Call to Order
A class meeting was held in the Class of 1956 Lounge in the Princeton Stadium, following the Class of 1969’s Reunions dinner on Saturday, May 27, 2023. The meeting was presided over by President Chris Milton.
Classmates in attendance: Axelrod, Bott, Boughn, Andy Brown, Bill Charrier, Durkee, Fleming, Freyer, Gehret, Gregoire, Harman, Hooper, Jerry, Kiesel, Kitto, Marston, McCarthy, McEldowney, Mertz, Meyer, Milton, Rea, Rein, and Thomforde; Anne Charrier h’69; and Class Associates, Joan Weidner and Barbara Wolfe.
President’s Report
Chris welcomed classmates and their guests. He thanked Clay McEldowney, Andy Brown, and Jeff Marston for their efforts in organizing our 54th Reunion. He noted the attendance of 66 classmates, spouses, and guests, a larger turnout than was expected for this non-major Reunion. Chris also thanked the Class of 1968 for hosting us at the 55th Reunion combine, and for providing excellent entertainment. Chris reminded the Class of the remaining evening events, and recommended staying in the area of the 1956 Lounge to get the best view of the fireworks.
Chris reported in detail on the Canyonlands Mini-Reunion, which began and ended in Las Vegas and included visits to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park. He expressed special thanks to the steering committee for the trip, which included Lloyd and Thacher Brown, Debbie Solomon and Bruce Rosenberg, Chris and Cathy Milton , Ken Mertz, and Jeff Kaplan.
The Class leadership has been discussing the next mini-Reunion trip to Northern California and the wine country. It was decided to postpone this trip due to Covid concerns and possible climate change issues. While the mini-Reunion will take place after our 55th, Chris expects planning to continue in the coming months. The steering committee is in formation, and currently includes Tom Cooper, John Hawkins, Dave Miller, and Wayne Wilson.
Chris made special note of Bill Charrier’s having received the 2023 Alumni Council Award for Service to Princeton, the eighth member of our Class to have received the award. He also recognized honorary classmate Anne Charrier’s many activities on behalf of the Class of ’69.
Co-Secretaries’ Report
Bob Axelrod commented that he has enjoyed writing Class Notes for the Alumni Weekly, an assignment that has helped him to reconnect with many classmates. He thanked those present for sending in news items and photographs for the Class Notes, and asked everyone to encourage other classmates to send material, especially those who have not been heard from for some time.
Mike Gehret noted the deaths of classmates whose passing we had learned about since the last class meeting on November 18, 2022: Pieter Brakel, who died on December 3, 2015; George Cowen, who died on September 9, 2021; Ric Katilavas, who died on October 3, 2022; Russ Hubenet, who died on November 14, 2022; Tim Zenker, who died on December 4, 2022; Niel Lewis, who died on January 18, 2023; Tim Ebenreiter, who died on January 26, 2023; Cal Salls, who died on March 16, 2023; and Al Price, who died on May 2, 2023. Mike asked for a moment of silence in memory of these nine classmates. Chris thanked both Bob and Mike for their efforts as Co-Secretaries.
Treasurer’s Report
Chuck Freyer reported that class finances are in good shape with 233 dues paying members as of Reunions. We have about $125,000 in the general account and $50,000 in the Reunions account; and approximately $11,000 has been contributed for the Class of 1969 Paul George Sittenfeld Scholarship Fund so far this year.
PICS Report
Chuck also reported on PICS, which he believes is in excellent shape. He applauded the work of PICS Executive Director Emily Sharples, and expressed great enthusiasm for his successor as Chair, Jennifer Daniels ’93. Chuck expects that there will be about 230 internships in the summer of 2023, with the program growing to 300 internships by the summer of 2027. He commended the University’s LENS program, Learning and Education through Service, which will guarantee every undergraduate an opportunity to have a paid summer internship with a not-for-profit organization. Chuck encouraged classmates to attend the PICS Gala on September 30, and he asked classmates to consider making donations to PICS, mentioning that donations to PICS would be eligible for a 2x match.
Annual Giving/Special Giving Reports
Reporting for Andy Steele, Chris noted that the class has raised about $173,000 so far this year with 39% participation, as against a participation goal of 55%. Remaining efforts from now until June 30 will focus on participation.
Planning is also underway for fundraising for our 55th Reunion. There will be an advance fund, so classmates can contribute at any point during the current fiscal year and designate their gift for the 55th. Bob Raymar has agreed to Chair the Special Gifts effort, and the following classmates have signed on as Vice Chairs: Axelrod, Bott, Charrier, Freeman, Gehret, Kitto, Miller, Milton, and Steele.
Mike Kiesel spoke briefly about the Annual Giving Legacy program which allows planned gifts of $100,000 or more count towards the 55th. He suggested that anyone interested in making such a gift should be in touch with our contacts in the planned giving office, Jane Danek and Ivy Shinn,
Reunions Report
Clay McEldowney reported on planning for the 55th Reunion, which he has been working on along with his Vice Chairs Andy Brown and Jeff Marston.
The following classmates have signed on to work on various subcommittees: Housing, Marston; Meals, Andy Brown; Headquarters and Crew, Jerry; Beer and Beverages, Fox; Yearbook, Stoddard; Registration, Kaplan and Freyer; Finance, Freyer; Entertainment, McCarthy; Gear, Meyer; P-rade, Rea, Marston, and Gehret; Publicity, Axelrod; and Alumni-Faculty Forums, Jim Floyd.
Clay asked for a volunteer to plan the Memorial Service, and Chris Thomforde volunteered.
Adjournment
Chris led a Locomotive for Bill and Anne Charrier, in recognition of their many achievements on behalf of our Class. He introduced the Princeton Tigerlilies, who were there to perform for us, and the meeting was adjourned.
