1977novemberdecember

Page 1

VOLUME 8 NUMBER 2

TRINITY COLLEGE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER, 1977

REUNION- HOMECOMING

Record Crowds And A Toast For $12 Million

CHARLES KURZ and his wife, Candy, did not allow new parenthood to interfere with tenth reunion plans. Oblivious to the activity around her, seven-week-old Catherine slept contentedly through the Field House luncheon.

Three Construction Projects Under Way Alumni and parents who visited the College during October probably noticed bulldozers, tractors, and mounds of dirt at various locations on campus. These blemishes exist on the otherwise well-manicured grounds because Trinity has undertaken three substantial construction projects, the first major building on campus in ten years. The most expensive and longawaited project is the addition to the College library. A new wing will be added to the east end oÂŁ the present structure, providing 250 new study spaces, shelving for 200,000 more volumes, and an additional 2,650 square feet of work space. Some renovations will be made of the existing structure, especially the lobby area, in order to integrate the two sections. The estimated cost of the project is $3 million, half of which has been received thus far from donors. Fundraising efforts for the library are continuing. On the south end of the campus, beyond Wheaton, Jackson and Smith dormitories, another student residence is underway. The new dormitory will be similar architecturally to neighboring structures, and will provide approximately 100 new student accommodations. The College decided on this type of dorm, which contains a configuration of single rooms and suites , on the basis of student preference. It will be ready for occupancy in the Fall of 1978. At the corner of Summit and Vernon Streets, work has begun on a new President's house. The brick structure will contain a combination of private space for family living and an area for entertaining guests and holding official college functions. The existing President's house at 115 Vernon Street will be converted to faculty offices for the Department of English . This move will free a good deal of space in Seabury Hall, allowing the College to

renovate the historical structure and increase the dimensions of some of the offices in that building. The College did not undertake the current construction in anticipation of increases in the size of the student body or the faculty. In recent years, more students have opted to live on campus than did in the past, causing some overcrowding in existing dormitories. An incremental increase in the number of faculty since 1970, plus the establishment of the new Writing Center on campus, have made the faculty office squeeze particularly acute. The one area where increases are expected is in the size of the library collection. There are currently some 560,000 volumes in the Trinity library, and new books are being accumulated at a rate of 10,000 per year. All of the new construction will conform with ¡state and federal regulations for handicapped persons.

Financial Report Is Favorable Trinity's financial supporters can take satisfaction in a report, released last summer, which shows that the investment performance of the College's endowment funds compares very favorably with that of over one hundred leading colleges and universities. Compiled by NACUBO (the National Association of College and University Business Officers), the figures cover periods of one, three, five and ten years respectively, all ending June 30, 1976. During each of these periods, the total return (income and capital appreciation) on Trinity's portfolio significantly exceeded the average for all the institutions measured. In these four time periods (continued page 4)

The banner that trailed behind the vintage biplane as it droned above Jessee Field said it all: "Welcome Home Alumni." It was the first October reunion that Trinity had held in a number of years, and the: record attendance indicated that altimni liked returning to the campus in early - fall. Resplendent autumn colors, a diverse schedule of activities , and memories of undergraduate years drew over 1200 alumni and their spouses to the College October 7, 8 and 9. Cars bearing license plates from New York, Ontario, and Ohio began arriving on campus Friday morning, and some alumni took advantage of the opportunity to attend classes that afternoon. Reuning groups had their first chance to renew old acquaintances at class cocktail parties Friday night held at various locations on campus. Although everyone insisted that he recognized everyone else, name tags undoubtedly spared many an alumnus an embarrassing moment. Later in the evening, visitors had to choose between a Chapel recital by College Organist John Rose and a concert in memory of Professor Clarence "Pete" Barber by classical guitarist Eliot Fisk. Parking spots were at a premium on Saturday morning, and security chief AI Garofolo instructed his staff to have mercy on alumni, who showed exceptional creativity in carving out spaces for themselves on the crowded campus. Highlights of the morning included a panel on college admissions, featuring Trinity staff and Nat Abbott '32, a former director of admissions at Princeton; President Lockwood provided slides and commentary for a crowd of about 125 on his recent trip to Nepal with a group of Trinity students . Fortified by traditional Field House fare and with the knowledge that the football Bantams were the favorite , enthusiasm ran high among the alumni who jammed Jessee Field at 1:30 for the kickoff . But the men from Williamstown had not read the paper, and as the game went on it was painfully evident that the Ephmen would provide the only disruptive note of the weekend . However, alumni and students could find some solace in other athletic triumphs. The soccer team edged Williams 1-0, the junior varsity football team trounced the Ephm~n 51-14, and the women's field hockey team shut out Western Connecticut State College 9-0. The annual reunion-homecoming banquet in Mather Campus Center was the focal point of the evening. In addition to the presentation of the alumni awards (see page 5), a very special announcement was made by Dr. George W.B. Starkey, chairman of the board of trustees. Alumni joined him in a champagne toast in celebration of the achievement of the

$12 million goal in the "Campaign for Trinity Values." In remarks following the announcement, President Lockwood noted, "It has been the alumni response that has made the difference in this effort. Over half of all the sums given or pledged came from alumni." _ Heartened by the good news heard at dinner, many alumni converged on the Washington Room, where they were entertained by the Trinity Pipes and Ken Morgester's Orchestra. On Sunday morning, The Reverend Richard Aiken '52 delivered the Chapel sermon in a special service commemorating deceased alumni. Alumni Director Jerry Hansen was pleased by the large turnout for the weekend, especially the number of young graduates and alumni from nonreunion classes. "The fall reunion date has really caught on at Trinity," Hansen said. "Every year I come away from reunion with new ideas as to how the weekend can be improved, Expect some changes. next year!"

Watkinson Celebrates 25th Trinity Year Twenty-five years ago in September, Trinity acquired a collection of rare books, manuscripts and bibliographical volumes representing almost every field in the humanities - "The Watkinson Library." This important collection, which was endowed by David Watkinson for public use, is internationally known to scholars who write the Library with reference and bibliographic questions. The collection offers unique research opportunities to Trinity students, faculty and visiting scholars. The twenty-fifth anniversary was marked by a celebration on September 20 sponsored by the Watkinson Trustees and the Trinity College Library Associates. Several hundred guests were in attendance. Among the speakers were Library Trustees Donald B. Engley, former Trinity Librarian; G. (continued page 3 )


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.