MIT Class of 1963, Class Notes for July/Aug 2004 issue of Technology Review
I've finally run out of reunion notes; I've got to rely on you, classmates, to supply me with information about what you're up to these days, 41 years since our graduation. I know that you're doing interesting things, so take a few minutes and E-mail me a note.
Mini-travelogue: *Martin Schrage and his wife, Karen Mathiasen, '71, made a trip to Antarctica in January. They had big waves through the Drake Passage but no seasickness; their seasickness patch worked wonderfully. They were a little black and blue from being bounced off walls, but no tummy woes. And they discovered by hearing from others who have gone through the Drake Passage that this journey has the "fish story" equivalent. It's called "My waves were bigger than your waves." They heard stories of people who endured 60-foot waves, but that is suspect. Their cruise down the narrow Lemaire Channel, where mountains and glaciers come right down to the sea, was spectacular. The weather, a big player on any Antarctic expedition, cooperated almost the whole time - it was often overcast it didn't rain or snow. The midnight sun effect was muted by the overcast skies and also by Martin and Karen often turning in before midnight. "It's a lot of work spending the day with penguins," they said. Penguins, zillions of penguins, some up close and personal. Karen's favorite is the chinstrap. If you visit Martin and Karen anytime soon you'll undoubtedly get to see their photos, a veritable penguin picture extravaganza. "What a privilege to have seen it," Martin wrote.
*Frank Model made several trips in the last year. His wife Sue, who teaches at UMass, Amherst, spent the academic year on sabbatical in China, with short stints in Australia, and a visit to Tibet. Frank joined her in China, in New Zealand and Australia, and this spring on a trip to Thailand. The China trip, last fall, included a spin through eastern China [Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Hefei]. Frank sent me an E-mail from an Internet café titled "Hanging In Hangzhou" (clever, clever.) He stayed at a hotel on West Lake, one the main attractions of Hangzhou. West Lake is purportedly the most famous lake in China and this appears to be justified, Frank said. He found it beautiful, rain or shine, having experienced both. In Australia they enjoyed Canberra (lots of wildlife) and found Sydney to be a true "world city". Melbourne on the other hand was not exciting. New Zealand was definitely "far from the madding crowd" - even the cities are small and laid back. Part of this trip was hiking the spectacular Milford Track. Frank and Sue have logged a lot of miles "shanks mare" this year. Frank missed our fortieth reunion because he was hiking the Inca Trail in Peru. Their most recent stop (in March) was Thailand, where Frank E-mailed me from Phuket, the renowned island paradise. It was hot and humid there, but they had the ocean and the beach almost to themselves, with water temperatures approaching 90 degrees F. Frank enjoyed his varied travels this year. From the peaceful West Lake in China to hailstorms on the MacKinnon Pass in New Zealand to the steamy heat of Thailand and Singapore. He managed to do a lot of wildlife photography (elephants, monkeys and butterflies - oh my) and Sue got her fill of diverse cultural settings. But, at the end, he said, he was ready to return to chilly New England. There's no place like home.
Other news: Our Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund currently supports three students at MIT. David Mendiola '07 was selected as a new 1963 Scholar for 2003/2004. In high school in Elkhart, TX David was a member of the math, debate, cross country, and track and field teams and he won third place doubles in 2002 state championship as captain of the tennis team. He was also student body treasurer. In his spare time (whenever that is!) he enjoys playing the guitar. David will study some sort of engineering at MIT. Anya Kopyleva '05, of Kew Gardens, NY is a continuing 1963 scholar. She participates in intramural bowling and tennis, and is a photographer for Technique, the MIT yearbook, among other activities. Anya is a math major and plans a career in risk management and mathematical analysis. Radu Raduta '05, an aero-astro major, is a member of the varsity sailing team. He hails from Timisoara, Romania. In his UROP project last year he worked in the MIT Space Systems Laboratory developing microsatellites. Radu enjoys whitewater kayaking, skiing, and rock climbing. He's interested in international politics and cooking (a good blend!) and plans a career in research and engineering.
Regards to all. You can reach me at: Mike Bertin, 22 Gillman St, Irvine, CA 92612. E-mail: MCB1@aol.com. If you want to schmooze, call me at (949) 786-9450.