Marlene writes that she has enjoyed a life as a homemaker and community volunteer. She has three children, two sons and one daughter, all in their early 40s. She lives in Edina, Minn.

Bob and I have retired to Bella Vista, Ariz., and enjoy golf, volunteering and travel. Because of my N/K/P major, I spent my working career teaching first grade, kindergarten and early childhood. It must have been the right fit since I enjoyed every job I had. Thank you, Macalester!

I began teaching in the fall of l957 and have kept on over the years in many places and in several disciplines. English and journalism were my main areas.

We have one son, Paul, who is approaching 45! During the Bosnian War we also "adopted" a Serb/Muslin couple who now live in Kansas and we are grandparents to Stefan (9) and Vera (6).

Since retirement, I’ve taught a memoir writing class for seniors, been visible as a protestor and worker against our local clear-cutting disaster, started an Environmental Film Festival with my husband Roger that has grown into a two-county event, published a book of poems and more.

I am involved in a wonderful project spending gift money from a local naturalist to develop a Nature Library. Now in its third year, the collection, which is part of the county library, offers over 500 new books on all aspects of our natural world and an outstanding collection of DVDs. Just this week, I was able to send a copy of "An Inconvenient Truth" to each of our eight branch libraries. Our area is striving to be a sustainable community and these films offer guidance and inspiration.

Macalester was perfect for me — a slow pace allowing me to find my major field (which was wrong, but I corrected that later in graduate school), the United Nations’ flag flying with the American flag. The special thematic weeks, chapel, and convocation brought us together as a family. The emphasis on international connectedness is the most obvious influence. Roger, whom I met the first day of our freshman year, and I have lived and taught abroad twice — one year in former Yugoslavia and two years in Malaysia. We also traveled extensively and often in Eastern Europe and published many articles in newspapers and magazines.