Organizing a high school reunion is often a thankless job, but members of the Hastings High School Class of 1964 found a unique way to honor the classmate who’s tracked down addresses, booked venues, planned entertainment and re-connected cherished friends for the past 60 years.
At the August 2024 reunion, classmate Ronda Tycer of Incline Village, Nevada, announced the creation of the Barbara (Anderson) Sergeant Scholarship at Hastings College. Sergeant, who earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Hastings College in 1968 and was active in the music program, has been integral in organizing her high school reunion every five years since graduation. She lives in Hastings.
“The feedback from the class was uniformly positive — ‘well deserved’ and ‘excellent idea,’” Tycer said.
Over the next five months, classmates gave $34,212, exceeding the newly established $25,000 threshold to fully endow a scholarship. Forty-two people from 14 states coast-to-coast contributed.
In recognition of Sergeant’s music and education background, Hastings College will award the endowed scholarship to a Hastings High School graduate pursuing a music major or minor or majoring in elementary teacher education. The first distribution will be in the fall of 2026.
An unexpected honor
Sergeant was “dumbfounded and stunned” when the scholarship was announced at the Class of 1964’s reunion.
“It has always been a close class, and we’ve tried hard to keep everyone connected. But it was beyond words what it meant to have them do that. I did what I did because I wanted to, and I didn’t expect anything in return,” she said.
In addition to her decades of work as class reunion organizer, Sergeant taught first and second graders in the Hastings Public Schools for 36 years, mostly at Alcott Elementary. A talented musician, she has been organist at the United Methodist Church for 60-plus years and taught piano to numerous local children.
“Barbara is good-hearted to the bone. She has admirable energy and organizational skills and a lively sense of humor. She is always helpful if she can be,” Tycer said. “These skills have resulted in her being the glue that keeps the 1964 class connected.”
Classmate Lyle Fleharty of Hastings, former member of the Hastings College Board of Trustees, agrees.
“She’s been organizing reunions every five years since we graduated. She also keeps track of the class throughout the year, even reading obituaries and letting us know when one of our class members has passed. Her efforts have been endless,” he said.
Steve Traut, a classmate living in Vienna, Virginia, credits Sergeant for 60 years of class camaraderie and connection.
“That’s a long time for Barbara to hold a high school class together, and that’s what she’s done. I dare say you can’t find another Hastings High School class that’s met every five years. We have Barbara to thank for that. It’s been amazing,” he said.
Classmate Mary (Lainson) Olsen of Hastings, a 1969 HC graduate, has known Sergeant since the 4th grade when she moved from a farm to a home across the street from the Lainsons.
“I admire her so much,” Olsen said. “She does everything for our class without complaint. She’s a remarkable woman – very talented in so many areas.”
Gifts that keep giving
The Hastings College Foundation will preserve gifts to the Barbara (Anderson) Sergeant Endowed Scholarship as principal and use only a percentage of the yearly growth for scholarship aid. In this way, the funds will support students now and for future generations.
“Given the quick success of the campaign, it’s obvious that Barbara’s classmates hold her in high regard and appreciate her work in organizing reunions over the years,” said Chelsea LeMar ’07, executive director of the Hastings College Foundation. “The scholarship is the perfect ‘thank you’ in that it preserves Barbara’s legacy at Hastings College while benefiting the next generations of musicians and educators.”
Gifts to the endowed scholarship are still being accepted. To make a gift, click here or call the Hastings College Foundation at 402.461.7363.
