Joining the ranks of Hobart alumni
17 May 2010 Joining the ranks of Hobart alumni
At the annual Hobart Launch, Dr. Robert Gilman 70, president of the Hobart Alumni Council addressed the Hobart Class of 2010: This weekend is a landmark-the end of your tenure as students of these Colleges and the beginning of your tenure as members of a worldwide community of alumni.
On a cloudless Friday afternoon, alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends gathered at Bozzuto Boathouse to officially welcome the Hobart Class of 2010 into the Alumni Association.
As the alumnus speaker, Trustee Thomas Poole 61, P91, L.H.D. 06 shared anecdotes from his time at HWS and explained the ways in which giving back to the Colleges has yielded wonderful and unexpected results.
I met some of my best friends, Hobart graduates from other classes, because I got involved, Poole said. Joining the ranks of 11,250 Hobart graduates extends this four year experience into a lifelong one.
Following tradition, Kevin Curtin 10 introduced and invited into the ranks of those Hobart graduates this years honorary class member: Professor of Economics Pat McGuire, who will retire this year.
Over the past 42 years, he has meant a lot of things to a lot of students, Curtin said. He is a professor, an adviser, a mentor and a role model. And now, the Hobart Class of 2010 is lucky enough to have him as a classmate.
Initiated in 2004, the Launch formally receives the soon-to-be Hobart graduates into the brotherhood of Hobart alumni. During the event, each member of the class is given a replica of the paddle used by Agayentah, the legendary Seneca Indian warrior who died on the lake. Each paddle is engraved with the class year and the Hobart College seal. Afterward, attendees are given the official Hobart College cigar compliments of Bill 85 and Larry 92 Sherman of the Nat Sherman Cigar Co.
But first, Asa Bearse 10 delivered the student address. Well, Ive done it, he said. Some people said that I couldnt, or wouldnt, or even shouldnt. But Ive done it. Ive grown a mustache, he joked.
With humor and a bit of wistful remembrance, Bearse encapsulated the college experience of his classmates and looked toward the future.
This is not the end, he said, echoing Gilman. This is the beginning. Its real, its fight night, its life. Me and my mustache are ready-are you?