College Inaugurates New Group for LGBT Alumni, Allies, and Friends

Launch of "Going True" celebrated during Homecoming weekend

WOOSTER, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2010 – On Sunday afternoon of Homecoming weekend, alumni, students, faculty, and staff gathered in Babcock Hall’s formal lounge with President Grant Cornwell, Peg Cornwell, Trustee Mary Neagoy, family members, and friends to celebrate the launch of “Going True,” the College of Wooster’s first official association of LGBT alumni, allies, and friends.

In a ceremony that was by turns celebratory, funny, and moving, members of the new group’s steering committee, current students, faculty, and staff members shared their experiences and reflections on life as members of Wooster’s LGBT community.

Senior Estancia Cota was named the latest recipient of the John Plummer Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of a Wooster alumnus who served in a variety of capacities in the college’s business office for 36 years, and was a mentor to the college’s LGBT student community.

Hans Johnson ’92, who chairs the scholarship committee, paid tribute to Plummer’s impact on the lives of countless students: “All of us today stand on the shoulders of people brave enough to be path breakers in terms of openness and acceptance. John Plummer was one such person.”

“Today we are being welcomed home,” Johnson continued, “but we are also welcoming back to the college a whole segment of our community.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, President Cornwell offered his reflections on the day. “Thank you, all, for your commitment, your courage, and your perseverance,” he said. “Today is a recognition of much hard work that has been done, but also of the work that remains to be done. Go Scots, Going True!”

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes mentored, independent research. Each Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty adviser to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 students.