Annual Brunch / Business Meeting

Don Smith

May 15, 2004

Hi All,

We had about 35 at the Brunch/Meeting May 2 including 10-12 Actives. Nothing untoward except that the Actives are indeed on suspension/probation through next May as we had heard. Primary reason was alcohol during initiation which of course is against PC fraternity guidelines.

There are about 20 new Actives now to help weather the storm but the Nappies are completely suspended through next fall except for occasional "business" meetings of the AAAC under the continuing leadership of Lee Harlan '55. The other Alumni members on this committee are Jim Ach '63, Cruiser Cohen '98, Amy Lyford '86 and Jim Mitchell '80. It's time for summer break and perhaps a "fresh" look at things in the fall.

Cabin news was not yet complete as no one had time to decipher the very recent "volumes" from the USFS. If it makes sense, we will continue to keep our options open though there is little Alumni enthusiasm now to rebuild a cabin even if that opportunity really becomes available.

All for now. Have a good summer.

Don

Fall Update

Don Smith

October 23, 2004

Hi All...

Here is our fall update!

The Actives are on suspension this fall semester and on probation through May '05. Meetings of the AAAC (Actives Alumni Action Committee), chaired by Lee Harlan, have been delayed because the Actives mistakenly elected officers from the "grandfathered" non-PC members from the other Claremont Colleges. The PC administration had previously ruled against this. Lee is "tip toeing through the tulips" about this with Dean Quinley, et al, and still hopes to hold at least one AAAC meeting this fall semester.

Paul Nagai plans to distribute the fall '04 Oak Leaf in mid-November. [Ouch. -Ed.]

Nothing significant has developed on the USFS/Nu Alpha Phi cabin front though we have several alumni observers in place to maintain our rights and keep our options open. Government bureaucracy movement is slow.

A substantially reduced amount of alumni mail indicates that for the foreseeable future we no longer need a regular "mailman" to pick up NAP mail from the Alumni Office in Claremont. While that address is still valid, the Alumni Office will now forward mail directly to Paul Nagai who will forward any financial donations to Treasurer Jim Ach. Many thanks to Chuck Carpenter, '54, for years of mail pick up and forwarding service.

I will be completing my second term of office next May. According to our bylaws, a president can only serve two consecutive terms. Therefore, we are currently seeking candidates for Nu Alpha Phi Alumni President. Recommendations should be sent to any of the alumni officers by email, snail mail or telephone. Please don't be bashful about recommending someone OR volunteering!

That's it for now... watch for your November Oak Leaf!! [You're killing me! -Ed.]

Don

Nu Alpha Phi Scholarship

Christopher Michno

November 30, 2004

I am pleased to report to you on the 2004-2005 Nu Alpha Phi Scholarship. We have selected the following third year students to be honored as the Nu Alpha Phi Scholars: Matthew Anderson, from Bothell, Washington; Lindsay Crawford, from Aptos, California; Guthrie Dundas, from Missoula, Montana; Meredith Galemore, from Springfield, Virginia; and Jonathan Hung, from Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

Matthew Anderson is majoring in Science, Technology and Society and is considering a career in law. Matthew is active in the intramural sports program at Pomona, playing everything from basketball and soccer, to softball and racquetball. He sings in the Pomona College Choir and takes voice and piano lessons at the College.

Lindsay Crawford is majoring in Environmental Analysis and is interested in environmental law and environmental biology. This semester, Lindsay is studying biology, ecology, conservation, and Spanish in Monteverde, Costa Rica, through Pomona College Study Abroad. Lindsay went to nationals in 2003 with the Pomona-Pitzer Women's Tennis team. Last year, she played on the Ultimate Frisbee club team, helping the team qualify for nationals.

Guthrie Dundas is majoring in Economics and plans plans on earning a Ph.D. in Economics and working as a college professor. Guthrie plays wide receiver for the Pomona-Pitzer football team, and he runs hurdles for track. Guthrie is a member of Kappa Delta and sits on the Inter-Fraternity Council.

