HOMECOMING 2019
50th+ Reunion and 1748 Society Luncheon Over 80 guests attended the luncheon, held at the DuPont Country Club, honoring alumni celebrating 50+ reunions and thanking members of our 1748 Society, which recognizes planned gifts. This celebration of the Classes of 1969, 1964, 1959, 1954, and 1949 was attended by alumni from around the country. One guest even traveled from Copenhagen! Guests were welcomed by Head of School Ken Aldridge and Alumni Board Clerk Matt Lang ’08. In his address, Ken highlighted historic events and pop culture in 1969, the class celebrating its 50th reunion. He mentioned the space race and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon; Nixon’s inauguration, the rise of protests and student uprisings; Western films; Motown music; and Woodstock, to name a few. He talked about life at WFS in 1969 and said, “You were citizens of the world. Through scholarship, discussion, questioning, reflection, and activism, you were doing what Friends students have always done: changing your immediate world and preparing to enter the larger one.” The featured speakers from the 50th reunion class were Bruce Baganz ’69 and Peter Isakoff ’69. Both expressed gratitude for their Friends School education, acknowledging the people–the faculty/staff and their peers– who made their positive experiences possible, as well 4
Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters
as the strong foundation of academics and values that were provided. Peter said: A few words to express my appreciation for all Friends School has meant to me over the past 63 years. Although I most definitely did not realize it during the 13 years I spent here–youth is wasted on the young–I have come to appreciate the tremendous foundation Friends School provided for my later education at Columbia College and Law School and my entire legal career. Not only did it teach fundamental skills and work habits, but did it in a way that opened our minds and curiosity. I have also come to appreciate the genuineness and decency of the people who taught us, and those we went to school with. And for me, Friends School provided the most important thing in my life, my marriage eight years ago to our classmate, Jill Pryor. I could not be more grateful. Jill and I are looking forward to a wonderful weekend with all of our classmates who are able to be here today. Thank you. Bruce also spoke about the strong foundation provided by WFS and said, “WFS guided us in education and values. Our class has excelled in career and life
