2006 Post-Reunion Report
The rain came, the skies were gray and the temperature
descended. A note on our Reunion Headquarters door Saturday morning read,
“Temperature 40 F – Feels like 37!” The
enthusiasm and warmth of 262 classmates and spouses were more than a match for
Mother Nature though and our spirits rose to the occasion. In all, 164 classmates attended surpassing
last year’s 45th mark of 148 for the class of ’60. Our group was housed at the North Townhouses
complete with air-conditioning, although this was never, in fact, verified!
A host of events and lectures were on the schedule with some
notable highlights. Friday Afternoon a
reception for Cornell contributors took place at the Statler School of Hotel
Administration. The
Our Class of ’61 picnic went off without a hitch in the
Johnson Art Museum Tent despite challenging weather conditions. On cue, the Hangovers materialized at the end
of the meal to regale us with their current a cappella selections. Their performance was terrific and confirmed
by the applause of the group and the curtain calls. One also reflects on the energy of youth that
we’d like to recapture ourselves.
Following, we collectively trooped outside for the obligatory class picture. Miraculously the skies parted and the sun
shone for a brief ten minutes, enough for a good picture before the gray skies
descended for the remainder of the weekend.
Alice Cook House hosted our Saturday reception and
dinner. I believe the slogan “bring
enough shrimp and they will come” is appropriate. Following dinner we staggered onto buses to
Bartels Hall and Cornelliana Night. The
program was rich in nostalgia, recognition and great music. President-elect Skorton attended accompanied
by his wife Robin Davisson.
The program concluded with the Men’s Choral Group led, on
bended knee,
by our own Jon Greenleaf serenading
her with “Good Night Little Girl, Goodnight” an old Cornell chestnut but a
sincere and endearing welcome to her and to her new home on The Hill. After the Alma Mater and some moist eyes the
group retreated to Reunion Headquarters for wicked ice cream sundaes for those
with the courage and capacity.
Sunday morning broke gray, wet,
and cold…again. Fortunately breakfast
was in the adjacent tent and gratefully, the coffee was hot. Class President Marshall Frank presided over
the business meeting recognizing the many members that contributed to our
reunion success. Frank Cuzzi then
proposed a slate of officers for the next five years for the Class of ’61. The nominated candidates were unanimously
approved as follows:
President:
Marshall Frank
Treasurer:
Walt Cottrell
Exec. VP,
Contacts:
David Kessler
Exec. VP –
The Desert: Dick Tatlow
Exec. VP –
Cornell Fund: Bill Eaton
Vice
Presidents:
Peter Greenberg
Sue Lewis
Jon Greenleaf
Ginny
Irene So
Gail MacDougall
Pauline Degenfelder
Neil Goldberger
Gary Hellinger
Doug Uhler
Web
Master:
Larry Wheeler
Additionally, many
new Class Advisors have been appointed.
In the interest of space they are too many to be cited here. A complete listing will be provided on the
Class Stationary in the next Class Letter circulated to all classmates. [A
complete listing is also available on the Class Officers page of this website.]
The Class of 1961,
under the leadership of Bill Eaton, contributed $10,552,150 this reunion
year with a total participation of 53% and 564 donors. The class has done a
terrific job and our hats are off to Bill for his outstanding performance.
Several memorable
moments come to mind of events and people occurring throughout reunion. First, the Longest Distance Traveled to
Cornell Award almost certainly belongs to Larry and Rose Bortles. They journeyed from the
Doug Fuss