Meredith Galemore is majoring in English and will pursue a career in education. She hopes to make a contribution to fiction and poetry, and she writes that her experience at Pomona College has inspired her interest in becoming a professor. Next semester, Meredith will study literature, art history, and photography in Athens through Pomona College Study Abroad.

Jonathan Hung is majoring in Philosophy and is considering a career in education. He hopes to inspire in future generations of students the same kind of curiosity and passion for philosophy that his first philosophy professor inspired in him. Jonathan sings for the Pomona College Choir and plays piano, violin, and percussion.

We are proud of the accomplishments of Matthew, Lindsay, Guthrie, Meredith, and Jonathan. On behalf of Pomona College, I thank you and the other Nu Alpha Phi members for their generous gifts, which allow such high caliber students to attend this College.

Sincerely,

Christopher Michno

Assistant Director, Office of Financial Aid

Pomona College

Schoonmaker Scholarship

Christopher Michno

November 30, 2004

I am pleased to report to you on the 2004-2005 Schoonmaker Scholarship recipient. We have selected Nicole Medema, a junior from Elmhurst, Illinois, to be honored.

Nicole is an eclectic Media Studies major with a voracious appetite for experience and knowledge. She is proficient with the guitar, clarinet, and harmonica. In the spring of 2004, she co-founded the Drum Circle Club, which gathers every Sunday evening in the Sontag Greek Theater to drum, play guitar, and dance. Nicole is a committed member of Nu Alpha Phi, of which she writes, "And how would I have learned so much about companionship, generosity, and fearlessness without Nu Alpha Phi? As a group, we share these ideals with others in our daily lives." Over the summer, Nicole spent 10 weeks traveling through Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and England. She lauds her parents with giving her a sense of adventure and a passion for life.

On behalf of Pomona College, I thank you for acting as the liaison for the Schoonmaker Scholarship. As you know, the support of scholarships like the Schoonmaker makes it possible for the College to maintain its commitment to need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid.

Sincerely,

Christopher Michno

Alysha Lascano

Spring 2005

I wanted to thank you for choosing me as a recipient for your scholarship fund. Your generosity has helped me be able to study in France this semester.

Thank you again.

Fondest regards,

Alysha Lascano

Nicole Medema

Fall 2005

First off, I must indeed apologize for the extensive truancy of this letter. I assure you, your individual kindness of the fraternity did not go unnoticed; I have been very lucky to be honored with the William H. Schoonmaker, Jr. Scholarship. I thank you.

I am entering my senior year in college as a Philosophy major. Philosophy is not a subject that merely "teaches you how to think." Rather it is alive in every action that we take. I am particularly interested in ethical epistemological philosophy. So it should come as no surprise I am interested in Law and Journalism careers. I am a bright-eyed college idealists who wants to save the world. Let's hope that I can.

I am very grateful to have attended Pomona because they teach us social responsibility. I am eager to see friends and other students lead careers that can benefit the world. I believe it is our duty.

In school, I have been a member of the new group, Students for Social Reform, as well as the Environmental Quality Committee, and, of course, Nu Alpha Phi. I spend my free time writing, playing guitar, camping, and singing. I am also the manager of the Seaver Theatre Box Office. The organic farm on the South East end of campus is a favorite place to volunteer and study, too. As for work, this past summer I interned under the AFL-CIO (which is, strangely enough, in financial trouble now) assisting the International Painters and Allied Trades Union in Titusville, Florida. I went door to door talking with workers. It was enlightening, if nothing else.

I am looking forward to my final year at Pomona; I wish I did not have to leave. I want to thank you and all of Nu Alpha Phi again for your gift to my education. To all of those who have invested in my future, I owe you my success and happiness.

