Who was there?
42nd Reunion Successful
Who came? 47 people:
Sue & Jim Blair
Harriet & Lee Blyer
Ellen & George Brakeley
Jim Cole
Pat Davidson & Diane Barlow
Georgia & John Greist, son Revere & daughter Alexa '03
Fred Hitz
Pat & Jon Hlafter
Jim Kellogg
Dick Kersten
Suzanne & Justin Kimball
Cookie Krongard
Rachel & Richard Manning & daughter Doris '03
Maureen & Joe McGinity
Bob Myslik
Lewis Neisner
Carol & Ted Newlin
Pam & Dick Niner
Jay Parsons
Mary & Bob Pickens
Ev & Joe Prather
Charley Rippin
Spence Reynolds
Ken Scasserra
Art Smith
Kathy & Harry Tollerton
Martha & Jim Wickenden
Carol Wojciechowicz
Meeting Agenda &ndash Class of 1961 &ndash May 30, 2003
- Call to order
- Expression of thanks to our hosts &ndash Joe Prather
- Minutes of last meeting: May 31, 2002
- Old Business
- Financial reports &ndash Treasury and Reunion Account
- Mini Reunions and fall tailgates
- New Business
- Class website user survey
- Discussion of a class physical gift to Princeton
i. Naming opportunities at Whitman College - Jon Hlafter
ii. Questions - Other business
Minutes of Class meeting at Pickens' May 30, 2003
The meeting was called to order by the Class President at 9:15 p.m. Meeting agendas and last year's minutes were distributed.
Reunion Chair Joe Prather thanked all for coming, especially first timer John Greist and first off-year Harry Tollerton and their families. Special thanks were given to Mary and Bob Pickens for a delightful dinner in their beautiful home in Princeton. He reported that Carol Wojciechowicz will host the class dinner next year at her home. The President then thanked all class officers for their great work all year for '61.
Cookie Krongard moved to approve the minutes of last year's meeting, which was seconded and carried.
Old Business
a. Financial reports - The President reported that the Class Treasury was in good shape with $33,332. 290 classmates, 45% of the class, contributed $14,430 so far in 2003. After lengthy discussion, class officers have decided not to withhold payment for PAW subscriptions for classmates who do not pay dues.
He also reported that annual giving this year stood at 46% of the class and $183,779 to date. The class is reaching for 70% participation this year, and he asked those present who haven't given, and can, to do so.
Joe Prather reported that the reunion account was still low, at about $3,200, despite ongoing sale of class reunion attire and memorabilia. He asked for donations to cover the cost of dinner.
b. Mini-reunions and tailgates - The President reported on last fall's Dartmouth game tailgate, the class dinner in NYC, and a recent mini-reunion in Miami Beach. This year we'll tailgate at the Harvard and Yale games. Classmates were encouraged to plan regional activities and mini-reunions.
New Business
a. Class website - The President showed copies of a survey that Len Berton has posted on our class website. The survey is designed to show a sample of those using the website, and how they would like it to be improved. All present were encouraged to check out the site and complete the survey.
b. Class physical (capital) gift to Princeton - The President reported that, in response to a classmate's suggestion and favorable discussion on the website, Jon Hlafter would present ideas regarding a physical gift from the class.
Hlafter, Campus Architect and Director of Physical Planning, gave an overview of building projects on campus, planned for completion around 2006, which will coincide with our 45th reunion. He focused on Whitman College, which will be built between Dillon Gym and Baker Rink. Reviewing the many features of the College, he suggested two that might be suitable for donation by '61 - a walkway ($75,000) and promenade ($150,000). Either one could be marked with a plaque or inscription as a gift from'61.
Questions were raised concerning the timing, size, and funding for a class gift, and whether a "living" gift is more appropriate than a physical gift, since the University has cut its operating budget for academics and athletics. Hlafter and Charley Rippin, Associate Director for Leadership Gifts responded to the questions. Ken Scasserra added that there could be an opportunity for '61 to donate a room or other improvement to Baker Rink.
The President thanked Hlafter and Rippin, and announced that a Class Gift Committee would consider the issue, alternatives, and to recommend a course of action to the class. He asked all class officers to serve on the committee, and invited interested classmates to join. Hlafter and Rippin will advise the committee.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m., and Class Secretary George Brakeley thanked President Joe McGinity for a job well done.
