Yale Class of 1969 – Page 6 – Class of 1969

In Memoriam
Simon Newcomb Whitney, Jr., November 14, 2023
ByAdmin July 1, 2024July 10, 2024
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 …”
Read More Simon Newcomb Whitney, Jr., November 14, 2023
In Process
Reunion Reports: Help Needed!
ByAdmin June 13, 2024June 18, 2024
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.
Read More Reunion Reports: Help Needed!
Yale Boom
Boominar: The Women’s Revolution, 6/19 @ 4p Eastern
ByAdmin June 12, 2024June 13, 2024
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.
Read More Boominar: The Women’s Revolution, 6/19 @ 4p Eastern
Reunion Reflections | Survey
Survey Redux: New Information About the Class as It Turns 55
ByAdmin June 11, 2024June 13, 2024
Class Program
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:
Read More Survey Redux: New Information About the Class as It Turns 55
In Memoriam
William Kurt Sacco, February 10, 2024
ByJames Porter June 10, 2024June 13, 2024
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.
Read More William Kurt Sacco, February 10, 2024
Announcements
Final Reunion Program Published
ByWayne Willis May 15, 2024May 18, 2024
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…
Read More Final Reunion Program Published
Announcements
’69 will get a private tour of the Peabody – May 30th, 2 pm
ByDerry Allen and Bill Newman May 8, 2024May 16, 2024
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.)
Read More ’69 will get a private tour of the Peabody – May 30th, 2 pm
Announcements
Our “Class Programs” at Reunion: Truly Exceptional
ByAdmin May 5, 2024May 16, 2024
The Reunion committee for the Class of ’69 winnowed ideas generated by a steering committee of 18 classmates and then recruited true stars to lead them. The results are extraordinary — a reason to attend all by itself!
Click through to see the final CLASS ONLY PROGRAMS as of May 1st. (See also the full program online for any late-breaking updates.)
Read More Our “Class Programs” at Reunion: Truly Exceptional
Announcements
Memorial Service at Reunion To Be Held Saturday Afternoon
ByBill Newman May 4, 2024May 15, 2024
Let’s face it. We are members of a “Last Man’s Club.” We’ll get no new members. And time reduces our number every year.
Every five years, at the reunion, we hold a “Memorial Service” to remember those who have died in the last five years. Traditionally, the Memorial Service was held on Sunday morning. Because many classmates have to leave early on Sunday, the Reunion Committee moved the Memorial to Saturday afternoon, in Battell Chapel.
Read More Memorial Service at Reunion To Be Held Saturday Afternoon
Books | Works
Richard Seltzer releases TWO books in 32 days
ByAdmin May 2, 2024September 15, 2024
Either Richard had these books queued up or he’s so prolific that he’s putting ChatGPT and its cousins to shame! Richard has released two books in just over one month — a novel and a collection of shorter stories.
Let the Women Have Their Say: a Trojan Novel was released April 30th, with this summary:
Read More Richard Seltzer releases TWO books in 32 days
Class Notes
Class Notes, May-Jun 2024
ByDaniel Seiver May 1, 2024September 7, 2024
Bruce Bolnick passed away on November 19, 2023. Edited excerpts from his obituary: “Bruce was a high school champion gymnast before Yale. At Yale, he obtained his PhD in economics only 3 years after his B.A. The Yale experiences that Bruce most loved to recount included his role in pressuring the administration to open Yale to women, his captaining the gymnastics team, and captaining the Yale Cheer team. Most importantly, while at Yale he met…
Read More Class Notes, May-Jun 2024
WYBC | Yale Boom
When Boomers reached WYBC — and changed everything!
ByAdmin April 28, 2024May 3, 2024
All YaleBoom Classes (’67-’73) are invited to join a panel presentation by the Yale Radio Alumni Group, highlighting the radical shift in programming that occurred in the late 60s and early 70s.
Key WYBC leaders from the era [including several from ’69!] will share stories about how the programming decisions were made (and some tape from the programs!) An open discussion and Q&A will follow.
Read More When Boomers reached WYBC — and changed everything!
Music | Works
Zamcheck’s newest: Bride of Science – Bandcamp
ByAdmin April 23, 2024May 3, 2024
Classmate Norman Zamcheck is still jammin’ and creating new music. For those of you who enjoyed his performance at the 50th Reunion Concert (which you can watch and listen to here) you will grok this latest work (including the work of Mat Kastner, also a classmate). Check out …
Read More Zamcheck’s newest: Bride of Science – Bandcamp
Works
Kent Bicknell’s Alcott Presentation Now on Zoom
ByAdmin April 20, 2024April 23, 2024
Update: Bicknell recently presented his Alcott Family research to the Ticknor Society and the Grolier Club. Here is the link to the recording: of the Zoominar.
Read More Kent Bicknell’s Alcott Presentation Now on Zoom
News
Reed Hundt’s Coalition For Green Capital Wins Major Victory
ByAdmin April 19, 2024April 22, 2024
Editor’s Note: Proving once again the value of persistence, Reed Hundt’s Coalition for Green Capital won a major commitment from the federal government. This effort started in 2009, when Reed tried to get funding for green banks enacted into law. Finally, in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act set aside $27 billion for public-private investments in rooftop solar, energy efficiency upgrades for homes and other projects. It’s a major win — and could be a model to mobilize the huge amounts of capital necessary to fund the transition to clean energy.
Read More Reed Hundt’s Coalition For Green Capital Wins Major Victory
Announcements
Reunion Details Announced – Registration Now Open!
ByDerry Allen and Bill Newman April 3, 2024April 3, 2024
The YAA has published the key reunion details, including the link to register for the events and on-campus housing. You can also see the summary of the Schedule of Events; as the program evolves, the summary descriptions will be replaced by more detailed ones, so check back.
The price for the Reunion itself, optional on-campus housing, refund policy and financial assistance availability are all addressed on this page (center tab).
Here some other key developments:
1. Exciting Class Program. The Class-specific panels include …
Read More Reunion Details Announced – Registration Now Open!

Class Program