David Kendall ’66, prominent Washington attorney and probably the best known attorney to graduate from Wabash, took time out of his busy schedule to return to Wabash for the Wabash Law Reunion over Homecoming.  Kendall took part in the Continuing Legal Education (CLS) segment of the weekend as well as serving as the keynote speaker for the Friday evening dinner.    

It’s pretty easy to see how he has been so successful from the time he was a student to today.

The Friday night  dinner was attended by Wabash attorneys, judges, current law school students, and many members of the Wabash Pre-Law Society.  Kendall gave a quick review of the changes he saw coming in the practice of law.  However, he started his talk with a rapid fire listing of several lawyer jokes, and finished with a review of a scholarly piece written on the nine subcategories of lawyer jokes.  In a word, he was phenomenal! 

But he almost had to ad lib.

President White, in his welcoming remarks, threatened to start with several lawyer jokes.  Pat didn’t, but David thought he might be using a completely different opening if Pat would have recited several of the jokes.

The reunion was sensational – and, of course, we are going to have to make this one a fairly frequent event.

To watch Kendall’s talk at the Law Reunion dinner, click here. 

Indiana’s Secretary of the State, Todd Rokita, Class of 1992, will have to step down in 2010 because of the rules on term limits.  Todd’s a Republican.

The news is that another Republican, Charles White, will throw his hat in the ring for the job.  Charles is a three-time town councilman in Fishers, Indiana.  However, the real news is that Todd and Charles were classmates here at Wabash, both graduating in 1992.

That Class of 1992 has some real stars…and it looks like they are aligning!

That’s Scott Himsel ’85 (l), one of the major forces behind the law reunion, introducing and welcoming the "Supreme Court" panel during the Wabash Law Reunion held at Homecoming.  He’s shaking hands with David Kendall, Class of 1966.  Other panel members included (from left), Greg Castanias ’87, Tom Fisher ’91, and Seamus Boyce ’03.

This panel shared their personal experiences on cases heard by the Supreme Court.  The room was absolutely filled to capacity, including an extra row of seats.

The Law Reunion attracted over 70 Wabash attorneys and judges, touching five decades, and drawing alumni from as far away as Texas and Virginia.

Many, many thanks go to the three Wabash alumni who had the idea and came up with a stellar weekend – Jim Dimos, ’83, Scott Himsel ’85, and Greg Castanias ’87.  Extra thanks to Jim Dimos for all hs work in putting together a star-studded afternoon of continuing legal education (CLE). 

Took this at Chapel Sing last week.  Now, the Phi Delts approach Chapel Sing a little differently…they are there but they really aren’t there.  OK – you need to be "there" to see what I mean.

The Phi Delt freshmen are the only ones who still wear "pots" (freshman beanies to those not familiar).

But with arms wrapped around each other as if they were holding the chain of life, these guys made sure their pots were secure, and close, as well.

Pots are a tradition.  But it’s one that hangs on to its existence by a thread.

Shame…but that’s life.

That’s Sigma Chi senior John Dewart ’10 on the left.  He’s leading his freshmen to Chapel sing with the bold strut of what is now known as the "Joe Martin walk".  Joe, a member of the Class of 2006, did the same thing many moons ago.  You walk into the fray with such confidence that it ignites the freshmen.

John did a good job of duplicating the move…and his freshmen brothers captured third.  Third is a good place…unless you’re expecting first.

Such is life…

For a few more Chapel Sing photos, click here.

When the rain comes, there’s not much you can do about the "floats."  the next best thing for a Wabash freshman?  A nap!

This young man has the right idea…

So, another Chapel Sing.  I am a big fan – there are others who aren’t. 

This year I tried to do the liberal arts "thing" and ask myself" "What is it that bothers people about Chapel Sing?"  It hit me.  Take a part of the Sing away from the whole experience and it looks like child’s play.

I thought back to my first jet solo and the tradition of throwing the "solo-ist" into a tank of the most disgusting water I have ever seen/smelled.  To focus on the getting thrown in the water – it all appears childish.  But that’s also to miss the fact that it’s a part of a much grander thing – flying a jet by yourself and joining a pretty elite fraternity.  

The sum of it all is MUCH greater than the parts.

I tested that little theory today.  I picked out a big, husky creature with face paint…and a little guy who was 4’6′ tall and weighed 80-something.  I walked by them every so often, and sweated a few bullets when one of them got dragged into the Chapel.  As Chapel Sing continued, their singing sure didn’t improve.  But for both, the increase in their self confidence was clearly visible.  You see, Chapel Sing isn’t really about singing, it is about belonging.  You prove to your brothers that you belong by learning the song and demonstrating your ability to put "Old Wabash" and the college above the noise level. 

Scientific?  No way.  But it feels right.

Today, we have 250-ish Wabash men.  And they know they have arrived…

For more photos, click here.

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We’ve been notified that Bob Siegmann, Class of 1970, has been named Vice President for Healthcare Integration, Employee Assistance Programs and Lean Six Sigma at Advantage Behavioral Health, a company of Centerstone. Based in Columbus, Ind., Bob will oversee physical and behavioral health integration for the Centerstone system throughout Indiana and Tennessee.

Bob graduated from Wabash with majors in History and Far Eastern Studies.  According to his biography, he holds a "Lean Six Sigma Black Belt".  I am not quite sure what that is but it certainly means he understands and can implement Six Sigma.

Congratulations, Bob, well done.

Sean Salai, class of 2003, is a Jesuit Scholastic and freelance writer studying for the priesthood at Loyola of Chicago.  Sean recently had his piece on Robert Novak published in Busted Halo Magazine.

It’s a good read and I think gives you some insight into the impact a person’s presence can have on someone else.  Enjoy!