'70 Turns 55: A Conversation Renewed
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE YALE COLLEGE CLASS OF 1970, GREETINGS,
This will make eleven—eleven times we again gather in New Haven. When we arrived on campus in 1966, we were, generally, 18 years of age. It seems that Time has, indeed, quickly flown, and, now, we are, generally, 77. Seventy-seven at fifty-five!
So, let’s do this! Let’s reunite again! Let’s resume our conversation.
You are all invited to attend our 55th reunion, which starts Thursday afternoon, May 29, 2025, and will conclude on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Pierson College will be our home base, and much is being planned for us—
◈ Time to gather, seeing again old friends and making new friends. That will be our priority.
◈ Sharing meals and libations.
◈ Touring the campus—much changed since 1970, with two new residential colleges, many new buildings and many of our old haunts now renovated.
◈ Musical events and the many lecture and tour opportunities offered by the University as “Mornings at Yale.”
◈ Our own afternoon programs, led by members of our class, addressing some of the topics of concern to us—the state of health care, our own and that of the public; the state of the University; issues in climate change and world hunger; an exploration of who we have become and how we view our past, present and future, as shown by a class survey. Time for discussion among us will be part of these times spent together. And, as always, we will pause to reflect, remember and honor those of our class who have passed on.
◈ We hope that benches and other niches in the courtyard and public spaces of Pierson College allow groups to gather to share their experiences and explore the issues of today, both personal and public.
Is there a theme here? Of course—renewal in our collegiality and friendships. A looking back, and to our present and our future. A chance to enjoy and support one another once again. To maybe better understand who we are and from where we came and to where and how we now will proceed. To remind ourselves of the gifts we have shared and to consider the gifts we still have to give to ourselves, our families, and our various communities. The theme, simply, will be reunite, renew, rediscover and, above all, to enjoy great moments together. It will be a conversation renewed.
We hope you will be present. Please, all of you seriously consider attending and encourage a friend or two to do the same. Touch base with old friends, teammates, fellow members of clubs or other organizations, singing groups, spookmates. Turn up the volume! Kick out the jambs!
Plans are being made for a casual evening, “ice breaker” event on Thursday, May 29 (maybe to include judging among some of New Haven’s world famous pizza offerings and some craft beers, listening to some tunes and, perhaps a game of Yale Jeopardy). Don’t miss it—the conversation will begin then and there.
And remember that our class website has been upgraded and will welcome your input—comments, mini-essays, rants, sublime expressions of rapture and/or anxiety. The site will also allow us to place our thoughts in memory of our departed classmates. Log on at www.yale70.com.
Hotel blocks will be made available by area hotels on January 29, 2025. Or stay in a room at Pierson, if you like. Some financial assistance is available, if that would facilitate travel to New Haven.
This is our chance to continue the conversation we began in 1966. No time like the present. Right? So, let’s do this.
The more the merrier. The more the more meaningful. Gather again.
See you there.
With our best regards,
Rich Bowen & David Poppel
Reunion Co-chairs
Randy Helm
Class Secretary
Ian Glenday
Class Treasurer