Alumni “Fall Back to Briarcliff Manor”

On Saturday, September 14th, 150 alumni and guests from the Briarcliff Manor and New Castle campuses gathered at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor, NY to reminisce, meet current students, enjoy a lakeside lunch buffet, and hear from President Thornbury and members of the Alumni Executive Committee. The event officially kicked off The King’s College 75th Anniversary Jubilee.

Located less than ten miles from the original Briarcliff Manor campus, the Edith Macy Conference Center is situated on 405 acres in the heart of Westchester County. The luncheon was held inside a log cabin on the shore of a lake. King’s junior Stefanie Gardner said, “It was a beautiful to gather students and alumni together to enjoy each other’s company in the historic shadow of Briarcliff Manor.”

Fifteen current students, including Student Body President Peter Flemming, travelled to Briarcliff Manor to meet the alumni and share with them what studying in New York City like. Briarcliff Manor alumnus Lee Pelletier ’76 said, “I got to talk to many of the student hosts, and that made me more excited still about the future of TKC.”

With a wood burning fire in the background, Brian Parker, Vice President for Advancement, delivered a few opening remarks and thanked the alumni for returning to Briarcliff Manor for the celebration. Rick Millham ’90, President of the Alumni Executive Committee, officially welcomed the group.

President Gregory Alan Thornbury introduced himself to the Briarcliff Manor alumni for the first time and shared his historical and providential connection to The King’s College prior to being announced as the sixth president this July. In a heartfelt speech, Dr. Thornbury held up a news article from 1995 with a picture of, what at the time was considered to be, the last graduating class of The King’s College. Percy Crawford’s original vision for The King’s College, Dr. Thornbury explained, was to train students in New York City. Thanks to the Lord’s provision, the Class of 1994 was not King’s last, and the College is living out the dream of Dr. Crawford in the heart of New York.

Bob Straton ’57 was the keynote speaker for the event and shared his firsthand experiences and conversations with Dr. Crawford and Dr. Robert Cook. He ended by asking his fellow alumni to take President Thornbury’s request for prayerful support to heart.

The Thornburys made the luncheon a family outing by bringing their two daughters and Dr. Kimberly Thornbury’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Carmichael. The Carmichaels graduated from The King’s College in 1958. President Thornbury said of the celebration, “This day is about retelling those stories of what made the Briarcliff Manor campus great. We are walking here on hallowed ground. Lives were changed here. Careers shaped. Dreams were given wings. You have inherited a president who is a philosopher, theologian, and historian. And I want to go on the record today that I am a president who loves the whole span of the history of the college. And I want to know more.”

Afterward, everyone enjoyed a slice of cake, complete with a picture of the original Briarcliff campus. For the complete photo album of the event, click here.

The next event in the line of 75th Anniversary Celebration events is Homecoming Weekend on November 8th and 9th at our New York City campus. Alumni can RSVP for the weekend here.

In the heart of New York City, The King’s College is an accredited, Christian liberal arts college. Using a biblical worldview and great works in politics, philosophy, and economics, we are educating the next generation of leaders for America and the world.