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Volunteer Voice: Nancy Hooker Lattimore, J66, G71, and B. Gresh Lattimore, Jr., F65, F70, F72
Nancy and Gresh Lattimore met on a blind date at Tufts in October 1964 when she was a Jackson junior and he was a first-year Fletcher student. They have been together ever since, marrying in 1967 and raising a son, Mark (adopted 1975), who now has his own son. In 2004 Nancy retired from a 36-year teaching career in elementary education and slipped effortlessly into an extended personal network that included Tufts, her teaching friends, her family, and her neighborhood Gresh retired the following year from a 30-year career in commercial banking and the Naval Reserve. He is re-inventing himself as a lay hospital chaplain ministering to veterans suffering from PTSD (post traumatic distress disorder). Both Nancy and Gresh have been loyal supporters of Tufts over the years. Each serves on the Tufts Alumni Council and participates in their respective class activities and reunions. Living just a 15 minute drive from campus, they often take advantage of campus activities. Nancy has always been active in alumni affairs. “I became active in class affairs at Tufts as a Jackson undergraduate, and this training as secretary and vice president has served me well ever since. When Gresh was stationed at Annapolis with the Navy, I began interviewing for TAAP and continued meeting with prospective students for many years after we moved to Lexington. TAAP participation led me to other alumni opportunities.“I have worked with every class reunion since graduation and serve as the unofficial class “treasurer” to this day. And I’m into my second decade of service on various committees of the Alumni Council, especially Continuing Education, Citizenship and Public Service, Awards, and Nominations. I really enjoy this committee stuff! The Awards and Nominations committees introduce me to fascinating Tufts grads who have done marvelous things with their lives and who have given back to Tufts. At the Council meetings I also enjoy learning about what’s happening on campus and meeting with alums from across the nation. They are so enthusiastic about Tufts, no matter how far away they live! I always leave full of energy and hope.” “Nancy’s long devotion to Tufts inspired me to become quite active with Fletcher alumni activities since 2000,” says Gresh. “Two of my Fletcher classmates envisioned a special 35th reunion, and I volunteered to provide the liaison with the school to make it a reality. We celebrated our reunion in September 2000, many classmates actually staying in Blakeley Hall for ambiance with past memories. Since then I’ve served as Class Representative and participated in several Fletcher alumni committees. And living so close to the Medford campus, I also am able to attend many of Fletcher’s ongoing conferences and special presentations by experts worldwide. “Perhaps my most satisfying time has been with the Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning, which was just getting underway in 2000. I was invited to join the Executive Board and chaired the finance committee for several years. During that time I also served as a study group leader, teaching classes in history and international affairs. It was very stimulating to be around other vibrant retirees with different life experiences, all sharing a desire to continue to learn. The Osher initiative is one of several ways Tufts is reaching out to its Baby Boomer graduates.” Both Nancy and Gresh consider volunteering an enriching and energizing experience. “Volunteering keeps me in touch with all the wonderful things going on at Tufts,” says Nancy. “I get to work closely with all kinds of great Tufts people: classmates, other graduates, staff and the impressive students. I’m always proud to be part of these groups. My fellow volunteers always want to do what’s best for Tufts.” In addition, Gresh notes “that volunteering is an opportunity for me to give something back to Fletcher and Tufts. My Fletcher tie has opened many doors for me throughout my life. I want to acknowledge that and do something concrete in return beyond my annual gift to the Fletcher Fund. There is always a need for more alumni champions who will provide counsel and support for new programs and initiatives.” “Let’s be honest,” both Nancy and Gresh agree, “volunteering at Tufts keeps us young or at least young at heart! Just being on campus is a tonic!” Read more Volunteer Voices:
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