Nicole Medema

December Update

Don Smith

December, 2004

Lee Harlan reports a highly successful AAAC meeting in Claremont on November 23. 3 Actives, 3 Alums (Lee '55, Cruiser Cohen '98 and Jim Mitchell '80) and Faculty Advisor John Seery attended. The Actives led the positive discussion with many good ideas flowing. Topics included election of new officers, Spring '05 rush plans, Alumni/Actives joint activities, Actives' participation in Claremont community volunteer projects, and Actives' interest in NAP history. One of the Active attendees (Dan Driscoll '05) is featured on page 8 of the PC President's Annual Report mailed to Alumni last week. The AAAC will meet again on Sunday, January 23, 3 p.m. in Smith Center.

No news on the USFS/NAP cabin front... government bureaucracy seems intentionally slow.

The November '04 Oak Leaf has been deferred to spring '05 (Editor's family illnesses and unexpected heavier demands at work.)

If you have questions or suggestions for the AAAC please contact Lee Harlan directly. We anticipate further progress there, would appreciate your inputs and will keep you posted.

Thanks... Don

Letters from the Active Alumni Representative

Paul Heberling

January 4, 2005

I hope everyone has had a great holiday, and I thought I would take a little time (now that the stress of the semester's end is over) to let everyone know what we have been doing down at Pomona recently. A little while back I was asked to stand in as the Alumni Rep by our president, Drew Edge. While we haven't been doing any official activities, we felt it would be great to speak with the Alumni association in preparation for coming back onto campus next Semester. To that end, I contacted a few members in mid-November, and we met to discuss several topics. Two other actives, Dan Driscoll and Tim Anderegg, joined me at the meeting, as did our faculty rep, Professor Seery. Lee Harlan, who helped me to set up the meeting, Jim Mitchell, and Cruiser were the Alums there.

We discussed the some basic issues of organization, the Pomona Administration, when to have regular meeting in '05, the cabin and such. However, most of the conversation was directed toward Alumni issues, of course. I have often had conversations with Tim and Dan (and Professor Seery, on occasion) about the nature of NAP, and how it is such an unusual organization. I know many of the actives thought they would be the last ones ever to join a frat, and yet something about Nappie attracts such people. One of the things that caught my interest was the inclusion of women, non-Pomona members (only a few are left, but that is beside the point), and the Alumni bonds. One of the things we as Actives would really like to work on next semester is strengthening this connection that seems to have faded a bit. Having Alumni BBQs, Washes, and Camperoos came up as ideas. We also have been hoping to build the connection between Nappie and the local community, and are going to try and incorporate some volunteering during Washes and at other events. We realized perhaps some of the Alumni might have some suggestions toward that goal, or be involved in groups that we could work with. I know Mr. Harlan's Rotary Club and Jim's wife's group were brought up. One last thing, only a few of us have been around long enough to even remember the cabin, and I'm sure we've lost a number of the old traditions. If anyone remembers some great ones, or just some great stories, we would love to hear them. Thanks, and take care.

Fraternally,

Paul Heberling '05 #1355

[And letter number two. -Ed.]

Paul Heberling March 2, 2005

To the Nappy Alumni,

I just wanted to send in another report of what has been going on here at Pomona with the actives since I last wrote to the Oak Leaf. We have had some great success in getting things together back on campus and in implementing some of our ideas. The semester started off with new officer elections, and thus I find myself writing to you as the new president and backed up by my wonderful vice president Lily Braverman '07 #1361. We have a strong group of great actives down here, and a few good prospects for future rush members, as well. We have the Wash back in full swing (despite the recent challenges that the weather has presented); just last week we had quite a few folks come out for the sunshine, refreshments, music, and our new feature, freshly grilled burgers. As part of our efforts to increase our level of community involvement, we also have a weekly food drive for the Pomona Food Bank set up at the Wash. We ran the sign-up for the Red Cross blood drive on campus, and are hoping to get further involved with the local programs of Habitat for Humanity and Shoes that Fit (the organization Jim Mitchell's wife is involved with). The pair of alumni meetings we have had in recent months have been great, and your representatives have been incredibly helpful. We seem to be working well with the administration, and everyone is enthusiastic about the coming months. If anyone has any advice or criticism on how things are going, feel free to drop me an email. I hope this little update finds everyone well, and perhaps I'll have the pleasure of meeting some of y'all during Alumni Weekend in May.

