The Class of 1950, always enthusiastic reunion-goers, set a new record for attendance at a 55th reunion. Over 170 classmates and guests enjoyed a series of events beginning with pre-Pops dinner on Thursday night and ending the following Wednesday morning at the Black Point Inn in Maine. Classmates came from as far away as California, Seattle, France, and India.
The pre-Pops dinner, arranged by Bob and Lucille Cesari, was held in the dining room of the Next House dormitory. The first event of our reunion week opened on a festive note in the bright sunny room with views of the Charles River. Conversation as well as bar drinks, flowed freely as we gathered in small groups and renewed friendships.
Following a buffet dinner, three luxurious motor coaches whisked us to Symphony Hall for Tech Night at the Pops. The program was innovative and included the debut of MIT professor Tod Machover’s “Jeux Deux for HyperPiano and Orchestra” played on an acoustic piano and augmented by a software interpretation of the music displayed on a large screen. The traditionalists among us were rewarded by singing “Arise All Ye of MIT” and enjoying the classic Pops conclusion with “The Stars and Stripes Forever”.
Friday afternoon gave us a chance to see some of the changes on campus. A guided tour of Simmons Hall showed us the contrast between the new dorm rooms and our living quarters in the late 40’s. We were blown away by the facilities in the new Zesiger Sports Facility, particularly the magnificent swimming pool and the numbers and variety of exercise machines. A trip to the Stata Center gave us the opportunity to see this controversial building inside and out. Inside we were treated to a presentation on “The Evolving Campus” which presented an overall view of existing and planned new buildings. We ended the day by joining the Cardinal and Gray Society at a dinner dance in the Faculty Club.
Technology Day on Saturday morning afforded those of us returning to campus the first look at President Susan Hockfield as she addressed a large group and moderated a stimulating program “Bioengineering at MIT: Building Bridges between the Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine”. MIT is proceeding aggressively into this new area of technology. The ensuing Technology Day Luncheon featured the presentation of class gifts. Mel Gardner, Reunion Gift Chair, proudly announced that the Class of 1950 achieved the highest participation rate of any class presenting other than the 25th, 40th, and 50th year classes. With 52.3% participating, classmates donated $382,812.
Cambridge activities concluded on Saturday night with a gala dinner dance at the beautiful headquarters of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Prior to sitting down to a delicious dinner, nominating chair Bob Mann conducted elections for Class Officers with the following results: Mel Gardner, President (Mal Green chose not to stand for re-election). All other officers were re-elected: Jon Ganger, Treasurer; Joe D’Annunzio, Secretary; Bob Garvin, Class Agent; John Kocher, Webmaster: Bob Michel, Assistant Webmaster. Congratulations to our class officers! And congratulations and thanks to Bob and Pat Snedeker for arranging an outstanding function.
On Sunday morning we piled into cars for the two hour drive to the Black Point Inn at Prouts Neck Maine, just south of Portland. Bill Murphy did a flawless job of arranging carpools for those without wheels. Everybody arrived safely and on time.
Once ensconced in our rooms ( a little late for some) we began a series of events and festivities expertly arranged by Karl and Joan Ahstrand. The opening cocktail reception in the Rose Garden was followed by a delicious dinner in a private room with a wonderful view of a sunset over the bay. A brief talk told the history of Prouts Neck and its most famous resident, the painter Winslow Homer. The evening ended with our traditional sing-a-long led by Sam Raymond on the piano, augmented by Ed Sheldon on the clarinet.
On Monday morning we awoke to the only bad weather of the entire reunion week. Planned was a trolley tour of Portland and environs followed by a boat tour of Casco Bay. However when we arrived at the dock the fog and drizzle still had not abated so the boat tour was postponed. Many of us elected to stay in Portland to walk around that charming city, visit their wonderful art museum, or tour the Longfellow house.
On return to the BPI we learned that the weather had changed two of our scheduled events. The sailboat race, planned and orchestrated by Jim Hodges, could not be held in the outdoor swimming pool. Fortunately there was a large indoor pool where the race went off, more or less as planned. Weather also forced the lobster bake to be moved indoors. Nothing was lost in terms of the quality and enjoyment of the meal which featured some of the biggest lobsters some of us had ever eaten. The Maine theme was continued after dinner with entertainment by Joe Perham, a Maine story teller. We enjoyed his jokes tremendously once we developed the “ear” to understand his Maine twang which seemed to grow more pronounced as the evening wore on.
Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear and allowed us to have two well-narrated tours of Casco Bay. Bill Murphy had a long talk with the captain before we left the dock and assured us of his competence and the vessel’s seaworthiness. It was a beautiful day for a boat ride. On return to BPI Karl and Joan had planned another reception followed by a dinner dance featuring a filet mignon entrée. The music was so good that the dance floor was usually filled.
We capped off our stay in Maine that night with another, unplanned sing-a-long with Sam Raymond at the piano assisted by Ed Sheldon on the clarinet. Sam amazed us with his recall of the words to favorite songs and kept us singing long after the inn had gone to bed.
Karl and Joan had planned a wonderful end to our 55th reunion!
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Those of us who attended parts or all of our 55th reunion offer our appreciation to the reunion committee for conducting a wonderful, warm and memorable series of events extending for almost a week. Mal and Susan Green were overall chairs, Bob and Pat Snedeker chaired the Cambridge dinner dance,Karl and Joan Ahlstrand put together the entire Maine program,and Bob and Lucille Cesari ran the pre-Pops dinner. Bob Mann chaired the nominating committee and conducted the election of Class Officers, Sam and Holly Raymond, together with Ed Sheldon enthusiastically ran our traditional sing-a-long in Maine while Bill Murphy, our transportation czar, made sure we all got there. The ideas of Nate and Collie Cook, Jack and Dot McKenna, Hazel Sheldon, and Joan Patten contributed to a memorable experience for all.
We know it took a lot of work, commitment, and devotion by everyone involved for which we thank you all.
Mel Gardner, July 25, 2005
Click on : Tech Reunions 2005-Wrapup
For a positive commentary about the class of 1950.