From rare stamps and ancient coins to childhood toys and books, collecting is a connection, memory, and meaning of ourselves with objects we love; it is telling a story of who we are and what we value.

“Last year I started collecting candles,” Citlali Rodriguez (‘28) says, “I like candles that are different and unique.”

In 2016 I started collecting Starbucks “You Are Here” Mugs, Administrative Assistant Jen Quint says, “I saw a mug on Instagram that I really wanted and was traveling to New York.” I was able to find it and the collection spiraled from there. 

In 2006 Maintenance Supervisor Dan Dietrich started collecting pinball and arcade machines. “I bought my first pinball machine to learn how to repair them. From there I learned how to repair video arcades and build my own as well.”

Ava Downey (‘27) collects miniature turtle figurines. She explains how her nickname was given to her by her mother early on in her life. She says, “My mother always thought that I looked like a baby turtle when I was young and the nickname stuck from then on. Now anytime she goes on a trip, she brings back a turtle for me.”