April 2008
Greetings to the Class of 1943,
Here is a report on plans for our 65th reunion as they have developed so far. Reunion Weekend, June 6–8, is not only a lovely time in Vermont, it is a special occasion for us to visit with “old” friends. Plan to be there!
There is very little you need to do except make your travel arrangements and then, once here, enjoy the beauty of the campus in late spring and the activities planned for your pleasure. The College arranges a few shuttles from the Burlington Airport. If you need a ride, please contact the Alumni Office at 802.443.5183 and they will do their best to get you to campus.
Please note that the College gives you and all alumni who graduated prior to 1958 a 50 percent discount on the total package cost of attending reunion. Send back your registration materials or register on-line.
Arrival: When you arrive at Middlebury, come directly to the Annex Lounge in Gifford Hall (wheelchair accessible) to register. You will be welcomed there anytime after 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, by members of our class and energetic student hosts. You will be given your nametag (which serves as your meal ticket this year!), an up-to-date schedule of events, and your room key if you are staying on campus. The student hosts will be on hand to park cars, carry luggage, and run any errands that will help make your stay comfortable.
Accommodations: If you are planning to stay on campus, you and anyone accompanying you will be housed in Gifford Hall. The Classes of 1933, 1938, 1948, and 1953 will also be staying there. Gifford is in a wonderful location—right next to Mead Chapel, where many important reunion events take place, and just across a campus road from Proctor Hall, where we will have many of our meals.
Gifford has been renovated, which means it has an elevator. NOTE: Please indicate on the enclosed reservation form if you are unable to DESCEND stairs in an emergency. In such a case, a room on the ground floor will be reserved for you. Most of the rooms in Gifford are singles, which means that spouses may need to be housed next door to each other. You may also indicate the names of friends you wish to be near. There are plenty of bathroom facilities (none private) conveniently located near all rooms.
Clothing: Remember to bring something warm to wear in case the evenings are cool, rainwear to stave off any showers, and a bathrobe for the short trips “down the hall.”
Activities: Reunion activities begin Friday afternoon, but there is plenty of time to socialize, settle in, and gather before we get started. We will have a lounge to ourselves in Gifford Hall. That evening, we are invited to a special reception and dinner in the newest building on campus, the Axinn Center at Starr Library. The Axinn lobby will be named for Elliot Baines ’43, and his widow, Janet, has accepted the College’s invitation to join us for the weekend and the dedication in memory of her late husband.
Saturday morning starts with breakfast in Proctor. Plan to round out the morning with alumni achievement award lectures by Paul Rudenberg ’78, Barbara Bang Knowles ’58, and Dan Curry ’68.
Lunch will be served in Ross Dining Hall. After that, everyone will look forward to your showing up for our class photo. You can then involve yourself in a little pageantry by parading up to the chapel for Alumni Convocation at 5 p.m. In the evening, you won’t want to miss the all-reunion dinner at the Mahaney Center for the Arts, followed by Grammy winner François Clemmons performing in the Concert Hall. Shuttle buses will be on hand to take you everywhere you would like to go.
Sunday morning chapel will include the Alumni Choir; so do plan to sing if you wish. End the weekend with brunch in one of the dining halls.
If you need help with any plans related to Reunion Weekend, call Heather Cahill at 802.443.5192. We look forward to seeing you at the College on the Hill, June 6–8.
Until then, our very best wishes to each of you!
Louise Wilkin Dimond
John Gale
P.S. If you haven’t made your reunion gift yet, you’ll be hearing from your classmates on the Reunion Gift Committee. Please give them your support, as our goal is to have 100 percent of the class make a gift. Make a gift online.