Gregory W. Coleman – 50th Reunion Essay

Gregory W. Coleman

534 Kenwood Road

Drexel Hill, PA 19026-1327

gregcole534@comcast.net

267-234-1140

Spouse(s): Marcia L. Coleman (1971)

Education: BA in French, Yale University 1969; MA in French, Princeton University 1971

Career: Education: teacher/administrator in 4 independent schools (1971-2014); taught French and had various administrative positions at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA for 32 years.

Avocations: Travel; Politics; Literature, Film, and Art; Writing; Volunteer Service Activities

College: Trumbull

How does one summarize a life in 500 words? Not an easy task, but an interesting one. Everything that followed my Yale graduation depended on two things which occurred while I was there:

First, after our freshman year, my father died. I was already on scholarship, and when Dad died, the University stepped up and made it possible for me to stay. For this I will be forever grateful. Secondly, at the end of junior year, I met the woman who was to become my wife, at a mixer at Mount Holyoke. When I met Marcia Lepri from New Haven, I knew immediately that this was the person for me. We had a mutual friend from my high school in Milford, Connecticut, and my clever opening line was, “You know Allan.” She seemed mystified, for good reason. I also immediately noted she was carrying tomatoes; food in my book was a very good omen. We have now been married for more than 46 years. It’s a good thing that I resisted the impulse to say, “You have great tomatoes,” or there would have been no marriage. Again, I am forever grateful.

I know I have been incredibly lucky in so many ways. Despite sharing some of the cardiac issues which plagued both my parents, I have avoided almost all other major health issues. After Yale, I continued my study of French at Princeton. I could only stand that dull little town for two years and left New Jersey to move to Boston and get married. Then began a life in education: teaching French and administration at four different schools, particularly around Philadelphia where we moved when Marcia finished her doctorate. For 32 years, I taught and held various administrative jobs at Shipley, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. As director of admissions, I helped diversify the place. What I had loved at Yale, a seriousness of purpose without taking itself seriously, was what I found at Shipley. With apologies to Voltaire, my favorite author, this was the best of all possible worlds: great academics, wonderful students and colleagues, and a light touch which allowed for my quirky sense of humor. Wit is something I have always valued: French literature with a touch of Cole Porter.

I also don’t like change. We have lived in the same house for over 40 years and have had friends for that long too. Like many academics, I’m unabashedly “progressive” politically and have worked in Democratic politics off and on my whole life while being just as conservative in the classroom. I don’t think it is the job of teachers to inflict their views on their students, but it is our responsibility to stand up for what we think is right whenever asked or given the opportunity. Teachers are conservative in that they believe there is something worth conserving and passing on. We may be now in the dark ages of know-nothings, but the light will shine again.