Lisa Nelson to lead Wheaton Associates
Residents Are Encouraged to Join and Discover What Wheaton Has to Offer
News @ Wheaton, October 2005
By Sandra Howe
Attleboro resident Lisa Nelson says she was empowered as a Wheaton student in the mid-1970s. Her college experience gave her the courage to become the first female fire commissioner in Attleboro 13 years ago and start her own business, all while raising a family with her husband, Larre.
"Wheaton helped me develop my sense of self as a woman," she reflects. "It has played an important role in my life," she says. Now Nelson, who was recently elected chair of the Wheaton Associates, hopes to help spread the word to other local residents about "all the wonderful resources available on campus."
Nelson succeeds local attorney Tom Noel as chair of the local "town-gown" organization. A 1976 graduate of Wheaton and owner of Nelson Appraisal Service in Attleboro, Nelson has strong ties to the college. Her daughter, Amanda, is a junior and her sister, Beth Stromberg, is a 1972 Wheaton graduate.
College and community partnership
The Wheaton Associates was founded in 1961 with the purpose of supporting the college as a cultural and educational resource while assisting Wheaton in broadening its contribution to surrounding communities.
Members enjoy lectures, plays, art exhibits, concerts and sporting events on campus, while also supporting the college and local communities. "You don't have to go to Providence or Boston to experience something intellectually stimulating or entertaining," Nelson notes. "There are loads of cultural activities happening right on the Wheaton campus, including the Loser Concert Series and the Ruby Lecture Series, and you only have to travel about 10 minutes to get here."
Nelson says it is a treat to be able to see events on campus through a different set of eyes. "It's encouraging to see how students respond to speakers and how they express themselves. Their world is still growing, and by taking part in the vibrant life on the Wheaton campus, it invigorates my life and challenges my thought processes."
Membership has its privileges
Wheaton Associates also have full borrowing privileges at the Madeline Clark Wallace Library on campus, access to the Haas Athletic Center and the Pappas Fitness Center, a discount at the Wheaton College Bookstore, and a free subscription to the Wheaton Quarterly.
Steering Committee members meet five or six times each year to discuss ways in which the college can meet the unfulfilled needs and interests of area residents. They also plan two special events for the general membership.
Wheaton Associates are often treated to campus experiences not available to typical visitors. The programs incorporate hands-on experiences and "behind the scenes" information that gives an enriched view of the college, combined with delicious dinners and conversations with old and new friends.
Annual dues are $250 for both corporate and personal memberships. A portion of the dues go toward the Wheaton Associates Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a local student. The dues also provide a book fund for the library.
In addition, the group works to connect students and local business owners for internships and volunteer work, according to Nelson.
"When I was in college, I felt very insulated from the outside world," she admits. "Students today, however, are eager to get involved and we're glad to help facilitate (with the help of the Filene Center on campus) these kinds of opportunities. It's a win-win for both students and local businesses."
"I have a high opinion and a love for youth," Nelson adds. "The next generation inspires me with their enthusiasm and openness to learning new things. They are studying dynamic topics that I think people would find intellectually stimulating if they took the time to get involved with the students."
Members come from all walks of life and include bankers, lawyers, homemakers, a judge, business people and retirees. The one thing they all have in common, according to Nelson, is an interest in higher education, a desire to encourage dialogue between Wheaton and the local communities, and a sincere respect for today's youth.
"Wheaton is this little jewel in Norton that would like to share itself with residents in the local communities," Nelson explains. "And, I encourage you all to take advantage of Wheaton as a regional and cultural resource."
For more information on the Wheaton Associates, visit www.wheatoncollege.edu/associates/, or e-mail Kristen Turcotte, director of conference and event services, at turcotte_kristen@wheatonma.edu.