Dear Classmate,
This is an email that Randy Alfred is sending to his friends in Morse. With his permission, we are forwarding it to the whole class because it expresses so well our own feelings about the upcoming reunion. Hope to see you there. Carpe Diem.
Sincerely,
Tom Gottshall and Barry Bardo, reunion co-chairs
Hello:
I’m writing to encourage you to attend our 55th Yale Reunion in New Haven on May 26-29.
Reunions are about the place. And Yale is quite some place — with its architecture, its museums and its many, many memories.
Reunions are about the program, too. The University will be offering events in the morning open to all reunion classes.
The Class of 1967 is also scheduling our own afternoon events. One highlight is a special presentation on music and politics by our classmate, the celebrated conductor John Mauceri.
But beyond the place, beyond the programs, the reunion is foremost about the people: our classmates. We’re all attending to see each other and re-connect.
From early morning to late in the evening, you’ll always find good company in the courtyard. I’m working to get the maximum number of Morsemen in the mix.
Reunions are not about dinosaurs trying to relive the Jurassic. They’re about old friends catching up on one another’s evolution.
That’s been true of all our reunions, and it’s truer than ever for this one. Before we have our 60th five years hence, our numbers will sadly have dwindled. (And fewer still will find travel easy, or even possible.)
You’ll find the information you need in the links below: an overview, a registration form, program details, a list of those who’ve already signed up to attend, and Yale’s Covid protocol to keep us all safe.
Looking forward to seeing you in New Haven,
Randy
Reunion Program Update
Dear Classmate,
For those who have registered – and for those still on the fence – and who would like more information about our planned Class program events at our 55th Reunion, here’s an update.
Jackson School of Global Affairs – Thursday, May 26, 3:00 p.m. The Jackson School of Global Affairs was created through the gift of classmate John Jackson and his wife, Susan. Created first as an Institute in 2010, it’s transitioning to a School due to its great success, the first new school at Yale since the School of Management in 1976. John will introduce the School’s Dean James Levinsohn, who will address the transition and the uniqueness of the school among others in American universities. He will reference some of the most pressing international issues with which the school deals, including the war in Ukraine. The school is host to both resident and visiting scholars, dignitaries, and military authorities. For your interest, here is a recent panel discussion led by the school’s faculty on Ukraine in historical perspective. This Thursday afternoon reunion event will be a thoughtful discussion of a key transformation at Yale and the most pressing international crisis of our day. George Pataki, who was been in Ukraine twice recently helping with the Ukrainian relief effort, and Victor Ashe, who was our ambassador to Poland for four years under Pres. George W. Bush, and for nine months under Pres. Barack Obama, will participate. Bring your questions.
John Jackson, who exhibited some of his collection of numismatic banknote printing at our last reunion, coupled with a cocktail party at the Art Museum, has created a seven-case exhibit at the Museum on women in the art of banknote engraving. The exhibit is currently in the Art Gallery on the ground floor, beyond the Greek and Roman statutes. Take a look.
Yale Today – Teaching and Learning at Yale – Friday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. Rising academic star Kathryn Lofton, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science for the Humanities and Lex Hixon Professor of Religious Studies, American Studies, History and Divinity at Yale, will highlight some of the most critical issues in teaching humanities at Yale today. You will be surprised at the ways in which teaching of the humanities benefits from both new technologies and new ways of thinking, all in stark contrast to the ways we learned in our days as undergraduates. One significant advance is found at Yale’s Franke Family Digital Humanities Lab. The Director of the Digital Humanities Lab and Lecturer in Statistics & Data Science, Peter Leonard will describe how today’s Yale students mine and analyze data – moving away from the more traditional narrative approach. Another part of the transformation of teaching and learning at Yale will be showcased by Jennifer Frederick, Executive Director of the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, which uses advanced automated methods to assemble and analyze a wealth of information, words, images, data, physical objects, to make new interpretations of various contributions. In conveying these methods to students from First Years to Ph.D. students, Yale students of all backgrounds are put on a similar footing in dealing with the overwhelming growth of the world’s information. We will hear how this impacts undergraduates, including those with different levels of high school preparation. There’s a ton that’s new at Yale, so be prepared for a bit of culture shock in this fascinating view of the very latest in teaching and learning at Yale. There will be time for questions.
