Memories of Founders
For more than 100 years, Founders was home to Saint Michael's faculty, staff and students. We have been collecting memories and photos from alumni and friends across the decades as we remember Founders Hall.
While I’m sad to see the building come down, hearing stories about Founders from other alumni reminds me that Saint Michael’s greatness comes not from its physical structures but from the education it provides and the relationships it fosters.
“During my junior and senior years, I worked in the President’s Office, located in Founders Hall. From my corner office (which also happened to be the kitchen) I was able to see the comings and goings from Founders – Edmundites and professors on their way to meetings, freshmen trying to find the Registrar’s Office, and alumni stopping by to say hello. While I’m sad to see the building come down, hearing stories about Founders from other alumni reminds me that Saint Michael’s greatness comes not from its physical structures, but from the education it provides and the relationships it fosters.” – Trevor Brown ’15
“While I did not live there, my core group of friends did. We refer to our group as “Founders” since our friendship was “found” at SMC.” – Lauren Remmes Delaney ’07
“My husband and I met at a party on the second floor in Founders in 1979. We’re celebrating our 34th Anniversary this year.” – Erin Newman ’83
“Founders Hall is where I met some lifelong friends. I loved my 4th-floor room that looked to the mountains. There was something special about the small community of us that lived in Founders. I’ll forever remember my time living in Founders as the time I finally gained the confidence to truly be comfortable being myself and am thankful to the many friends I met there who made that so.” – Caleb Potvin ’12
“Nothing made me happier than looking out my 4th-floor window at those beautiful mountains. While I waited for my laundry to dry, I’d go outside, sit on the stoop, and take in that gorgeous view. The year I lived in Founders (junior year) was my absolute favorite year at Saint Michael’s. I made lots of friendships – with both guys and girls – and so many fun memories. It was like we lived in our own little world there. Founders Hall wasn’t just a dorm. Founders was home.” – Alison DeVito ’88
Creaking floors. Single telephone shared by all, beautiful view of Mount Mansfield on too few clear days. Mailboxes and ROTC offices on first floor. Water balloons from the fire escape.
“I lived in Founders Hall my sophomore and junior years at St Mike’s and was among the last students to live in the building. Founders was a home for me and my best friends, and the memories are countless. From common room movie nights to study sessions, from Christmas parties to Founders ghost encounters, from making lifetime friends to starting to date my future husband, Founders will always be close to my heart.” – Hannah Mollmark ’14
“I spent my junior and senior years living in Founders. My close friends also lived there. During the winter on colder nights, I would bring in my car battery and place it on the radiator to keep it warm. I was a chemistry major so my classes were right next door. During winter blizzard conditions, this was very convenient. Also every day would be a stop in the post office to pick up the letter from that special someone. These are all very fond memories that will stay with me.” – Edward Juozokas ’70
“I was a resident in Founders from 1971-1974. Despite enjoying all three years in Founders, I also proposed to my wife of 47 years in Room 310 in 1973! I also enjoyed the wonderful views outside my window of Mount Mansfield and Camel’s Hump. Nothing could be more beautiful, particularly in autumn and winter.” – Dennis Olechna ’74
Founders Hall was the first place I lived when I arrived as a transfer student in the fall of 1989. I was so nervous. Somehow, the building itself helped calm me. I thought of all the other students who had their nerve-wracking first day at college. I thought of all the other kids this building had welcomed and felt much less lost and alone.
“I lived in Founders both freshman and sophomore year. Freshman year I was in a triple facing the road on 4th floor. I remember it took me a long time to get to sleep with all of the traffic noise. But the view was great. I really loved that building. And I made some fantastic friends who I am still close to today. When I went back for our 25th year reunion 6 years ago I so badly wanted to go inside for one last time. What I wouldn’t give for one more walk down the hall. Over thirty years later and I still drive by to see it every time I’m in the area. Thanks for the memories!” – Kalleen Kilfeather-Sidler ’90
“I lived in Founders sophomore year where my friend group increased and pretty much everyone on the floor connected together. We have been friends ever since. They are the people I call in the middle of the night. They are the people I can go weeks without talking to and pick up right where we left off. They have been there on my best days and my worst and vice versa. I love St Mike’s with all my heart but Founders has been the soul of it. Thank you Founders for giving me my friends for life.” – Christine (Hultgren) Ryan ’07
“I had a single in Founders my junior year and I had my own telephone in my room, which made me popular with my friends!” – Greg Martel ’86
“I have so many happy memories from Founders. It was my first “home” at SMC as a transfer student in 2004. It was where I first met my roommate and now one of my best friends. I remember being told that the room across the hallway was never occupied because it was haunted. We never saw or heard anything spooky but we had fun pretending that it was.” – Nicole Gillis ’07
“I have fond memories of Founders Hall! During my sophomore year, I was the 4th floor RA. It was a fun year! Met a lot of new people, many of whom are still friends!! I was Class Vice President my senior year and spent a lot of time on the first floor meeting with Marilyn (she was the president’s secretary) about senior events. It will be strange to round that corner and not have Founders right there!!” – Cathy Cesarz ’96
“Founders 208 was my home during my junior and senior years. I lived there and grew there. I woke up to the most beautiful sunrises and loved sitting outside reading and studying, under the falling leaves, saying hello to (then) President Neuhauser as he left for the day. I loved the history of the building and felt so connected to Saint Michael’s by living in the original building. I will always treasure my memories of my time in Founders Hall.” – Elizabeth Couser Brunone ’09
Living on the fourth floor of Founders was wonderful! The ladies who shared the space filled the hall with their stories, adventures, and laughs. Each day would bring a gorgeous view with a sunrise behind Mt. Mansfield and Camel's Hump. The ghost stories just added to the fun, especially in retrospect.
“While working as a Resident Director, Public Safety would take me to all the little explored spaces of St. Mikes. One of the places we went was the basement of Founders Hall. To see the stone foundation that this school began on was one my favorite spots. The history down there can’t be found anywhere else on campus.” – Taylor Donnelly ’16 M ’19
“Living in Founders Hall my junior year was a highlight of my college career. The fire escape was right outside my room window. You always knew there was an emergency when you heard the members of the St. Mike’s Ambulance squad coming down the fire escape.” – William Gamelli ’79
“I lived in Founders Hall my sophomore year, and this is where every friendship I have carried with me was fully formed. Our room was the post class meeting place and was always full of laughter and light. I have nothing but beautiful memories and am so sad it was torn down.” – Molly Salt ’10