50th Reunion 2023
Who Came Check In Photos Dinner Photos
State of the Institute Photos 50 Year Club Lunch Photos
Football Photos Alumni Festival Photos Misc Photos
50th Reunion Recap by Pete Spaulding
I am really happy that I came back to Troy for our 50th Reunion. A vast improvement over 5 years ago! The vibe, feeling, whatever you want to call it, on campus is so much more positive than it was in 2018. I think everyone credits new President Dr. Marty Schmidt for this dramatic turn-around. Students, alumni, staff, even just regular trojan citizens, all agree that there is new feeling, spirit on campus and in the community.
I did not get a chance to tour campus or listen to any of the academic and research presentations. I was too busy taking pictures and schmoozing with some of the 50+ class of 73 alums who came back. We had a good time exchanging stories, especially about freshman year, and trying to figure out where our classmates are now.
President Schmidt came to our class dinner on Friday night. The highlight was presenting him with his honorary Class of ’73 hockey sweater. I think he may have been worn out by all the speeches and presentations he had to make the week and day of the dinner, so his speech was more of a recap of some of the crazy things that were happening nationally and internationally our freshman year. But Marty took the time to visit each table. He shook hands and chatted with just about everyone there. He is definitely a people person, very open and transparent.
At our dinner, we made a push to get our Class of ’73 Scholarship Fund up to $200,00 by the end of the year. I told the Class we were at $106,000. Before the end of the night someone indicated (to Gary I think) he/she would make a contribution to get us to the $200,000 mark. That person wants to remain anonymous. Thank you, thank you, whoever you are!!
You may recall I promised a beer to anyone who contributed $1,000 or more to our Class Scholarship fund. Well, all our events had an open bar. So I still owe about 15 people a drink!
Saturday I attended the 50 year club lunch. This event takes place before the Saturday football game. From now on, we are all eligible to attend. There is a registration fee, but there’s also an open bar. Again Marty’s speech was not especially inspiring, but it was most welcoming.
The Saturday football game vs Buffalo State was great. Have you ever seen an RPI football team score over 50 points? 51 -28 RPI. Of course, the highlight for us was walking out onto the field at halftime with Marty to be recognized and inducted into the 50-year club. And singing our alma mater with Marty and the RPI pep band.
Sunday I went to church at the Chapel & Cultural Center. That building was constructed in 1968, just before we arrived. It looks as good as ever! Sometimes a simple design is the best. They are still using the same chairs and risers that were there in our years. Whatever they bought back then was built to last and well taken care of.
Drove a bit through Troy. Downtown is looking better. Many of the brownstones have been renovated and freshly painted. But the transition areas between downtown and the campus are still in deplorable condition. There must be a paint shortage in Troy because many of the 2 and 3 story residential buildings look like they have not been painted since our freshman year. The city still needs a lot of investment.
While checking out of the Hilton Monday morning, I made a reservation for Sept 26-30, 2024. That is Reunion/Homecoming/200th RPI Anniversary weekend. Who wants to join me?? I’ll try to pay up on the Scholarship Challenge drinks! So block it out. Don’t book any European vacations, corporate retreats, or family gatherings. Don’t let your kids or grandkids plan any weddings. Tell them no, you’re going back to Troy for RPI’s 200th Anniversary!