W&J
alumni
Class of 1963 celebrates 50 years
The Class of 1963 prepares to process to the Commencement ceremony to be inducted into the Old Guard.
Walter Flamenbaum ’63, M.D., had not returned to Washington & Jefferson College in nearly 45 years when he visited the campus in 2006. Since then, the active alumnus and board of trustees member has returned often. “The only asset to the absence was that it let me truly appreciate how the culture of the campus— including students and professors—has been nurtured and well-maintained,” said Flamenbaum when sharing reflections with his classmates. Flamenbaum and his classmates celebrated the culture of campus, both in 1963 and today, when they returned for the 214th Commencement Ceremony. At the ceremony, they were formally inducted into the Washington & Jefferson College Old Guard by President Tori Haring-Smith, Ph.D.
“The only asset to the absence was that it let me truly appreciate how the culture of the campus—including students and professors—has been nurtured and well-maintained.” – WALTER FLAMENBAUM ’63
Peter Bonadio ’63 shows off the official W&J dink that he received as a freshman.
In celebration of its 50th reunion, the class gave more than $640,000 to the College. A portion of these funds established the Class of 1963 Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will serve as a legacy of the Class of 1963—creating a permanent gift that will help W&J students. “As the newest members of the Old Guard of Washington & Jefferson College, you are our most devoted supporters, our strongest advocates, and the keepers of our most venerable traditions,” said Haring-Smith, “Thank you again for your contributions and loyalty to W&J. We honor your legacy.”
W&J-OLOGY:
Spoon of Knowledge Est. 1885 The “Spoon of Knowledge” dates back to the 19th century. Tradition dictates that the large wooden spoon is passed each year from the graduating senior class to the junior class to symbolize the “spooning” of knowledge to the younger class. Covered with unique silver disks bearing the year of each graduating class, the Spoon is not engraved until it has officially been passed to the next class. The tradition was placed on hiatus in 1968 and revived in the spring of 1993 with the carving of a new spoon by Keck Jackson ’69 to accommodate engravings. Traditionally passed by the outgoing student government association (SGA) president to the incoming president, the Spoon is passed at the annual Senior Picnic.
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FALL 2013 MAGAZINE
Julie Grebenz Rothbardt ’93, Ph.D., passes the Spoon to Dwight Dachnowicz ’94 after the tradition is revived. They pose with President Howard J. Burnett, Ph.D. and Dr. G. Andrew Rembert (right).
Outgoing SGA president Damian Bosiacki ’13 (right) and current president Adam Kmett ’15 with President Tori Haring-Smith, Ph.D. at the 2013 Senior Picnic with the old and new spoons.