Continuing what has become a Bicentennial tradition
of spectacular events, Reunion Weekend '95 brought the largest Reunion crowd in history to campus.
Director of Alumni Affairs Paul Rieschick '74 said, “The numbers on campus were larger than we anticipated, but all in all things went smoothly, and we are gratified by the number of alumni who expressed their thanks for our efforts.”
More than 2,300 alumni registered for ReUnion, and spouses, children, and guests raised the total number of visitors by several thousand more. They enjoyed seminars, races, a parade with visit
ing dignitaries (Eliphalet Nott, Chester Arthur, William Seward, Robert Toombs, Charles Steinmetz, and Minerva) and grand marshal Bill Huntley '34, the picnic, “Required Chapel,” class dinners, an
ecumenical service, and a piano sing-a-long.
Saturday evening's highlight events included an alumni concert consisting of 125 voices, honoring Professor Hugh Allen Wilson; a spectacular fire
works show put on by Steve Ente '75; and a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Social sponsored by Bob Holland '62, president of the Vermont company.
“I believe a huge percentage of our alumni and friends went home with a very special feeling about the College,” said Rieschick. “Special thanks are extended to all the volunteers who helped make the weekend such a success, especially the weekend's co-chairs, Bill Allen '59 and Gail Snitkoff '74.”
Five individuals were honored by the Alumni Council. Alumni Gold Medals were presented by Alumni Council President Art Salvatore, Jr. '62 to Gerry Barandes '54 and Karen Huggins '77 for outstanding service to the College (Huggins became the first alumna to receive an Alumni Gold Medal). Jean Collin '76 was the third Gold Medal winner, but she was unable to attend so her medal will be presented to her in the fall.
Professor of Political Science Byron Nichols was awarded the Faculty Meritorious Service Award and Vice President for Campus Life Joe Mammola received a Special Appreciation Award.
Barandes, an attorney in New York City and a member of the College's Board of trustees, was honored for his work with the New York Alumni Club, the Alumni Admissions Group, and the Terrace Council.
Huggins, one of the most
active members of the Schenectady Alumni Club, was cited for her numerous
contributions secretary of the Alumni Council, a phonathon worker, a Terrace Council
member, chair of ReUnion, a member of the Trustee Board of Advisors, and a co-host of the Founders Day satellite broadcast.
Collin, former president of the Washington, D.C., Alumni Club, became president of the Atlanta club when she moved there and revitalized the chapter with a number of new activities. In addition to her efforts on behalf of admissions and development, she also has represented the College at three college presidential inaugurations.
The Alumni Council paid tribute to Nichols for his “intellect, wit, and insight,” and honored him for his guidance of the biggest party the College has ever had-the Bicentennial celebration. As
chair of the Bicentennial Steering Committee, “Byron took on the appearance of a coach, encouraging his team to dig deep.”
Mammola was cited for his efforts in preparing the campus for the Bicentennial celebration, the construction of the Yulman Theater, and the restoration of the Nott Memorial.
Parade trophies went to the Class of 1975 for the largest number of alumni in the parade (Anable Cup) and to the Class of 1945 for the highest percentage of alumni in the parade (McClellan Cup) and for the best costume (Van Voast Cup).
The following officers were elected by their classes over Reunion Weekend:
1935 – President: Norman O. Chadbourne; Vice President: George W. Stroebel, Jr.; Alumni Council Representative: Kenneth N. Mathes; Reunion 2000 Co-Chairs: Chadbourne, C. Malcolm Rhoades, and Stroebel.
1940 – President: Robert W. Hanson; Vice President: Nathan Paul; Alumni Council Representative: Philip T. Hill II; Reunion 2000 Chair: Edgar Sandman
1941 – President: Paul Mara; Vice President: Robert Herman; Alumni Council Representatives: Donal Rickard and Alexander Turchick
1945 – President: Edward J. Craig; Alumni Council Representatives: Joseph D. Goldreich and Malcolm D. Horton; Reunion 2000 Co-Chairs: Craig and Chester T. Marvin
1950 – President: George E. Martin; Vice President: Samuel Stein; Secretary: Bertram J. Napear; Alumni Council Representatives: Robert Pletman and Charles Snow; Reunion 2000 Chair: Mitchell Rabbino
1955 – President: Martin Meyer; Vice President: Dominick Carbone; Secretary/ Treasurer: Gustave Umbsen; Alumni Council Representatives: Saul Babbin and Walter Stark; Reunion 2000 Co-Chairs: Lloyd Fallowes and Stark
1960 – President: Charles E. Roden; Vice President: David R Merritt; Secretary: David R
Meager; Treasurer: Lewis T. Buckman; Alumni Council Representatives: Buckman and Roden; ReUnion 2000 Chair: Roden
1965 – President: Gary A. Morris; Vice President: Gary G. Brown; Secretary: Jon Lechevet; Alumni Council Representatives: Brown and Sherwood B. Lee; ReUnion 2000 Chair: John W. Waterbury
1970 – President: M. William Munno; Secretary: Frank
Donnini; Alumni Council Representatives: Donnini and David Seward; ReUnion 2000 Chair: David Gray
1975 – President: Mary Alison Sloat Makarczuk; Vice President: Mark Manus; Secretary: Kipp Kelley Freeman; Alumni Council Representatives: Richard Burrell and Lance Jacobson; ReUnion 2000 Chair: Linda Burns Colmenares
1980 – President: Mirabella Sheppard; Secretary: Patricia Seftel; Alumni Council Representative: Richard DeVall
1985 – President: Paul K. Kurker; Vice President: Amy L. Solomon; Secretary: Jonathan C. Mathewson; Treasurer: Robert A. Israel; Alumni Council Representatives: Joseph Picano and Robert A. Veidman, Jr.; ReUnion 2000 Chair: Picano and Veidman
1990 – President: Cristos Nikolis; Vice President: Karl Hartmann; Secretary: MJ Conley Burke; Treasurer: John Meyer; Alumni Council Representatives: Burke and Hartmann; ReUnion 2000 Chair: Rebecca Whidden