Members of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Class of 2026 proceed into the Hall of Philosophy for the CLSC Vigil Sunday.
NORA SMITH
Staff Writer
Some Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Class of 2026 graduates have been coming to Chautauqua for years, and for some, this will be their first time stepping on the grounds, but no matter their history with Chautauqua, they honor the legacy of the CLSC as they prepare to walk the stage today.
At 8:15 a.m. today at the Hall of Christ, the “Keepers of the Flame” and “Voices for Democracy” will kick off Recognition Day with a reveal of their class banner and a class photo prior to the 9 a.m. ceremony in the Hall of Philosophy.
Anne Bauer, a graduate and member of the Vigil Committee, is in her fourth year coming to Chautauqua, and she said she admires lifelong Chautauquans and the tradition of people coming to Chautauqua since childhood.
“The whole American tradition of Chautauqua has been very meaningful to me…” Bauer said, reflecting on Chautauqua’s longtime devotion to a broad education and the CLSC’s part in the Chautauqua tradition of promoting the act of reading. “It’s connections to our political system and way of life and our freedoms,” Bauer said. “It just seems to be such a strong connection there, to me, and that’s really why I decided I wanted to learn more about CLSC and decided to graduate with them.”
Bauer said her graduating class represents standing up for democracy and for those who seek a better life. She specifically mentioned how Interim Michael I. Rudell Director of Literary Arts Stephine Hunt and others in directing roles in the CLSC emphasize this.
“There’s a big emphasis on wanting to hear from everybody, which I like,” Bauer said. “[Hunt] has really tried to take into account the views of everybody and (is) encouraging people to speak up, which is not something that we see everywhere in our lives.”
Bauer said she feels it is a difficult time in our country right now, so for her, it’s important to have something to celebrate, like parading around the grounds later today.
For graduate Norah Rowland, also a member of the Vigil Committee, this week marks her first time stepping onto Chautauqua Institution’s grounds.
“I took the challenge to read the books in the winter, in January, and it was a great challenge,” Rowland said. “I really felt like it broadened my horizons to read a variety of things, and I am excited about learning about Chautauqua and all the history and just having the experience.”
Rowland said she heard about Chautauqua through her best friend, who visited last year and later encouraged Rowland to join her this Summer Season. Rowland said she’s looking forward to all the celebratory events, but especially the banner reveal and parade afterward.
“I feel really proud to be in the [Class of 2026] , and I’m excited about our values . . .” Rowland said. “[The class values] just kind of go along with the whole 250 celebration and proud to be an American in the democracy at this time, trying to incorporate democratic values, respect for others and inclusion.”
As a nurse working with Medicaid recipients, Rowland honors these values every day.
“I’m all about helping some downtrodden folks,” Rowland said. “Let them feel the respect and that they’re important and that their needs matter, and that’s what I do for my day job, so the whole democracy — letting the voices speak — goes along with what I do.”
Graduate and member of the Banner Committee Ann Shayne had been a part of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, the daughter chautauqua in Tennessee, for a long time and even owned a cottage, but hadn’t visited Chautauqua, New York, until she made a trip last summer with her sister, Buffy Elder, co-president of the Class of 2026.
“We cooked up a quick trip, just the two of us last summer and had a great time and saw what a true Chautauqua looks like, and just had a blast, had an incredibly great time,” Shayne said.
Shayne said getting to be at a place like Chautauqua for the summer with such a strong sense of community is impactful, especially when surrounded by such joyful and wonderful people.
“That kind of thing is something that we really crave, and we just love it,” Shayne said.
Shayne said she thinks Recognition Day will be the most fun and looks forward to the parade, meeting other graduates afterward and getting to be a part of such an honorable and long tradition of the CLSC.
