Letter from Reunions Chair Clay McEldowney

Along with many others, I’ve been looking forward with great anticipation to 4 Days of Peace and Music at ’69’s 55th Reunion.  

I have to say that SO MUCH has changed since I last chaired a major Reunion for our 25th!  Some might not recall that 30 years ago there was no internet, no email, no Class website, no online registration (some from the Class may find that not such a bad thing), not even mobile phones!  As a result, the entire preregistration process, including notices and payment, is totally different and better in many ways today, particularly when one has such an effective Reunion Committee member as Jeff Kaplan!

Other differences have arisen concerning how much more influence and oversight of Reunions the University has now.  For instance, back at our 25th we didn’t have to use University standard contracts for outside contractors such as bands. Generally, we just had one meeting in Maclean House. We now hold Zoom meetings with University personnel to review University requirements and expectations (e.g., to deal with the University’s greening initiative, we had one such meeting that was almost entirely devoted to beer cups, during which the Classes were told that the University strongly frowns on using the standard plastic cups of the past but instead the preferred #7 cups that have to be discarded separately so that they can be composted). On Sunday morning we paid cash for pay and bonuses to the undergraduate crew, but today we have to use payroll based on prescribed hourly rates and overtime, which, of course, means keeping time sheets.  Clearly this experience has followed our 50th Reunion tagline, The Times - They Are a-Changin’.

The 55th Reunion will be a jam-packed weekend, kicking off Thursday night dinner and music from DJ Freddi Campbell (who has performed for us at almost every major Reunion since our 5th!). Friday will roll on with breakfast and lunch at our headquarters, followed by a wine-and-cheese tasting, a jazz band at headquarters, a visit from President Christopher Eisgruber ’83, and a Class Dinner. Friday night will close with a performance by New York’s Around Town Band.

Saturday will be busy as well, with breakfast at headquarters, a Class photo and then a Memorial Service at the Princeton Chapel. After a quick lunch back at headquarters, we’ll join the P-rade, which will be followed by a cocktail reception and Class Dinner. We’ll close out our celebration with a Jimmy Buffet tribute performance by The Landsharks Band before seeing everyone off at Sunday brunch shared with ’64 at the Grad School.

Our Reunion wouldn’t be the success we have come to expect over the years without the tireless effort a terrific Reunion Committee, 20 in number including ex officio Dan Harman and Class President Chris Milton. Vice Chairmen Andy Brown and Jeff Marston both put in countless hours to help bring our 55^th Reunion all together. Yes, those in the Princeton community must agree that We Haven’t Had That Spirit Here Since 1969!

HCMcE 5/16/24