April 2008
Greetings to the Class of 1953,
Here is a report on plans for our 55th reunion, as they have developed so far. Reunion Weekend, June 6–8, promises to be very special, and we don’t want you to miss it! Vermont in late spring is so beautiful, and there are a wide variety of events planned that should guarantee a wonderful weekend back on campus. Please return your registration materials by mail as soon as possible or register online.
The main purpose of this letter is to send a few bits of supplemental information that we hope will help you in your planning and encourage those of you who are still undecided to come. There is very little you need to do except make your travel arrangements and then, once here, enjoy the good company of old and new friends, the beauty of the campus, and whatever activities may be your pleasure.
Please note that meals and on-campus accommodations for you are provided at half price, as a gift from the College. Spouses or guests, however, must pay the regular reunion fee, unless they are Middlebury alumni who have also celebrated their 50th reunion.
Arrival: When you arrive at Middlebury, go directly to Gifford Hall (wheelchair accessible) to register. Directional signs will be posted at all entrances. You will be welcomed anytime after 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, by members of our class and energetic student hosts. There, you will be given your name tag (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 students will be available to park cars, carry luggage, and run any errands that will help make your stay more 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, 1943, and 1948 will also be staying there with us. Gifford has a wonderful location—right next to Mead Chapel, where a number of important events will take place.
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. Many of the rooms are singles, so spouses may need to be housed next door to each other. You also may indicate the names of friends you wish to be near. There are bathroom facilities (none private) conveniently accessible to all rooms. Use the space provided on the registration card to specify any special housing you may need.
You can find parking in the lots behind Proctor Hall (from downtown Middlebury, bear right onto Route 125W, turn left at the blinking light onto Hillcrest Road, and the parking lot is on the right).
Clothing: Remember to bring something warm to wear in case the evenings are cool, rainwear to stave off 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. That evening, we have a gala dinner in Proctor Hall, and then there will be more time after dinner to catch up with old friends.
Saturday morning starts with breakfast in Proctor and a tour of the new library. Book signings and lectures fill out the morning. Our class photo will be taken at lunch.
This year the reunion parade and Alumni Convocation will be Saturday afternoon. Convocation, at 5 p.m., is a moving ceremony and is always a highlight of Reunion Weekend. After convocation, we will join all the reunion classes, in tents behind the Kevin P. Mahaney ’84 Center for the Arts, for a wonderful dinner. Transportation will be provided from Mead Chapel to dinner. The ground can be soft at that time of year, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Sunday morning chapel will include an alumni choir, so do plan to sing if you wish. Brunch on Sunday will be at the home of Ann and Jim Ross on Cider Mill Road. Transportation will be provided.
If you need help with any plans related to Reunion Weekend, give Susan Levine in the Alumni Office a call at 802.443.5777. She’ll be happy to help. If you are still on the “maybe” list and have not yet said “YES!” there is still time to make your plans. We’ll look forward to seeing you at the College on the Hill, June 6–June 8.
Until then, our very best wishes to each of you!
Ann Golding Davis and Dick Allen
Reunion Social Chairs
P.S. If you haven’t made your reunion gift yet, you’ll be hearing from our classmates on the Reunion Gift Committee. Please give them your support!! So far 60% of our class has made a pledge or a gift for a total of $243,414. Let’s see if we can raise those numbers! Make a gift online. Thank you.