I wish to report to you on the activities of the Class of 1961 this past year and our plans for the first half of 2025.

Last year we created a new program called Class Conversations to provide Zoom interviews to the class featuring classmates who have led interesting lives. The program is chaired by John Cooper. On September 26, we held our first Class Conversation with Peter Georgescu being interviewed by Jim Zirin. It was very informative and well received. For those who missed it, that interview was recorded and is available by clicking here, or via the class website: princeton61.org by clicking the link in "What's New?"

Our next Class Conversation will take place on Tuesday, January 21 with Jim Blair being interviewed by George Brakeley. You'll be receiving the Zoom link for that conversation shortly before that date. I hope you will be able to view it. Class Conversations is a continuing program with future conversations taking place every several months.

Princeton's annual Alumni Day will take place on campus on Saturday, February 22. The very moving Memorial Service, which will honor 24 of our classmates who passed away in 2024, will take place in the chapel at 3:00 pm that day, and after the service we will join the University's reception in Chancellor Green. The luncheon preceding the service will be held in Jadwin and is free, but you need to register to attend. I will be there, so please let me know if you plan to attend Alumni Day.

On Friday, May 23, we will hold our 64th reunion with our traditional class dinner at the Nassau Club on Mercer Street. The following day we will march in the P-rade with the rest of the alumni. You'll be receiving more information on this as we get closer to the date, and I hope to see you there.

We are now entering the final year before we become Old Guard, which will take place at the conclusion of our 65th reunion in May 2026. Our 65th reunion committee, headed by Joe McGinity and Ev Prather, is already actively planning our 65th, and you'll be hearing more from them during this year. In the meantime, please note the dates of May 21-24, 2026 for our 65th reunion.

A word about the Class of 1961 Foundation and the Class Caring Committee: during the past two years the Foundation has been a major contributor to Princeton's Community Care Day which is designed to address students' mental health. Our contributions have been well received, and the Foundation is now considering its commitment to that program for this year. You will hear more about it later this year. With our class dues notices you have received a request to contribute to the Foundation and the Class Scholarship funds, and I want to thank the many of you who have given to both this past year and previously.

Our Caring Committee, which is part of the Foundation, is headed by Vice President Bob Pickens. The Committee has conducted a series of meetings during the past several years regarding issues pertinent to the class and the health of our classmates. Bob will be in contact with you regarding future meetings this year.

Nearly 45% of our class contributed class dues in the current University fiscal year which will end June 30, 2025, and we appear to be on line to reach the 50% level by the end of the fiscal year which will put us in the top level of dues-paying classes, percentage-wise, and entitle the class to an award. My thanks to class treasurer Ellen Boer for her communications to the class regarding class dues, and managing the funds.

Regarding Annual Giving, 30% of the class contributed $85,000 to Annual Giving during the second half of 2024, a level we can be proud of achieving. My thanks go to our class agents for Annual Giving, Rob Walker and Charlie Rippin.

I wish you and your families a successful and enjoyable new year, and I look forward to seeing you at Princeton in 2025.

Sincerely,