55th reunion
Big Success
Thursday and Friday, June 1-2, 2023,
with a welcome reception Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
NB. This is a week after Harvard Commencement.
HAA Schedule Link to HAA schedule and REGISTRATION
¶Note: to get back to this page from other tabs on the desktop version click the shields at left top. On the mobile version click Harvard Alumni at left top. If you go to the HAA pages there is a link back here under Schedule.
CLASSMATE LETTER
LINDA’S COVER LETTER:
Dear Classmates -
You may remember our classmate Peter Coonradt's film about our 50th reunion, "Underground 68." And you may have caught his meditation on our 55th, "Voices in the Night." Now for something different from our talented classmate. Peter has turned his attention outward rather than inward -- to a venerable Harvard institution that few of us know, and to the story it tells. As Peter's letter, attached here, explains, his new film, aptly titled "The Closer You Look, the More You See," is about the Museum of Comparative Zoology and the scientists who work there, studying evolutionary biology and transmitting the facts of evolution to new generations of students. More than 20 million animal specimens are there. So are classrooms filled with students ready and eager to apply tools beyond Darwin's imagination. Peter's letter includes a link to the film. Please watch it and travel to a Harvard very different from the one depicted in today's headlines. You will enjoy the ride.
Linda Greenhouse
co-secretary, H/R Class of 1968
PETER’S LETTER:
Dear ‘68 classmates,
I’m distressed about the all-out assault on Harvard by President Trump, as I’m sure all of you are. There’s something I need to share with you about that.
I just spent a year and four months making a film series at Harvard. It’s about evolutionary biology and the setting is the Museum of Comparative Zoology at the north end of Divinity Avenue. During filming I worked closely with professors / scientists, undergraduates and museum curatorial staff.
It was a wonderful experience. Getting to collaborate with such smart, accomplished, unpretentious, welcoming, stimulating, enjoyable people. Learning about the frontiers of a scientific field that has greatly enriched the way I see my place in the tree of life. The challenge of making a coherent, enjoyable film that conveys the depth of what I was experiencing.
Then, just as I was finishing editing and getting ready to send my love child out into the world, Trump landed on Harvard like a mean elephant doing a cannonball into a kid’s wading pool. That changed the meaning of the film for me.
It’s still about a subject some may find esoteric but now, because of Trump, the series is also for me an act of defiance. In microcosm it’s a film that embodies Harvard. The real Harvard. The Harvard we share and which will always be part of us. The Harvard Trump is trying to strangle.
I was struggling to explain what I mean by that when our classmate Harry Lewis said it better than I ever could.
"I have just watched the 12 episodes, several more than once. They are beautiful and moving. And yes, the series makes me proud to be part of an institution that can foster such ideas, and the tangible materials that can make the ideas real.
When people ask me what Harvard is “like,” I explain that what everyone at Harvard shares is that there is not one Harvard; there are a thousand Harvards. The trick in becoming one with the place is to visit several and find a Harvard where you feel at home. I myself kicked around among quite a few before landing in a little computer lab —I had stops in the math department, the lacrosse team, the Loeb drama center, and the Physics department, among others.
What Peter has portrayed here, with wonderful cinematography, narrative, character studies, poetry, and biography, is one of those great, precious, lovable Harvards, where most of us can only dream of feeling so at home, and yet belongs to all of us.
Thank you, Peter and Linda!
Harry
Harry Lewis
Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus"
Thanks to Harry I now understand that the film isn’t an escape from Trump, it’s the alternative to Trump.
So here’s the link to the website for the film series called The Closer You Look, The More You See.
https://www.thecloseryoulook.com/
Going to the website puts you one mouse click away from watching the film. But before you click the “Watch The Film Series Now” button, I invite you to scroll down to “Reflections On The Film” and read the short essay by our classmate Linda Greenhouse. Linda was my companion throughout the journey and she was present during a lot of the filming. She was more than a fly on the wall with a bird’s eye view. She was an influencer. I recommend her reflection as I would anything that flows from Linda’s fingertips into her keyboard.