Memorial Service. Friday, May 27, 3:15 p.m. Classmates The Rev. Dr. John Mitchell, Rev. Bob Riedel and Ron Meister will commemorate at Battell our classmates who have died since our last reunion. Following this moving service, we will reconvene in the Timothy Dwight Courtyard.
Yale Cemetery Tour, Saturday, May 28, 10:30 a.m. Our classmate and Reunion Co-Chair Tom Gottshall will present his by-now traditional walking tour of the Yale’s Grove Street Cemetery, with visits to tombstones of persons for whom Yale colleges are named and other famous Yalies of old. Come along and engage the history of Yale through these famous Yale personages, as guided by Tom’s historical narrative. Lots are still for sale.
Yale Today – Admissions – Saturday, May 28, 2:00 p.m. Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Margit Dahl ’75 and her department processed 50,000 applications this past season: (https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/04/27/yale-admissions-office-looks-back-on-triumphant-reading-season/. She will explain how Yale decides which of this year’s more than 50,000 applications became the more than 2,200 admitted students. How are Yale’s traditional strengths in the humanities balanced against Yale’s increasing strengths in science and STEM students? How does this Herculean task get accomplished so well every year? Amid the flood of applications, what is the process, what are the Admissions people looking for? How has it turned out in recent years? What challenges remain? What about first-generation students? Economically disadvantaged students? Diversity? LGBTQ students? STEM vs. humanities? For these and more issues in constituting the Yale undergraduate student body, there will be plenty of time for questions from our classmates. Please ask questions!
Saturday, May 28, 3:00 p.m. John Mauceri – The War on Music in the 20th Century – classmate, internationally renowned conductor, music director, writer, teacher and scholar of music John Mauceri continues his unique and spectacular career as a conductor, educator, and musical sleuth. John extends on the findings of his latest book, The War on Music—Reclaiming the Twentieth Century, to examine the intersection of the three global wars (I, II, and Cold) and how music (of all things) was weaponized, resulting in the transplanting of European music into the USA—in Hollywood, on Broadway, and yes, at Yale. John’s previous talks have been major highlights of our last two reunions, and this one should be equally fascinating and entertaining. Hear the enlightening discussion and listen to the music presented by our Maestro John Mauceri. You will not want to miss this one!
Finally – You’ll find the reunion information you need in: an overview with program details and links to related 55th Reunion links, a registration form, a list of those who’ve already signed up to attend, and Yale’s Covid protocol to keep us all safe.
We hope this has given some further explanation of our programs; and remember there will also be lots of time to visit at Timothy Dwight reunion headquarters.
See you at the reunion!
Tom Gottshall
Barry Bardo
Reunion Co-chairs
IMPORTANT LINKS
55th Reunion: Questions, Answers and Suggestions
For registered classmates and their guests – and for those who are undecided but would like more details – we offer the following reunion information.
General Reunion Information: “What You Need to Know” about our reunion and your attendance can be found at: https://alumni.yale.edu/reunions/class-1967. For more detailed questions and information – the following information may be helpful. Registration deadline for our reunion is Tuesday, May 24th – click here to Register NOTE: all registration is online – no on-site registration will be permitted (see below).
Travel Tips – https://alumni.yale.edu/ycreunions-what-you-need-know#covid-policies-for-reunions – KN95 or N95 masks are recommended for travel. If traveling by air, be especially mindful of wearing your mask in the airport and when entering and exiting the aircraft, when the air filtration systems are not operating, and passengers are slowly entering or exiting the aircraft.
Parking – is available at Pierson-Sage Garage and Prospect Sachem Garage. Parking is free but limited. https://alumni.yale.edu/ycreunions-what-you-need-know#covid-policies-for-reunions.
Transportation to Central Registration / Check-In – shuttle vans are provided from the parking garages to central registration/check-in (St. Thomas More, see below).
