Skidmore Connect - Class of 1978

The Official Skidmore College Reunion 2013 Video

March 2013

Dear Classmates,

Along with trips to New York City, New England, and India, and otherwise keeping up with busy lives, we are having fun working together with other classmates on plans to make our 35th reunion a time to foster friendships and make new connections. Whether you have returned for many reunions, or if this may be your first, we hope you are planning to come to Saratoga this Spring. Skidmore is truly the place for all of us to be May 30th to June 2nd, 2013!

As mentioned in our last letter, for this reunion we are organizing the Skidmore '78 Talks. These casual, story-like presentations will be given by individual classmates, and follow the beat of the on-line video archive sensation, “TED Talks” www.ted.com. Perhaps you have been one of the nearly 14.5 million viewers of Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity. Robinson’s talk is well worth listening to and certainly aligns with Skidmore’s interdisciplinary mission, Creative Thought Matters.

We are now actively looking for fellow classmates to sign up to give a short (three to five minute) talk to share some aspect of their lives, a heartfelt experience, wonderment or understanding gained. These are not a "Who's Who" list of accomplishments; more they are like "Lo and Behold" moments and there will be no pop quiz or final exam! Hearing something, big or small, that has had an impact on your life will be beneficial for all and give each of us a better understanding of our collective journey since graduation.

We need a healthy number of presentations to make our Skidmore '78 Talks work! Does an idea spring to mind that you can share? Please take part by signing up and emailing your title to Jean at inspired.minds@rcn.com. Currently we have three talks to get the ball rolling: Two things I’ve learned from unlikely sources (Kathy); All I need to understand I learned at the T & L (Bonnie) ; Finally I pulled out the saw and began building my paintings (Jeanie) . We will have a projector available to display computer files and will also gladly have your story read by another, if you prefer.

Also, be sure to answer our Class History questionnaire. Marc Chusid has graciously agreed to be our Class Historian. You can answer the survey online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ClassHistory1978. Or return your completed forms to Jessica Giles at Skidmore College in the provided self-addressed envelope. Whether you can make it to Saratoga for the reunion or not, please make sure you’re included in the reunion program.

Reunion Weekend Recap: We plan to meet informally on Thursday night at the T&L. Following the Art Exhibition opening at the Tang on Friday night, we meet for a relaxed Dutch treat dinner gathering at Forno Bistro (Old Firehouse). Saturday has many all-class college events planned throughout the day and well into the evening. Skidmore '78 Talks will start Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the Tang followed by our class dinner at 6:00 p.m. We can resume the Talks after dinner if anyone wants to share a story on an impromptu note.

Please contact us with any questions or suggestions you may have. For reservations and other details about Reunion 2013, visit www.skidmore.edu/reunion. You can also share thoughts on our Skidmore College
Class of 1978 Facebook page! Spread the word and take part - - our Facebook page is on the lookout for lost classmates...

Our 35th reunion will celebrate Here & Now, the things that matter to us and the stories we have to share. It will be more fun if you’re there with us! We hope to see you in Saratoga this spring.

Best Wishes,

Kathy