Mrs. V. retires after greeting scores of campus visitors

Professor Jane Pinchin called her “the benevolent godmother of James B. Colgate Hall, sitting at the center of the center of campus.”

“Her fan club spans the world,” said Gary Ross ’77, dean of admission, who first fell for her charms when he was a student and she a new employee in the student activities office.

“I love her because she gives me Smarties,” said 3-year-old Olivia
Melichar, who never toddles past the main desk in the admission office
without stopping for a hug and a handful of candy.

At the end of the week, Gloria Vanderneut — a k a “Cookie” or “Mrs.
V.” — is retiring after 34 years at Colgate. For the past 30 years, she
has been a favorite admission office assistant, greeting prospective students and parents and visitors, and making each and every one feel welcome.

Vanderneut is one of 28 employees who accepted a recent early-retirement offer from Colgate. (See a partial list here.)

Dean of admission Gary Ross ’77 hugs Gloria Vanderneut during her send-off party. At left is her husband, Gary. (Photo by Tim O’Keeffe)

 

A send-off party in the library’s Hieber Café drew scores of faculty and staff from all departments across campus, as well as many young children, and some alumni who stopped in for the occasion.

John Young ’90, director of admission at Hobart William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y., said: “Across the country, admission professionals ask themselves every day, ‘What would Mrs. V. do?'”

Having learned so much from her at Colgate, Young teased that he has often tried to hire her away.

But any such effort would of course have been in vain.

“You are family,” Vanderneut said emotionally. “I’ve seen the births of some of your children, your weddings, your promotions. I love you all and thank you so, so very much for being here.”

Read more about ‘Mrs. V.’ in this Colgate Scene profile.

Gloria Vanderneut stands with her husband, Gary, during a farewell party for her Tuesday at Case-Geyer library. (Photo by Tim O’Keeffe)