45th Reunion - June, 2009
From beginning to end, the 45th Reunion was a big success. Thanks to all
who planned, helped out and attended!
The weather was glorious — mid-70s and sunny — and the campus looked
great. We had a fine turnout of 185, including 120 classmates. Great
appreciation goes to Nancy Taylor Butler and Susan Boxer Klein
for organizing the affinity calls to encourage attendance.
Volunteers set up our headquarters at the new William Keeton House, at the West Campus site of the old University Halls, at the bottom of Libe Slope. (What an improvement!) And transportation up the Hill worked out very well, with dedicated buses for every event. Classmate and Ithacan Carolyn Chauncey Neuman came early to set up an extensive display of class memorabilia, which will become part of our archived history at the University Library. In addition, Carolyn helped install two huge murals featuring events from our era and photos of classmates at past reunions, which also will be archived. These photo murals were donated by classmate Alix Schneeberg Beeney and her husband Craig, who created them in their graphics studio. Please plan to enjoy them at our 50th, if you missed this reunion.
Part of photo mural created by Alix Schneeberg
Carolyn Stewart Whitman and Steve Whitman ably directed
our staff of five clerks, who were the best examples of Cornell
undergrads we could hope for. And both Linda Cohen Meltzer and
Barbara Lutz Brim assisted with registration. In addition, Linda
helped with selecting and ordering souvenirs, and served as our wise
financial advisor. Bruce Wagner filled so many roles that we only
mention a few: he was our webmaster, graphics designer, and JFK Award
video editor, among other things. Bruce also worked with Don Allen on
publicity.
Susan Mair Holden coordinated the delicious meals, beginning with
a cocktail reception Thursday evening at the glorious new Lab of
Ornithology. Sapsucker Woods never looked so good. A Lab official
introduced us to the building and the birds. We then dined at the
Country Club of Ithaca, and exchanged reminiscences of our days on the
Hill followed by a rousing chorus of the Alma Mater and closing with the
Evening Song as the sun set outside the windows.
Friday morning we were treated to an inspirational review of “lessons
learned” by Professor and University Trustee — and most importantly,
Cornell parent — Ronald Ehrenberg. Professor Ehrenberg addressed
questions about his experience as a parent of a Cornell student who
earned his degree despite multiple physical challenges, as well as his
expertise in economics and university funding.
Classmates enjoyed many University-sponsored events Friday afternoon.
Classmate Beverly Feinberg-Moss planned and led at tour of Weill
Hall, the new life sciences research center.
We regrouped for cocktails and a visit with President David Skorton at
the Johnson Museum of Art on Friday afternoon. His insights, humor and
obvious love for Cornell and Cornellians made a wonderful impression. We
dined at Keeton House and were addressed by Peter Meinig, chairman of
the Cornell Board of Trustees. In addition, Dean Jefferson Cowie of
Keeton House, and Professor Ehrenberg, joined us for dinner.
A showing of a superb video about the 45-year history of our JFK Award
topped off the evening hosted by award chair Joan Melville. She,
Cindy Wolloch, who did all the interviews, and producer Bruce
Wagner deserve hearty thanks and congratulations for a production
that will also become part of our class archives and we hope will be
shown often in the future. The video featured contributions made by past
Awardees, including a lawyer/rights activist, an NGO founder and
president, a mental health researcher, a prisoner advocate and an AIDS
activist. Joan introduced this year’s awardee, Amy McKlindon ‘09, who
graciously thanked the class for the award and our interest.
After breakfast Saturday morning, Dean Cowie, the resident head of
Keeton House as well as an ILR professor, explained how this living
facility and the other four houses on West Campus operate as a popular
alternative to Greek house or apartment living. Many faculty members
spend time with residents of these houses, which feature many informal
educational and social opportunities.
Our picnic at the Cornell Plantations was great fun because the food was
good, the weather was great and the Sherwoods entertained. And how
entertaining they were! The Sherwoods alumni come back each year, and we
were privileged to have two of our classmates among them, Paul
Reading and John Perrine. The highlight was Paul’s serenade
of classmate Barbara Brim. Paul’s mock-seriousness was
hysterical, and everyone enjoyed it almost as much as Barbara did!
Another highlight of the picnic was the opportunity to recognize and
applaud classmate Lynn Friedhoff Feigenbaum, who returned to
Ithaca this spring to finish the few credits she needed to finally get
her degree. What an accomplishment!
Saturday night featured an elegant reception and dinner in an
engineering building. Sounds incongruous? But the four-story atrium of
the Duffield Hall provided a beautiful setting for dinner and
recognition of the volunteers who made it all happen by outgoing class
president Janet Spencer King and co-chair Mary Cantor Hammer.
After Sunday brunch and a brief remembrance of classmates no longer with
us, we formally elected the slate of officers for the next five years,
headed by new president, Susan Mair Holden.
We all look forward to the 50th!
Mary Cantor Hammer
Arnie Hammer
Stan Morgenstein
45th Reunion Chairs