Shuttles to Hotels – YAA Reunion Shuttle service starts Thursday, 1:00 p.m., covers reunion hotels only. See website for details:
Central Registration Check-In – Check-in will be at the Help Desk at St. Thomas More Golden Center at 268 Park Street. It will be organized to ensure prompt, safe check-in. It is actually our “Check-In/Pick-up” point, because everyone will be pre-registered online by the end of Tuesday, May 24. At check-in you will receive a colored wristband to be worn through the weekend for access to all Yale and Class of 1967 program events – you will need this ID to enter all Yale-wide and Class of 1967 reunion events. You will also receive a program with a full schedule of events, and campus housing key cards – if staying on campus – for access to your entryway and campus room. A small trinket and nametags will be available at check-in. Registration Check-In and the Yale Help Centers will be open 24/7 starting at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 26th. until Saturday night.
Registrations – online registration deadline is Tuesday, May 24th
Proof of Vaccination, Boostering, Covid Testing and Masking – even though you’ve already attested to your vaccination and boostering, bring an original or a copy of your vaccination certificate, or an image on your smartphone, in case of an emergency. Attendees are recommended to take a PCR or rapid antigen test with negative results, before traveling. Anyone testing positive during the reunion will be required to mask, isolate, and leave promptly: https://alumni.yale.edu/ycreunions-what-you-need-know#covid-policies-for-reunions. Masking will be required at all indoor events (Class events are in 53 Wall Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons; Memorial Service is Friday afternoon), but not at meals and singalongs in the courtyard or under the tent at Timothy Dwight College.
Transportation from Check-In to Timothy Dwight – shuttle vans – mixed classes and multiple stops possible before reaching Timothy Dwight College.
Disabilities – if you or your guest finds need for a wheelchair while on campus, the staff at TD can provide one for you. Please note that Yale staff members or students are not permitted to push alumni in wheelchairs, by Yale policy; so, if you see a classmate who needs a little help, step in! If you are bringing a wheelchair or have difficulty mounting steps onto a Shuttle Bus, please contact the YAA at 203-432-2110 to ask about transportation by handivan.
Campus Housing – assignments and keys provided at Check-In – details are provided online.
Reunion Headquarters – Timothy Dwight Courtyard – the Yale ID wristband issued at check-in will be required for entry of all attendees. The courtyard provides a large, open-air tent with central dance floor and tables on grass. The open-air environment complies with Yale and State of Connecticut Covid health and safety requirements for gatherings of this size. The tent has flooring throughout the covered area. See: latest restrictions.
Class of ’67 Events – end at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, 4:15 on Friday, and 4:30 on Saturday afternoons. Between then and dinner time, you are invited to join in conversation, cocktails and singalongs in the Timothy Dwight College courtyard, or return to your room or hotel for rest and change of clothing before dinner.
Class Dinner, YAA Awards, Whiffenpoofs – Friday night – 7:00 p.m. – seated dinner serving – dressier attire suggested; for men, jackets and dress shirts suggested, with ties optional; Whiffenpoofs performance. Suggest to bring a white handkerchief for singing of “Bright College Years.”
Buffet Dinner and Dancing – Saturday night – 7:00 p.m. – Bales-Gitlin Band performs favorite songs from the ‘60’s for your listening and dancing pleasure.
Sunday Breakfast – 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. – getaway event in Timothy Dwight courtyard – breakfast under the tent, class of ’67 and guests only, no need to walk to Commons, as at previous reunions.
Attire – recommended attire is dress casual, except for the Class Dinner (see above). Comfortable shoes are good, especially if you will be walking to morning Yale events. Timothy Dwight College courtyard and 53 Wall Street are contiguous and require very little walking between afternoon Class of ‘67 events, except for the Friday memorial service in Battell Chapel (see above).
Freshening Up – for those who wish to wash up or store a change of clothing on campus, without having to return to their hotel, there is a washroom off the Commons Room. Staff will store your belongings behind the Help Desk in the Common Room but please remember that this is at your own risk.
Weather – Hourly weather forecasts for New Haven, CT can be found at: weather.com or accuweather.com. These may help guide your wardrobe choices.
Bring an umbrella.
Tom Gottshall – trgottshall@gmail.com
Barry Bardo – bardocommunications.com
55th Reunion Co-Chairs