The eNewsletter of Washington & Jefferson College
Office of Alumni Relations
May 2, 2008
Volume 4, Issue 5

Included in this issue …

Upcoming Events in Laurel Highlands, Central, Pa. and Pittsburgh
What a Week! W&J Makes the Headlines
Commencement 2008: May 17 - 18
Attention Class of 1953: 55th Reunion Update
An Exclusive Offer to W&J Alumni Outdoor Enthusiasts
Volunteers Plan Regional Events in Pittsburgh and Northern Virginia
W&J Sports: Golfing and Lacrosse Seasons Come to a Close
W&J magazine Arrives in Early Summer

Upcoming Events in Laurel Highlands, Central, Pa. and Pittsburgh

• Laurel Highlands Cocktail Reception
  Thursday, May 8 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  Red Star Brewery and Grille in Greensburg, Pa.
  $25 per person/$15 for GOLD members
  
  
• A Day of Wines and Roses in Hershey, Pa.
  Sunday, June 8 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
  Hershey Rose Gardens
  $25 per person/$15 for GOLD members
  
  
• Wine Tasting and Instruction in Pittsburgh, Pa.
  Thursday, June 19 from  6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
  Dreadnought Wines  in the Strip District
  $30 per person/$20 for GOLD members
  Limited to 30 seats, so reserve your spot now!
  
  

For all the details, visit our Jay Connected events page. Please RSVP online, by e-mail to  alumni@RemoveThisPart.washjeff.edu, or by calling (724) 223-6079.

What a Week! W&J Makes the Headlines

In a 48-hour period, W&J made multiple headlines. On Tuesday, April 15, Senator Barack Obama visited campus to address a group of veterans in an invitation-only, town hall meeting in the Rossin Ballroom. Prior to the veterans' gathering, Obama greeted students, staff, and faculty of the College for a welcome and a brief talk on his view of the state of the nation. He stressed the importance of all citizens to get involved in the political process.

One day later on Wednesday, April 16, W&J honored Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers with our annual Entrepreneurial Leadership Award at the event held at the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell '81 served as keynote speaker. 

Want to see what you missed? View both photo slideshows of Senator Obama's visit to W&J and of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Dinner honoring Dan Rooney.

The honorary speaker at W&J's 209th Commencement Ceremony will be Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit organization who seeks to build the interfaith youth movement. This year's senior class is one of the largest in recent years, with approximately 358 seniors ready to receive their diplomas!

W&J's Old Guard, so named for W&J alumni who have graduated 50 years or more ago, will convene for a special dinner in their honor at 7 p.m. on Friday night, May 17. The Old Guard are a unique part of our alumni base, and the group is always invited to watch the 50th Reunion Class become officially inducted during Commencement ceremony.  The Class of 1958 also looks forward to their weekend of festivities over Commencement weekend. If you have any questions regarding the Old Guard or 50th Reunion plans, please e-mail or call the Alumni Office at (724) 223-6099.

Attention Class of 1953:  55th Reunion Update

Not wanting to “officially” join the Old Guard at their 50th Reunion in 2003, the Class of 1953 vowed to return to campus for Homecoming 2008 to celebrate their 55th Reunion and gracefully enter the esteemed Old Guard. Spearheaded by classmates Joe Thompson and Ed Jaeger, plans are underway for a terrific 55th Reunion event over Homecoming Weekend (October 17-18). More than 25 classmates have already indicated an interest in returning, and event planning is underway. “I’m very pleased with the response we’ve had to date,” said Thompson. “This is going to be fun!”  In addition to having a great time at their 50th reunion, the class also gave back to W&J by way of gifts to the Class of 1953 Library Endowment, which they hope to grow with their 55th Reunion approaching. Their endowment, currently over $88,000, provides around $9,000 annually to the U. Grant Miller Library to help purchase additional materials needed to support the curriculum and meet the needs of faculty and students. For questions about the reunion activities or to contribute to the Class of ’53 Library Endowment, contact Sarah Sperry at ssperry@RemoveThisPart.washjeff.edu. Featured above is the 1953 Pandora.

An Exclusive Offer to W&J Alumni Outdoor Enthusiasts

Jeff Virgin '82 owns a guest house in Confluence, Pa. called That Dam Yough House. He's  offering a $100 discount off of any weekend stay, when the reservation is held under a W&J alum's name.

Jeff's guest house sits one block away from the Youghiogheny River and very close to the Great Allegheny Passage bicycle trail.  Confluence, Pa. is a small, scenic town providing the perfect place to "call home" for a weekend. The biking/hiking trail is accessible from Jeff's house. A gentle 10-mile bike ride takes you directly to Ohiopyle State Park while you bike alongside the Youghioghey River the entire time. The Youghiogheny is known as a trout fisherman's paradise, as well as a fantastic river for white water rafting and kayaking. Youghiogheny Lake (boating, swimming, fishing) is situated less than a mile away, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water and Kentuck Knob are within short driving distance.

Jeff is personally excited to have been able to be a part of the trail's opening and completion and happy to be able to provide a service in the borough of Confluence. He writes, "When you stay at That Dam Yough House, there's a surprising 'home away from home' feel." To inquire further or make reservations, please e-mail Jeff or call him at (804) 350-6301.

Volunteers Plan Regional Events in Pittsburgh and Northern Virginia

Our enthusiastic regional volunteers have been busy! Check out what's happening:

•  Happy Hour coordinated by David Bigger '00 and the Pittsburgh Regional Chapter
  Celebrate Springtime with fellow Allegheny County alumni!
  Thursday, May 22
  6:00 p.m.
  The Firehouse Lounge in Pittsburgh's Strip District
  Come One, Come All! Cash Bar, but please RSVP online.
  
  
• Wine Tasting and Dinner coordinated by Karen Lambert '84 and the Washington D.C. Regional Club
  Saturday, June 21
  3:30 p.m. Tour of Winery / 4:00 p.m. Tasting
  Gray Ghost Winery in Ammissville, Va.
  Cost is $5.00 for the tour and tasting.  Pay at the door, but please RSVP online.
  
  

For all the details and to RSVP for either event, visit our Jay Connected events page. For more information on how you can become involved in your region, please e-mail Tina Tuminella '94,  or call her at (724) 223-6099.

W&J Sports: Golf Continues PAC Domination, Women's Lacrosse Season Ends Successfully

The Washington & Jefferson College men’s and women’s golf teams swept the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships fo r the second consecutive season. Brad Cieslinski '11 was named the PAC Most Valuable Men’s Player after rounds of 73 and 72 at Oak Tree Country Club in West Middlesex, Pa. Leslie Walker '10 was the PAC Women’s Most Valuable Player after carding 161 strokes in the two-day event.

The Presidents’ women’s lacrosse program concluded its inaugural season with three victories. Under the direction of Head Coach Kate Scattergood, W&J closed the season on April 24 with a 16-3 victory over Waynesburg University. Courtney Schrock ’11 paced the Presidents with 40 goals this season.

W&J Magazine Arrives in Early Summer

Look for the spring/summer 2008 issue of W&J magazine to arrive in your mailboxes in early summer! The Magazine's theme is "Investing in the Future," and will show how the College and its students, faculty, parents, and alumni are continuing to invest in their own futures, but in the futures of their communities and the world. In upcoming issues, the editor is looking to feature more alumni-written articles. If you have an interest in writing or submitting articles for publication in W&J, please contact the editor at wjmag@RemoveThisPart.washjeff.edu.

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