30th Reunion Class of 1989

Mark your calendar! Our 30th reunion is May 23-26, 2019. REGISTER NOW.

Check out our class Facebook group page and be sure to join the group if you haven't already. 

Reunion Committee Members

  • Phoebe Boyer
  • Marc Brotman
  • Kelem Butts
  • Michael Charlton
  • Tom Diascro
  • Allison Downer
  • Laura Flaxman
  • Caroline Gessert
  • Rodger Grossman
  • Andy Kim
  • Andrew Lacey
  • Colleen McKiernan
  • David Milch
  • Andy Nakahata
  • Betsey Schmidt
  • Ed Thorndike
  • Elizabeth (Wendy) Trippe Barr
  • Clarence Williams
  • David Williams
  • Sabrina Zook

30th REUNION CLASS GIFT

Classes celebrating their 30th Reunion have the opportunity to continue the tradition of leaving a legacy
through their philanthropic commitments to Wesleyan. The 30th Reunion Class Gift is unique, counting all Wesleyan Annual Fund and Capital Gifts during the four years leading up to Reunion, during your 30th
Reunion year, and pledges made for the four years after—a total of 9 years of gifts and pledges.

Classmates may also have a larger impact with a multi-year comprehensive gift through outright gifts of cash or stock, charitable gift annuities, and planned gifts. To learn more about your 30th Reunion giving options, please contact your Class Liaison, Matt Glasz at mglasz@wesleyan.edu or (860) 685-3231.

Please see the 30th Reunion Class fundraising pyramid here.

Events

Thursday, May 23, 2019

8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Usdan University Center Hours of Operation

Usdan University Center is the primary gathering spot for everyone, creating a hub in the heart of campus during Reunion & Commencement Weekend. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy a comfortable, convenient place to peruse the RC schedule, connect with classmates and/or family members, meet new friends… or simply hang out while enjoying assorted refreshments.
45 Wyllys Avenue (Show in Map)

Join the usdan hours zoom event

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Office of Admission Information Session
McKelvey Room, Stewart M. Reid House, Office of Admission (Show in Map)

Join the zoom session: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/990451234567

12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
Campus Tour Presented by the Office of Admission
Stewart M. Reid House, Office of Admission (Show in Map)
2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Registration
Everyone—alumni, parents, students, and families—please check in for nametags, meal tickets, a welcome packet, campus maps, and more. Reunion alumni: please be sure to purchase your reunion class dinner tickets at registration at any time during the weekend. Tickets are not available at the dinner site.
Lobby, Exley Science Center, 265 Church Street (Show in Map)

Friday, May 24, 2019

8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Usdan University Center Hours of Operation and Cardinal Connection Cafe
Usdan University Center is the primary gathering spot for everyone, creating a hub in the heart of campus during Reunion & Commencement Weekend. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy a comfortable, convenient place to peruse the RC schedule, connect with classmates and/or family members, meet new friends… or simply hang out while enjoying assorted refreshments.
45 Wyllys Avenue (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Usdan Cafe Hours
Food and beverages available for purchase on site.
Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Registration
Everyone—alumni, parents, students, and families—please check in for nametags, meal tickets, a welcome packet, campus maps, and more. Reunion alumni: please be sure to purchase your reunion class dinner tickets at registration at any time during the weekend. Tickets are not available at the dinner site.
Lobby, Exley Science Center, 265 Church Street (Show in Map)
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pi Cafe Hours
Snacks and beverages available for purchase.
Exley Science Center (Show in Map)
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Office of Admission Information Session
McKelvey Room, Stewart M. Reid House, Office of Admission (Show in Map)
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Welcome Picnic Lunch
Join friends, classmates, and family members for a picnic lunch when you arrive on campus for the weekend.
TICKETS: This lunch requires advance purchase/registration. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, lunch tickets may be available for purchase at Registration in the Exley Science Center.  Ticket sales are not available at the lunch location-- please plan accordingly.

