Dr. Daniel Duke, a professor emeritus at UVa, released a new novel, Pursuit of Happiness, in late June. It joins two earlier novels — Man Camp (2022) and River of Dreams (2023). His author profile explains that “his novels address important issues, ranging from what it means to be a man in the 21st century to whether pursuing happiness is worth the effort.” The Amazon “blurb” for The Pursuit of Happiness gives a peek into…
When priest and earth scholar Thomas Berry was about ten years old, he had a transformative experience upon seeing a certain meadow for the very first time. He says: the sight of that meadow in early May, “together with the sounds of the insects – the crickets, the birds – all of this somehow struck me in such a way that ever since then that meadow has become my norm of reality and value…If we don’t have certain outer experiences, we don’t have certain inner experiences or at least we don’t have them in such a profound way. We need the sun, the …
Another successful reunion organized by Bill Newman and Derry Allen! We were headquartered in Timothy Dwight, and coddled with excellent food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with our Class Dinner, served under the tent in the courtyard, as the pièce de resistance. Our overfull schedule of lectures, tours and discussions began on Thursday afternoon with a private guided tour of the remodeled Peabody Museum, with the requisite dinosaurs, (including us?) but most notably the David…
The early birds started to party on Thursday evening. The delicious buffet on Friday was a great welcome for the arriving majority. But the Saturday Dinner was the true culinary apex of the weekend.
The crowd happily visited with old friends, made trips to the bar and restrooms as needed, and stopped on the way to greet and catch way up with even more old friends.
The music program was very different from prior reunions … and quite successful. And the formal parts of the evening were short and very sweet, with recognition …
Editor’s Note:This will be a spot where reunion attendees can contribute miscellaneous pictures — of close friends (as Derry does next), of meaningful places or activities they explored (as Brad does below) , or … basically ANY interesting, relevant pictures.
We aren’t sure about the final layout yet — check out the Gallery so far. Then just send any of your pix to support@Yale1969.org!
The Class convened in Battell Chapel on Saturday afternoon to share remembrances of the 45 classmates who have passed away during the prior 5 years. The Rev. J. Douglas Ousley ’69 officiated. Eliot Norman and Dick Williams organized the musical portion of the program. Dan Seiver read off the names (see slides below, one per person) and attendees shared stories and memories of the deceased.
A panel of ’69ers with some serious climate bona fides reported
A robust discussion followed in the Q&A. Click through on the links and resources offered by the panel.
Our 50th Reunion Survey asked some probing questions about our collective approaches to spirituality. The 55th Reunion Survey sought to determine whether and how our beliefs have continued to evolve. This presentation examined the spiritual state of our class, raised some questions about why it is and what it is, and presented some individual views and questions to ponder as we age.
Yale’s new University Chaplain responded to the presentation and compare our class to Yale today. Speaker: Michael Baum; Contributors: Michael Folz, Matthew Flynn; Respondent: Maytal Saltiel, University Chaplain.
from Norman’s 50th Reunion Essay:
“…. Beyond these headstrong episodes, I’ve realized what a lucky life has been granted me. After our parental generation’s 16 years of economic depression and world war (my mother’s family escaped Germany in 1939), I was born in the right place at the right time. It was a given our generation would advance and prosper beyond our parents. (Not a given now.)
I had the luck to apply to Yale just when the Ivy League broadly opened up to boys of my background; to enter the law firm world just when top tier firms likewise opened up; and to begin practice when there was a fair shot to grab the prized partner ring. Timing does matter and, for me, has made a strong difference. …”
Simon’s Yale years were interrupted twice (once for the 67-68 school year, once later), for reasons he explained in his reunion essays in both 1994 and 2019 (see below):
From his website: “Simon Whitney, MD, JD is a family physician and ethicist. He taught at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, for twenty-two years. He is retired from the practice of medicine but continues to publish and teach about medical ethics.
… Dr. Whitney has studied the Institutional Review Board system, including its origins, its triumphs, and its failures, since 2007. … In 2023, he published From Oversight to Overkill: Inside the Broken System That Blocks Medical Breakthroughs—And How We Can Fix It (Rivertowns Books). This book brings to life how scientists struggle …”
I’m working on reunion stories and need your help. If you found any reunion events particularly remarkable, PLEASE send your “reunion reflections” to support@Yale1969.org. It could be thoughts on a lecture, tour or conversation. It might be pictures. E.g., I went to “Architecture and the City,” by Dr. Elihu Rubin ’99, a Vincent Scully protégé. I took Scully’s course on Modern Architecture, and Professor Rubin nailed it: It was magical, energizing. I will write up a “Reunion Reflection” for that.
To jog your memory, see this list of YAA lectures and tours. See also the receptions, exhibitions, and other special events. And don’t forget the Class Programs. Please submit anything by end of June.
This is a “Yale Boom” offering from the Class of 1967.
Reminder — the Yale Boom Group (Classes of ’67-’73) share some of their webinars with neighboring classes.
How has the changing role of women affected our lives?
Women have become a dominant force in every aspect of American life. Not admitted to Yale when we were there, more women than men now graduate from high school, college, and professional schools. Register now – June 19th, 4 pm EDT.
Tom Guterbock and Mike Baum updated the incredible survey they arranged for our 50th Reunion in 2019. The first item of business for our three days together was a presentation of the updated results. We think you’ll be interested in how we are evolving as a Class:
My best friend at Yale, Bill Sacco, passed away on February 10th, 2024. Bill was one of the most talented photographers of our generation.
Our friendship began in sophomore year on the day we moved into Silliman College. While everyone else was upstairs trying to make their new rooms livable, Bill and I converged downstairs in Silliman’s photographic darkroom. We both looked at the enlarger. “Schneider lenses,” I observed. “Yes, but no Tiffin filters,” Bill commented. Professional colleagues whom you also like! This is one of the gifts that Yale can give.
Our Reunion Committee and the YAA did it again! The final program offers many compelling events, often presented in parallel. Scanning the program, I often want to be in two places simultaneously!
There are four separate pages on the University-wide reunion site, linked below, each worth visiting. Schedule of Events – Overview This is a one-page overview…
Woo hoo! Great news. David Friend ‘69 has graciously arranged for a private tour of the newly re-opened Peabody Museum for the Class of 1969. The museum’s director will guide our private tour, highlighting the museum’s recent renovations and exhibits. We will meet at the Peabody and start the tour promptly at 2 pm on Thursday of reunion weekend.
Tickets are free, but registration is required. (Deadline: 5/24, 2 pm.)
