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A Wonderful Time for Reunions
from Fall 2021 Magazine
by Elms College
This fall, classes ending in 0’s, 5’s, 1’s, and 6’s, two distinguished Alumni Awards recipients, and the Golden Blazers classes of ‘70 and ‘71 celebrated coming together, reconnecting with classmates, as well as making new friends. In recognition of the five decades that have passed since their graduations, the classes of 1970 and 1971 received their Golden Blazer scarves. The term “Golden Blazer” was chosen because it signifies a fire that is both fierce and blazing bright. To the alumnae in the Classes of ‘70 and ‘71, welcome to the Golden Blazer family!
Golden Blazers ‘70
At the Elms College reunions this fall, Elms College President Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA, presented the Sr. Margaret James McGrath Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2020 and 2021. The 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Margaret (Meg) Benoit Beturne, BSN, RN ‘99, for the compassionate care, ethical standards, and social consciousness that she brings to her nursing career and her involvement in the community. After graduating from the college’s RN-BSN program, she began her nursing career that would lead her to hold several nursing positions at Baystate Health before landing her current position as assistant nurse manager of the Baystate Orthopedic Center in Springfield. Her innate desire to care for others and help community residents in need led her to become involved with The Children’s Study Home, Gray House, and several other organizations throughout the region.
Golden Blazers ‘71
To nominate an alumnus for the 2022 award, please email alumni@elms.edu or call 413-265-2454 to receive a nomination form.
Mary Quinn, SSJ, ‘71, was the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her faithful dedication to assist women in their re-entry process into the community after leaving incarceration at the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center in Chicopee. Prior to attending Elms, she discovered her true calling to enter the sisterhood at the Sisters of St. Joseph in Springfield. After graduating in 1971 with a bachelor of arts degree in English, she went on to pursue a master of arts degree and a master of divinity and doctor of ministry degree from Boston University. Sister Mary has served two six-year terms on the Elms College Board of Trustees, earning the title Trustee Emerita, has been president of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Springfield, and is currently president of the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association. Editor’s Note: the Elms College community mourns the passing of Sr. Mary Quinn on November 14, 2021. She will be sincerely missed.
