Dick Ramage '61: Class of 1961

When my father transferred to Maine, my family decided to move to Bethel so that my brother and I could attend Gould. After graduating in 1961, I went to college and then became very busy with work and raising a family of my own. In our first five years of marriage, my wife and I moved six times before settling in California. We also had four children during that time frame, all born in different states, Maine, Connecticut, Texas, and Michigan. Though I loved my experience at Gould, I never found time to attend reunions, visit the campus, or stay in touch with my classmates. My ties to the school had become non-existent as the distance had grown over the years.

A few years ago while my wife and I were staying in our cottage in Harrison, we received a call from John Todd, Class of 1960, inviting us for a campus tour. I had not been back on campus since graduation, and it was a very eye-opening experience to see how much of campus had changed. It also brought back many memories of my time spent at Gould. I realized then that I wanted to re-establish my connection to Gould and become involved and help in any way I could.

After deciding to make a major contribution to Gould, I wanted the money to go where the need was. It struck home with me to learn that the 2008 freshman class required additional funding for its Four Point trip to China. During my career at Nestle, I was fortunate enough to travel to many parts of the world. It was an amazing opportunity to work in many different countries and experience different cultures and see how those cultures view our own. In addition to my contribution to the Annual Fund, I focus my financial gift on the freshman Four Point Program. Exposing this group of students to a part of the world as meaningful and as relevant as China is today, will be a fruitful and life-changing event for them. 

Now that I'm in Maine more often, I've decided to volunteer my time as a member of the Board of Trustees. Gould is an exciting place, and I see a great opportunity to give back to the school that has given me and so many other students an opportunity in life. I encourage all alumni who have let time and distance separate them from Gould to re-engage. You'll find it very rewarding.