Dear Classmates,

Congratulations! It's our 35th reunion year! Before we return to campus to gather with friends and to share memories this May, we wanted to update you on what has been happening at Penn.

Penn is as popular as ever and applications are up 8 percent from last year; the University has received more than 20,000 applicants. For more information, please read this January's Daily Pennsylvanian article. Also, we are going to be following our Fighting Quakers in basketball to see if they make it to the Sweet Sixteen!

As our reunion approaches, we would like to encourage you to go to the Penn Alumni online community and share your News Notes with the class. (If you are not a member, click "Registration" and follow the directions.)

Alumni Weekend, May 12-14, 2006 and commencement on Monday, May 15 are shaping up to be a very memorable time on campus. Please join us in Philadelphia to celebrate our reunion and enjoy the many exciting events planned, including:

· Update on the Eastern Expansion;
· "Living Longer, Living Well", arranged by Bruce Kehr, C'71;
· Alumni Day Picnic and Parade of Classes; and
· 35th Reunion Party

For details, go to: www.alumni.upenn.edu/class/1971/events.html.

For up-to-date information about our reunion in general, go to www.alumni.upenn.edu/class/1971/onlinereunion.html. Check back often, as we will be updating this site frequently prior to May, and please look for your reunion invitation by mail in March.

As many of us have high school and college age children, there are two new programs that I'd like to tell you about. The Linking Legacies program puts your high school student in contact with current legacy students via email for answers and advice on the college experience. If your kids are at Penn, the College House Alumni Ambassadors program was established to facilitate meaningful interaction between students and Penn Alumni to enhance both the undergraduate and alumni volunteer experiences. Regardless of whether your child is currently living in a College House, he or she is eligible to participate in supporting Alumni Weekend and sharing in your reunion celebration.

I hope to see you on campus this May. However, if you cannot return to Philadelphia, visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/club. Alumni Relations' Global Alumni Network works with local alumni clubs to hold events across the nation and the world. Cheer the Red and Blue wherever you are in the world!

Sincerely,
Ellen Marder Pries and Stephen D. Kramer