Corresponding Secretary – Paul Capra
2365 Chambers Lake Ln, SE
Lacey, WA 98503
E-mail: shonea1@gmail.com
Webmaster – Lou Allyn
E-mail: yaleclass1961@gmail.com
Website: http://yale1961.org/
Class officers:
Henry Kuehn – Co Secretary – E-mail: hhkuehn@gmail.com
Ron O’Connor – Co Secretary – E-mail: oconnor.rw@gmail.com
Report from your 65th Reunion Committee:
One hundred stalwart classmates and eighty guests returned to New Haven from May 21-24 for our 65th reunion. We were headquartered at Jonathan Edwards College for 3 days of camaraderie, memories, and song. Throughout the reunion, thanks to the hard work of Ron O’Connor, classmates also enjoyed a side room featuring videos (such as the 1000 Voices from our 50th Reunion), and treasured sports and social memorabilia collected over the years.
The reunion opened with a special dinner at Mory’s – enhanced by the always nostalgic Whiffenpoof serenade. The following day we enjoyed a special welcome at lunch by President Maurie McInnis and Handsome Dan.
Classmate and Yale Professor Peter Moore introduced Provost Scott Strobel who gave an engaging overview of the university’s current position and its likely response to near-term budget pressures and policy changes from Washington. He also noted Yale’s increased investment in facilities and talent on the North Campus to meet emerging challenges from AI, neuroscience, engineering and public health to name a few. We also enjoyed lectures from favorite professors on topics ranging from Gun Violence as a public health issue to Envisioning Planetary solutions at Yale in 2050.
Our reunion Service of Remembrance took place in the perfect Dwight Hall Chapel setting and honored departed classmates, especially the approximately 120 who died since the 60th Reunion. Cantor Abby Gostein (daughter of Frank Bernstein) and her mother Marcia (Frank’s widow) sang The Blessing of Memory, a moving tribute.
Thanks to Yale Archivist Michael Lotstein who alerted us to its existence, we were able to re-live the glories of our Undefeated Football Team through a narrated 30-minute highlight film. At that same assembly we gave shout-outs to other record setting athletic achievements made by our track, crew, and polo teams.
After our final and delicious meal in JE, we had a rain-dampened but spirited banner-led parade to the nearby University Theater where we enjoyed a grand finale Cabaret night featuring Broadway star Melissa Errico (’92 ). The program included Broadway and Yale songs along with clever Cole Porter lyric rewrites by Andy Block. For the record It should be noted that father Mike Errico accompanied several moving father-daughter songs. The Whiffenpoofs provided a singing night cap by leading us in a rousing Bright College Years: “So let us strive that ever we, may let these words our watch-cry be; where e’er upon life’s sea we sail, “For god, for Country and for Yale!”
KUDOS and THANKS: (to be updated in our next NOTES)
ATTENDANCE: 100 out of 580 classmates of record –
Second highest attended 65th reunion in Yale’s History. Plus 80 guests.
65TH REUNION GIFT COMMITTEE: Exceeded the goal of $6.1M- 68% participation. Books are still open.
Paul Downey, Tom Mazza, Richard Strub
ALUMNI FUND: Close to goal of $325,000 – Goal in sight. Books are still open. Tom Mazza
CANCER CENTER ENDOWMENT –$3.5M and growing. Exceeded current gift goal of $500,000.
Seventeen awards to brilliant young scientists over the last 10 years exceeding $950,000.
Committee: Ed Cantor, John DeNeufville, Frosty Smith
Y’61 CLASS HERO AWARDS: Andy Block, Ed Cantor, Vince Teti, Frosty Smith, Jamie McLane
*Alisa Masterson: YAA Director of Alumni Engagement, indispensable Class Reunion liaison
YAA Distinguished Service Award – Hank Kuehn, Brian Kelly, Ron O’Connor, John Pearce
PREVIOUS YAA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD– Paul Downey, Lou Allyn, Paul Capra, Dane Manchester,
Tom Mazza.
WHIFFS: Phil Periman, John Bingham, Sandy McMillan, Mickey Dalton, Jamie McLane, John Walsh,
William Veale, Paul Downey, and Barnes Ellis (Frank Pratt could not attend the reunion). Several ’62 and ’15 whiffs helped out.
REUNION COMMITTEE: Hank Kuehn Chair, Lou Allyn, Paul Capra, Brian Kelly, Jamie McLane,
Ron O’Connor and John Pearce.
CABARET: Melissa Errico and the Ted Firth Jazz Trio, plus Mike Errico on piano.
See you at the 70th?? There was limited space in this edition of the YAM. In our next issue, we will address the backlog missed this time. In the meantime, stay current: http://yale1961.org/
Paul Capra, Corresponding Secretary