The Wabash College Society of Class Agents returned to campus in force to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Class Agent system at Wabash. Known as the "Men of Letters," Class Agents from seven decades were honored for serving as the principal link between the College and its alumni.
Click here to see photographs from the Class Agent Banquet.
Greg Miller, Class Agent for the Class of 1983 and a member of the Executive Committee, served as master of ceremonies for the gala banquet. He and President Andy Ford H’03 presented awards to six outstanding Class Agents and named Michele Tatar an Honorary Class Agent. Tatar is the administrative assistant in the Alumni and Parents Relations Office and is responsible for getting Class Agent letters out to the College's classes.
J.B. Bachman ’61 earned the prestigious Warren Wright Shearer Award for his exemplary work communicating with the "Many Milers" of the Class of 1961.
The Myron G. Phillips Award was presented to the Class Agents for the Class of 1966 — Stan Walker, Cal Black, and Squier Neal.
The R. Robert Mitchum Award for outstanding performance by young Class Agents went to Jacob Pactor ’04 and his co-Class Agent Mark Shreve, who was unable to attend.
Myron Phillips ’27 established the Class Agent system at Wabash in 1955; by Homecoming of his first year on the job he had recruited 60 men to serve the College.
"Despite some shortcomings, the system of Class Agents is strong and vigorous, achieving the original goals [set by Phillips] of increasing alumni giving and maintaining a bond with all alumni," said Jon Pactor in his history of the system.
The occasion of the 50th anniversary was also marked by a resolution from the Board of Trustees, which in part read: "The Board of Trustees of Wabash College proudly shares in the celebration of this 50th anniversary, and honors the loyalty and dedication of the men who have served as Class Agents.