Geriactive Continued from page 9


cles, and the spirit inside me.” Land was born and raised in the Episcopalian Church. Although she did not go to church much in college, she returned when she married and has been very active, in one way or another, for 50 years. She also has been in a spiritual women's group for about five years. “We are all over age 60, and meet twice a year, deal- ing with changes in our lives as we age.” Three years ago, after an 11-year retire-


ment, she returned to work and is a hospital social worker . “My job is varied, very fast- paced, and it keeps my brain sharp until I drop into bed at night,” she explains. “I also do some computer research for Bill Spelman, Class of 1960, on occasion, and that keeps me thinking. My reading is plentiful when I can get to it, but my “New Yorkers” are my mainstay and are stacked by my bed, being read when I am able. I also do crossword puzzles from our little local paper at night before I sleep.” As a school girl in the YMCA in Westfield,


began to compete in Masters Swimming, continuing for over 20 years, traveling to national and regional championships regular- ly,” she says. She also kept horses for years but, since going full-time at the hospital, has given them up. “I do ride on occasion in the summer . . . I


try to go on a Yellowstone pack trip for five days each year, too. I have been fly fishing in the warmer season more since the horses are gone. I still play tennis twice a week, both in the summer and winter, and try to cross country ski in the winter when the weather and time allow.”


runner with a cause


Since he turned 40, Mark Chrusz, D.D.S., ’74, G’75, has participated in seven marathons: Boston (twice); New York City; Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; Walt Disney World; Big Sur, Calif.; and Cape Cod. “Over the years (many, too many) I have participat- ed in hundreds of road races, triathlons, and seven marathons,” says Chrusz, citing the Hawaii Ironman, Escape From Alcatraz, and the Chicago Lake Michigan Triathlon among the more memorable and recent triathlons in which he has participated. While all of these may impress, the most


Maggie Cox Land


Mass., Land competed in swimming, diving, and was a member of the Jr. Leaders Club, where she was involved with games, gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and most indoor ball type sports. During her senior year in the Dayton, Ohio, YMCA, she learned how to fence and played on inter- scholastic teams in field hockey and basketball. She participated in intramurals while at Springfield College, and was part of the synchronized swimming and gymnastics clubs. After graduation, she taught physical education and, once married, began to run for pleasure and health. “I gave that up when I was about 39, due to foot problems, and


40


notable races may well be the 5Ks and 10Ks that he runs with his friend Dennis Crandall. Since 1991, the two have been running together, Chrusz on foot, and Crandall in a racing wheelchair. The two began racing together when Crandall was a 16-year-old dental patient of Chrusz’s. Born with cerebral palsy, Crandall expressed an interest in running, so Chrusz would bring him his race t-shirts. Then it occurred to Chrusz that he could give Crandall the experience by push- ing him in an adapted wheelchair. They have been running together since and, this year, are in their 20th racing season. Their first race of the season was the Team


Hoyt Annual Road Race in May in Waltham, Mass. “The Hoyts are famous for their racing worldwide with Dick Hoyt pushing his son Rick,” says Chrusz. “We are, by far, very much low key compared to the Hoyts, and Dick is certainly in better shape than me,” he says. “But I was honored that they invited us to join them in their race.” In October, Chrusz will head to Greece,


where he and youngest daughter, Kristin, plan to run in the 2,500-year anniversary of the original marathon from Marathon to Athens along the original route. “A bucket list item, and a high one that I


am looking forward to,” explains Chrusz, who describes how, even to this day, he lives the Humanics philosophy, in all facets of his life, “without even thinking about it. “Whether it was treating patients when I


was in dental practice, or today back in the classroom teaching on the high school level, a part of Springfield College and its Human- ics philosophy still comes out of me in one way or the other.” The triangle is apparent in the many facets


of Chrusz’s life. Raised a Catholic, he is a faithful person who remains mentally engaged through a variety of activities including Cape Cod beach walks, a recent trip to the Vatican, reading, and making continu- al effort to be a better dad, brother, son, and individual. Just as the spiritual and intellectu- al engagement will keep him young, so do the many other physical activities in which he participates: walking, cycling, swimming, racquetball, weight lifting, kettle ball train- ing, kayaking, jet skiing, and basketball.


Spirit


At age 55, when Hank Bagelman G’78 was training for a marathon, he felt a tight- ness in his chest. As he discussed the medical treatment that saved his life, he says, “God played a part in this, too. He said ‘Bagelman, I’m not through with you yet. So, stay on the straight and narrow.’” Now, at age 73, Bagel- man is the same weight as when he wrestled in high school. A YMCA professional, Bagelman came to


Springfield College for graduate school when he was in his 40s. “My sons got to see me graduate,” he recalls. He began working for the Y in 1952 at a family camp in Pennsylva- nia. Earning increasingly responsible posts, he was the CEO of the Scranton Y when he was accepted into the Springfield College program in community leadership and devel- opment. “I was proud to be registered at Springfield College … It was a joyful time.” Now retired in Waverly, Iowa, Bagelman


spent his career serving the Y in executive positions from coast to coast, retiring as a


TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 82, No. 1


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