1997 Alumni Weekend Report

This was not my first Pomona Reunion, however, it was my first as one of the editors of the Oak Leaf. Next year I'll take better notes, use the camera I bring, and beg for people's notes. This year...you gets what you pays for!

I proceeded directly to the Coop store...bought some Pomona branded sweat-gear. I was disappointed by the limited selection of butt-sweats...what was up with that? Cruised the Coop for any Actives I might recognize...ordered swiss-quesadilla, large OJ, and coffee. Found Adam Doerr '97 #1136, Mattie Perez '98 #1145, and others I knew from my last trip to Clareville. Hung out on the Coop porch...told some old-guy, alum stories. Met Jennifer Kahn '99 #1192 who was duplicating Rocky Horror programs...the play's audience and cast were well populated by Nappies. During one scene, eight of the performers on stage were Nu Alphs. Later that nite (Rocky began at midnight, of course) the play, held at the newly renovated Greek theater in the Wash, was cancelled because of audience over-zealousness...the volume of their participation had generated noise complaints from Claremont residents. I skipped the soak (not a Nappie affair in any event) since it started after Rocky (we're talking 2 a.m., here) and because it was off-campus at one of the members' apartments...basically, I'm too old to stay up that late. Instead, I went to In-n-Out for a double-double with grilled and regular onions...mmm-mmm. I returned to HoJo's on Indian Hill and crashed.

There was no Wash because the Actives were ``busy'' cleaning the cabin for the Saturday night party. I took photos of the renovated Wash. (See a collection of them on the Nu Alpha Phi History web page: http://www.nu-alpha-phi.org/history/.) Alumni will be saddened by the loss of a lot of grass, the absence of the dirt pit wherein bonfires seemed natural, and by the abundance of cement paths and seating. Actives find (as will those who follow) the Wash a damn fine place to spend Friday afternoons. The addition of built-in barbecues (three, and all had been used recently) and bathrooms (just off of the parking lot) will please many. Giant, three story, lighting towers frame the stage like rooks, adding an odd, medieval, battlement feeling. They provide a challenge for any energetic and enterprising person or persons seeking a quirky, other-worldly place with a view to partake in celebratory rituals appropriate for a third floor open to the stars.

Basking in the glorious glow of Hall of Famer, Jack Peck ‘56 #446 (center) are classmate Rich Hungate ‘56 #442 and Jack’s wife Barbara, who shares a home with the Sagehen Titan.

Went to the Athletic Hall of Fame dinner. Met Jack Peck '56 #446, Rich Hungate '56 #442, Tom Henderson '56 #439, Bruce Prestwich '55 #426, and John Nelson '56 #445. The whole evening was both entertaining and touching. The inductees were sincerely thanked for their contributions to Pomona's athletic history, and were all clearly very honored to be remembered and paid respect. It was hysterical to note that none of the '87 inductees knew they should prepare a speech. Jack and the others being honored later in their Alumni years were well prepared with wit and wisdom. It was entertaining and made for very brief acceptance speeches...maybe that's why no one tells them. I learned most Hall of Famers are inducted at their ten year reunion in their first year of eligibility. Had inductions proceeded normally, Jack would have been inducted thirty years ago in 1966 or 1967. Due to unknown oversights, loss of official records, etc. his outstanding record was overlooked. Overlooked until, that is, Rich Hungate and others wrote to the committee to point out their error. Rich's letters were heroic and deserve recognition in their own right! So, on behalf of NAF and Jack Peck, thanks, Rich. Damn fine work!

I went to the Marston Quad lunch where I saw all of my class of 1987 pals. James Eason '87 #977 and Debbie Sack '87 #971 were the only 1987 Nappies who attended. I was surprised to see Kevin Gardner '87, a friend of many Nappies. He's back from Russia and working in San Francisco. Zibby, Ken Smith '33 #138 (whom I had not met before), and I talked a lot about Nu Alpha Phi and the various responsibilities and sensitivities associated with Oak Leaf publication, specifically what should and shouldn't be published when Nu Alphs pass on or fall ill. I hope for more guidance from Ken and Zibby (and anyone else who cares to offer opinions) on what to print, what not to print, when to print it, etc.

