By Steve Seepersaud
If you took introductory psychology during your first year of college, you may recall the concept of social facilitation. It's something you've experienced throughout your whole lifetime, even if you forgot about it by the time you returned to Binghamton for sophomore year. A difficult — and sometimes unpleasant task — is made easier by the presence of friends.
Why else would a group of alumni come back to Binghamton each summer — for half a century — to walk or run the intense hills surrounding campus? It's because of the close-knit bonds that made college four of the best years that could be lived.
Last month, about 30 alumni returned to campus for the 50th Bunn Hill Memorial Run. The collection of former cross country runners, their coach, spouses and friends gathered Aug. 14-15, for conversation and visits to their favorite places in the area.
As they do each time they return to the University, the alumni walked or ran their traditional loop of nearly seven miles, starting at the West Gym, leaving campus on a side access road and going all the way up Bunn Hill. (The author of this article is breaking character to say the run is as difficult as it sounds.)
The run wasn't meant to be a gentle jog. Roger Knight '70, MS '75, an organizer of the reunion, says it was created in 1968 to be a punishment, of sorts, for the cross country runners.
"Many thanks to Bill Barker '68, Bill Schecter '68, Charlie Collier '69 and Roger who started this whole thing," said Caryn McDermott '68. "I’m sure they had no idea, 50 years later, we’d still be showing up. And some of that original group can still run the Bunn Hill course."
The members of the Bunn Hill group are thankful for each occasion they're able to return to campus, especially after the pandemic forced them to postpone their milestone gathering which was originally planned for June 2020.
"The experience of gathering each year with friends, old and new, to revisit the crucible of our youth as we walk down our separate paths through time evokes bittersweet emotions," Schecter said. "I greatly admire the decency and courage in the face of the challenges that we each experience. I was touched by the warm recollections of our friend, Charlie, who could not be with us. I can best sum it up by quoting my wife, Gisela, 'What a wonderful group of friends.'"
Each year, someone poses the question of how much longer this tradition will last. Because the group has created a scholarship fund, the Bunn Hill Memorial Run is certain to have a lasting impact.
"It has been said that memories of one’s college years are among the most treasured in life," said Gabe Yankowitz '71, MAT '74. "Of course, over time, many of those memories, as well as friendships made, tend to fade. Our annual trek to Binghamton gives us the opportunity to not only spend time with and sustain the connection with our longtime friends, but to the school and community that meant so much to us all. The memories really don’t get the chance to fade because we tell, and enjoy, the same war stories from our cross-country and track days every single year!"