And if you scroll all the way to the bottom you’ll find “Join Us Behind The Scenes” where you can email whatever thoughts you may have. I’ll be eager to read whatever you have to say.
I hope watching the film will lift your spirits and engage your mind.
Love to all,
Peter Coonradt ‘68
Back to the Future or The Once and Future Senior
Ed Gotgart, our Class Treasurer, reclaimed from his archives a booklet entitled Future Plans Harvard Class of 1968 He has sent it to me for posting and you will find it behind the tab Memories of '68. This tab requires a Harvard Key. This booklet was compiled by the Class Committee of the Class of 1968, It lists our names by House with a statement of our future plans. The PDF I've posted is searchable and available online or downloadable.
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Dear Members of the Class of 1968:
As we move into fall weather, our Class of ’68 organizers would appreciate your suggestions about how members of the Class can best communicate during the next several years before Reunion planning begins again. We know that the Crimson Society and a less formal “Radcliffe network” both offer opportunities to connect and return to campus, but a number of you have requested something more. In that spirit, we’d like to highlight a unique opportunity to gather on the afternoon of December 7 at Harvard. Peter Coonradt has arranged for a screening of Voices in the Night, his film that our reunion inspired
A reception will follow the 65-minute film, at which we hope to renew the spirit of our Reunion. You can register and get the details online and check out the teaser trailer.
Your interest showed in our record attendance for a 55th of 240 classmates (accompanied by 100 partners and friends), packed group discussions, an overflow Cabaret, and 656 Red Book submissions. Both the number of financial gifts (712) and participation rate (58.6 percent) led all 2023 reunion classes and set Harvard/Radcliffe records.
We could consider suggestions like more formal class updates, focused interest group Zoom calls, presentations, and interim class events, but we know you probably have even better ideas. Please share your thoughts with Linda Greenhouse or Steve Waters with your thoughts.
And again, many thanks to you and to all of those who helped make our 55th such fun.
Yours,
Linda Greenhouse and Steve Waters
Class of 1968 SecretariesDear Members of the Class of 1968:
[Use our Alumni site to email them.}
Class of 1968 Secretaries
Dear Classmates,
Our collective thanks to everyone involved in planning and executing our Class of 1968’s 55th Reunion! Consistent with our Class’s tradition of strong participation in reunion activities and in committing and raising critical funds to support Harvard, we have made—and will continue to make—an incredible impact.
Some of our 55th Reunion highlights include:
- As you might expect, we set an attendance record for a 55th Reunion: 337 classmates and guests attended the in-person events.
- Many classmates and guests joined a festive opening reception at Leverett House, there were many engaging talks and seminars, we held a meaningful memorial service in honor of our late classmates and friends, and enjoyed our long-running performance, Cabaret IX, at Farkas Hall, whose overflow audience regaled us in Upstairs at the Pudding, cheering, and whooping at the livestream!
- The Alumni Day events on Friday (afternoon) with many classmates marching into the Yard in the traditional festive procession.
- Our 55th Reunion campaign has set a record number of donors at 673—and counting! Thank you to all who have supported current undergraduates in honor of our Reunion. There is still time to make your 55th Reunion gift if you haven’t already (read on for a special matching gift challenge a group of classmates has enabled).
- Don Chiofaro and Eva Kampits, reunion co-chairs;
- Barbara Shore and Chris Burns, participation co-chairs, who were unstoppable in their fervor and energy for all points—large and small—for the Reunion. We regret that Chris couldn’t participate in person, after all (we love you, Chris and Barbara!);
- Ed Kovachy, Peter Larson, Tink Davis, and Cort Casady for the Cabaret;
- Linda Greenhouse and the Class Reports staff for providing our 55th Reunion Red Book with 688 entries well ahead of our Reunion;
- David Jost for his superb work on the class website;
- The Harvard College Fund staff and our 24-person campaign for their support of our collective gifts to honor our shared Harvard and Radcliffe experiences.
