Our Lafayette Experience started with the letter of admission—it was different from all the others; it made reference to the topic of our daughter's essay and to her specific extracurricular activities. Lafayette's acknowledgment of Amanda as an individual started there and continued with every contact we had with the College.

During the Prologue weekend she met Carmen Andoh [assistant director of admissions] whose warmth and enthusiasm were contagious. Then came the Marquis Scholars weekend; Joan Lichtenwalner [senior assistant director of admissions] was waiting for Amanda. Joan became an invaluable source of knowledge and advice about the school. Carol Rowlands [director of admissions] was also there. She actually seemed to be everywhere, answering questions and spending time with each student and their parents.

Amanda had narrowed down her school choices to two, one of them Lafayette. Then came an invitation to a reception for admitted students from Long Island at an alumnus' home. Two days later, Amanda chose Lafayette.

We have been so impressed by the professional yet personal approach of your Admissions office. The staff is warm, welcoming, knowledgeable and clearly devoted to Lafayette, yet never pushy. We are grateful to each one of them for helping our daughter make this important decision.

This spring, I was privileged to attend the graduation of my grandson, Chris Paul Partridge. I thanked God for granting me the number of years to achieve the status of being my grandson's eldest relative and being at Lafayette to celebrate.

Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, was the principal speaker at the 168th Commencement

Best wishes for your continued success at Lafayette.

As a parent of a recent graduate, Megan Monahan '03, I am writing this letter to you with mixed emotions. My pride in my daughter's accomplishments and my gratitude toward the Lafayette community is mixed equally with a sense of sadness as we part ways.

When Megan and I took our first look at Lafayette, we shared one impression and that was the opportunity for growth. We both saw in Ann Gold [field hockey coach] the opportunity for Megan to grow and realize her potential, on and off the field—and Megan did just that. This coach has found the balance to keep the athlete's passion alive and growing within a championship environment. Ann offers her student-athletes personal challenges that translate into a healthy self-esteem for those who play for her—a winning combination in this parent's opinion.

Athletics provided a means for Megan to come to Lafayette, but she is being sent on her way now with so much more. I can attest to the positive impact of the Lafayette experience in her life. I am confident that Megan has gained the leadership skills, the knowledge of her capabilities and limitations, and the stamina and courage to persevere and succeed at anything she sets her mind to. This will serve her forever in the professional career that she chooses for herself. For this I am grateful to the entire Lafayette community, but in particular to Ann Gold who was responsible for leading Megan to this threshold of opportunity.