 Richard Ristine ’41 discusses Byron Trippet's legacy at the dedication of Trippet Hall. |
Those three words aptly describe the events of last weekend’s Homecoming celebration at Wabash College. President Andy Ford, emeritus trustee Dick Ristine ’41, and Greater Wabash Foundation Chairman Mike Dill ’71 all echoed the same theme in public remarks to several hundred alumni, parents, and friends of the College.
And I personally felt the connections and relationships more keenly this past weekend than in years.
In short, it was a remarkable weekend for Wabash, accentuated by the football team’s 24-14 win over Allegheny to remain unbeaten at 4-0 on the season.
At the Alumni Chapel, President Ford talked about the amazing ways in which Wabash men have been connected to one another and the College over the decades. The Chapel honors the late Barney Hollett ’36, who was Eli Lilly’s personal attorney during his illustrious career with the Indianapolis-based law firm of Baker and Daniels.
Mr. Lilly was the driving force behind the establishment of Lilly Endowment Inc., which has had a profound impact on Wabash, and in education, religion, and civic development across the state of Indiana. The connection, of course, is that the president of Lilly Endowment is Clay Robbins, Wabash Class of 1979, and a former colleague of Barney Hollett’s at Baker and Daniels.
Robbins gave the keynote address at the Alumni Chapel, at which several alumni awards were presented, including an Alumni Award of Merit to David Shane ’70, also a former Baker and Daniels attorney. Shane, who helped develop Wabash's strategic plan, was honored for his service to the College. And he’s further connected to the College as a member of the advisory board for the Lilly Endowment-funded Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts at Wabash.
Still there are more connections. Richard Ristine spoke passionately about his old friend, Byron Trippet ’30, at the dedication of the building named in Trippet’s honor. Trippet embodied the spirit of the liberally educated person, and as Ristine pointed out, it makes perfect sense to name the building that houses the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts after him.
About a dozen members of former President Trippet’s family reestablished their connections with Wabash while attending the dedication.
Alumni from the classes of 1982, 1987, and 1992 returned in good numbers. I hadn’t seen many of my classmates in the 15 years that have passed since our graduation. In spite of our added pounds, wrinkles, and gray hair, it was as though no time had passed at all; the relationships, built around Wabash traditions, are as strong as ever.
The same can be said, I think, for the more than 150 members of the College’s spirit and philanthropic organization, the Sphinx Club, who returned for their first ever reunion. Trustee Dudley Burgess ’64 found his 40-year old Sphinx Club cap, and wore it as proudly as the newest members of today’s Sphinx Club wear theirs. To see the blurring of generations as young and old Sphinx Club members gathered was a moment I’ll not soon forget.
The spirit of the weekend was about renewing relationships, building connections, and reliving campus traditions.
Perhaps the defining moment for me, though, came when I gave several members of my family a tour of Trippet Hall late Friday afternoon. The open house was officially over and the building was pretty quiet as we admired the architecture and craftsmanship. When we got to the top floor, the sun was beginning to fade and a bold streak of sunshine shot through the lovely windows and doors.
At that moment, I noticed a familiar face, whose figure was casting a shadow across the room. It was my dear old friend, Mr. Ristine, who hired me at Wabash more than 15 years ago, reading the latest issue of The Bachelor and himself admiring the new building.
After we greeted each other — and I think he had a tear in his eye — he said, “Byron Trippet would be chest-out proud.”
Indeed, Mr. Ristine, I think we all are.
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