Our 45th reunion in May was a resounding success with record attendance at the events, and record giving numbers for 45th reunions at Penn. The Reunion Steering Committee provided outstanding leadership and direction to the nearly 100 classmates who participated in the reunion committee activities. A special thanks to these eight classmates on the steering committee for their tireless work on behalf of the class:
Affinity Outreach Chair: Richard Silverman
Newsletter Editor: Binnie Donald
Communications Chair: Peter Eustis
Program Chair: Nancy Ryan
Gift Chairs: Pedie Killebrew
Scholarship Chair: John Gamba, Bruce Cummings
Seminar Chair: Jon Greenawalt
And many thanks to the members of the following committees whose combined efforts were the driving force that resulted in our record breaking reunion:
-The 30 members of the Class Executive Committee
-The 20 members of the Gift Committee
-The 42 members of the Affinity Outreach Committee
REUNION GIVING
The members of the class of 1961 contributed a total of $4.1 million to Penn during our 45th reunion year. This is a new Penn record for 45th reunions. Thanks to the efforts of Gift Chairs Pedie Killebrew and Bruce Cummings, their Gift Committee, and the generosity of nearly 400 classmates, this record setting gift was achieved. In the photo, Penn President Amy Gutmann is shown receiving the gift check from Pedie, Bruce and Will at the reunion dinner in May.
REUNION DINNER
The 160 in attendance at the reunion dinner on Friday night at the University Museum were able to enjoy the spectacular surroundings of the museum while reuniting and reconnecting with classmates. This was a Penn record attendance for 45th reunion dinners, and everyone was pleased with the ambiance, the food, and our featured speaker, the renowned bioethicist and author, Dr. Arthur Caplan. Penn President Amy Gutmann also addressed our dinner group to thank the class for the generous gifts made to Penn during the reunion year. And all our thanks to Program Chair Nancy Peters Ryan and David Marshall for their leadership in organizing the dinner.
REUNION SEMINAR
Thanks to Jon Greenawalt, the seminar, "Is That All There Is?" was excellent and well attended, not only by members of our class but other alumni as well. One attendee from the Class of '36 (70th reunion) was there looking for ideas on what's next! Jon organized the seminar, and led the panel discussion of classmate Marion Fox and three Penn professors. They provided a provocative look and dialogue about what people our age do with the rest of their lives after a career or main avocation ends. A timely subject for us all.
WOMEN'S BREAKFAST
Over 40 women of the Class of '61 gathered at the Inn at Penn to share "where we are and where we are going". This traditional quinquennial reunion gathering of the class alumnae is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the company of friends past and present from Penn. Thanks to Binnie Schuman Donald, Joy Hockman and Tobi Shupak Ludwig for organizing this successful event.
ALUMNI DAY PICNIC
On Saturday, class members gathered in the '60s tent on College Hall lawn to participate in the traditional alumni day picnic. Everyone enjoyed the picnic lunch and engaged in animated conversation with classmates around the tables under the tent. Unfortunately, the Parade of Classes was cancelled due to the rain and threat of lightning, but this certainly did not dampen the spirits of our classmates.
