Where Are They Now? | Let’s Go In : My Journey to a University Presidency

Where Are They Now?

WITHOUT ADVANCE PLANNING and to their amazement, Alan and Vicki bought a house in January 2019 in Sun City Grand, a subdivision of Surprise, Arizona, where there are seventy-eight senior deaf residents within a community of 10,000. The community includes two comprehensive recreational centers and four golf courses along with biking and walking paths. Without dealing with winter snow and freezing temps, they now can be active outdoors. After their grandchildren are finished with their schooling in 2021, they plan to sell their house in New York and move to Sun City Grand for the remainder of their retirement. They’ll return to Rochester to visit their family in the summer, and hope to travel the west coast and northwestern states over the next few years.

A group of older white adults looking up into a camera. One woman is holding a gray and white cat.

Alan and Vicki with friends in Arizona (and Sophia, the cat!). From left to right: Steve McCullough, Diane Holte, and Angela Stratiy.

Every day, Alan rides his bike along the many paths around the golf course. He also works out at the recreational center every morning while watching multiple televisions concurrently—some habits never die. Vicki takes walks and goes to the pool. Alan and Vicki both enjoy sightseeing the great places in the southwest in Arizona and bordering states. Of course, they bring their cat Sophia with them. She loves sunbathing on the windowsill.

A group of older white bicyclists at a trail head. They are standing with their bikes in front of a sign that reads Reems Trail Entry.

Alan with other bikers in Sun City Grand: From left to right: Me, Don Cacciatore, Ricky Suiter, and Merle Reeker.

They are finding that what they appreciated most about their lives before retirement—people—is also what they appreciate the most now that they have more free time. Vicki and Alan cherish intermingling with great friends in Arizona, many of them Gallaudet University and RIT/NTID alumni who are either snowbirds or native Arizonans or have relocated from all parts of the country. They play cards, socialize, play golf, and participate in a weekly bocce league.

A young white man with a Sutherland baseball t-shirt stands in front of a stone wall. Next to him is a short young woman with long brown hair wearing a cream colored sweather. A middle-aged white man stands next to her in a dark blue shirt and khakis. He has his are around a slender middle-aged woman with long light brown hair. She's resting her head on his shoulder. Next is a short middle-aged woman in glasses with short dark hair in a dark blue shirt. Finally, there is an older white woman in a cheetah print top and an older white man with white hair and a white beard. He's wearing a light blue shirt and khakis.

Family photo in Rochester.

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