Alleyway Benches Represent Three Generations of Emersonians
EmersonTrustee Susan Spencer ’61 speaks to those who gathered for the special event. 
Susan Spencer ’61 is ready to cut the ribbon with Interim President Bill Gilligan, left, and Board Chair Eric Alexander. 
Left to right: Leslie Coplin ’87, Susan Spencer ’61, and Miles Coplin ’20 
Emerson Trustee Susan Spencer ’61 with Interim President Bill Gilligan. 
Next time you’re in the Boylston Place alleyway you’ll have three more benches on which to sit, relax, reflect, dream, and think about going to office hours thanks to three generations of Emersonians.
The trio of benches were dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 13, in honor of Emerson Trustee Susan Spencer ’61 who had previously made a generous donation to Emerson’s Diversity Scholarship. Along with Spencer, her daughter, Leslie Coplin ’87, and grandson, Miles Coplin ’20, are honored by the benches.
All three spoke at the dedication, as did Interim President Bill Gilligan, and David Howse, Vice President of the Office of the Arts and Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of ArtsEmerson.
Each alum cut a ribbon for their respective bench, which has a plaque with a quote from each of them:
"Dreamers dream, Doers do. Winners do both! Your Emerson College friends, faculty and facilities sure can help!" Susan Hammel Namm Spencer '61
"Sit, relax, reflect, reset, reconnect. Gather, laugh, vent, listen. Communicate, collaborate, create." Leslie Namm Coplin '87
"Try again. Fail again. Fail better. Go to office hours!" Miles Alec Spencer Coplin '20
Attendees of the event included Spencer and her family, President Designate Jay Bernhardt, Gilligan, former President Jackie Liebergott, Howse, Vice President, Administration & Finance/CFO Paul Dworkis, VP and Dean of Campus Life Jim Hoppe, and numerous Board of Trustee members.
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