45th Reunion 2018
Who showed Dinner Photos T.I.M.E. Photos Misc Photos
Well, we didn't exactly have great particpation from the Class of '73 for our 45th Reunion. Only 13 Alumni attended. It was still good to see those who did show up.
I'm quite sure we'll do better in 2023 for our 50th.
I was also shocked to see the updated list of Deceased Members of the Class. Sadly, quite a few names have been added. Several of the names were people I was close with at School but had not been able to reconnect with over the years.
I have updated the In Memoriam Section of the site.
Here with a review are a few words from Pete Spaulding.
Reunion 2018
Class of ’73, Where Are You?
Thought I would offer up my thoughts on our 45th Class of 73 RPI Reunion. Troy will never be featured in Resorts International, but the campus looked good on Saturday, after the 3 days of clouds and rain left town. I peeked into Sage Hall, where the Friday Physics magic shows were held. It’s been renovated: nice wider seats, nice wall coverings. The lobby looked real good too. I think there were several new buildings from 5 years ago. Some of the new labs looked well equipped with testing equipment.
I always have mixed feelings about the Student Union Building. Everything has been remodeled several times. Bowling alleys are gone, Mother’s Wine Emporium has been relocated, and there is a new little market where you can buy sushi, among other things. Engineers eating sushi? Guess things can change! But I will always like it the way it was in ’69-‘73.
Want to know what books cost these days? Take a look at these pix:
Egads, I thought everything would be digital by now!
As some of you may know, there is a LOT of UNREST on campus. The Trustees and President Jackson, have disbanded the Student Union constitution. They hired a new Director of the Union with debatable student involvement. They have assembled a Greek Task Force with little greek participation. Personally, I think the students are getting the infamous Tute Screw BIG Time. But that is my opinion.
In addition, RPI’s financial ratings have been downgraded, degree programs are losing their stature, and endowments are decreasing. This is not just a sign of the times. Compared to similar schools, RPI is in reverse while others are going fast forward. I URGE everyone that reads this to go to the Renew Rensselaer and Save the Union websites for much more detailed information.
https://renewrensselaer.org
https://savetheunion.xyz
If you care anything at all about RPI, please take the time to learn what is going on, and voice your opinion by signing the petition, and/or contacting the Trustees. Personally, every time RPI asks for me to give money, I am going to reply “not 1 damn penny, until you restore the Union Constitution, treat students as adults, and publicly address the financial, endowment and educational issues that Renew Rensselaer has raised.”
Now that I am on a roll, some thoughts about the Troy-Albany-Schenectady area. It used to be called the Tri-Sh**ty Area. Well, It still is! I think they can retire that trophy! Troy? What a dump! I am so glad I don’t live there. Street signs missing, streets falling apart, suburban sprawl into North Greenbush. No redeeming social value whatsoever. The area north and west of the campus looks like a war zone. I think Puerto Rico is in better shape.
Despite all this, I still plan to come back in 5 years, 2023, for our 50th. Not so much for the school, but to see friends like Bob Eckart, Mike Donovan, and Steve Norton. BTW, Norton deserves a HUGE, TREMENDOUS ATTA BOY for all his work trying to get us back (Bob Koch deserves credit too for his efforts this year in trying to stir up interest and plan the Reunion, (Webmaster)), keeping the RPI 73 website up to date, and staying in touch. Same goes for Gary DiCamillo, who is always looking for updates for the Rensselaer Magazine. We all went through a lot back then and we will always have a lot of fun memories. And we can always start some new ones.
Let’s give Steve and Gary some support and send them some recent stories, accomplishments, memories that can be shared with the rest of us.
So block out September and October 2023 on your calendars. Instead of 16 of us coming back, how about 160? Don’t book any European vacations, corporate retreats, or family gatherings. Don’t let your kids or grand kids plan any weddings. Tell them no, you’re going back to Troy for your RPI 50th Family Reunion. They need our travel dollars!
If you have any photos or a comment about the Reunion that you would like to have posted on the website, please send them to SteveNorton@cox.net