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Celebrating a Legacy Tradition

Elmira, NY (09/20/2019) — The Promising Class of 2023 began their Elmira College journey recently, and for eleven incoming students, their attendance at EC is the continuation of a long-standing family tradition.

For Sarah Bleiler '23, she is following in the 100-year footsteps of her maternal great grandmother, Sarah Mclnerney, from the Class of 1919, and paternal grandmother, Jeanne Goodrich-Bleiler '74. Sarah will be studying early childhood education like her great grandmother Sarah and her grandmother Jeanne before her.

"It's ironic how Sarah's great grandmother was concluding her Elmira College journey 100 years prior to Sarah beginning her journey at this institution," said Sarah's mother, Mary Anne. The Bleiler family brought Sarah Mclnerney's senior portrait and 1919 class ring with them so she could be represented in the photograph with Sarah and Jeanne.

For other families, it is a bittersweet and emotional tradition to have a family member attend Elmira College.

Ryan Hardy '23 follows in the footsteps of his mother, Martha Hughes '97, who received her master's degree from EC.

"I don't remember the Elmira College hug from when I was a student here, but I already know that it is going to be so emotional to participate in as a parent," said Hughes '97.

Ryan is currently undeclared, but has an immense amount of support behind him from both his mother and father as he forges his path at EC.

The legacies of the Promising Class of 2023 share their family members' dedication to Elmira College, forging the way for a new generation of legacies to carry on traditions, both past and present.

For a full album of the legacy photos, please visit the College's Flickr page.

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