The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Ithaca College's London Center provided alumni the opportunity to see some of the city's iconic sites, such as Tower Bridge.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Ithaca College's London Center provided alumni the opportunity to see some of the city's iconic sites, such as Tower Bridge.
Since its establishment in 1972, the Ithaca College London Center has enabled thousands of IC students to have expanded educational opportunities while also immersing themselves in unique culture found overseas.
The Center occupies a restored Victorian townhouse that houses classrooms, a small library, a common lounge, and computer lab. It’s situated within walking distance of some of the city’s most famous landmarks such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and the Harrods department store.
Alumni got a chance to mingle with President La Jerne Terry Cornish during a boat cruise on the river Thames. (Photo by Danny Kaan)
More than half the courses offered take students to other locations in the city, including the National Portrait Gallery, the Transport Museum, and Netflix’s offices.
This summer, the Center celebrated five decades of memories while also looking forward to the future. While 2022 officially marked the Center’s semi-centennial, the milestone was observed this year as world travel opened back up from the pandemic shutdowns. The weekend included walking tours of London, opportunities for alumni to sit in on class offerings, a boat cruise on the river Thames, and informal gatherings at some of the city’s famous pubs.
But the main feature of the weekend was a gathering at the Bentley Hotel, where the storied history of the Center — one of longest-standing US-based study abroad programs in London — was celebrated.
“For Ithaca College, the creation of our London Center is a core memory and an ongoing source of tremendous pride,” remarked President La Jerne Terry Cornish to the gathered crowd.
“Nearly every month someone rings the bell and says, ‘Hi, I used to study here!’ and we welcome them in.”
Meghan Callahan, London Center Director
Cornish added that that though Ithaca and London are vastly different, the city has many features that are recognized and emulated on South Hill. “It embraces diversity, offering opportunities and amplifying voices of those from around the country and across the world.”
Meghan Callahan, who was named director of the Center in 2022, remarked how alumni still hold strong memories of their time in London, and often stop by while visiting the city.
“Nearly every month someone rings the bell and says, ‘Hi, I used to study here! and we welcome them in’” she said.
The event was an opportunity for alumni to toast the Center, reconnect with old friends, and share memories.
A celebration at the iconic Bentley Hotel was the centerpiece of the weekend-long event.
A celebration at the iconic Bentley Hotel was the centerpiece of the weekend-long event.
“I’ve never been to a reunion for anything, but I really wanted to come because this semester meant so much to me,” said Risa Breckman ’78. “It transformed my life.”
At the event, Breckman met up with Hope Horowitz ’77—her close friend at ICLC who she hadn’t seen for 48 years. “Hope and I traveled together here. We were so close, and then we lost touch,” said Breckman. “She saw my name on the list and reached out to me. It has been such a joy to connect with her again.”
Throughout the evening, alumni reflected on their experiences, with many sharing stories of opportunities that otherwise aren’t available for college students in upstate New York.
Politics major Rebecca King ’91 recalled watching the United Kingdom’s decision to not begin using the Euro, alongside other countries in Europe: “I remember watching them walk to physically cast their votes through the different doors and thinking, ‘I am just some young kid from Rhode Island and I’m getting to see this!’
The event was a family affair for many alumni who came with spouses and children.
The event was a family affair for many alumni who came with spouses and children.
“I chose IC so I could study at the London Center,” added King, who spent the fall 1989 and spring 1990 semesters overseas. “It was a fascinating time to be there.”
During her time there, she volunteered for a member of Parliament, which gave her the chance to spend time in the Houses of Parliament, and, among other things, watch the filming of an ad featuring then prime minister Tony Blair on the roof.
Other alumni shared that work they did, both in and outside of the classroom, set them on paths they still walk today.
“I chose IC so I could study at the London Center...“I remember watching [politicians] physically cast their votes and thinking, ‘I am just some young kid from Rhode Island and I’m getting to see this!’"
Rebecca King ’91
Kristine DeLuca ’81 had an internship with a London borough probation department and did a comparative study between the US and UK systems. She spent the semester going into different prisons and jails and sitting in on trials, interacting with people from all walks of life.
The sociology major now works in higher education, and strongly credits her success to her ability “to write, to analyze, and to communicate with people from all different stripes.” She also describes the feminist studies course she took as “transformative.”
Several alumni had the chance to connect with former flatmates they hadn't seen in decades.
Several alumni had the chance to connect with former flatmates they hadn't seen in decades.
Spending time in London allowed other students the chance to expand their perspectives and go outside of their traditional field of study.
Donna Ruvolo ’81 was one of DeLuca’s flatmates, and though she was a television-radio major, chose courses that took advantage of the capital’s cultural offerings—in her case, studying art and architecture and British theatre.
Outside of studies, Ruvolo, DeLuca and a third flatmate, Linda Vannozzi ’81— who also attended the event — travelled at every opportunity. “We went to classes Monday through Thursday, and then Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we took off, and we all just traveled every weekend,” said Ruvolo.
(Photo by Danny Kaan)
Nancy Touchette ’77 recalled fondly that faculty encouraged students to make the most of the opportunities available to them, including one professor who told her, “Don’t let your studies interfere with your education!” when she revealed that she hadn’t visited Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London because she was too busy working.
Touchette was part of a groundbreaking group of half a dozen chemistry majors who were embarking on a first-of-its-kind academic journey.At the time, the Center didn’t offer courses covering the subject, but her professor told her if she found five other chemistry majors to go with her, he would hire tutors to teach them.
She advises students to do whatever it takes to make study abroad possible. “It really is worth it,” she said. “It allowed me to expand and to trust myself, that I could go to another country and figure it out. You’ll be a different person when you came out the other side of it.”
“When I landed in New York, my parents picked me up from the airport. I hugged them, but then I started crying and told them, ‘I want to go back.”
Melina Cicigline ’23
That sentiment was shared by politics major Mark Engstrom ’77, for whom the highlight was afternoon tea with the actor Diana Rigg, organized by the program’s founding director, Ed Vincent. “We all sat in the common room and had tea with her and listened to her dish about the rivalry with Glenda Jackson,” said Engstrom. “That was a priceless experience.”
A near universal sentiment about the experience in London was that it enriched their life.
“At 18 or 19 years old, when you come here, you truly learn what it means to be independent; you learn how to navigate a new city; you learn how to mix with lots of different people, not just your colleagues,” said Gail Caldwell ’75. “It's a great growing up experience. When you go back, you have a broader perspective on what you would like to do.”
On land or sea, in groups big or small, the time spent in London is something alumni won't soon forget.
On land or sea, in groups big or small, the time spent in London is something alumni won't soon forget.
And although most students end up stateside, some can’t resist the pull — and memories — of London, and have found themselves coming full circle.
“When I landed in New York, my parents picked me up from the airport. I hugged them, but then I started crying and told them, ‘I want to go back,” said theatre arts management major Melina Cicigline ’23, who called London her home during the spring 2022 semester.
Cicigline is now completing a master’s degree at King’s College and working at the Center as a program assistant.
“We have traced this week our journey from striving in London to thriving in London, but our journey is just getting started.”
President La Jerne Terry Cornish
“It's a dream job, because I get to help students that I see myself in,” she said.
And although much of the evening was spent looking back at a half-century of friendships, and memories, there was also a sense of excitement for what the city has in store for current and future students.
“We have traced this week our journey from striving in London to thriving in London, but our journey is just getting started,” said Cornish.