Senior College Stories

March 2026

An interview with Dianne Smith
by Denise Pendleton

As this year marks our Belfast Senior College 25th anniversary, I was delighted to learn more about our history from Dianne, one who has been with us since the beginning. Her experience reminds us of the value and power of volunteers who keep Senior College thriving for community members who want to keep learning their entire lives.

Photo: Mary Rackmales, left; Dianne Smith, right - at Spring Members Celebration at the Belfast Boathouse in 2025.

When did you join Belfast Senior College?

In 2002, we moved to Belfast from Washington D.C. and we thought we'd be so deprived in mid-coast Maine. In 2003 we went into the Hutchinson Center to find out about Belfast Senior College and met Mary Frenning, who was sitting at a desk in the HC lobby ready to tell us all about BSC. About two weeks later, we went back and Mary said, "Hi Dianne and Ray, I knew you'd be back." We were so moved by such warmth and friendliness.

Immediately Mary got me involved, starting me at the front desk. And it wasn't long before the BSC president, Sharon Walsh, asked me to be the Vice President. Apparently, the board was voting that day! So when I said yes immediately, Sharon was pleased. A few years later, I became president. I don't think there's a job I haven't done!

My husband, Ray, got very involved also. He organized field trips. These included going to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops and Jacob's Pillow in Tanglewood. I'll never forget how, once when we were short on registrations, a very generous anonymous donor stepped forward with a donation that allowed travel trips to continue for some time, regardless of how many registered.

What are some of highlights of your presidency and key accomplishments you're proud of?

When I first became president (2007-2009) Senior College had grown to 300 members. By the end of my presidency, we were at 500 members.

We were very active with OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) in its formative years. At that time, it established a policy that any Senior College member in Maine could attend classes given by any other Maine Senior College. We attended the annual OLLI luncheon when it invited the leadership of all the Senior Colleges in Maine to an afternoon of sharing and feasting. I loved that experience of working together with the whole state.

Another undertaking I enjoyed as president was our Senior College fundraising campaign to raise money for the new Hutchinson Center wing. Jim Paterson took the lead and Kathy Bradbury was also so very helpful. She did all the behind-the-scenes work, writing, mailings, data tracking. Other key helpers included Sharon Walsh, Judy Stein and Joel Copp donated to help put in the flower bed at the entrance door. University of Maine raised two million and Belfast raised two million toward the addition. Senior College was the largest single Belfast donor toward that four million goal, raising a total of $85,000. In return, we got an office and small conference at no charge. Everyone thought that would last forever!

Another accomplishment I'm proud of is leading the board's work in updating the bylaws to reflect the more complex organization the College became as it grew over the years.

So many BSC members were essential to our development. Elizabeth Heironemous as secretary took notes that made clear our action points and she started the Festival of Art. However, Mary Frenning was the backbone of the college, ensuring quality instructors. Both women could not give enough and we were so lucky to have them.

What changes have you observed in BSC's growth & development?

I've been so impressed by the leadership of recent presidents: Nancy Perkins and Mayo Bulloch -- how they've kept BSC going through the pandemic and the loss of the Hutchinson Center.

I do miss the monthly magazine we once did, in the old way, printing it out for volunteers to fold and mail it. I'm sorry that it ended because it was fun for us all to get together. We always went out of our way to get as many volunteers as possible just to create bonding and engagement. This helped with attendance. People got to know people and would volunteer to do a minor job. One thing I'd encourage BSC to do is to keep getting volunteers to do little pieces of work. People do get burned out, so it helps to find three people to do one job.

Can you name any memorable classes you've taken?

Well, I remember how we lived for Thursdays. Everything else stopped for our day of Senior College classes. I took every class I could from a few outstanding teachers. One was Chris Glass, a Camden architect. I especially enjoyed his class when we painted a labyrinth. I took any class by Bob Rackmales; History classes, and science classes by Roger Patak.

We used to make all the cookies at the beginning but as we grew we had to hire.... We had tablecloths on the tables, because we wanted everyone to feel special. I believe it's very important we have a place where people will feel special.

At the classes now, I think the cookies are so important, because they give you an opening to have a conversation. Senior College provides such great opportunities to meet people and make friends. When we moved to Maine, most of the friends we made were through Senior College.

One of my favorite memories of those early days was the marriage of two who met through Belfast Senior College. Pat Hines & Ed Lennon got married on a boat in the bay. It was kind of a big BSC celebration. Mary Frenning had long been rooting for this to happen.

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Thank you, Dianne, for sharing your story!