Alumni 55th Reunion Central

​​Allegheny Class of '​66

ANTOINETTE “TONI” SWAIN MARWITZ ’66
Blue Citation

JOHN M. KELSO, JR. ’66

Gold Citation

Toni Marwitz has a long history of giving back to Allegheny College, not only as a financial supporter but as a volunteer serving former classmates and current students as well.

In 2016, she served on her 50th Reunion Committee acting as the outreach coordinator. She also was involved in planning her milestone 40th and 35th Reunions, fund-raising and planning the project that brought the Vietnam Memorial to the campus. She has funded a scholarship that supports study-away experiences. Brianna Fowler ’16, a recent recipient of the scholarship, said: “I had the opportunity to study in Angers, France, through the support of the Antoinette Swain Marwitz ’66 Student Support Fund. As a result, I have gained true independence, a more positive outlook on life and a desire to return to France.”

Being able to help students study overseas must be gratifying for Toni since she spent her career in foreign service. Her last assignment was as the American consul general in Toronto, Canada. Since her retirement, Toni has settled in Savannah, Georgia, where she has served as board chair for a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and as a member of the leadership team of Faith in Practice, which sponsors medical missions in Guatemala. She is an active Rotarian, serving as current club president. She continues to enjoy travel, taking several trips overseas every year. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

Toni has served on the College’s Alumni Council, has sponsored alumni events in Toronto, and has served as a mentor and panelist for career-education activities. Besides the scholarship she established, she is an ardent supporter of the Annual Fund as well as the Ward and Vicki Jamison Scholarship Fund and has designated Allegheny as a beneficiary of a portion of her estate.

“There is literally nothing that we have asked Toni to do in nearly two decades to which she has not responded with an enthusiastic ‘yes!’,” says Melissa Mencotti, the College’s director of gift planning.

Toni’s dedication to the College is an inspiration to all who know her. It is with deep gratitude for her many years of service that we honor Toni with the Blue Citation.

John M. Kelso, Jr., is an exemplary role model for Allegheny students.

John enjoyed a distinguished 32-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he served as a Special Agent investigating kidnappings, bank robberies, corruption, and domestic and international terrorism cases. He was involved in the high-profile kidnapping case involving heiress Patty Hearst early in his career and later was one of the lead investigators in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. John retired as Section Chief of the FBI’s Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Section, a role in which he was dubbed “the man who keeps the FBI’s secrets.” John retired at the Senior Executive Service level. He is esteemed by his colleagues who elected him to serve as national president of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

John could easily have rested on his well-earned laurels, but instead he remains busy serving in his community. In 2013, he received the Power of One Award from Duke Energy in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the children and families of Brunswick County, North Carolina. John works with first-time juvenile offenders in Teen Court, an alternative to juvenile court. He teaches students to assume the roles of attorneys and jurors. A Communities in Schools news release noted that John “has earned the respect and admiration of students and the community for the vital role he plays” and that he is a role model for youth in his community.

Spirituality is an integral part of John’s life as well. He is a member of the Church Council where he serves as the lay leader and as a representative to the United Methodist Annual Conference, the denomination’s regional governing body. He also has been president of the Southport/Oak Island Kiwanis Club and has served as a volunteer firefighter and member of the fire police. He sings in the church choir and the Sea Notes Choral Society and plays the clarinet in several community bands.
 
John is a former president of the College’s Alumni Council and was awarded Allegheny’s Blue Citation for service to the College in 2010. He married his wife, Lydia, 50 years ago this month, and they have twin sons, Glenn and Mark, who are both commanders in the U.S. Navy. 

In recognition of his many professional and volunteer achievements, Allegheny is proud to honor John with its Gold Citation.