Faith and the Planet Andrea Ayvazian, dean of religious life, served as worship leader at Faith and the Future of the Planet: Will the Church Remain Silent?, a two-day pastors’ study conference held February 19 and 20 in Springfield. The colloquium was presented by the six New England Conferences and the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ and was hosted by Old First Church. Mount Holyoke students and staff sang, led prayers and responsive readings, and participated in music and dance at the event.

In Memoriam Janice C. Dragon, assistant to the treasurer at Mount Holyoke for the past fifteen years and an alumna of the College (FP ’98), died at home on February 22. She was fifty-four years old. She leaves her husband, three sons, her mother, a brother, and a sister. Dragon came to Mount Holyoke as administrative assistant to Merrill Ewing, then treasurer of the College. Upon his retirement and the arrival of Mary Jo Maydew, she continued in that role and was named assistant to the treasurer in 1990. Says Maydew, “Jan played an integral part in the work of the College, interacting with almost every office and department on campus as well as trustees. She served on a number of College committees, including the Staff Council and the Health Care Advisory Committee and, perhaps in her most challenging role, as coordinator of the Presidential Search Committee that brought President Creighton to Mount Holyoke. Becoming a Frances Perkins student majoring in Russian studies was a dream come true for Jan, who highly valued a liberal arts education and loved the College. With tremendous determination and the support of her family, friends, and co-workers, she received her Mount Holyoke degree. The Mount Holyoke community will miss Jan's energy, her ready smile, and her zest for life.” Memorial contributions may be made to the Frances Perkins Scholars Fund.

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