Richard Killeen '51 applied to Union from Yokohama, Japan, during World War II, writing “School is first choice – will travel 6,000 miles to attend” on his admissions form.
“That must have impressed someone,” he remembers with a laugh.
These days, Union is still top choice for the man who's a master at marshalling his fellow classmates in volunteering time, money and energy for Union people and projects.
And, considerably closer to campus from his home in Saratoga Springs, he revels in being a mentor to young scholarship students.
“I let them know that if they ever have problems, our house is only a half hour away, and they can always send me a letter or call,” he says.
Killeen left the Pacific and landed on Union's campus in 1947, a time when the College was rife with opportunities for veterans. Students ranged in age from 17 to 47, many of them, like himself, benefiting from the G.I. Bill. He's been actively involved in campus life and scholarship programs ever since.
As Class of 1951 head agent, a position he accepted in 1993 after serving as an associate agent for nine years, Killeen expanded the existing Class of 1951 Endowed Scholarship. The former New York Telephone/NYNEX executive likes nothing more than to keep in touch, and he regularly sends photos, news, quips and other tidbits of information to his classmates.
He also connects with students regularly and attends every scholarship luncheon.
The current class scholarship recipient is Jonathon Miller '08, a mechanical engineer and lacrosse player from Yarmouth, Maine, who is, Killeen says, “a pleasure to spend time with. My wife, Patricia, and I have enjoyed watching him develop into a mature young man.”
Killeen is proud, too, that his class includes 13 graduates who have given private scholarships. He'll make sure to let them know that, next time they're all together. That'll be in May, when the Class of 1951 celebrates a milestone of more than half a century.
“It's going to be spectacular. Our 55th ReUnion will set another standard of excellence for Union,” Killeen says with his usual zest for all things Union. “We're sure to have many old stories to repeat and new tales to tell.”