Bay Path University

www.baypath.edu Words with Friends B a y P a t h a l U m n i F r o m t h e P a s t C e n t U r y rememBer, reFleCt, and look to the FUtUre When she first heard that Bay Path's name would change, the first thought Pat Jacobson '39 had was, "how exciting!" That was back in 1988, when the College began offering a four-year bachelor's degree program for the very first time. Reflecting on this latest evolutionary step in our history—Bay Path University—Pat couldn't be more proud of her alma mater. "This is truly a phenomenal change," she stated, "and a perfect example of great leadership." In Bay Path's 118-year history, there have been five institutional names, each era adding another distinct layer to our proud heritage. Along with Pat, here are five other alumni—from each of our stages over the years—to offer their thoughts, hopes, and most of all… their stories. As they are the bedrock upon which we built Bay Path's legacy, their history is your history. IRMA "PAT" WEDERSTROM JACOBSON '39 BAY PATH INSTITUTE Opening up her well-worn copy of the 1939 Bay Path Institute Yearbook, Pat points to the elegant penmanship above Elizabeth "Betty" Phillips' name. At the end of a lovely personal note, her friend had written that she expected the two of them would be "lifelong friends." Until her passing seventy-five years later in April of 2014, Betty Phillips Sweeney's prescient words rang true. The pair had been as inseparable in life as they were at the Bay Path Institute. They met on the first day of classes in Springfield, Pat recalls. On the drive up from their hometown of Hartford every day with fellow classmate Frank Leonard at the wheel, "We became quite close. Lots of jokes, concern about our schoolwork—you know, the regular conversations that students have!" She laughs when thinking about a moment here and there in the pair's time at the Institute. After Bay Path, Jacobson experienced quite the life of adventure—from New York City to working with the Red Cross in Manila, Philippines. At the end of World War II she took the civil service test. Not long after, she received a telephone call: "Would you move to Vienna?" Witnessing the ravaged European landscape, it was a far cry from the life she knew back in New England. "I'm not sure how it happened," she added, "but I ended up with Top Secret security clearance. In all of Europe there were only a handful of women with that." Bay Path Institute prepared her well. She often thinks back on those memories, including her dear friend Betty. "Our time at Bay Path was such a very happy time. We had wonderful lives together." Lifelong friends, indeed. "Our time at Bay Path was such a very happy time."

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