Next, I went to Wash II at the Wash. That may seem obvious, but Wash I is in Bridges! I got to hear Chet Jaeger '61 #139 play in a pick-up swing band. Man, did they really scoot! I met and chatted a bit with Andrew Hoyem '57 #464, Jeff Wynkoop `92 #1067, and Pete Ora `92 #1025. Jeff and Pete were hanging with Dupree (forgot his last name) `92. Jeff is hanging in Oakland, CA living with Matt Garfein `93 #1042 and Gunthar Hartwig `92 #1030. Pete is living in Colorado contemplating life and other divine mysteries.

Sadly, the cabin party ended up something of a failure. While several actives and a couple of alums talked about driving up to the cabin, only three of us actually made the trek. Guy Rohrbaugh `90 #1032 and I were the only Nappies. The third adventurous soul was an undergraduate philosophy major studying at UCLA where Guy is doing graduate work and some teaching, I believe. Fortunately the Actives clearly spend a fair amount of time there. We found several (warm, unfortunately) un-frosty beverages in the refrigerator...Guy and I regaled young UCLA with cabin, initiation, and fraternity stories. We left as soon as he started snoring.

Sunday's notes were written much later than the first batch...which were written late enough themselves. I confess my memory of the day has faded somewhat and I apologize to anyone for anything I forget! --Paul

Bruce Prestwich `55 #426 was Master of Ceremonies for the day and he did a damn good job. I heard a rumor that he may not only MC again next year, but coordinate the event. Hear, Hear! Here's to a job well done and hope for even more success in 1998.

The first order of events was to honor Jack Peck `56 #446 for his induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Despite ever so much praise and good wishes, Jack kept his humility about him and didn't let all of the attention go to his head. (He commented in a letter, upon my returning his photo which graced the cover of the last issue, ``My wife likes to see what I used to look like.'') He thanked Rich Hungate especially for campaigning on his behalf with the athletic committee regarding their oversight.

Then Bruce turned the floor over to Rick Counihan who introduced author and first woman maggot, Gina Maranto. Rick commented that if nothing else did, his twenty year friendship with Gina, forged in the first years of Nu Alpha Phi's coeducational status, proves that sisters can indeed be bound by ties as strong as those of brothers. The kind introduction and extremely warm welcome touched Gina, I could tell. She spoke about some of her experiences which she had written up for an earlier Oak Leaf and also talked some about her book, Quest for Perfection, which was on sale thanks to Zibby's arrangement with Candace Moreno, Huntley Bookstore. (Edward F. Anderson's `54 #387 book, Peyote the Divine Cactus, was also on sale courtesy of Huntley. Both books sold quite a few copies or so it seemed.) About her induction, she insisted that while she is and was a feminist, she was no suffragette and that the men who bid her deserve credit for her eventual pledging.

The legendary Chet Jaeger ‘47 # 269, an early Nu Alpha Phi faculty advisor and honorary inductee, is memorialized by his son and namesake, Chet Jaeger ‘61 #139, at the 1997 Alumni Brunch.

Bruce then introduced Chet G. Jaeger `61 #139 who told the story of his father's life, Nu Alpha Phi faculty advisor. Chet brought quite a few wonderful photographs from Chet senior's life which were displayed throughout the brunch. Ken Smith `33 #138 reported at length about many Nu Alphs and friends he'd been in touch with over the last year. Some of these reports are included in Ken's letter elsewhere in this issue. And finally, Caroline Beatty was introduced and inducted into Nu Alpha Phi as maggot number 298 by Nancy Ringle `41 #237...details of that event are, again, reported elsewhere in this issue.

Finally, Jim Ach `63 #565 reported on the state of the funds available to Nu Alpha Phi. Sadly, Jim reported that a once swollen account has begun to thin and that the Alumni Association has been operating at a loss. (This is partly due to a recent increase in production costs due to more frequent publishing.) He reminded us all that without regular and back dues that the Oak Leaf cannot exist. We don't need reminding that without the Oak Leaf, Nu Alpha Phi would not have the strength, depth, and intergenerational richness that it does. Because I receive lots of news from alums via the Internet, I am also aware of a grave threat to the Oak Leaf: The Electronic Age. It is now so easy for wired alums to submit news, I fear that the relatively more effortful act of sending a check via US Postal Mail may succumb to sloth, forgetfulness, and procrastination. Please, all of you alums who have sent in your news and your stories via e-mail, be sure to write a check, address an envelope, and post your mail!

In closing, the Fraternity Hymn was sung. Loudly and well by Bruce Prestwich...softly and earnestly by Zibby.

Paul Nagai '88 #978