I had the joy of co-MC-ing this evening with Rick Brooks. I used this opportunity for a little reminiscing, and some reflection on the long-term value of my Beloit experience. For what it's worth, here's pretty much what I had to say...

Welcome to the class of 1969 Golden Hoods Dinner

WOW! I did NOT envision THIS 50 years ago!

I’m delighted to be able to be back in Beloit with all of you, & to have the opportunity to be up here tonight to share in this celebration.

First we need to thank Nicole Clewer, from Beloit’s Development & Alumni Relations Office, who really coordinated all of our planning and gave us the framework for the weekend. 

I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with all of the planning team via phone and email and it’s even better to see them in person this weekend.  

So – why are we all here? are we a bunch of sentimental slobs, trying to recall some of the joys of our college days? Possibly, even though, with all the good stuff that happened, we know it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Some say that if you claim to remember the 60’s you weren’t really there!

I’m guessing most of us made the effort to come back here now because we are grateful for what Beloit gave us, and to reconnect with old friends.

Four years of our lives – for some of us a little less than that, and for some a bit more – were spent here. My graduation was delayed by an extended field term that I petitioned for, an unfinished Sociology Thesis, and my inability to broad jump my height – which one might think wouldn’t be a big challenge! 

We remember dorm life & apartments & Greek houses where we laughed and cried and talked all night, and shared what mattered most. They were years of experimentation, both in and out of the classroom. 

Underclass & Upperclass Common Courses. The Beloit Plan that had us coming and going so we never knew who we’d see when we were on campus. Professors who challenged us, and some who bored us. The Union – with food, and card games and pool and the bookstore and the ballroom and student offices. Anyone remember STASH (The Student Association for the Study of Hallucinogens)? It was started by 2 guys who were actually looking for a legal way to get high – not wanting to jeopardize future careers. In true Beloit fashion, they did a lot of research, and it just grew until a group of us eventually formed a non-profit educational corportation.

There were concerts and required convocations in Eaton Chapel – do you remember the computer cards we had to turn in, and not always staying for the whole event? 

The Beloit Trivia Contest with the keynote by Bob Irman on the Triviality of Trivia, based on the Beloit seal (with a dove crashing into a book), and the catalog that stated, “Beloit College was built on a bluff...”  Freezing our butts off in windy winters, both outdoors and in drafty dorms. 

Making friends, some we’ve lost track of (and might rediscover here or through our website), some who have since passed away, and some we’ve stayed connected to throughout the years –some more closely than others via the institution of marriage!

Though I didn’t know it at the time, my Beloit experiences, on campus, during a semester in Finland, my field term at the LA County Outdoor School, and even my vacation terms spent in different cities, helped me to develop and hone skills that have served me incredibly well throughout my professional and personal life. 

I hope you all feel the same way about your time at Beloit. 

For me, it has been the basic ability to communicate clearly (most of the time), to have the courage to speak out against injustice (most of the time), and to finally develop what my father always said I needed: the intellectual itch that needs scratching. My curiosity about so much was piqued and nurtured here and it’s only grown as I’ve aged. Which explains why I’m a jack of all trades and master of absolutely nothing.

In some ways I’m here representing those of us who’ve led fine lives, but haven’t owned our own businesses, lived in other countries, risen to the top of our professions, become experts in our fields, gotten advanced degrees – well, OK, I have gone back to school a few times, but haven’t really done much with the additional degrees – a masters in teaching, ½ of an MBA, and a masters in counseling – I can teach you about computers, counsel you about loving yourself, and coach you on how not to go broke at the same time.

But – back to our Beloit experience:   it was my interactions with many of you, and other classmates, that still remain invaluable! You encouraged me to hang in there when I wanted to quit, comforted me when I was hurting, and kicked my ass when I needed it. 

Our time together was unique in a multitude of ways. Thank you for whatever part you played in helping to lay a big part of the foundation of my life!

I look forward to connecting and reconnecting with many of you this weekend.