Members of class years ending in ’1 and ’6 come home to CC

Clowning around before the parade. Photo by Vincent Scarano

Rain soaked the campus, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of more than 900 alumni, family and friends who returned to Connecticut College for Reunion 2006 from June 2-4.

Dan Samelson ’76, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Anchorage, Alaska, wasn’t about to let a little wet weather stop him from celebrating his 30th reunion.

“I had lots of good memories here as a student,” he said. One of them was the opportunity to study under William Niering, Richard Goodwin and Scott Warren as a botany major.

During his junior year, Samelson received a marine biology fellowship to support an independent study and research project. Under Warren’s guidance, he studied the hardiness and salinity tolerance of reed grass in salt marsh communities.

“That project and the interactions I had with the professors helped shape my career,” Samelson said.

Enjoying pre-parade mimosas. Photo by Vincent Scarano

At a reception on June 2 he had a chance to catch up with Warren, one of nine faculty members honored by the Alumni Association for reaching milestones in their CC teaching careers. Warren, along with professors Paul Althouse, Robert Baldwin, Tristan Borer, Stanton Ching, John Gordon, Garrett Green, Stephen Loomis and Frederick Paxton, were presented with certificates of appreciation for their dedication to teaching, research and service by Lynda Batter Munro ’76, president-elect of the association.

The theme of Reunion 2006 centered on the 75th anniversary of the arboretum. Alumni and guests were treated to a visual history of the Carol ine Black Garden by Glenn Dreyer ’83, Charles and Sarah P. Becker ’27 Director of the Arboretum, as well as guided tours of the open space and a special exhibit in Shain Library.

Bob Askins, who has been named the Karla Heurich Harrison ’28 Director of the Goodwin-Niering Center, joined alumni Varun Swamy ’01, Jason Grear ’86 and Alex Brash ’81 to talk about class projects and arboretum research that have strengthened the College’s programs in environmental studies and provided opportunities for students beyond graduation.

“Reunion seems to me like a time for reflection,” said Swamy, a graduate student at Duke University whose first stop on campus for his fifth reunion was a visit to the arboretum. “Some of my fondest memories was my time spent there doing field work.”

President Norman Fainstein holds up the chair given to him by the Alumni Association. Photo by Vincent Scarano

With umbrellas in hand, alumni paraded to the annual meeting of the Alumni Association in Palmer Auditorium. During the ceremony, Alumni Association President Rae Downes Koshetz ’67 honored Edythe “Chips” Van Rees Conlon ’41, Robert “Rusty” Spears ’81, Susan Hazlehurst Milbrath ’76, Dale Chakarian Turza ’71, Laura J. Allen ’81 and Suzanne “Suzi” Rosenhirsch Oppenheimer ’56 for their contributions to the College. (See related story in this issue.)

Koshetz also recognized retiring Alumni Association board members Frances Sears Baratz ’40, Jonathan McBride ’92, Ryan Eschauzier ’97 and Phyllis “Flip” Schiff Imber ’43. Koshetz, who is stepping down as president but will continue as a CC Trustee, was also recognized.

In his annual state-of-the-college address, outgoing President Norman Fainstein told the audience that CC “is happy. It is thriving and it is ready to reach new heights.” Koshetz presented Fainstein with a College chair in appreciation for his five years of service. Fainstein will return to the College in the fall of 2007 as president emeritus and a professor of sociology and urban studies.

Other highlights from the weekend included a visit from former CC President Claire L. Gaudiani ’66, who returned to campus for her 40th reunion and spoke about her latest book in a lecture titled, “The Greater Good: How American Philanthropy Built our Economy.” (See related story in this issue.)

Anita Shapiro Wilson ’66 P’00 of Newington, Conn. has returned to her alma mater for several reunions. The memories and the variety of activities keep her coming back.

“Sometimes you end up spending more time with people you never knew as a student,” she said.

See images from the weekend.