More about our 55th Reunion gift challenge: A group of classmates has offered to match up to $1.25 million in additional and new gifts to Harvard and Radcliffe through June 30. There are many ways to make a gift and receive reunion credit, including a charitable bequest intention. Contact Alicia Doherty, our Harvard College Fund class officer (Alicia_doherty@harvard.edu; 781-775-2110). A committee member can also help with details or you can make a gift directly through the HAA website.
Congratulations on an amazing 55th Reunion! We hope you’ll stay involved with class activities and with the HAA. Remember that you are invited back to campus every year as part of the Crimson Society! Again, thank you to everyone who helped throughout our entire reunion year and to those who attended a great celebration with friends, old and new.
Yours,
Linda Greenhouse and Steve Waters
Class of 1968 Secretaries
for earlier messages to Class click this link.
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The videos of our Cabarets will now be found under the tab Memories of '68.
The program of the 55th Reunion Cabaret can be seen by clicking on the PDF image below.
Reunion Climate Talk
Lee Anne Willson and Richard Hopkins
Here is the Class of 1968 Top Ten, as voted by the class Tuesday night of the 2018 Reunion in Leverett House:
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1. Aretha Franklin, Respect |
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2. Bob Dylan, Like A Rolling Stone |
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3. Rolling Stones, Satisfaction |
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4. Otis Redding, Dock of the Bay |
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5. Simon & Garfunkel, Sound of Silence |
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6. Temptations, My Girl |
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7. Doors, Light My Fire |
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8. Righteous Brothers, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ |
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9. Percy Sledge, When A Man Loves A Woman |
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10. Wilson Pickett, Midnight Hour |
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LInk to 50th Reunion photos submitted by Eva Kampits
Link to 50th Reunion photos taken by Arthur Piccinati
Link to 50th Reunion photos taken by Barbara Shore [To play videos access slideshow mode first by clicking a photo or a video.]
Class Creations
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gQVWM88Eg3Twa63uWhNnXzYJHNfRXGcx/view?usp=sharing
Here is A Flight, a movie Christina Schlesinger made in early winter (early spring?) 1967/68 in Don Levy's film class at the Carpenter Center at Harvard starring Andrew Schlesinger and Susanna Cuyler. Music by Peter MacKenzie.
Peter Coonradt films
My very first film, shot in Widener in 1967 with a musical soundtrack by classmate Charlie Komanoff and appearances by classmates Jeff Doran, Steve Piro and James Michael Murphy. To a first approximation all student films are bad, but "The Sunflower" may be of historical interest. It's ten minutes long. It's at https://vimeo.com/733455799?share=copy
Here's the link to the Underground 68 film I shot at our 50th, in collaboration with lots of classmates https://vimeo.com/824949388?share=copy
Here's the link to Voices in the Night trailer: https://vimeo.com/853245885
News of Our Class
Responding to Violent Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises: A Guide to Participants, edited by Pamela Aall and Dan Snodderly '68
Anne Carroll Fowler, The Case of the Restless Redhead
Please send news you would like us to feature to dajebj@gmail.com. Each item will be given a separate page with a link from this section of the website.
Class related items
CORETTA SCOTT KING'S 1968 CLASS DAY SPEECH
If you would like to contact your class members please check for their contact information in the Red Book or use this link:
https://community.alumni.harvard.edu/person
To claim your HarvardKey, visit https://key.harvard.edu/ and click the link “Claim Your HarvardKey.” On the next page select the appropriate user type by clicking on the tab that reads “Alumni.” Then click “Continue.” Also please click here to see additional information about claiming your Harvard Key written by our classmate John Dudley Miller.
Below is the video that introduced our 50th.
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