The following article appeared in the From The Hill Magazine 2020 Issue. Follow these links to make a gift, update your information, or submit a class note.
Jeanne Dennison ’78 and Patricia Epperly ’78, met in 1974 on their first day at Albertus Magnus College on the grand staircase of McAuliffe Hall. Little did they know they would be forever intertwined — as friends and as supporters of Albertus: Dennison serving as Trustee emerita and Epperly as one of its longest consecutive donors. Both alumnae reflect on their relationship, the value of a liberal arts education, and their advice for the College going forward.
TOGETHER FROM THE START
They roomed together. They became Resident Assistants at the same time. They even interned together.
“We interned together at the Hospital of St. Raphael in their Public Relations Department,” reflected Epperly. “Through Albertus’ career counseling and on-campus recruiting, I was hired as a trainee at Aetna upon graduation. Jeanne was hired at SNET (Southern New England Telephone) so we both lived together in a glorious apartment on Linden Street in New Haven. I think that Jeanne and I both pushed each other to challenge ourselves and to see how far we could go. Hanging out with another overachiever helps because you feel you’re in it together. ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’ After a year, I entered law school and she entered an MBA program. We both worked full time jobs and went to school at night. She ended up leaving New Haven and traveling the world on her own for a year. We both believed in ourselves, supported each other’s dreams in taking on Herculean challenges such as world travel and law school. Seeing women in leadership roles on a daily basis gave you the belief that you could do anything.”
Dennison agrees that friendships formed at Albertus were transformational. Some of her fondest memories include the traditional Candlelight ceremony, hanging out for hours with housemates during the infamous Blizzard of ’78, and how Albertus infused the importance of history, tradition, and the spirit of connection, which re-enforced a sense of community.
VALUING A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION
Dennison and Epperly graduated together, feeling blessed by their liberal arts education.
“The greatest benefit of a liberal arts education continues to be the value of different perspectives — this has influenced all aspects of my career and life,” said Dennison, now a Trustee emerita.
Dennison graduated with a communications degree, enjoying a 26-year career in the telecommunication industry, eventually holding the position of Vice President of Human Resources and Public Affairs for the Verizon International Business Department.
“The Albertus Magnus College commitment of providing an education that promotes the search for truth and is practical in its application was realized for me through internship and practicum opportunities. During my years as a student, I participated in three distinct internships — each a steppingstone to the next opportunity. I was a student intern at the New Haven Register; in the public relations department at the Hospital of St. Raphael; and in my final semester at what was then Southern New England Telephone Company in the human resources department. I had the good fortune to secure a job with SNET upon graduation and it was the start of a 26-year career in the telecommunications industry,” Dennison said.
For Epperly, after Albertus came a job at Aetna. Her daily negotiations as a claims representative inspired her to become a lawyer.
“I am a big believer in a liberal arts education. It provides a strong foundation for almost any career. I love to read so I chose English as my major and the English Department at Albertus was excellent. From the requisite curriculum freshman year, to the electives, I was able to take a wide array of courses that taught me critical thinking, analysis, and writing. Expressing concepts and ideas are essential for a law degree. I felt well prepared for the challenge of law school,” she said.
PREPARED FOR LIFE
The Four Pillars of Albertus Magnus: Study, Prayer, Community, and Service have stayed with Dennison throughout her life.
“The Albertus motto of “Contemplata aliis tradere” (to share the fruits of contemplation) always resonated with me — using my education in the service of others,” she said, noting how she is active as a volunteer with her church as well as several non-profits — and obviously serving and leading the Albertus Board.
Epperly’s advocacy was through education — volunteering as PTO President and as a Board member of the Framingham, Massachusetts Education Foundation.
ALBERTUS AT 100 AND BEYOND
Dennison is proud of the College’s first 100 years and looks forward to continued success for the next century. Staying true to its roots is crucial.
“Advancing the Catholic identity and Dominican heritage of the College, remaining true to the Liberal Arts curriculum, engaging more alumni and deepening their understanding of the value of an Albertus education, and celebrating the role of the faculty and their critical influence in the lives of our students. The academic excellence provided by the faculty has a lifelong impact on our graduates.”
Epperly agrees, saying the Dominican Sisters got it right.
“What I’m most proud of is that the Dominican Sisters, in 1925, possessed the vision to educate women as equal to men. As women’s roles changed, so did the curriculum and the rituals. Albertus evolved while maintaining its mission ‘to seek truth in all its dimensions and is practical in its application.’ In today’s society where truth is seemingly no longer highly regarded, Albertus continues to find truth in the students they educate. First with the women — new to the right to vote, deprived of other rights like education, employment, healthcare, and autonomy, to name a few. And today, women and men of color or first generation college students who equally struggle to find their best selves and who deserve the riches of a Dominican education. I am so proud that this tradition continues at Albertus and continues in an exceptional manner.”
BFFs
And their friendship continues as well. “We are now 45 years into our friendship and I feel the same as I did as a young girl of 18 when we’re together. That joy, laughter, and love we’ve carried all these years continues to resonate, even deeper as we head into our 60’s. My husband and kids adore Jeanne, she’s my daughter’s godmother. I credit Albertus with bringing us together. I can’t imagine my life without her!” said Epperly of her lifelong friend.