December 8, 2015
Dear Classmates,
Our recent 45th Reunion was a terrific weekend of renewing friendships, rekindling memories and having a fun time. Many attending were enjoying their first Sc. 70 Reunion, and the following comments from a few are indicative of their experiences:
“Marion and I had a great time. Even though this was our first reunion, everyone was friendly and engaging. It was easy to fit back in.”
“Four of us [at our dinner table] were first timers. None had seen anyone else for 40 years and most for 45. It seemed like we had just returned from Christmas break except that we were a little heavier, grayer and moved a little slower."
“I met my physics lab partner at the reunion and had a wonderful time catching up on 45 years of work and play.”
“I wish we had done this sooner. I’m totally on for the 50th.”
We have collected many pictures of the 45th Reunion, and intend to post them on our Sc. 70 website (sc70.ca). If you have pictures, please send them to queensscience70@gmail.com. We also want to post on our website copies of the two slideshows shown at the Saturday dinner (In Memoriam, and photos from our four years at Queen’s), and a list of those who attended our 45th. Unfortunately, due to retirement we are losing the influence and moral suasion that gave us free access to the talent that created and has been maintaining our website. We are hoping that one of you has the modern-era skills to help us with the website, or has a child or close relative that would be prepared to help. If so, please email us at queensscience70@gmail.com.
The 45th Reunion was such a success that we are motivated to start now to plan for the 50th. An important part of maximizing the turn-out in 2020 will be making sure we can contact all of our classmates. For that reason, we are working towards expanding our list of current email addresses to include everyone. If you are receiving this letter by traditional mail, please send your current email address to us at queensscience70@gmail.com.
We also want to put on our website a list of those classmates for whom we don’t have a current email address. Once that list has been posted, please check it and let us know if you have an email address for any of the listed classmates.
Returning to our recent Reunion, one of the highlights of our Saturday dinner was a visit from the Dean of Engineering and Applied Science. After Dean Woodhouse updated us on the developments at Queen’s, we were able to announce that we had exceeded our $150,000 goal for the Science 70 Student Initiatives Fund by reaching $154,333. Thanks to everyone who helped achieve that goal.
Inspiring Future Generations of Engineers
Our class got involved in building the Science 70 Fund in 2006. Its focus is to support the initiatives of current Queen’s engineering students to enhance their university experience. Last month, the Dean has allocated this year’s Fund support to Queen’s Concrete Canoe team ($3,000) and Queen’s University Advanced Sounding Rocket team ($2,000). Check out the websites of those teams to learn more about these initiatives:
http://engsoc.queensu.ca/canoe/
http://quasr.ca/
Our time at Queen’s was enhanced by the generosity of the alumni who had preceded us. The Sc. 70 Fund is an opportunity for us to continue the tradition of giving back to Queen’s and its current engineering students. Reaching $150,000 over the past 9 years is impressive. Even more impressive is that we achieved this with only 20% of our class donating to our Fund. Many more of our classmates gave to Queen’s but did not direct their donations to our Fund.
Discussions during the Homecoming weekend confirmed to us that many classmates support the concepts surrounding our Fund. With that in mind, we have set a goal of building our Fund to $250,000 by the time of our 50th Reunion.
That goal is ambitious, but can be achieved through the following:
(1) past contributors continuing their support;
(2) classmates who donate to Queen’s general funds or other special areas instead directing their contributions to the Sc. 70 Fund; and
(3) everyone else becoming involved in supporting the Fund.
Donate to the Fund now
The Sc. 70 Student Initiatives Fund supports selected activities that you can actually see. Every donation to that Fund, no matter how large or small, will help to achieve the goal. Donors will receive a charitable receipt for income tax purposes. Please make your annual gift by visiting Queen’s secure on-line giving server here.
The good times that we shared at Queen’s are not over. Renewing relationships made at university can revive great memories, and our shared experiences can be the foundation for new friendships. Help us build toward the best Reunion yet in 2020 by checking our website (sc70.ca) from time to time to keep up on what is happening with Sc. 70 and the Fund!
We hope to see you at the 50th.
