Class Notes

Turnout for our 40th class reunion was great; 31 classmates registered. At the class party, we gave “elevator speeches,” about the highlights of our lives since MWC. Jo Billings joined us Friday but couldn’t stay the weekend. Memorabilia filled our lunch tent on Saturday, when Bambi Creighton Willis joined us. With Deb Reynolds Linder, Jeanne Coats Black, Anne Bevans Cooper, Virginia Davey Addison, Joyce Hines Molina, Helen McKann, and Winnie Stalnaker Feldhaus, the Class of ’73 was well represented on the dance floor Saturday night. Deb was our long-distance traveler, flying in from California. She was then off to London for the birth of her first grandchild.

Rod and I made our 16th Sentimental Journey to Lock Haven, Pa., in June, flying in our 1946 J3 Piper Cub. When weather moved in, we made an emergency landing at a private strip, were greeted by security, and learned we’d landed on the Paul Mellon estate, where we were until the weather lifted. Reunion weekend highlights were walking the beautiful campus, taking the trolley to Carl’s, and dancing with President Hurley.

Deb Reynolds Linder sent her “elevator speech.” She met future husband Bruce, then a senior at the Naval Academy, in her sophomore year. Turns out, their dads were in the same air group onboard the USS Yorktown out of San Diego when Deb was in junior high. She and Bruce married two days before Christmas in Deb’s senior year, as Bruce was deploying to a ship in Yokosuka, Japan. Deb joined him after graduation, and they lived in Japan for more than two years. They moved every other year or so for 22 years, splitting time between San Diego and Alexandria, Va., with tours in Michigan, Hawaii, and Charleston, S.C., before ending up in San Diego. Deb balanced her jobs – as a math teacher, instructional computer aide, educational software company manager, and Qualcomm senior IT manager – around the moves. She played tennis, and was on a 2005 national championship team, until a torn meniscus sent her to golf. The Linders have two married daughters, one in London and one in Santa Clara, Calif. After retiring in 2004, Deb did Web development and was involved with her church and with a charity organization supporting women furthering their education.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue. Continue sending me your “elevator speeches,” highlighting your years since MWC.