| |
Comment on this article
For God, for Country, and for Yale
Reflections on the Tercentennial Weekend
Summer 2001
by Robert A. Wiznia '65, MD
In 1792, Yale became the first college to affiliate alumni with their specific undergraduate classes. Then-President Ezra Stiles organized the mass grouping of alumni to foster loyalty to Yale.
| |
The Convocation celebrated “300 Years of Creativity and Discovery.”
|
Stiles’ resourcefulness epitomizes the theme of the April 19-22 Tercentennial weekend Alumni Leadership Convocation—300 Years of Creativity and Discovery. As the AYA representative for the Class of 1965, I was invited to the celebration, which journeyed from a worship service reflecting the diversity of religious life at Yale today through a broad spectrum of events showcasing Yale’s numerous intellectual, social, and cultural contributions to the nation and to the world.
The weekend began with AYA Assembly LVIII. The opening program tracked the history of alumni relations and featured Gaddis Smith '54, ‘61PhD, Larned Professor Emeritus of History, who discussed Yale’s leadership role. The University was first or an early leader in appointing class officers, organizing class reunions, establishing regional and national alumni associations, and developing a fundraising body. Professor Smith said that the AYA has made Yale a “small and cohesive place” even though it has more than 100,000 alumni.
Despite the large number of graduates who descended on New Haven for the Convocation, Yale certainly retained its usual order and warmth due to the attention to detail by Vice President Linda Koch Lorimer '77JD and the combined efforts of the administration, faculty, and staff. Attendees were greeted amicably by hosts at every event. Service of the well-prepared food proceeded smoothly. Transportation was readily available and timely. The various events of the weekend’s jigsaw schedule started and concluded punctually. Even a crowd control management firm stood on hand to direct people to their next event.
Scattered throughout the weekend, more than fifty separate events displayed the vast intellectual influences of Yale. President Levin’s fascinating discussion with Robert E. Rubin '64LLB and Janet L. Yellen '71PhD on the topic, “Creating Economic Prosperity,” provided an insight into the thought processes of leaders in economics and finance. I enjoyed a lecture by Ronald Coifman, Phillips Professor of Mathematics, who discussed the use of his wavelet theory and its use by the FBI and Scotland Yard to compress fingerprint files. Benoit Mandelbrot, Sterling Professor of Mathematics, followed with an equally engrossing review of his discovery of the mathematical branch of fractals. Stretching across the spectrum of Yale’s academic offerings, all sessions shared the defining educational influence of the University.
Yale was most intimate throughout the weekend’s activities, and the affable atmosphere represented the Yale we all miss. Whether reminiscing with classmates, or conversing with alumni from classes decades apart, all readily immersed themselves in the upbeat mood on the Yale campus.
Perhaps the most expressive part of the weekend arrived at the end of the Saturday evening dinner. An impressive slide show displayed Yale alumni firsts, such as universities whose first president was a Yale graduate or corporations founded by former Bulldogs. Many casual yet inspiring street corner conversations between students and professors transformed Yalies into today’s leaders in their fields. Because of such experiences, many alumni leap forward to help Yale in numerous ways such as through donations of artwork, contributions to the construction and renovation of facilities, or to the establishment of endowed positions. Again, at the conclusion of the weekend, Yale celebrated the establishment of the first endowed Jewish chaplaincy at a university in the United States through the generosity of Judge Howard M. Holtzmann '42, ‘47JD.
Alumni zealously discussed their concerns about Yale’s fourth century, and nobody tired of discussing the University’s past. The Yale experience benefited everyone differently, but each alumnus has a unique story. Perhaps, this consistency of creativity, discovering, and bestowing best defines Yale’s 300 years of history. |
|
