Suffolk University Alumni Magazine 2008/2009 - (Page 63) TExT//JON GOTTLIEB BSJ’81 IMAGES//KINDRA KLINEFF after college//ALUmNI PERsPECTIVE A POST-AlUmNI WEEKEND lETTER iT WaS a rECOgNizablE place after so many years being away from the Suffolk community. Walking down Charles Street was surreal; after 27 years of not participating in any type of school activity, I still felt a closeness to my five-year home, but saw a very different neighborhood—full of trendy shops and restaurants where urban blight used to be, surrounded by the campus that helped shape me into the person I happily am today. And then I saw the red hat. I had a flashback that became a most pleasurable return to a positive life-shaping place. It was a welcoming and friendly feeling when I met the alumni office staff at the door of the red hat and was invited in. All my old/new friends were waiting for me. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, comfortable and cheery. I used to have my newspaper meetings here when I was a writer for the Suffolk Journal, critiquing the newspaper and laughing and enjoying the company of other Journal staff while we talked about what we had accomplished in the issue. Now, the same kind of easy conversation flowed in an eatery that never really changed. The food and drink added to the gaiety. My main course was taking in the Suffolk experience, talking to people I did not know but got to be closer to as we shared thoughts and feelings that ran the gamut from our daily life at Suffolk to what we were doing now. I wanted the night to last because I was getting so much out of the simple pleasures of sitting around a table with good food and good people. I know the next time an invitation comes to attend an event that brings me back to Suffolk, I won’t hesitate. happy faces, boisterous banter, warm smiles and hand-shakes were my rewards as I left after an enjoyable two hours of reminiscing.When Suffolk calls me again, this alumnus is going back to school for a visit. Won’t you join me? you won’t regret it. Memories have a funny way of reappearing as reality when you visit Suffolk. you’ll be glad you did! Sincerely, Jon Gottlieb BSJ’81 www.suffolk.edu SUFFOLKARTS+SCIENCES//2008/2009 [63] http://www.suffolk.edu
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