REUNION AND CLASS EVENTS
The Class of ’69 broke a record for attendance for a 45th Brown reunion. Eighty-nine (89) classmates and 51 spouses and guests made it back to College Hill this past May. That was 10.3% of our class! The previous record was 8.6%. A big thank you goes out to the class officers who acted as the reunion committee. Special thanks to Shelley Keir, wife of Richard Blackman, who designed our eye-popping class pin.
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Here are a few highlights of our 45th reunion.
Friday evening, “TGIF ’69,” was cool, but our tent near the Nelson Fitness Center was filled with warm-hearted returning classmates. We dined under the large tent on the new Ittleson Quadrangle on Hope Street. The campus dance was massive. There were close to 10,000 attendees!!
Saturday afternoon’s “Crossroads,” many said, was the highlight of the weekend. Jim Northrop emceed the event and was masterful as he solicited the hopes, aspirations, and yes, even some of the disappointments shared by classmates. This was an engaged group, spellbound by the candor of the exchanges. The class memorial service was a time of personal reflection to remember our deceased classmates. The group ended the service by singing the Byrd’s 60’s classic- “Turn! Turn! Turn!”
“Saturday Night Live,” comic event of the 45th Reunion, emerged out of unanswered “casting calls” to all of our performing artists. When no one applied for the job under the big tent at Starr Plaza, the reunion committee decided that a karaoke machine and an upgraded wine list would help stimulate some new talent. The neighbors complained about the noise.
The Sunday commencement procession, a favorite for most classmates, is the thrill of walking down College Hill. This year, our marching classmates donned plate-sized, psychedelic ’69 pins as fellow alumni cheered. Our University President received one. We have a few pins left. Want one?
The Sunday luncheon at classmate Joe Petteruti’s home had it all. There was great food, great al fresco dining and a final opportunity to connect, one on one, with classmates.
Our class participation rate in giving to the Brown Annual Fund was 41.4%. The total 45th reunion gift was almost $530,000. The Class has been very generous to its Alma Mater. During the past five years our classmates have contributed over $2,620,000 to all Brown priorities.
50th Reunion
What a Reunion! Our Fiftieth Reunion was a huge success. We had 240 registered classmates which represents 31% of the total number of our classmates. Over 360 attended the reunion including spouses and guests. These numbers look very impressive, much like our 25th reunion. We may have set a new attendance record for a 50th. Brown has to check the stats.
From a dazzling Friday night dinner to a fabulous Sunday luncheon, the events were spectacular. The 1968 Black Student Walkout forum Saturday morning was phenomenal and well attended. The “Jim Northrop Show” at Noon on Saturday starred Ira Magaziner and Pembroker Ido Jamar. Folks are still talking about this tour de force which included the back story leading to the development of the New Curriculum and a personal, behind the scenes account of the 1968 Black Student Walkout. Jim’s Q. & A. on “what are we going to do with the rest of our lives?” electrified the audience. Saturday afternoon’s “Designing Brilliance”, the Gorham event at the RISD Museum, drew over 75 folks, and the Class of 1969 Forum on the Vietnam War was Standing Room Only (SRO) at the John Hay Library. The Class Memorial Service led by the Rev. Mark Brennan and Richard Crocker early Saturday evening was uplifting. The March Down the Hill, where the Class was greeted with thunderous applause, brought the Class full circle, since for many attendees it was their first time passing through Van Wickle Gate.
We have some sad news to report. Reunion Committee Member (and Brown Trustee) Ken McDaniel passed away on June 11th from a heart attack. For those of you who wish to send condolences to his family, the address is 56 Circuit Drive, Cranston, RI 02905. Along with Ken, Reunion Committee members Kathy Au (Honolulu, HI), Thelma Austin (Washington, DC), Guillermo Bahamon (Arlington, MA), Kate Bornstein (New York, NY), Les Corwin (Bedford, NY), Phyllis Cunningham-Hutson (Tampa, FL), Mike D’Ambra (Little Compton, RI), Ido Jamar (Mableton, GA), Ira Magaziner (Bristol, RI), Jim Northrop (West Hartford, CT), and Scott Somers (Glendale, CA) were vital to our reunion’s success. We had such great diversity of thought and enthusiasm. Congratulations to all who worked so diligently on the forums, t-shirts and special events. You made us all look good, and we salute you and thank you for all your hard work.
We must also thank our 50th Reunion sponsors, J. Scott Burns and Jim Northrop. They provided the class with substantial financial support. This enabled us to have premium liquor, a subsidy for the very special Class of 1969 designer t-shirts, and a beautiful catered lunch on Sunday. A special mention also goes Guillermo Bahamon who convinced his friend, Brown Professor and New Yorker Magazine cartoonist, Ed Koren, to design our distinctive t-shirt attire. Class Secretary Linda Antonucci and Class Treasurer Richard Blackman have volunteered to open up a Class of 1969 t-shirt shop. They will send you a “larger than the average bear” t-shirt (sizes XL or 2XL are all that remain) if you send Richard a check for $19.69 to Bentsen-Combies-Blackman Insurance, 631 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818. Ladies, you will own the perfect replacement for your night gown. Guys, you can bulk up and be the big bear on the block!
For those of you who want to get a jump on the next News and Dues letter in September, contact our Treasurer, Richard Blackman, at blckins@aol.com. He’s the one who has to pay the bills. We did not ask for class dues at registration. You know why - sticker shock. Going to reunions has become very expensive.
Once again, thanks to everyone who attended our 50th Reunion. It was a “Blast” and maybe the best in a long line of very excellent Class of 1969 reunions. You know that we always have the best parties!!!
45th Reunion
