In the past couple of weeks, I had a chat with a gentleman whose grandson is headed to Wabash.  This gentleman is an alumnus and so is his son.  The grandson will make three in a row.

The challenge, though, was all about the cost.  “Surely Wabash can make it more affordable” was the plea.

Those conversations have a way of rolling around in my cranium…until they yield some kind of idea.  Yes, I know, it takes the Grunge awhile!

First of all, Wabash is worth it.  The education these young men get this day and age is better, yes better, than in our day.  Hard to believe since all of us were here in the golden age of Wabash…but it’s true.  Yes, we still are very generous with scholarships – we use those to attract the best and brightest.  Sure, we still work hard to find a way for a Wabash man to get here and stay here.  But, long gone are the days when we could say “Don’t worry about the cost – we’ll take care of it.”  Schools who ignore the reality of the business world, from and income and expense view, are not going to be around.  Such is the nature of higher education today.  Try to find a new Saturn automobile on any lot out there.  At one point, Saturn was the future of the automotive industry.  Gone.  Sweet Briar.  Gone.

Second of all, Wabash is worth it…from an investment viewpoint.  Wabash’s future is in our hands.  Wabash is our Alma Mater and I think deep down, we all know what a difference this place made in our lives.  Don’t ge caught up in a dislike for a play on campus or a political debate about inclusiveness.  Those are small potatoes.  If you and I do not invest in Wabash, it will go the way of the buffalo.  These hallowed halls will cease to exist.  Our world may not realize it, but without Wabash, it WILL be a lesser place.

So I simply ask you to invest in Wabash.  Just as men like Tom Hays ’55, Bob Allen ’57, Joe Barnette ’61, and many others have done, step up and invest.

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Professor Kay Widdows, Tian Tian, and Richard Widdows

Economics professor Kay Widdows has been traveling in China with her husband Richard.  As it always seems to happen, she runs into a Wabash man – in this case Tian Tian ’11.  Tian is in Shanghai working as a public relations executive for Louis Vuitton.  You may recall he started out with the firm in New York after graduation.

Art major, fashion industry, public relations – of course.  It’s the liberal arts in action!

Class of 2005

The old Big Bash record for a 10th reunion was set way back in 2006…by the Class of 1996.  They returned 40 alumni – an unheard of number in those days.

Last year the Class of 2004 – led by Mark Shreve and Jacob Pactor…returned 36.  That’s as close as anyone had come to 1996.

Until this year.

The Class of 2005 – led by Jason Cantu and Michael Ruffing – blew right past the 40 number…they ended up at 55 alumni signing in at the reunion.  That’s a 37% increase over the previous record.  They won the Class of 2007 Trophy in a landslide, they won Chapel Sing by the slimmest of margins, and Jason and Michael walked off with the Dorman Hughes Award of the best performance by reunion leaders.

They brought the only limo…and a class member for Hong Kong!!!

What’s the secret?  Personal communication and letting the class know who is planning to return.  So simple…yet…well, never mind.

Congrats to Jason, Michael, and all the leaders in the class of 2005!

Ben Hewitt ’05 sent me this photo a little before the Big Bash.

Ben’s short note says:  This is a picture of David Graham, Scott Yeazell, Cathy Yeazell, Brad Goff, Karen Hewitt, Paula Flynn and Ron Flynn. All were in attendance today for the Celebration of Life for Tim Hewitt ’72. Larry Landis and Vic DeRose were also in attendance. A great time was had by all!

Ben Hewitt ’05

I wasn’t sure if/how/when I would add this to the blog.  But it hit me at the Big Bash when I saw Paul Honan ’43, Pierce Green ’50, and many others.  As I have grown older, I remind myself that I have, like everyone else, an expiration date.  (That is a foreign concept to fighter pilots who are bulletproof!)  You don’t understand the concept when you’re younger…everyone lives forever at that stage…right?

The Big Bash celebrates life…life and accomplishments.  And just as Tim’s friends and family celebrated his life and accomplishments, we do at the Big Bash as well.  Some class members are already gone…some are ailing…and some make it back with health and mobility challenges.  But we owe it to them all to celebrate Wabash, it’s impact on us, and also how we’ve invested that education.  Some have changed the world.  Steve Gross ’90 and his wife Melissa are teaching in Haiti.  Some have cared for other less fortunate than us.  Charlie Crowley ’70 and his wife Mary have done just that.  C. Davies Reed ’85 does God’s work as a Minister in Indianapolis.  Mauri Ditzler ’75, president of Albion College, is turning that fine institution around.  Peter Pactor ’65 has devoted a lifetime to teaching…and carries on today.

So, I go back to Ben’s note.  “A great time was had by all.”  That’s because His father made a difference.  And so it is with Steve…Charlie…C. Davis…Mauri…Peter…and many more.

The “calm” before the “storm”

Jerry Boyer ’65, Steve Babic ’65 and Phil Wescott ’65. Boyer and Babic last saw reach other at Commencement…in 1965!

Caleb Mills was headquarters for the Class of 1965

Bob Witherspoon, song leader for the Class of 1965, and Don Schick check out the “subdued” cheat sheets for Old Wabash.

Page Stephens ’65 gets ready to sign the book as Marta Collier looks on

Long-time class agent Morrie Adams ’65 and Trustee and Class Gift Chairman Allan Anderson ’65

Allan Anderson greeted by Heather Bazzani

Michele Ward helps Pierce Green ’50 during registration

Melissa Butler H’85 signs in at Registration

Bob Shearer ’69, who started with the Class of 1965, had a great ride!

Mike Warren from Alumni and Parent Relations explains the course of the Fun Run

Some members of the Class of 2005 arrived in a limo

It was a good Big Bash.  Our 12th.  Some classes had great turnouts and some did not.  Regardless, it’s in the history books.

Brick sides are going up!

Construction keeps going on the new housing as the builders are working 6 days a week to get the townhouses ready for the fall.

The Northern-most townhouse

Stopped by yesterday morning a little after 7:00 AM – they were already at it.

That’s not your grandfather’s dorm room!

Two of the Four Trucks full of rentals needed for the Big Bash

That’s Bon appetit’s Kecia Tatman directing traffic for two trucks full of rental equipment for the Big Bash.  At two other locations on campus, rental equipment and tents are going up.  It’s a busy day here as we prepare for the Big Bash.

We could see a couple of records set this weekend.  The Class of 1965 looks to set a new 50th reunion record…if they can get their guys to sign the book.  The Class of 2005 is also poised to set…no, really explode…the record for a 10th reunion.  That record stands at 40 and they have 56 guys registered.

We’ll have another record set…but we’ll leave that for better times.

All in all, over 325 expected back for the Big Bash…almost 100 of those registered after the deadline!