All reunion classes, graduates, and parents and families of graduating seniors will be charged the following for lunch:
$25 per person for all other adults and children over age 12
$10 per person for children 12 and under
Russell House Lawn (Show in Map)

12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
Campus Tour Presented by the Office of Admission
Stewart M. Reid House, Office of Admission (Show in Map)
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Cardinal Connection Cafe
This is the place to meet-up with classmates, relax between events, charge your phone, enjoy a game of pool, or just take in the scenery. Snacks, beverages, beer and wine are available for purchase.
Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
President’s Celebration Honoring Barbara-Jan Wilson
Please join President Roth, trustees, emeriti trustees, leadership donors and volunteers, and members of the Wesleyan community as we celebrate the retirement of Barbara-Jan Wilson after 36 years of extraordinary leadership and service to the University. Please note that this event will be held in conjunction with the Leadership Donor and Volunteer reception. Program and remarks at 5 p.m. All are welcome.
Tent, Andrus Field (Show in Map)
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Red, Black, and Green! All-College Dinner
Join friends, classmates, and family members for an informal, eco-friendly buffet dinner in the Marketplace at the Usdan University Center.
TICKETS: This event requires advance purchase/registration. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, dinner tickets may be available for purchase at Registration in the Exley Science Center.  Ticket sales are not available at the dinner location-- please plan accordingly.

All reunion classes,graduates, and parents and families of graduating seniors will be charged the following when they register:
$30 per person for adults and children over age 12
$10 per person for children 12 and under
Marketplace, Usdan University Center (Show in Map)

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Shabbat Services
Please join Wesleyan’s Jewish chaplain, Rabbi David Leipziger Teva, and the Wesleyan Jewish community for Shabbat services. All are welcome. No reservations necessary.
The Bayit, 157 Church Street (Show in Map)
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
30th Reunion Reception for the Class of 1989
Wes Wings, 156 High Street
7:45 PM to 10:00 PM
Shabbat Dinner
At this special dinner for returning alumni, graduating seniors, and their families, we will welcome Shabbat with song, food, and joyful fellowship.
TICKETS: This dinner requires advance purchase/registration.
$30 per person for all and children over age 12 (including graduates)
$10 per person for children 12 and under
Daniel Family Commons, Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
9:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Friday Night Annual Reunion Party
Annual Reunion Party at Eclectic Featuring a Jam Session with “The Fossils of MoCon”
Alumni from the ‘70s through the ‘80s will have you dancing the night away to music that appeals to all ages.  The line-up includes alumni members of Wes bands: Big Apple, Praxis, Urban Renewal, Roots, Unskilled Labor, Biest, The Bees, Contraband, Bittersweet, Panacea, Wesleyan Singers, Stu Abramson’s senior project, Nowhere Mountain Band, Stompers, Little City String Band, and Zydecats.
Send song requests to Jack Freudenheim '79, P'18, '20– the more times a song is nominated, the more likely they’ll play it!
Musicians: Charlie Berman ’76;  Ann Beutler Millerick ’77; Banning Eyre ’79; Jack Freudenheim '79, P'18, '20; Wil Galison ’81; Chuck Gregory ’74; Tom Kovar ’76; Robert H. Levin ’81; Bill Levinson ’79; Win Lockwood ’78; Beth Masterman '79, P'08; Jim Melloan ’77; Mike O'Brien ’80;  Matthew Penn ’80 P’15; Greg Shatan '81, P'22; Tom Valtin ’79; Dirck Westervelt ‘82
200 High Street (Eclectic) (Show in Map)

