Bonnie's 50th College Reunion

As Lew waxed eloquent about our 3 weeks in Missouri, so I will attempt to recreate my experiences at my Pomona College 50-year reunion. The first thing to remember is that I attended college from 1965 to 1969 - those were tumultuous years! The Civil Rights Movement was picking up steam, the war in Vietnam was playing out nightly in our living rooms while the anti-war movement was gaining momentum, and society was undergoing a revolution brought on by the baby-boom generation – the winds of change were swirling.  It’s no wonder that my class named itself MAELSTROM.

 

 

We at Pomona were changing, too. Rules were relaxed, dorms were coed by our senior year, and students were flexing their collective muscles to bring about more change, on campus, in the community, and in society at large. Into all of this stepped a naïve 17 year old girl from a conservative, Republican middle class family. I don’t think I was ready for everything that was happening, so, for me, the four years at Pomona consisted mostly of studying, playing tennis, dorm life, and, did I say -studying?! Some of my fellow students were heavily involved in demonstrations, protests, and causes. I took it in, but didn’t participate. And then I left college, married Lew, lived a traditional life, raised two great daughters, and changed my beliefs slowly over time.

Meanwhile, my classmates were dedicating themselves to changing the world – at least that what it seemed like to me as I read comments on our class list serve. They were doctors, lawyers, and teachers, organizers and change-agents, fulfilling the promise of Pomona, and I was discouraged. I was dubious about attending this reunion: would I fit in? Would I be a loner, once again? Could I measure up? Would I be accepted for just who I am by all these high-powered classmates? In the end, with a bit of coaxing from another student, I gave in and did attend. And I’m glad I did!!!

A 50^th Reunion is very special at Pomona – they roll out the red carpet (and the golf carts for us senior citizens who need them!). Activities included:

•  ·         A tea with those few professors from our day who are still around
• ·         A reception with the President (with open bar and fine finger food)
• ·         A special dinner with the President
• ·         An opportunity for discussions on topics of particular concern to our class
• ·         A hospitality suite just for the class of ‘69
• ·         A class dinner and dance.
• ·         Special tables set up on the quad for impromptu conversations with classmates
• ·         Geezer tennis (!)
• ·         A Service of Remembrance for classmates who had passed

All this, in addition of the regular alumni activities scheduled for all the classes attending that weekend.What can I say about my experience? It was GREAT, despite my trepidations. 

I was particularly pleased by the welcoming and inclusive nature of the entire weekend. Classmates whom we didn’t remember – or never knew – welcomed others with open arms. It seems after 50 years, we just wanted to connect again, listen to each other’s experiences, revel in the sense of shared community. As one classmate put it, “If this were a retirement community, sign me up!” We were really, truly happy to be together again, not to re-live days past (although there was some of that), but to be there in the present for one another.

 

The discussions were profound – and personal. People shared stories – some of them difficult. We pondered and dissected issues – how did Pomona change us, how have we changed, how have we been involved in/affected by the anti-war, civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights and me-too movements? It never ceases to amaze me how intelligent and thought-provoking and interesting my fellow classmates were and still are.

Geezer tennis with a handful of guys (yes, I was the only woman out there, but also the only one who had actually competed on a Pomona tennis team) was a blast. These were men I knew by name, but really didn’t know in school. They were great – welcoming, funny, and pretty good tennis players, too, I might add.

It felt good to be walking around campus again – it brings back strong feelings, strong memories. The campus is even more beautiful than it was 50 years ago – the trees have grown bigger, the town has grown up, the campus has more buildings, the walkways are better. But the school has changed in other ways as well – the face of Pomona has changed.  Fifty years ago our class of 300 had only a handful of non-white students. The incoming class of 2023 features kids from 47 countries and “people of color” make up over 60% of the class. We were told that Pomona College is the most diverse liberal arts college in the country. That is a sea change of monumental proportions! It is a change that the class of ’69 welcomed. We were proud.

I enjoyed sitting down and chatting with people I hadn’t seen in years (this is only the 3^rd reunion I’ve attended in 50 years!) We hope to have made some lasting friendships and look forward to visiting some of my classmates as we continue our travels around the country, giving me a chance to get to know them even better. I look forward to these reunions. And to my 55^th, in 5 years!

One of the more interesting things I learned – or maybe I knew, but never admitted – is how awkward most of us felt when we first came to Pomona. We all came with our own insecurities and fears. Will I measure up? Am I as smart as these other students? Am I well enough prepared? Will people like me? Boy, was it nice to be older and wiser and more secure. Oh, shoot, who am I kidding? I still had all those old fears, but they melted away once we started talking. 

 

All in all, I will admit that my fears almost kept me from joining my classmates in this very  meaningful weekend at Pomona. I am so glad I went. It reminded me why my educational experience there was so special. It made me realize that my classmates were talented, smart, motivated, and interesting people and I really ought to have kept in touch with many of them. Maybe now I will. 

The Motley Crew