I first stepped foot onto the Bowdoin College campus in September 1960 at the beginning of my freshman year. I had planned to go to Amherst College, but Amherst wait-listed me (after assuring my guidance counselor six months earlier that I’d get in). Happily, my counselor called Bowdoin in April, and I got a last minute acceptance! Thank you, Bowdoin! (And, in retrospect, thank you, Amherst.)

Bowdoin has played a huge role in my life and continues to do so. As a student, I learned how to think and how to write. I discovered the importance of working toward the “Common Good,” a Bowdoin hallmark. I learned something about leadership as president of the Zeta Psi fraternity. And I developed lifelong friendships which endure to this day.

My wife Tina and I moved to Brunswick in 2002 to “semi-retire.” Here’s a brief recap of my involvement with Bowdoin since our return. Served as Assistant Secretary on the Board of Trustees for 10 years; audited five fine courses in subjects ranging from Leadership (taught by Sen. Angus King) to the Victorian Novel; hosted nine students as part of the Bowdoin Host Family Program; gave Mock Interviews for the Career Services Office; edited the Class of 1964 50th Reunion Yearbook; served on the Funded Summer Internships Committee; read applications for the Admissions Office; and sung in the Bowdoin Chorus. Oh, and splurged on the amazing array of offerings: concerts, lectures, plays and athletic events (Go, You Bears!)

When I found Bowdoin I also discovered my real home town: Brunswick, Maine.

One can sense the spirited town/gown synergy throughout the year. The shops and restaurants rely heavily on the business of the Bowdoin community. Brunswick citizens, in turn, loyally support Bowdoin concerts, lectures and sporting events.

Scores of Bowdoin graduates from my era now call Brunswick home. Rob Jarratt, a fellow member of the class of 1964, and his wife Cathy moved back to Brunswick in 1974 to open Good Sports, a sporting goods store on Pleasant Street.

“We got tremendous support from Bowdoin and from the townspeople from the very first day,” said Cathy, noting that they hired several Bowdoin students during the 12 years that they ran the store.

Phyllis Truesdell and her husband Clark (my college roommate) came to town in 2000 and opened up the Middle Bay Farm Bed & Breakfast. After Clark died in 2005, I helped lead an effort to establish a scholarship at Bowdoin in his name.

Phyllis fondly recalls auditing courses at Bowdoin with Clark in Russian and in the Arab Israeli conflict. “Brunswick is a fantastic placetorunaB&Bbecause the College draws lovely interesting people from around the country.” She’s especially impressed with the cooperative spirit of the consortium of midcoast inns.

Walt Christie, another Bowdoin classmate, returned to Brunswick with his wife Ellie, in part, to complete his academic experience.

“I was an English major, but when I decided to go to medical school I couldn’t take all the courses I wanted. By auditing courses in English (“Living Deliberately”) and religion (“Buddhism”), I feel like I’ve completed my college career.” Walt appreciates the compactness of Brunswick. “You can hit the bank, the post office and the library in one easy trip.”

Hugh Hardcastle, a fraternity brother, moved to Bailey Island with his wife Surrey in 2000. While Hugh savors the natural beauty of Maine, he’s most taken with the people.

“The people who live in Brunswick and Harpswell are incredibly warm human beings,” he said. “And it’s been amazing to get to know so many Bowdoin students. If these are the leaders of tomorrow, then we’re in good shape.”

John LaCasse, Bowdoin Class of 1963, moved to Brunswick with his wife Susan last September. “It’s been an easy transition because we have so many Bowdoin friends.” In addition to all the things to do, John and Susan enjoy all the places to walk with their two Labrador Retrievers.

John and Susan are members of our Maine State Music Theater group and our Portland Stage group, along with many other Bowdoin alumni and spouses. One night while driving to Portland to see a play, John told me that the Pine Grove Cemetery had some openings. The cemetery is located between the Bowdoin campus and Whittier Field where the Bowdoin Polar Bears play football.

Ed Langbein (Bowdoin Class of 1957), a member of the Pine Grove Cemetery Association, gave Tina and me a tour of the cemetery. We so enjoyed seeing the names of noteworthy Bowdoin personages such as Joshua Chamberlain, Casey Sills and William DeWitt Hyde as well as some of my former professors. We decided to buy plot number 13, a happy circumstance since 13 has always been my lucky number.

Somehow, it seems right to be spending eternity within a stone’s throw of the College that shaped my life.

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David Treadwell is a Brunswick writer. His column, “Just a Little Old,” can be found in The Times Record every Friday. He can be reached at [email protected].