Saturday, May 25, 2019

8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Usdan University Center Hours and Cardinal Connection Cafe
Usdan University Center is the primary gathering spot for everyone, creating a hub in the heart of campus during Reunion & Commencement Weekend. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy a comfortable, convenient place to peruse the RC schedule, connect with classmates and/or family members, meet new friends… or simply hang out while enjoying assorted refreshments.
45 Wyllys Avenue (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Usdan Cafe Hours
Food and beverages available for purchase on site.
Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Registration
Everyone—alumni, parents, students, and families—please check in for nametags, meal tickets, a welcome packet, campus maps, and more. Reunion alumni: please be sure to purchase your reunion class dinner tickets at registration at any time during the weekend. Tickets are not available at the dinner site.
Lobby, Exley Science Center, 265 Church Street (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pi Cafe Hours
Food and beverages available for purchase on site.
Exley Science Center (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Annual Family Swim
Enjoy a morning swim in the Freeman Athletic Center pool. Towels will be provided.
Freeman Athletic Center (Show in Map)
8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Cardinal Loop Fun Run (2.1, 3.2, 4.3 Mile Courses)
Start the day off with an exhilarating run through campus.
Meet at the base of Foss Hill (Show in Map)
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Crew Reception and Alumni Row
Relive good times on the water.  All former oarsmen, oarswomen, and friends are invited to gather at the boathouse for a morning row, refreshments, and christening of our newest shell the “Taggart”.
Macomber Boathouse, 35 Harbor Drive (Show in Map)
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
WESEMINAR Changes in Music and the Music Industry
How has music and the music industry changed over the past 3 decades? We'll look at changing trends in music genres, the technology of recording and listening, how music is experienced, and how music is discovered, heard, and sold.
Presenters: Brian McKenna ’04 is a NYC-based Film/TV composer and producer who graduated from Wesleyan with a dual degree in Music and Economics. His work has been featured in hit TV shows, spots, major motion pictures and also on records by Grammy Award winning artists. In 2009 Brian founded BtOVEN MUSIC, a cutting-edge studio facility located in Manhattan's historic DuArt building. BtOVEN offers production services across all facets of Music, Voiceover, Podcasting, Mixing/Mastering, and Sound Design to clients in Film, TV, Advertising, Video Games, Immersive Content and emerging forms of New Media. Randy Frisch ’84 is the founder and president of Lovecat Music, a music publisher of popular songs from around the world.  LoveCat has placed original songs in over 5000 films and TV shows.  Before launching LoveCat in 1999, Randy was a working musician/songwriter and a lawyer in the music industry. He has written articles on copyright law that are entered into the US Congressional Record. Jeannie Gagné ’82 is a professional musician, music professor at Berklee College of Music, and songwriter, known worldwide through her VocalGenie YouTube series and books on singing. Having performed and recorded with Philip Glass, Cher, Penn and Teller and many more throughout her 30+ years career, she teaches and performs internationally and throughout the US. To reach her, visit www.jeanniegagne.com, and www.soundation.org. Dar Williams ’89 has been a successful touring singer-songwriter for over twenty-five years.  Deemed a "folksinger" and a "folk-pop" singer, she has gone deep into the networks of American folk music while also crossing into the world of commercial music from time to time.
Hansel Lecture Hall (Room 001), Public Affairs Center (PAC) (Show in Map)
11:15 AM to 12:00 PM
Assemble for the Annual Parade of Classes
Seniors and their families are invited to join alumni for this traditional Wesleyan festivity featuring a live Dixieland band. The parade is scheduled to begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. rain or shine, and is followed immediately by the Assembly and Annual Meeting. Look for the class year signs and line-up beside the sign with the year you graduated.  The parade begins on Huss Courtyard (behind the Usdan University Center) and parades to Crowell Concert Hall.  All parade participants are encouraged to parade into Crowell Concert Hall for the Wesleyan Assembly and Alumni Association Meeting.
Huss Courtyard, Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Picnic and Festival on Foss Hill
This lively festival of entertainment and games is a great place to connect with friends and family members between WESeminars and other weekend programs. Don’t miss the magic show, tattoos, and more. Lunches are portable and can be picked up on your way to Foss Hill, afternoon WESeminars, or other events and destinations.
TICKETS: This lunch requires advance purchase/registration. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, picnic lunch tickets may be available for purchase at Registration in the Exley Science Center.  Ticket sales are not available at the lunch location - please plan accordingly.

All reunion classes, graduates, and parents and families of the graduates will be charged the following for lunch:
$17 per person for adults and children
Tent, Andrus Field and Foss Hill (Show in Map)

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Wesleyan Assembly and Alumni Association Meeting
The 2019 Distinguished Alumni, McConaughy, and Outstanding Service Awards are presented at this time.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Gordon Crawford ’69
Jeffrey Deitch ’74
Robert King ’84
Jenno Topping ’89
Scott Gottlieb ’94
Thomas Kail ’99 - Keynote speaker 
Bozoma Saint John ’99

Outstanding Service Award Recipients
Bert Edwards ’59
Edward Murphy ’59
Daphne Kwok ’84