Best wishes from all of us at Pomona.

Take care,

Paul Heberling '05 #1355

Bruce Prestwich '55 #426 wins half* of the 2005 Alumni Distinguished Service Award

*His better half, Carolyn gets the rest!

Pomona College web site

Spring 2005

Bruce Prestwich '55 was among the first in his family to go to college, thanks to a scholarship provided by Pomona alumni. Carolyn Tranquada Prestwich '54 was immersed in Pomona lore from a young age since her parents and many other relatives were graduates.

They met working in the dining hall. A lineman on the football team, Bruce knew right away that Carolyn was somebody he wanted to spend time with. Carolyn took a little convincing. "He was an underclassman," she recalls. "I had to do a little research."

They wound up getting married in Little Bridges, just like Carolyn's parents. Today that relationship is still going strong, and so is their commitment to Pomona.

For their decades of volunteer service, the pair will receive the Alumni Distinguished Service Award during Alumni Weekend at the end of April. They are only the second couple to receive this honor.

Over the years, both Bruce and Carolyn have served on the Alumni Council. Bruce also has chaired many of his class reunion fund committees and served as an alumni admissions volunteer, interviewing high school students. "For us, Pomona kind of became a lifestyle," says Carolyn.

Barbry Hogue '72, a past president of the Alumni Association who served on the Alumni Council with Carolyn, notes that Bruce also would show up at meetings to help and offer input. "I really think of Bruce and Carolyn as a wonderful team," she says. "I think it's terrific that the two of them are receiving this award together." She says the Prestwiches aren't the kind of people who are looking for recognition, which made the award all the more fitting, "They do this out of love for the College."

The Prestwiches enjoyed their time at Pomona so much it seemed only natural to stay connected. The alumni secretary signed them before graduation. "I don't think we ever had a doubt that would be something we wanted to be involved in doing," says Carolyn.

A sociology major, Carolyn sang in the choir and served as a sponsor in the dorms. Besides four years of football, economics major Bruce sang in the glee club and also was a sponsor.

Bruce's job as a salesman for IBM meant they moved often over the years, living in Riverside, Glendale, Santa Barbara and Saratoga, California near San Jose. Carolyn worked as an elementary school teacher and in church ministry for children, but devoted most of her time to raising their four kids.

Pomona instilled in them a commitment to community service, and as they moved from city to city, Carolyn quickly got involved in PTA, church and other community activities. They always stayed in touch with Pomona, serving as area alumni representatives in different communities they lived in.

Retired today in San Diego County, they always feel at home returning to campus. Marston Quad brings back memories for Carolyn as the center of campus life. Bruce looks for the old oak tree where the football players used to hang their sweaty clothes between three-a-day practices. He still vividly remembers the day - May 1, 1951 - that his acceptance letter arrived from Pomona. "I couldn't stop walking around the house with the letter in my hands," he says.

Cabin Update

Matthew "Cruiser" Cohen '98 #1139

[The cabin meeting Cruiser attended earlier this fall] was about general permit reissuing in 2008 which involves about 20 layers of red tape so they are starting now. The current phase is forest plan consistency review, which means they go to every tract and every cabin to see if the way the cabins are set up is consistent with the forest plan. They are also in the process of making a new forest plan so they are doing inspections now, then comparing the findings to the new plan when that is available. They have already inspected our tract due to the fire, released findings, then immediately retracted them due to new evidence, it's unclear whether the evidence would point to more cabins rebuild or less. Basically they said to the burned out people to be patient while they conduct the reviews and a new report will be issued. After that there are compliance reviews etc. In about a year and a half they will begin to issue new permits.

In Memoriam

Nu Alpha Phi member, Norm Voorhees '58 #500 died in September 2003. He had suffered from a series of disabling mini-strokes which, combined with kidney failure, ultimately resulted in his death.

He and his family resided in Tigard, Oregon, for many years. Norm worked as an executive in the transportation industry there, until his retirement several years ago. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and one son, Matthew.