Volunteer Susan McWilliams Barndt ’98

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.

How did you get started volunteering for Amherst?

I didn't want to leave Amherst! I spent all of my graduation day in tears and started volunteering right away as a way of maintaining my connection to the College.

Why do you volunteer with Amherst College?

I did my most important growing-up at Amherst. There is not a day in my life where I am not benefiting, directly or indirectly, from the friendships I made and the lessons I learned at the College. I volunteer for Amherst as a way of offering my thanks for those transformative friendships and lessons, and as a way of acknowledging my lifelong debt to the College. 

As a college professor, I'll never be able to be a big financial donor to Amherst. As an alternative, I try to donate the time, energy and enthusiasm that I do have available!

What is your favorite part of volunteering with Amherst?

I love staying in touch with classmates and keeping connected to all these interesting, talented, exciting people I lived with when we were teenagers. I think that volunteering helps keep me in touch with my "Amherst self" in a way that makes me a better and more coherent person.

What would you say to someone considering a volunteer opportunity with Amherst?

Do it! Think of your favorite memories of Amherst, and think of your closest Amherst friendships. Think about how much those memories and friendships are worth to you. Then think about volunteering as showing Amherst how much those memories and friendships are worth, and paying the College back for giving them to you.