The third annual Big Bash Reunion Weekend came to a rousing conclusion Sunday at the Big Bash Award Brunch. Alumni Director Tom Runge ’71 and President Andy Ford H’03 presided over the event at which awards were presented to class agents and reunion chairmen.
Click here for pictures of the award winners.
Runge gave a few facts from the third Big Bash, noting 344 alumni had signed the official register, which is exactly 100 more alumni than a year ago and an all-time reunion weekend record. He noted that Art Lewellen ’39 was the oldest alumnus to attend, while Dick Sylvester ’56 came the farthest to attend from his home in Australia.
President Ford presented the Class of 1909 Cup, which honors the returning class with the highest percentage of its alumni back for Big Bash Weekend. Class Agent Paul Hawksworth ’56 (photo right), whose class was honored at Friday's Big Bash Banquet, stepped up to receive the cup with 35.6 percent of his classmates in attendance.
Runge joked that the "Class of 1928 must have been a really big one and got tired of not winning the percentage award" before he announced the winner of the 1928 plaque. The Class of 1928 Reunion Attendance Award is presented to the Class Agent with the most alumni back for reunion weekend. President Ford honored Steve Pavy ’81 for his efforts to get 44 of his classmates back for Big Bash. Runge noted that 42 members of the Class of 1961 and 41 members of the Class of 1996 made it a close race for the plaque.
The Third Annual Robinson-Ragan Award for the winning class in the Alumni Chapel Sing competition was not nearly as close. While the Class of 1991 got the attention of the judges for their mock fight, it was Cal Black, Squier Neal, and Stan Walker who won the award on behalf of the Class of 1966. The class made a rousing entrance for Alumni Chapel Sing with a police escort, red golf carts and pick-up trucks, and a vintage 1962 Pontiac carrying members to the chapel steps.
The Dorman Hughes Award honors the memory of one of Wabash's all-time finest class agents, Dorman Hughes ’43. It is presented annually to that class agent or reunion chair whose work in organizing the Big Bash Weekend is far and above what is expected. President Ford presented the award to Paul Hawksworth ’56, who thanked his volunteer chairs and friends for their hard work.
The final award presented was the Edmond O. Hovey Award, presented to Hawksworth and the Class of 1956 for having the highest participation percentage in the Annual Fund (60.2%).
When it appeared things were about to wrap up at the Big Bash Award Brunch, Admiral Alex Miller ’71, back for his 35th reunion, took the opportunity to thank Runge and his staff. Miller saluted Runge for his dedication and leadership to Wabash, saying that he's brought a strategic vision for alumni engagement to reality. The audience concurred, giving Runge a standing ovation.
President Ford closed the weekend with his final public remarks as the 14th president of Wabash. Ford, who is stepping down June 30 after 13 years in office, paused to reflect on his feelings.
"I'm reminded of a few of weeks ago when we graduated a couple hundred young men. They spent an awful lot of time lingering; not wanting to leave the College and their friends who have met so much to them," he said."
"You are those guys, but with a bit more experience," he said to the alumni. "You've rekindled friendships as if you never left Wabash. That's a real gift; a gift for all of us.
"We tell prospective students that Wabash is a place where you can make friends for life. And you alumni continue to demonstrate it's true."
President Ford's final comments about the renewing of relationships were a perfect way to end his presidency. One of his overarching goals over the last 13 years was to recognize alumni as Wabash's unique "strategic advantage." During his presidency, more than 30 regional alumni groups have grown in locations around the world; alumni refer more than 1,000 prospective students each year; alumni are involved in the creation of internships for students; and attendance at reunions is at a record high.