Alumni Chapel Sing Fires Up the Spirit

by Howard Hewitt • May 29, 2013

Gerrard McClendon '88 shared how Wabash prepared him to deal with several battles and triumphs in life. He called Wabash College the "ultimate teacher for manhood."
McClendon took the opportunity to thank Professor Tobey Herzog for teaching him the "ethic of care in teaching" that has led him in his career as a professor himself.
Rusty Nichols '63 (right) and Frank Cassell '63 shared how what they learned from Wabash leaders while they were students guided them as college presidents in their careers.
David Weglarz '03 talked about the path he has taken during the last several years to fulfill his dream of founding a small craft distillery - StilL 630 in St. Louis.
Weglarz shared a sample of one of the whiskeys his distillery currently produces.
Chris Denari ’83, the television voice of the Indiana Pacers, gave a colloqium talk about his life in sports. Denari made the trip to Big Bash just hours before the Pacers host the Heat in the sixth game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Chris Denari ’83 chats with Brent Harris H’03 and Kim Johnson from Wabash's Communications and Marketing Office.
Chris Denari ’83 was on campus only a few hours, but had the opportunity to catch up with teammates, fraternity brothers, and classmates.
Jotipalo Bhikkhu ’88 spoke about his life as a Buddhist monk.
Jotipalo Bhikkhu ’88 and classmate Scott Quick '88 after the colloquium session.
"One of my teachers explained 'Life is not about happiness, it's about peace. One sure way to suffer is to think about your self. If you don't want to suffer, think of others.'"
President Pat White presented a colloquia session on the State of the College.
Mike Gallagher '68 retired from Westport Industires of Vancouver, Canada, more than three years ago but still represents the company. They are world leaders in the conversion of diesel engines to natural gas.
"The oil problem is a transportation problem," Gallagher explained. "Verylittle oit goes into industry, homes, or power any more. Westport has been supplying natural gas engine buses to Los Angeles for several years. The city's entire 3,000 bus fleet now runs the natural gas.
Steve Woods '93 a Big Ten football official got his session started by having the gather crowd boo him! Who says Wabash men don't have a sense of humor.
"A lot of people assume you want to get into college football you just get started," Woods said. "Everyone starts in Pop Warner because that's where everything happens."

The Big Bash Alumni Chapel Sing is always one of the weekend's highlights. The rain stayed away and the classes competed on the steps of the Chapel.

The winners will be announced at Sunday morning's award brunch! Here is a video of the Chapel Sing grand finale!

Wabash men come from near and far to join classmates in celebrating the Big Bash Reunion Weekend. Some may have traveled a greater distance but Dick West ’63 probably would win a prize for the most circuitous route.

The 10^th Big Bash reunion weekend kicked off on a damp Friday morning with golfers at Rocky Ridge and alums making their way to Chadwick court for registration. The weekend events run through Sunday brunch.

West '63 West ’63, a retired orthopedic surgeon, made his way to Wabash from his Marshall, NC, home via Arizona, Utah, and then Indianapolis. He spoke of his 4,000-mile journey in rather casual terms.

“I thought I’d just wander slowly, take in the annual meeting and then go home,” he said. “I went south eventually to Springerville, AZ. Then I went to Kanab, Utah and stayed with some friends for a few days. Then Durango, Co., and stayed with a friend a couple days, then across the Midwest to Indianapolis. I stayed with a friend a couple days there and now I’m here.”

He made a splash 10 years ago arriving in a semi-trailer truck. After retiring 15 years ago from the operating room, he decided to be an over-the-road driver for a year!

West got his first motorcycle when he was 14 years old. During his years at Wabash, West was known for sporting about Crawfordsville on his Ducati motorbike. “Then at age 50, I started all over again,” he laughed.

The 2013 weekend gathering features Wabash classes ending in the years three and eight. West's Class of 1963 will take center stage celebrating its 50^th reunion.

Several members of the Class of 1963 gathered early on Thursday evening to begin their 50th reunion. More than 400 alumni and family members are anticipated on campus throughout the weekend from the Class of 2008 through the Class of 1943.

See a detailed weekend schedule here.

Activities wrap up Sunday morning with an 11 a.m. Awards Brunch.