Alumni to return Saturday to former Harriman College campus

HARRIMAN - Nestled in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains, some 40 miles north of Manhattan, is the campus once known as Harriman College. The Pallotine Sisters opened the college in 1956 as Queen of the Apostles College. Young women entered the college with the intention of becoming nuns. As time went on the Sisters realized the need to compete and re-invent the college in the ever-changing world of higher education. So in 1966 they changed the name to Harriman College. It was one of the smallest colleges in the state. Its mission was always to combine the social, spiritual, and academic skills to enhance the development of its student population. One aspect of Harriman that was unique was the word "family." Being such a small school, the community there was a family. The daily interaction of the students, Sisters, faculty, and staff members was ever-changing. It evolved to make every person reach their full potential whether they realized it at the time or not. And the people were unique -- be it the veterans taking night classes, students from rural or urban backgrounds, or the dedicated faculty and staff. Rounding out the picture was the spiritual influence of the Sisters. This all led to working towards a positive environment. Something else that was unique was what the students brought with them. The college did not offer a big sports program, fraternities, sororities or other extracurricular activities found at larger schools. When students from that time were growing up they found simple ways to enjoy being young -- riding their bikes, street games, or spending quality time with Barbie. There were no video games, computers or cell phones as today. As young adults, the students at Harriman created their own entertainment and social development. They were a creative lot. Year after year after year. And with such a small population friendships went deep. It was truly a loss to the world of academia and future generations when Harriman closed its doors in 1983. There was a place for this size college then and now with what it offered students. On Saturday, May 1, a group of Harriman Alumni are putting on a reunion open to all classes of the college. This will be an opportunity for people who attended this school to get together and celebrate, "A Place Once Called Harriman College." To receive an invitation run an Internet search for Harriman College Reunion 2004 or visit the web site www.the-lizzard.com/reunion.htm