“Let’s be honest. The term class reunion is an oxymoron. Yes, it gathers members of a particular class together at some milestone year after graduation. But it is hardly a reunion. Being a nationally drawing liberal arts college and conservatory, nearly all of us left Oberlin and scattered to the 50 states and beyond. We typically remain connected with less than a handful, if that many, of those whom we befriended in our short and hectic four years there. Thus one rarely plans on attending their reunion just to reunite with old friends.
As a member of the 50th Reunion Committee it has become clear to me that our reunion is in fact principally an opportunity to meet fellow classmates for the first time. Better to call it a “new-union.” And why is that such a delightful prospect? Let me count the ways.
You must first remember how unique our class cohort is. In the 1970s, our country produced about 900,000 college graduates annually. After gladly indulging in my premise that Oberlin was a top 10 liberal arts college at the time (regardless of what it ranks now), you realize that those 10 colleges produced approximately 5,000 of the near million, or 0.5 percent of the total on an annual basis. Add the fact that Oberlin was likely the only liberal arts college to consciously promote experiential learning and auto-didacticism, via Winter Term and Ex-Co. And don’t forget Oberlin’s world-renowned Conservatory.
I’ve heard alums, including our current Board of Trustees president, Chris Canavan, observe that getting together with other Obies is a vastly more satisfying experience than your average social gathering. No doubt my just noted observations contribute to this, but I think it goes more to the nature of the liberal arts-trained mind. Having feasted on a smorgasbord of subjects during our time, we developed the kind of mind that liberally takes in information, observations, and opinions from a variety of sources. The books and periodicals we read, the television shows we watch, the places we visit, and the topics we train our minds on over our lifetimes make us far more interesting folks to exchange with.
When we left Oberlin, we were largely blank slates, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Just a lot of brimming potential, nothing fully formed. I fondly remember those small-discussion-format introductory classes that greeted me at Oberlin. I knew I was in the midst of a talented, thoughtful, and creative bunch. As in Tom Trelogan’s introductory philosophy course, where those confident, articulate New Yorkers began pontificating (validly or invalidly) on Descartes within the first couple of weeks of class, whilst I sat silently developing active listening and critical thinking skills.
But as we enter our golden years, we now have so much life history to share with one another: professional achievements, triumphs of character, children and grandchildren. By definition we are entering the age of reminiscing. And didn’t we live through a glorious time? We encountered a burst of social activism, musical creativity, and quality entertainment no succeeding generations have been privileged to experience as we did. We are not digital natives; we have lived through two vastly different epochs in history, and can compare and contrast. Our education made us citizens of the world when liberal arts are quickly becoming a near-extinct experience.
We all live more enriched and happy lives when we connect with other human beings. And we connect most deeply with those with whom we have a distinct affinity. As I have found in the virtual meetings of our Reunion Committee, spending time with other Obies demonstrates what a valuable affinity group we have in this collection of charming and witty people. As a resident of the Bay Area, I have been able to experience this phenomenon on a more regular basis through the planned activities of the local alumni chapter. For those not residing in one of these urban centers, I wish you the chance to experience the same through the vehicle of the reunion. You may even discover at this new-union that Obies will become a valuable part of your life going forward.
True, your visit to Oberlin will allow you to stroll about the grounds, swell with pride that the campus is physically intact, and even revitalized. That dreadfully plain Kettering Building has been replaced by a beautiful new science complex, fitting nicely into the traditional architectural color scheme and serving as the new centerpiece for the campus. The new Ellen Johnson wing of the Allen Art Museum and the additions to the Conservatory are gratifying to behold. But more importantly, you will meet a bunch of fun and interesting people. We come back to remember and renew our ties with a place that was formative in our lives. But we bring so much more to the table now with the breadth and depth of our life experiences. You may not have graduated from Oberlin; you may not have set foot here in half a century. But come-- to contemplate and celebrate how those years shaped who we have become. See you there!”
Until next month,
