He was a resident assistant, president of the student government, sat on dozens of committees and was highly active in campus life.  She had a busy schedule of her own as head of the women’s government, an R.A. in the brand-new Hart Hall and helping to establish Oswego traditions like Family and Friends Weekend.  And although both Robert '67 and Linda Vanderland McCarthy '66 were studying to be teachers and participated in many of the same activities on campus, it would take a blizzard to bring the two of them together – the Blizzard of '66.

As the snow piled high to reach the second-story windows at Moreland Hall, there wasn’t much for the campus community to do but buckle down and wait for a thaw.

“That’s when we really got to know each other,” said Linda.  And so the season of ice, wind and cold became the season of love.

Christmastime brought the gift of love to the couple when Bob had his heart set on asking Linda to be his date for a friend’s holiday party.  He searched for her — and discovered that they had actually been looking for each other.

“It was a magical moment,” Linda said.  The two haven’t been separated since. 

Bob attended community college before being accepted into Oswego’s elementary math education program and started dating Linda, a secondary history education major, in his junior year.  The two had served on committees and programs together in the past and witnessed many changes during their time on campus.

Always involved in campus affairs, Bob and Linda were instrumental in establishing the Associated Student Body (now the Student Association) and designing plans for the first co-ed dorms.  

Bob and Linda returned to Oswego Oct. 6 to renew their wedding vows and to share the Oswego experience with their three daughters and grandchildren.  The family reserved the Battle Island Inn Bed and Breakfast in Fulton for the special weekend and ceremony.  After taking some family photos in the newly renovated Riggs Hall great room and among the trees behind the building, the memories came flooding back for the McCarthys — attending concerts with friends, enjoying the great outdoors, socializing at Buckland’s, taking advantage of the two “hitching posts” to catch a ride into town.

“It was a great time, an awesome time to be here,” Linda said.  “The campus was so vital.”

The McCarthys have maintained that same vitality as alumni.  The two enjoy spending time with their family and traveling together.  They currently live in Pennsylvania, where Bob works with railroad insurance, and Linda has held a number of positions including managing a clothing store, acting as the director of the United Way, working as the Clarion County Commissioner and in the field of career development for displaced homemakers.  But Oswego will always have a special place in their hearts.

“Those years were so formative,” said Bob.  “This is where it all started.”

—Meagan Smith '07

PHOTO CAPTION:
Robert '67 and Linda Vanderland McCarthy '66, who met at Oswego as students, returned to campus Oct. 6 to renew their wedding vows.

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