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This isn’t the first time at the dance for economics graduate Otto Alden ’42. He’s been attending reunions regularly for the last 50 years, but this year’s event is certainly a milestone for the Class of ’42 president and his classmates.
Alden will soon start working the phones to encourage alumni to come out for their 65th reunion. For him, Reunion is a time to reconnect with friends and witness the changes occurring on campus.
“It’s a great opportunity to come back and see a marvelous school and marvelous campus, and to see old friends and meet new ones,” he says. “I find that Reunion is just a great occasion every year because it gives us an opportunity to renew our old friendships and recall all the great times we had as undergraduates and since then as successful alumni. Many of the successes we’ve enjoyed were greatly influenced by our experiences at Lafayette.”
For Alden, there are too many fond memories of his alma mater to narrow down to just one. William Richtmyre ’42, a civil engineering graduate,agrees.
“The good memories of those four years [at Lafayette] equal those of any other four-year period of my life,” he says.
Other alumni recall the close community that fostered friendships and allowed them the opportunity to explore new talents.
English and chemistry graduate Wilbur Bryan ’42, who last visited Lafayette for the class’ 50th reunion celebration, remembers “singing in front of Pardee.”
For government and law graduate David Arnold ’42, the combination of good friends and quality academics were the high points of his Lafayette experience.
“[My favorite memories were] dorm life in Martien Hall during my sophomore and junior years, getting to know a diverse group of classmates, and listening to outstanding teachers,” he says.
E. Scudder Mackey ’42, a chemistry graduate who last returned to Lafayette for his class’ 60th reunion, was a standout soccer player. He also worked at the alumni affairs office.
“During a soccer game with Princeton, I was to guard an All-American forward who dribbled rings around me and scored seven goals,” he recalls. “I also worked in the alumni affairs office for four years and respected Joe Bell ’28, the alumni secretary. He was a great character!”
English graduate Sanfurd Bluestein ’42 remembers the thrill of victory when the basketball team defeated Army at the dedication of the (then) new field house. Bluestein stole the ball and took it the length of the court to score the team’s first basket. This year’s reunion will include another field house dedication, this time for Bourger Varsity Football House.
Alden remained close to the College after his graduation. He returns to campus each year for football and basketball games and Marquis Society events. He served as chairman of the Marquis Society. Psychology graduate Laura Roth ’95 is his granddaughter.
“I think it’s a way of giving back to the College, making a contribution to the growth of the College, and, of course, just to renew friendships and enjoy the old ties and memories,” he says.
Highlights of the 65th reunion will include a private champagne breakfast in the faculty dining room, Marquis Hall, at which Diane Shaw, special collections librarian and College archivist, will discuss the historic relationship between the Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington. Alumni affairs is compiling an information booklet on Class of ’42 members that will be handed out at Reunion and mailed to those unable to attend.