09/19/2007
Hampshire College President Reveals He Married His Partner
Hampshire College, a small liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts, has a gay president, Ralph Hexter. On Tuesday, Hexter announced to a roomful of faculty and staff members that he and his partner of 27 years, Manfred Kollmeier, had just done something "[they] could only do in Massachusetts."
The room erupted in applause.
Inside Higher Ed reports: "When they arrived at Hampshire, Kollmeier was welcomed (and put to work) in similar ways to many a presidential spouse. He was included in the press releases and official biography, he accompanies Hexter to many events, and at fund raising dinners, 'he can be the head of a table just as I do when we’ve got more than one table of guests,' and he 'works the room and represents me,' Hexter said. 'I could not do the job without him.' (Kollmeier is retired after a career in real estate and home renovation.) Given the role they have already played as a couple, Hexter said he didn’t anticipate that marriage would change anything in terms of the extent to which the couple works on behalf of the college. But he said getting married — and announcing it Tuesday (the wedding itself was small and private) — were important things to do. 'We feel that we have a very precious right. We are fortunate to live in Massachusetts and in the Five College area where people are so welcoming,' Hexter said. 'We’re celebrating the visionary boldness of Massachusetts and Hampshire College for being an accepting and warm place.' A party for students is scheduled for today. Hexter also said it was important for others to see gay people in long-term, loving relationships, as opposed to judging gay people by 'a Republican senator who shall go unnamed and the sorry display of so many people in that case.'"
Kudos to the pres. for educating by example, and congrats to the happy couple.
And here's a factoid: Hexter is one of 11 openly gay college presidents.
A Gay President Says 'I Do' [inside higher education]
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 11:05 AM EST by Andy in Education, Gay Marriage, Massachusetts, News | Permalink
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Fabulous! My best wishes for all happiness to them.
Posted by: the queen | Sep 19, 2007 11:20:28 AM
This is wonderful! Mazaltov! Welcome to the club -- may all who wish to do so be so allowed.
Posted by: tjc | Sep 19, 2007 11:47:00 AM
Mazel Tov! A wonderful testament to the social value of an educated citizenry.
Posted by: Brian | Sep 19, 2007 11:52:31 AM
See, that's what I get for not being Jewish -- my Hebrew and / or Yiddish spelling sucks. :-)
Either way, congratulations to the lovely couple.
Posted by: tjc | Sep 19, 2007 1:07:36 PM
Congratulations!
But don't be lulled by this... these are all small colleges that do not have large research programs or take any significant money from the Federal government in the form of sponsored projects. I am an openly gay professor at such a major research university and depend on Federal grants to fund my research.
Having an openly gay president of a major research university in the U. S. is still a long way off, I'm afraid. There is fear of a Federal funding backlash and fear of losing important donors that would prevent the trustees of major American universities from embracing an openly gay president. Homophobia is alive and well in academe.
Posted by: Anonymous | Sep 19, 2007 1:08:29 PM
One big step for gay kind... still miles to go but one step ahead is good.
Posted by: SJ | Sep 19, 2007 2:26:52 PM
CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!
And might I add on a shamefully and uncharacteristically shallow note; what a HOT couple!
Let's hear it for hot older men!!!!
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 19, 2007 3:38:22 PM
ANONYMOUS, I understand your point but it brings to mind a statement that I heard from a person who is way more wise than I.
"If you want to live in a world where gay men can walk down the street holding hands, the first step is to walk down a street holding hands."
That's a simple statement (even if it's easier said than done) but it is REALLY a profound one.
It also applies to more things than just walking down the street holding hands.
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 19, 2007 4:56:16 PM
I am so happy and proud of them. What a joy it must be for a couple to share their happiness with the rest of the world. I applaud them!
Posted by: Benjamin | Sep 21, 2007 1:10:38 AM