We thank you for sharing your time and talents in service to Amherst College. The unique perspectives and experiences you bring to your volunteer work strengthen our community and advance our mission. You make a difference to Amherst's present and future, and we are so grateful!
Each year, more than 2,000 Amherst alumni volunteer for the College. Meet a few of them here!
Christopher Gillyard graduated from Amherst in 2008, a double-major in Asian Languages & Civilizations and Theater & Dance. He was captain of the football team and the first player to major in either of those disciplines. Chris is currently a senior account development manager at NEC National Security Systems. He has been volunteering for Amherst since shortly after graduation, and now serves as president of the Amherst Society for Black Alumni as well as telecast coordinator for the Amherst Association of Washington, DC.
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Eleanor Andersen graduated from Amherst in 2015 and majored in history. Ellie is now a senior manager for strategy planning at Misfits Market. She started volunteering for the College as a student, serving as an associate agent for the Class of 2015’s Senior Gift. Ellie is co-president of the Amherst Association of Philadelphia as well as their telecast coordinator.
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William “Buck” Greenough graduated from Amherst in 1953 and majored in chemistry. His long career in medicine has made him a renowned physician in infectious disease and geriatrics as well as a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Buck now serves as an Amherst Fund class agent for the Class of 1953.
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Rosalyn Foster graduated from Amherst in 2005, and double-majored in history and political science. Roz now works as a substitute teacher in Pomona, CA and a debate coach in Newport Coast, CA. She began volunteering as an associate agent for the Amherst Fund the year she graduated. She continues in that role while also serving as the president of the Amherst Association of Southern California.
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Philip Johnson graduated from Amherst in 2011 and majored in biology. He is now a licensed real estate broker in New York City. He has been volunteering for the College since before his graduation, helping to raise funds for his class’s Senior Gift. Currently, Philip is a class agent for the Amherst Fund, reunion chair for the Class of 2011 and regional president of the Amherst Association of New York.
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James O’Brient graduated from Amherst in 1973 with a double major in geology and religion. Jim spent much of his career at the Chevron Corporation and is now president-elect of the Northern California Geological Society. He’s been a Fund volunteer for the College since 2001, and has also served as a regional association chair. Jim is currently a co-class agent and 1821 Chair for the Amherst Fund, and facilitates the class of ‘73 Reunion zoom project.
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Semret Yibass graduated in 2015 and majored in psychology. She is a senior analyst for workforce insights and analytics at Edwards Lifesciences. Semret has been involved with the Amherst Association of Washington DC for many years and currently serves as its president.
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Susan McWilliams Barndt graduated from Amherst in 1998, a double-major in political science and Russian. She is now a professor of politics at Pomona College. Susan has played many volunteer roles for the College over the years and currently serves as president of the Class of 1998, 25th reunion book editor and associate agent for the Amherst Fund.
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Rob Sowersby graduated from Amherst in 1955 and majored in history. Rob first volunteered as class secretary from 1961-65. He liked it so much that when the position became available again in 1995, Rob agreed to serve as class secretary ever since and is now also the web editor for the Class of 1955. Rob hosts quarterly Zoom meetings with his class to talk about interesting subjects and create meaningful interactions with each other.
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Show your Amherst pride — digitally. Explore our gallery of Amherst-themed Zoom backgrounds and wallpapers!