James L. McConaughy Jr. Memorial Award Recipient
Alexander Suk Hyun Chee ’89
Crowell Concert Hall (Show in Map)
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Strolling Magician and Magic Show
For children of all ages!
Andrus Field (Show in Map)
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Alumni of Color (AOC)/ Students of Color (SOC) Reception and African American Studies Open House
Please join us as we honor Alumni and Students of Color, celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Center for African American Studies, and acknowledge Associate Dean of Admission Cliff Thornton, who is retiring after more than 30 years of dedication and service to the Wesleyan community. Remarks will begin at 3:15 PM and tours of the Malcolm X house will be available to guests before and after the scheduled program.
#WesAfAm50 #WesAOC
This event is sponsored by the Center for African American Studies and the Alumni of Color Council (AOCC).
Tent, Davison Health Center which is adjacent to the Center for African American Studies (Show in Map)
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
WESEMINAR Myths and Realities of Two World Wars
War Stories: The art and science of crafting visual narratives about World Wars One and Two. We'll discuss the choices we made, the research process, as well as dealing with misconceptions about the past, and expectations in the present.
Presenters: Indiana “Indy” Neidell ’89 is an actor, writer, musician, and historian.  He is well-known currently as the writer and host of the documentary series “The Great War”, “World War Two in Real Time”, and “Sabaton History”.  He is also the host of “Between 2 Wars” and “The Cuba Crisis”.  His past credits are as diverse as twice hosting his own series of shows on Nordic MTV, being awarded a gold record and a grammy as the original organist with Swedish act Moneybrother, and endless voice over credits including worldwide Carlsberg Beer and Abolsut Vodka commercials and video games such as Star Wars Battlefront II. He is currently touring Sweden on piano and ukulele with Swedish 50s and 60s music legend Owe Thörnqvist’s 90th birthday tour.  Bruce C. McKenna ’84, P’15 is an award winning screenwriter and producer whose work in Hollywood has focused on men at war. He wrote on four of the ten episodes of the Emmy award winning HBO Miniseries Band of Brothers, and created, wrote most of, and produced its companion, the Emmy award winning Miniseries The Pacific. He also served as Executive Producer and co-Showrunner for History Channel's recent Series, SIX, about the infamous Navy Special Operations outfit Seal Team Six. 
Room 103, Allbritton Center (formerly Davenport Campus Center) (Show in Map)
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Alumni Reception
Please join members of the LGBTQ Alumni Network, parents and friends as we welcome graduating seniors to the alumni community.
The Resource Center, 167 High Street (Show in Map)
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Cardinal Connection Cafe
This is the place to meet-up with classmates, relax between events, charge your phone, enjoy a game of pool, or just take in the scenery. Snacks, beverages, beer and wine are available for purchase.
Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Reunion Class Receptions and Dinners
Post-50th Alumni (Classes of 1942–1968) and the Classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014 gather for their Class Dinners and special programs.

TICKETS: Each dinner requires advance purchase/registration. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, Reunion Class Dinner tickets are available for purchase at Registration in the Exley Science Center.  Ticket sales are not available at the dinner location.

All reunion classes will be charged the following for dinner:
$65 per person - Full Bar Included

Class Dinner Locations:

Post-50th (Classes of 1942-1968): Andersen Meeting Room (110) and Taylor Meeting Room (108), Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
1959: Andersen Meeting Room (110) and Taylor Meeting Room (108), Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
1964: Olson Commons, Gordon Career Center, Boger Hall (formerly Squash Court building) (Show in Map)
1969: Campbell Reference Center, Olin Memorial Library (Show in Map)
1974: Daniel Family Commons, Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
1979: Tent with red flag, McKelvey Green (Show in Map)
*1984: 6 p.m. Reception; Zelnick Pavilion (Show in Map) and 7:00 p.m. Dinner; Patricelli ’92 Theater (Show in Map)
1989: Mink Dining Wing, Usdan University Center (2nd floor) (Show in Map)
1994: Beckham Hall, Fayerweather (Show in Map)
1999: President’s House Lawn (Show in Map
2004: Tent with black flag, McKelvey Green (Show in Map)
2009: The West Wing, Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
2014: Russell House Lawn (Show in Map)
*Please note different start time for Class of 1984 Reception and Dinner.

9:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Traditional All-College Sing
Steps of North College; Rainsite: Memorial Chapel (Show in Map)
10:00 PM to 1:00 AM
All-Campus Tent Party
All-Campus Party Featuring DJ Russian Bear with an All-Star cast from the Class of 2004
DJ Russian Bear is world-renowned for seamlessly beat-juggling cutting-edge and classic sounds. From his early start mining mixtapes in his bedroom at age 14, the Bear quickly rose to sharing stages with hip-hop legends like Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan), The Beatnuts, Akynele and Aesop Rock before and during his days at Wesleyan ('04). Since then, Russian Bear has become sought out on a bi-coastal and international stage, DJ’ing events for major fashion houses and media outlets such as Burberry, Givenchy, Rock & Republic, BCBG/Max Azaria, Converse and Cole Haan to name a few.
An All-Star group from Class of '04 musicians will be joining Russian Bear throughout the evening for a diverse program full of musical delights.
The infamous piano-man Joaquin Cotler ’04 (known to many classmates as "Joaquin the Dream" for taking full advantage of WesCo's Clothing Optional policy) will open up with selections from his project 'Joaquin and The Hot Knivesdrawing from a combination of classic honkey-tonk piano blues, post-war electric blues and psychedelic rock & roll.
Tacuma Bradley ‘04 of NYC's popular Afro-Beat Fusion ensemble Mamarazzi and his own solo project Unity Band will grace us with his sultry tenor saxophone fuzing elements of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Funk and World music to render out good vibes and positive energy from anyone and anything within earshot.
Sharing enlightened perspectives in Hip-Hop we'll then be joined by Jon Souza ‘04 (a.k.a. MC Maniphes) known across campus and worldwide for his work with the Wesleyan-born band Illegalize, mixing up soulful blend of raw New York Hip-Hop, sonically rich psychedelic funk, and Brazilian undercurrents. Beyond music, Jon's current work as an educator, community organizer and internationally renowned graffiti muralist is being sponsored by the NYC Mayor's Office's Fund for Public Health with a special focus on reducing mental health stigma and bringing people together around mental health awareness.
DJ Kieran Meadows ’04  (also of Illegalize fame) will be backing MC Maniphes and curating his own vibes. To date, he has become one of NYC's most sought after DJs on the club/lounge scene having performed for the likes of Drake, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Spike Lee, Vernon Reid, Savion Glover and the New York Knicks. His weekly Monday music event 'The Refresh' When not too busy with his music or vibrant career in international journalism, you can find him in the kitchen cooking up and sharing homemade plant-based and vegan meals.
A world-class vocalist, Jeannie Gagné (Class ‘82) has sung with Philip Glass, George Duke, opened for Bare Naked Ladies, performed for NBC-TV with comedians Penn and Teller, toured with reggae legend Frankie Paul, and sings on soundtracks such as for the feature film “Anima Mundi.”
Jeannie is Also AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music AND OFFERS PRIVATE MENTORSHIP AND INSTRUCTION. She teaches technique and performance in pop/rock, blues, jazz, folk, R&B and classical styles. The Jeannie Gagné Method focuses on the whole person, on health and inspiration, and on bringing on the jewel in each of us whether singing or just speaking. She is expert at the mechanics behind how the voice works and has a clear, fun way to teach students the real facts about their vocal instruments.
Backing all on drums and percussion will be Brian McKenna ‘04, film/TV composer and founder of Manhattan's boutique music studio BtOVEN MUSIC and Sam Bathrick ’04 filmmaker and co-founder of Brooklyn-based Resonant Pictures; both are former and current Mamarazzi members respectively and students of Wesleyan's legendary Abraham Adzenyah, whose award-winning work together and independently has achieved international acclaim in forums as diverse as Sundance and Tribeca film festivals, the Super Bowl, popular TV shows and more.
Tent, Andrus Field (Show in Map)

Sunday, May 26, 2019

8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Usdan University Center Hours
Usdan University Center is the primary gathering spot for everyone, creating a hub in the heart of campus during Reunion & Commencement Weekend. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy a comfortable, convenient place to peruse the RC schedule, connect with classmates and/or family members, meet new friends… or simply hang out while enjoying assorted refreshments.
45 Wyllys Avenue (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Usdan Cafe Hours
Food and beverages available for purchase on site.
Usdan University Center (Show in Map)
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Registration and Information
Lobby, Exley Science Center, 265 Church Street (Show in Map)
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Roman Catholic Mass
Memorial Chapel (Show in Map)

Accommodations

Sheraton Hartford South, Rocky Hill
860-257-6000
Rate: $146 per night for 3-night stay; $156 per night for Friday and Saturday night stays
Block cutoff date: 4/9/19

Please either call the hotel directly at the number above or make your reservation online using these special links for Wesleyan alumni: Two Night Stay or Three Night Stay

 

Class Notes

[Read Class Notes]

Please send new notes to the Class Secretary.

Your contact information

[Update Contact Information]

Be sure to update your contact information so that your classmates can get in touch. 

Staff Contact

Staff contact information can be found here.