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classmates could carry with them wherever they went. She served as a member of the Reunion Giving Leadership Committee in 1998, helping rally classmates to sign on as fundraising olunteers for their 50th. “Her determination and enthusiasm were ontagious,” notes Suzanne Menzel Snyder ’48 , who attended fundraising essions at Tibby’s home. Tibby’s efforts, long with those of other dedicated class ffcers, helped the Class of ’48 to shatter ts previous reunion gift totals and top ll other classes that year. In 2003, Tibby erved as class historian for her 55th reunion, creating a memorable history that honored classmates’ lives, past and present. She has also been a frequent participant in Alumni Leadership Council weekends and a planner of regional alumni events in the Boston area. But what her classmates remember most about Tibby as an alumna volunteer harkens back to their days on Union Avenue. At each reunion or mini-reunion of the Class of 1948, Tibby reprises her role as song leader. Suzy Snyder recalls, “Anytime a group got together and wanted to sing, you could always count on Tibby to lead them. She knew exactly what to do to get everyone singing and having a good time.” When Suzy organized a mini-reunion in 2002, she called upon Tibby to serve as musical director. “As always, she shared her talent and made it fun for everyone.” Tibby also shared her talent as choral director of the Framingham Sweet Adelines and Men’s Barbershop Chorus for more than 30 years. She traveled the country with the Sweet Adelines, placing in the top tier at one national competition that the Indianapolis, Ind., audience of 8,000 would never forget: Tibby’s gals sang dressed as cavewomen. In 1999, she led the Adelines and the Barbershoppers

in competition during a two-week tour of the British Isles, where they performed for the mayor of Worcester, England, at a private luncheon held in their honor. She continues leading choruses that visit nursing homes around her Framingham home and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Tibby observes, “I’m afraid I’m known for never being able to say no to the question, ‘Will you come and direct us?’ I always say yes. I love it so much, and I always will.”

When informed that she was receiving this award, she says she was “shocked to death, because I thought it should go to others who I feel have done much more.” Tibby adds, “I am just lucky I developed the habit of saying yes to whatever I was asked to do for our class. This award is very meaningful because I am so appreciative of my Skidmore education. Skidmore gave me so much—a solid foundation for my profession, close friendships, and so many memories. I am happy to give back.”

Natalie “Til” Jones Neri ’53 grew up hearing stories about Skidmore from her mother, Edith Loomis Jones, a 1921 graduate of what was then Skidmore School of Arts. “Her dedication to all things Skidmore was so contagious,” Til recalls, “that I never even considered going to college anywhere else.” A dedicated alumna, Til’s mother also passed along an important lesson that her daughter would take to heart—that working on behalf of people and places you care about was something to be highly valued. For over four decades, Til has been doing just that, and Skidmore has been one of the biggest benefciaries of her time and talents.