Barrett Zetterberg ’12 had special visitors when he graduated this week. His grandparents, Ted ’54 and Marilyn Zetterberg ’55 from Milwaukie, were invited back to their alma mater as Golden Grads and took their commencement walk again, with their grandson.
Ted and Marilyn attended Linfield College in the 1950s, and she still remembers attending the annual May Day Parades and selling hot dogs at football games to raise money for her honor society. “We didn’t have dances back then,” she said. “We had mixers. Dances weren’t approved of. We knew everyone on campus and greeted each other with what we called the ‘Linfield Hello.’”
An economics major with a double minor in philosophy and art, Barrett hopes to work for a business that places a premium on creativity. The Milwaukie native is particularly intrigued by industries that have grown up around the Internet. “I like what the Internet does for people in terms of providing information and connecting them through social networking,” he said.
“What I really value about my college education is the diverse spectrum of experiences,” said Barrett, who took courses across the curriculum, served as a newspaper cartoonist, ran track and worked as a resident assistant.
He is particularly close to his grandparents, who attended all his home track meets and cheered him on as he won a Personal Best. His grandparents also faithfully attend the Linfield College Homecoming, followed by their own “Pretend Homecoming,” where old campus friends sing the alma mater together.
“I’ll be 80 my next birthday,” Marilyn said, “but I still remember the song.”
SPRING COMMENCEMENT PHOTO GALLERY
“Newest grads greeted by oldest,” News-Register story
