Trearty Bartley, HK 2004
Trearty first met the Kroks in 1992 as the chief of staff for Professor John Donovan (HK 1984). At the countless performances over the years for Cambridge Technology Group at the Fogg Art Museum, the Harvard Club of Boston and other premium locations, Trearty Bartley always greeted the Kroks with hugs and kisses, a laugh, a joke, a wink and maybe a drink.
She was part of a wonderful team at CTG, along with Paul Lincoln (Kroks of 88-90) and Jim Nondorf (HK 1994), who provided deep support for the Kroks and even met them on their Bermuda trip when Professor Donovan was married there in 1995.
Per Paul Lincoln:
“Over the course of more than a dozen years, Trearty has remained a peerless, committed friend, ensuring the healthiest domestic schedule in the group’s history and thereby providing the group the financial assurance required to embark on our annual 6-continent World Tour. Trearty and the Kroks broke through the parameters of a working relationship to establish deep, meaningful friendships that continue to this day. She became more than just a partner, she had become one of us.”
On January 23, 2004, the Kroks of 2004 decided it was time to initiate Trearty into the Kroks as an Honorary Member.
After dining with Trearty in Somerville, Paul Lincoln ‘91 brought Trearty to the Charles Hotel to meet up with the Kroks; he had lured her there by saying that they were singing a gig there. Paul walked Trearty to the 3rd floor of the Charles Hotel where she was greeted by the Kroks of 2004 standing in their arc along with some local alumni and on-campus Kroks.
Trearty commented:
“I was walking over and the Kroks were there and singing. I believe almost as I walked up. And singing What’s your Name. In the years 1992-2005 that I worked with the Kroks I had never had that sung to me. It was a surprise and then at the end … Trearty Bartley is a Krok.”
The Kroks announced her Krok name, presented her with a special drawing and then had drinks at Noir Bar.
They then walked her on a blind-folded initiation journey through Harvard Yard, finishing in a social club, where she and the Kroks sang into the wee hours of the night.
From the recollections of Paul Lincoln, Eliah Seton and Trearty Bartley
Trearty has subsequently worked for the University, both in the Office of the President and in Harvard’s Development Office, and has continued to be extremely kind to the Kroks.
