Class Note 1961
Issue
July-August 2021
By the time that you read this article, the class will probably be in the midst of its virtual 60th reunion, to be held June 14-17. Therefore, I cannot at this time provide you with an after-the-fact review. However, I can tell you that the amount of effort and preparation put into this event has been monumental and has involved many classmates, with chair Pete Bleyler, Maynard Wheeler and Harris McKee leading the charge for this three-plus-day event. For example, there are five one-and-a-half-hour panel discussions, all under the banner of “The Paths We’ve Chosen” (in deference to Robert Frost), each including three classmate speakers and one classmate moderator for a total of 20 classmates involved in this segment alone. There are also other segments.
Also, in conjunction with our 60th reunion, Harris has prepared a revised class directory, Nyla Arslanian is preparing an extensive 60th reunion booklet, and Vic Rich is completing a detailed archive of Dartmouth-related awards and formal recognitions and appointments bestowed upon the class as a whole and upon individual ’61 classmates during the past six decades since graduation.
On March 2 Harris moderated our virtual annual class of 1961 birthday celebration, held on the 61st day of each year. Along with unique pictures of classmates holding the class logo poster for 2021 designed by Harris, this year’s celebration also included a BYOB virtual cocktail party.
On April 6 the class held another highly successful one-day virtual Zoom off-campus mini-reunion. The program was chaired by Maynard Wheeler, with assistance from Harris and Pete, and consisted of Mike Kirst as the sole speaker on the topic, “Education in the USA,” and Maynard as the moderator. Mike is one of the nation’s most knowledgeable and respected people involved in public education. After the panel discussion, Don O’Neill, class president, led a class business meeting open to all seminar attendees. Following this, Harris ran a slide show of our 55th reunion and then Ron Wybranowski moderated an art exhibition featuring classmate Dutton Foster. At least 67 classmates and guests attended the successful mini-reunion.
—Victor S. Rich, 94 Dove Hill Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030; (516) 446-3977; richwind13@gmail.com
Also, in conjunction with our 60th reunion, Harris has prepared a revised class directory, Nyla Arslanian is preparing an extensive 60th reunion booklet, and Vic Rich is completing a detailed archive of Dartmouth-related awards and formal recognitions and appointments bestowed upon the class as a whole and upon individual ’61 classmates during the past six decades since graduation.
On March 2 Harris moderated our virtual annual class of 1961 birthday celebration, held on the 61st day of each year. Along with unique pictures of classmates holding the class logo poster for 2021 designed by Harris, this year’s celebration also included a BYOB virtual cocktail party.
On April 6 the class held another highly successful one-day virtual Zoom off-campus mini-reunion. The program was chaired by Maynard Wheeler, with assistance from Harris and Pete, and consisted of Mike Kirst as the sole speaker on the topic, “Education in the USA,” and Maynard as the moderator. Mike is one of the nation’s most knowledgeable and respected people involved in public education. After the panel discussion, Don O’Neill, class president, led a class business meeting open to all seminar attendees. Following this, Harris ran a slide show of our 55th reunion and then Ron Wybranowski moderated an art exhibition featuring classmate Dutton Foster. At least 67 classmates and guests attended the successful mini-reunion.
—Victor S. Rich, 94 Dove Hill Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030; (516) 446-3977; richwind13@gmail.com