege to serve the Foundation's mission of advancing American history and culture. I feel I am still teaching, having the same profound impact that each teacher has on each student, but now my classroom has become historic house, museums, major universities, archives and vast historic collections.
This all began in Amherst.