Class Secretary Andy Kaufman writes:
Kudos to Ralph Dawson, one of this year’s Yale Medal award winners. As Yale’s announcement of Ralph’s award reminded us, Ralph has been a leader for both our class and the broader university community from our earliest days on campus. During our first year, he was one of the organizers of a groundbreaking symposium, “Black Studies in the University.” He subsequently played instrumental roles in the creation of the African American Studies Department at Yale and, as moderator (president) of the Black Student Alliance at Yale, in the establishment of the Afro American Cultural Center (“the House”). He lobbied for coeducation at Yale, and his leadership in maintaining calm on campus during the 1970 May Day demonstrations was evident to all. Ralph has remained active in alumni matters since graduation, organizing mini reunions for Black alumni, participating in student recruiting efforts, providing continuing support for the House, and regularly joining in our Class’ activities (including his very thoughtful essay in our 50th Reunion Class Book). Ralph joins eight other classmates who have previously been recognized as Yale Medal winners: Frances Beinecke, Bob Bonds, Phil Boyle, Roslyn Meyer, Don Nakanishi, Kurt Schmoke, Vera Wells and Alice Young.
Richard Skolnik and Gregg Gonsalves (an AIDS activist, MacArthur Fellow and an associate professor in both the Yale School of Public Health and the Yale Law School (adjunct)) are spearheading an initiative urging Yale to make a transformative commitment to the Yale School of Public Health. In September 2020, Richard and Gregg sent a letter to Yale to this effect, which was signed by more than 100 university alumni involved in medicine and public health. This was reported in the Yale Daily News. Richard and Gregg recently had an op-ed piece in the Yale Daily News, further “pushing” Yale to invest urgently in the School of Public Health. The value of public health research and training is certainly underscored by the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, and Richard hopes that classmates and other alumni will consider directing their Yale contributions to benefit the YSPH. Richard previously served as the Director for Health in South Asia at the World Bank and an instructor of global health at The George Washington University and Yale. In addition, he directed a Harvard AIDS treatment program for three countries in Africa, authored the 4th edition of “Global Health 101,” and is the instructor for the Yale/Coursera course Essentials of Global Health.
Rick Merkt reports that his semi-retirement along the Connecticut River continues quite nicely, even in the “Age of Covid-19.” “I ran for the New Hampshire House last year, but the district leans the other way. At least I don’t have to drive to Concord in the winter. Then I was drafted to be Republican County Chairman here in Cheshire. It’s a good position, because it keeps one informed as to what is going on politically in the Granite State. Better active than bored.” Along with a group of civic leaders, Rick’s wife Suzanne and he have co-founded Lionheart Classical Academy, a new public charter school in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The school will offer a “classical education reminiscent of what students received in public and private schools many years ago.” They expect the school’s application for a state charter will be approved late this year. Beginning with grades kindergarten through 5 and then expanding to 12th grade over the next few years, the school will afford every student in the Monadnock region an opportunity to receive the benefits of a classical education on a tuition-free basis. This feature, plus recent school-choice legislation in New Hampshire, will expand the range of educational options for families, regardless of ability to pay. Suzanne, Rick and the other co-founders “recognize that survival of a free and responsible society depends upon a sound educational system to produce well-rounded citizens accustomed to critical thinking. It is our aspiration that Lionheart Classical Academy will not only provide such education to young people, but also serve as a model of educational reform for others throughout New Hampshire and all of New England.”
On a sad note, Hugh Scott sent word that Larry Goldfarb died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack on August 24. Larry was a member of Ezra Stiles College, and he graduated with our class in 1971. Before Yale, Larry attended St. Louis Country Day School where he played football, basketball, and baseball and served as editor in chief of the school newspaper and class president (Larry, Hugh and George Guernsey were classmates there). At Yale, Larry rowed on the freshman crew and participated in several of the Ezra Stiles College intramural teams throughout our college years. After Yale, he spent a year as a producer/director (with Max Baer, Jr.) making a full-length film about a boys camp. Hugh recalls that while the movie was not a commercial success, Larry was very proud of it. Larry spent his subsequent career in the family real estate development business with his father and older brother in St. Louis. In addition to his family, his many passions included music (he was a bassist, classical pianist and composer), writing, fishing, travel, politics and sports. We send our condolences to Debbie (his wife of 41 years), their 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Rich Kenney submitted a note addressed to “The Class of 1971” expressing “much appreciation for the efforts of many.” He specifically mentioned Phil Boyle, Stu Brogadir, Chris Conty, John Dancewicz, Harry Levitt, Ellen Marshall, Dick Caples, Karl Fields, Bob Bruner, Kurt Schmoke, Eric Schned, Andy Sherman and Bill Primps.
Planning continues for our on-campus, in person 50th Reunion celebration, to be held in Davenport College next June 9-12. Reunion co-chairs Lupi Robinson and Bob Bruner and Attendance Recruiting chair Bill Porter are coordinating a terrific program (including our traditional dancing to the Bales-Gitlin Band). In lieu of formal class panel presentations (we did that already in our virtual reunion programming last spring), we want to offer opportunities for classmates to gather and engage in small discussion groups to explore topics that you would find of particular interest. To that end, Lupi and Bob are soliciting suggestions for discussion. If you have ideas, please send them to Lupi, Bob or me.
Class Treasurer Bill Primps has sent out his annual solicitation for our Class Treasury. We rely on our Class Treasury to defray class expenses, including for the upcoming Reunion activities, so your support is very important to us. Please contribute if you can.
I close again with my open invitation to join our monthly Zoom class gatherings if you have not already been participating. We meet from Noon to 1pm ET on the third Thursday of each month in groups of approximately 12-15, and we shuffle the groups each month so that participants have the opportunity to engage with a different cohort of classmates each time. These informal sessions are a terrific opportunity to connect and reconnect with classmates and to discuss issues of interest to the groups, both weighty and mundane, and — based on the enthusiasm of our participants over the past 18 months — we are confident that they will contribute momentum for our in-person gathering next June. Please send me an email if you would like to participate, and I will add you to the invitation list.
Cheers,
AMK