Contributed by Albertus alumna Frances R. Kondziela ’72, a recent inductee into Albertus’ Golden Society. An abridged version of this post appears in the Spring 2023 edition of From The Hill Magazine.
There we are! Starting our first year at Albertus Magnus College, standing in rows on the stately, majestic and yet so beautifully welcoming front steps of Rosary Hall Library, a very special place located in New Haven, CT. Each of us is wearing our little green and white beanies with “AMC 1972” printed on the front. Why on earth did we ever wear those silly beanies? Most probably because the tiny hats were a huge symbol of our unity as a group of young women, the class of 1972, who were starting a new life together at Albertus Magnus College.
I cannot express the excitement, pride and fear felt while standing on those steps, because I was the first in my family to be enrolled in college. My Mother was determined I should receive the benefits of an advanced education that she had been denied. Thanks to my Mom’s wise and wonderful support, I proceeded with my undergraduate college search, forging a new path forward that would change my life. Fortunately, the moment I stepped on the Albertus campus I felt like I belonged and somehow knew that this college was the right place for me. So certain of my school choice, I only filled out one application, Early Decision, and was accepted in December of my senior year.
My first dorm room was on the fourth floor of Dominican Hall, where most freshmen lived. When I arrived on campus, I was greeted warmly by my Junior Big Sister, Barbara Jean Frinder, who thankfully acted as a true big sister and guide. Moving-in day, as all moving days, was filled with confusion, excitement, fear, exhaustion and people struggling with arms full of boxes and luggage. As I made my new bed for the first time in Room #408, I could sense the tears in my eyes: tears from the feeling of separation from home for the very first time as well as tears of relief and pride that I had been accepted here.
And I always did feel accepted at Albertus.
The years would pass and the fears would pass, although I always worked extra hard because I carried the serious responsibility of being the first in my family to have the privilege of a college education and because I knew of all the sacrifices that my Mom had made to enable my attendance here. Fortunately, being a student at Albertus was a joy for me because of my fellow students and dedicated professors. If you will allow me, I would like to share several especially noteworthy stories and names:
First…Dr. Mary Etta Knapp, a warm Shakespearean scholar, who invited me and my roommate to her home and out to lunch while we were her students and after we were no longer in her class. I will always remember her inviting my fellow classmate and roommate Margaret Williams Valentino and me to Louis’ Lunch. That would mark my first time enjoying a burger in that historic eatery. Through the years I would share that wonderful New Haven landmark treasure with family and friends.
Dr. Susan Cole, a caring, dedicated English teacher, who I am very happy to report is still teaching at the school, inspired me in Dramatic Literature class. Drama would become my passion as a high school English teacher. One story I always share is the time Dr. Cole phoned me at my dorm room one day after I had missed her class. She said that she was sincerely concerned about me because I never missed class. No, I wasn’t ill. I was, in fact, driving my family’s red Volkswagen Beetle to chauffeur some guest singers, who had just arrived from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, for a special choral event at our school. Needless to say, I never missed her class again.
Dr. Bianca Calabresi made the study of Italian classic and classy. My Science and Ideas professor, Dr. Elizabeth Patterson, urged me to major in her subject because of my ability to decode various cryptograms and who, I secretly enjoyed believing, was attempting to recruit me for a career with the CIA. I always have had a vivid imagination.
Along the way, I took advantage of the school’s many activities and electives, including an Acting class my senior year. In addition to joining the Glee Club, I ran the film society with my friends, so we would have the opportunity to select the entertainment, and worked on the literary magazine the year the magazine’s new name of Breakwater was christened (which I was happy to see, on its 50-year anniversary, remains as the magazine’s name today).
I was also fortunate to be assigned a work-study position in the library with kind Sister Wilma. Amazingly, during those years, we had the privilege to declare the Honor Pledge when checking out a book from the library or taking an exam and writing on the front cover of our blue books the following words: “I do declare the Honor Pledge”. We were trusted. That trust really builds character and is a memory I particularly love about my alma mater. During my time there, Albertus became one of the first Catholic institutions to lessen the Residence Hall House Mothers’ authority, providing yet another example of how we as young women were to be trusted. I am certain that we all benefited and grew as a result of these character-building experiences.
Against the background of the Vietnam turmoil, my 4 years flew by filled with social and academic opportunities. I remember one trip to hear Maurice Sendak at Yale and another to the Shubert Theater to see Hair with some protestors carrying signs condemning all who attended. On one other occasion my roommate and I purchased tickets to see Danny Kaye in Two by Two in a pre-Broadway out of town try-out at that same theatre. Another event that cannot be forgotten is when Mr. Danny Kaye greeted us in his dressing room, wearing only a yellow bathrobe. He was very kind speaking to us, especially since I am certain that we were quite tongue-tied.
Senior year arrived in a blink of an eye and decisions had to be made. I wanted to start my teaching career, so I applied to various Connecticut school systems. As a possible back-up plan, I also decided to take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) for Literature in English, to hedge my bets, in case I was unable to find employment as a high school English teacher. I remember being very surprised at how much I actually knew that was on the GRE, and as a result, received a respectable score. Therefore, I decided to apply to only one graduate school for a Masters in English, my dream school: NYU. To my surprise, I was accepted and even given some financial aid. Since my job quest had proved unfruitful, I accepted NYU’s offer and was overjoyed to enroll and filled with excitement in the realization that I had succeeded.
After completing my Masters in English from NYU, I was offered a position at Roger Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, CT, where I remained for my entire career, as a high school English teacher and Drama Director, retiring only very recently. I had the extreme good fortune to find a career that I absolutely loved! On College Awareness Day at our school, I would share with my students the story of finding the two perfect schools. First, Albertus, the smaller, warm, welcoming one, on a beautiful campus where everyone knew you by sight, and four years later, NYU, the larger, bustling city one, that I felt prepared for because of the education, training and experiences gleaned from my time at AMC.
As the 50 years since my graduation from Albertus flew by, I have happily watched with pride as my alma mater has expanded and grown by becoming a coeducational institution, and by adding sports programs and advanced degrees to keep the school not just continuing but thriving, even hosting a visit this summer from the First Lady of the U.S., Dr. Jill Biden, a teacher herself.
Bravo, Albertus!
Wishing you another exciting 50 years ahead!
Thank you for everything: the education, the people, the fun, the memories.
This article is dedicated posthumously to Margaret Williams Valentino & Sharon Pochron Taylor, both members of the class of 1972