35th Reunion Wrap Up
35th Reunion Wrap Up
1995 has passed into history. It has been a year since we invaded Adams, Mather and Quincy Houses to carry on the ritual of our 35th college reunion. It was a great event by all counts. Two hundred seventy-five of us and approximately one hundred and seventy-five others--spouses, companions and children--gathered at Harvard June 7th through IIth last year for our thirty-fifth reunion. So many came we ran out of rooms. Some had to stay in the homes of local classmates. For the four days and nights we greeted old friends, made new ones, shared memories of our college days and revelations of our life's journey since Commencement in 1960. While it is satisfying to report that we achieved a statistical success on all counts - most attendees at a class dinner, (525) - number of classmates, spouses and our Radcliffe counterparts preparing for the events (over 50) -The highest 35th reunion class gift to the university, ($9,860,350), what really are the true rewards are the great times had by all of us there.
Wednesday afternoon we gathered at historic Sparks House as Rev. Peter Gomes greeted us at the onset of the reunion. The crowd of classmates and family overflowed his lovely home.
Thursday morning the class marched into the Commencement ceremonies, some in class straw hats and others in the morning coats and tall silk hats customary on that auspicious day. The afternoon Alumni ceremonies were held between intermittent drops of heavy dew, (It never rains on a Harvard Commencement)! Vaclav Havel's inspiring talk on the responsibility and morality of global leadership gave much to consider.
Friday, Rev. Ken Phifer and Rabbi Michael Brown remembered for us our departed classmates at a most moving memorial service. Their words are in this document. Twenty seven classmates' and spouses formed the choir led by John Harbison with the organist Paul Jordan. The day was also filled with seminars discussing such topics as our relations with our adult children, our retirement and career changes, our aging relatives. Over five hundred of us gathered that night for dinner under that huge tent in the Eliot House courtyard and the presentation of an award to Jack Reardon for his years of service to Harvard. The banquet was greatly enhanced by Bart Rhoades' gift of Mondavi Wine. Many stayed to dance the nightaway while others returned to Quincy House to solve the problems of the world and ourselves.
Saturday's panel discussions at the Kennedy Library preceded a series of mini-reunions including the Swimming Team and the Glee Club. Barbara Tropp's masterful cooking demonstration set the stage for the last formal dinner in the Freshman Union. (It closed in January 1996). We were touched on hearing Jim Connor sing of our lives and our Harvard reunion and Gary and Claire Pildner's song to the class reunion committee. Later that evening we convened in Quincy House courtyard to sing all the Harvard songs to the accompaniment of Jim Connor and John Provine. When no one could remember the second verse to "Fair Harvard", Tom Denny stepped forward and sang it flawlessly to a thoroughly transfixed group of classmates.
Sunday brunch found Cy Brown, Kirby Hansen and Tim Leland Joining the Din and Tonics in Adams House. For each of us the memories may be different, but the spirit that brought us together is the same. You who were there made it happen! We are truly sorry that all of us could not be there. We missed you. You are important to us! We hope to continue communication for the next four years and then have all classmates gather at our fortieth reunion in the year 2000.
With Fondest Memories