I breathe a different kind of energy every time I step foot on the Mall. It’s in the smiles, the handshakes, and the stories that start with, “Do you remember when ... ?” It’s in the collective heartbeat of a community that, year after
year, finds ways to thrive while so many other colleges are struggling to sustain.
For me, that spark comes from longtime friendships and connections forged during my own time as a student. Those bonds haven’t just lasted, they’ve grown stronger. Each time I return to campus, I’m recharged when I see familiar faces and meet new ones who share the same goal: to help Wabash endure and excel. It’s a reminder that we’re part of something far bigger than our own four years here.
As president of the National Association of Wabash Men, I’m fortunate to witness this energy in action. I see alumni giving of their time, talent, and treasure. I hear about classmates meeting for mini-reunions, mentoring young alumni, or simply picking up the phone to check in. They power the College forward.
Wabash is not only sustaining enrollment, but growing. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the Wabash network is alive and active. Our alumni support is a renewable resource, constantly replenished by shared experiences, mutual respect, and the desire to see future generations have the same transformative opportunities we did.
Sustainability in the Wabash sense means leaving the College stronger than when we were students. We do that through scholarships that open doors for young men who might not otherwise be able to attend. We do it through internships and career connections that help new graduates launch. We do it by showing up—at games, at Big
Bash, or simply for coffee when a fellow Wabash man passes through town.
Our energy is contagious. Seniors feel it when they shake hands at Commencement, knowing they are joining a brotherhood that stretches across generations. Faculty and staff are buoyed by it when they see alumni returning because they believe in the mission and the men of Wabash.
The Wabash energy source is inexhaustible when we stay connected.
So the next time you think about energy and sustainability, think about what you get from reconnecting with Wabash. Think about how you can keep that current flowing for others. And most of all, think about how, together, we can ensure that Wabash will not just survive but thrive for generations to come.
Wabash Always Fights.
Tony Unfried ’03
President | NAWM