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Celebrating 150 Years  |  Alumni Memories

Gail Chapman Close '76

Imagine being so excited by a large brown envelope from The Fraternal Order of the Eagles. It was 1975 and I was a senior at Lake Forest College writing a history thesis under the guidance of Professor of History Michael Ebner. My chosen topic was the history of the Social Security Act of 1935. Turns out the Fraternal Order of the Eagles was a major supporter of this act and had covered this topic extensively in their newsletter.

After having difficulty figuring out how to get to their offices in Wisconsin, a kind office worker there photocopied the documents and sent them along. When I opened that envelop and saw all those primary resources it was like winning the lottery.

Flash forward 30-some years -- in the interim, marriage to a great guy (also Lake Forest College Class of 1976!), nursing school, various jobs, and a wonderful son and daughter. A few years ago I became interested in working on my genealogy. Mysteries surrounding some of my ancestors were and continue to be challenging. I now realize that many of the non-computer methods I now use, such as going to town halls, cemeteries, and libraries, for information were things I'd learned while doing that thesis with Professor Ebner so many years ago. And the joy of finding sources and often answers is still there as well.

Two years ago another large envelope arrive. This time it contained information finally enabling me to connect my maternal grandfather to a family line going back to The Netherlands in the 1600s. The work is never done, but that's what makes it fun!

My wish is that the liberal arts aspect of college is still alive and well. I went to Lake Forest College with an eye to the future. What I found was an appreciation of the past.