Grateful Alumna Creates Perpetual ‘Thank You’ with Estate Gift

Lorraine Reich ’52 came to Hartwick in the fall of 1948, due solely to a scholarship which college administrators created just for her. That act of kindness stayed with her throughout the next 70 years.

Lorraine took full advantage of her opportunity, becoming immersed in a variety of campus activities. She joined the Oyaron yearbook team, drama club and debate club. She developed a passion for writing, joining the Hilltops newspaper staff while earning her bachelor’s in English.

It all led her to a rewarding career — and global adventures.

Lorraine’s journey literally began on her orientation bus ride. There she met fellow first-year student Naomi Glass, her first — and lifelong — Hartwick friend. Upon graduation, they moved to New York City and lived at the YWCA at 45th St. and Lexington Ave. Lorraine landed a job with Aetna Insurance, which valued English majors who could work with their actuaries. Naomi, meanwhile, began working with the U.S. Army as a civilian — a job which took her to Europe for two years. She loved the experience and, upon returning to the U.S. in 1957, encouraged Lorraine to do the same.

Lorraine agreed and was hired by the Army’s social services unit, based in Chateauroux, France. She became fluent in French and, although she expected to stay only a few years, found that she enjoyed the work, colleagues and region considerably. Then in the 1960s, the Army moved her unit to Stuttgart, Germany — which Lorraine loved even more. She added German to her language skills along with some Czech, gained from her own heritage over the years. Those skills helped her stand out.

“Lorraine said that her writing skills were particularly valuable because the officers for whom she worked didn’t know how to write,” recalled Naomi, who stayed in touch with Lorraine throughout their careers and long after. “She often spoke of her appreciation for that [scholarship] in getting a college education.”

Lorraine chose to remain in secretarial roles, however, not wanting more responsibilities. She retired in 1999, remaining in the German city of Sindelfingen.

Her love of travel also took her to Australia and Asia, in addition to other European destinations.

As time went on, Lorraine began thinking about ways to show her appreciation for her alma mater, to which she donated steadily beginning in 1972. Still, she wanted to do more.