When Steve Eckerson '73 thinks of the University of Vermont, he envisions more than his own college years—he sees his grandfather, Maurice Irwin Gould ‘28, an adventurous chemistry student in the 1920s, donning a striped jacket, straw hat, and a smile that captured the charm of the era. 

Steve’s family has been intertwined with UVM for three generations, making the university a lasting legacy that has shaped their lives across time zones and decades.

Steve’s grandfather attended UVM as a chemistry major, hailing originally from Burlington, Vermont. It’s unclear what drew him to the university, but perhaps the beauty of Vermont or the promise of new friendships appealed to him. 

While at UVM, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Chi, the Chemistry Club, and managed the tennis team - a role that surprised Steve when he first heard about it from family members. This blend of academics and extracurricular involvement wasn’t unusual in the 1920s when students often wore multiple hats on campus.

Steve shared a cherished family photo of his grandfather with friends, dressed in striped jackets and white pants, reminiscent of a barbershop quartet. These images offer glimpses of a lively, lighthearted time—a far cry from today’s bustling campus life. 

His grandfather also missed both World Wars, falling between the two major conflicts, which allowed him to pursue a career uninterrupted.

The Bond of Family and UVM Connections

For Steve’s grandfather, Burlington was more than a place; it was the place he met Steve’s grandmother, Lillian Clerkin, his high school sweetheart. Their love story began in Burlington, continued at UVM, and took them across states, eventually settling in Buffalo and later Saint Louis. 

In a twist of fate, they returned to Buffalo after retirement, reconnecting with old friends. “I think they were the only couple in history to move back to Buffalo to retire,” Steve laughs, remembering his grandfather’s refusal to move south.

The family’s deep connection to UVM extended beyond his grandparents. Steve himself attended UVM, where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon—his grandfather’s fraternity. 

His father, who met Steve’s mother on campus, attended UVM after World War II, embodying the family tradition. This link across generations was something Steve always valued. “I think part of the reason I went there was the family legacy,” he reflects.

A Glimpse of UVM Then and Now

As Steve shared stories about his grandfather, he painted a picture of UVM in the 1920s, a time when campus life was marked by strict rules and simple pleasures. 

Dorms were gender-segregated, with curfews enforced, and even visiting hours were limited. Academics were rigorous, and campus was small and closely knit. Steve recalls his own days at UVM in the 1970s, when rules were beginning to relax, but students still remembered an era of high standards and tradition.

When asked if the next generation would continue the UVM tradition, Steve explained that his sons were raised on the West Coast, making Vermont feel a bit too far from home. 

Still, the stories of his grandfather’s days at UVM and the family legacy have left an indelible mark. “This project reminded me of all those connections,” Steve shared. “It made me think of my family, the legacy, and how it all ties back to UVM.”

A Legacy of Achievement

Years after his grandfather’s time at UVM, Steve was inducted into the UVM Sports Hall of Fame for his skills as an elite ice hockey goalie, an honor that brought his grandparents back to campus to celebrate. For Steve, this moment was incredibly special, bridging the memories of his own college experiences with the stories of his grandfather’s. 

The family’s shared love for the university made the occasion all the more meaningful.