 Brian Lawlor (left) Eric Shreve (right) |
The first happened Friday night when the Class of 1962 returned for its 40th class reunion. Class Agent Terry Fewell had asked if it would be possible to recreate a moment from more than 40 years ago as a way of kicking off their reunion. So we put our heads together, and with librarian Larry Frye's leadership, we reenacted the famous book move of the winter of 1959. That was the year that Wabash phased out old Yandes Library and moved into the spacious new Lilly Library.
And true to Wabash form, the freshmen of the Class of 1962 were made to carry the load...literally! Armed with heavy-duty liquor boxes, they carried the College's entire book collection, a box at a time through knee-deep snow, across the College mall where then-librarian Donald Thompson graciously received them.
Friday night, as the sun was setting on a lovely day, the men recreated the event that in one small way defined their time at Wabash. Larry Frye had pulled books from Lilly's stacks according to each class member's major, and distributed them to the alumni for the reenactment.
It was a real pleasure to photograph the trail of Little Giants, all now in their early sixties, as they walked to Lilly, where appropriately they held their class reunion late into the evening. And even better than the Kodak moment were the smiles on the faces of the men who were busily rekindling old, but still-strong relationships.
The second lasting image from the weekend occurred Saturday in Knowling Fieldhouse during the Alumni Awards Luncheon, an event that attracts alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, and the families of the graduating seniors.
People have long asked me why Wabash doesn't work harder to schedule graduation OFF Mother's Day weekend, and some folks even complain that we honor our senior men on a day when they should be honoring their moms. To be honest, I'm usually at a loss for words when the subject comes up.
No words were needed Saturday, however, when I saw the most perfect gift a mother could ever want on her once-a-year tribute weekend. Graduating senior Eric Shreve was honored by alumni board president Rick Fobes with the Senior Award of Merit, which is given to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in scholarship, service, and extracurricular activities.
Eric was a perfect choice, and when his name was called and achievements listed, I caught a glimpse of his mother, Bonnie, whose face was awash with pride and pure joy. Happy Mother's Day, Mrs. Shreve, and congratulations on raising a wonderful young man and sharing him with us these last four years. Finally, memories of more than 30 years ago flooded the College Chapel Saturday afternoon when alumni gathered to pay tribute to their late dean of students, Norman C. Moore, who died last January.
Moore was dean of students at Wabash for 25 years, and on Saturday alumni described him as the quintessential Wabash dean who helped several generations of students understand what it means to be a gentleman.
Connie Moore and their four children— Allison, Martha, Charlie, and Patrick—returned to Wabash to attend the ceremony. And while the memories of the alumni were a perfect tribute to Dean Moore, it was Connie's response "from the inside" which was even more telling and if possible, even more moving.
I cannot imagine what it must be like to be married to a college dean at a men's college at any time, let alone during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement. But Connie's description of her late husband was of a man admired, respected, and loved by his students, and of a dean wholly committed to shaping the lives of Wabash men.
No truer words were spoken during the entire weekend.