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32 Oaklawn Drive Classmates of 1961, It certainly seems appropriate to me to be making my inaugural address to the class on the nation's birthday. At least that's what other presidents have historically done on this day. So let me start by wishing you all (no more "you guys" for a while) a happy Fourth of July and hoping that you have a splendid summer. I want thank my fellow classmates for the privilege and honor of serving as the Class President for the next five years, and also thank my old friend Pat Davidson for agreeing to serve as Class Vice-president. I am told that the election was very close but that my roommates pulled it out for me at the end by adopting the old Louisiana political approach (developed by Huey Long) of going to polls early and voting often. Pat was nice enough not to demand a recount. I am also very pleased to report that George Brakeley has agreed to remain as the Class Secretary and that Mike Burton will continue to serve as Class Treasurer. We are indebted to George and Mike for the superb job they have been doing for the class and are especially grateful to George for his tireless efforts in keeping us up to date with the classmates through his PAW epistles. I also want to give my deepest thanks to Joe McGinity who has provided outstanding leadership to the class for the past five years. Under Joe's guidance, the great class of 1961 has grown even closer and more supportive of each other. Joe has helped spearhead the development of regional events outside of New York for class mini-reunions and I hope we will continue and expand on those activities. I think we all realize that waiting five years to break bread and pop a cap together at our age is too long a wait. His are large shoes to fill and I expect to be calling on him frequently for advice. It seems hard to believe that only a month ago nearly 170 of us were renewing old friendships, sharing a marvelous, liquid (in more ways than one) weekend together trying to act nineteen again; and with some success judging from the great group of pictures put on the class website by our indefatigable web master Len Berton. If you have not visited the collection, please do so for it is a great way for those of us who were present to relive a bit of the weekend. For those who could not attend, you can see what fun your classmates were up to. These pictures are the best advertisement I know as to why we all should be present at the 50th in 2011. It was a great journey we started together in 1957 and I marvel at how well those early friendships have stood the test of time. By the way, Webmaster Len is the glue that holds our communications and thus our class together. He is an indispensable member of the officer corps. Despite the inclement weather, Reunions were terrific, and much gratitude is due the Reunion Committee ably co-chaired by Joe and Ev Prather, with a strong supporting cast - Jay Parsons, Vince Menna, Spence Reynolds, Tom Donnelly, Justin Kimball, Dick Manning, Lee Blyler, Ted Newlin, Len Berton, Art Smith, Pat Davidson, Jim Blair, Bob Pickens, Vern Close, Jim Adams, George Brakeley, Ken Scasserra, Joe McGinity and Carol Wojciechowicz. The venue, food, music, drink and camaraderie were outstanding. Joe, thank you and the rest of the gang for another great Reunion! Finally, while the count is not yet official, the class annual giving campaign looks to have been another very successful effort. Our participation was near 70%. This makes 1961 one of the leaders in the entire University. Many thanks to Co-Agents Tony Atkiss and Kathy Wall for corralling so many '61ers, and also to Ed Zschau for his chairing of the Special Gifts effort. and to Ted Athanassides who chaired Planned Giving. Also participating in the splendid results were Regional Section Chairs Jerry Graber, Mike Miller, John Boorn, Stu Hudnut, Don Swan, Jim Crawford, Bob Epsen, Paul Rubincam, David Fisher, Sam Leisring, Stan Panosian, Peter Pettibone, John Schwartz, Pat Davidson, Terry Johnston, Bill Miller, Tony Atkiss, Jerry Norton and Justin Kimball. Many locomotives to you all. If your travels take you to New Orleans, please give me a call for some Southern hospitality. Warmest Regards, John Graham © 2006 The Princeton University Class of 1961,
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