1980

As an undergraduate, I sometimes pictured "the alumni" as a monolithic mass of gray-haired men wearing Indian pants, their faces reddened by the New Hampshire wind and pre-game cocktails. These men rested comfortably on the folded-down tailgates of their station wagons, just right for those weekend drives up from Boston. They and their wives glowed with the aura of financial success, not to mention the pleasant tingle of one or two gin and tonics.

Although my idea of what alumni are may once have had some foundation in truth, that foundation has crumbled like a stone wall after a hard winter. We have met "the alumni," and they is us. We are men and women, black and white, and we are younger even than Dan Quayle. We have roamed across the girdled earth well beyond New England. We are the world, we are having children.

Today's alumni will not be found at a tailgate party. Look for them instead in the labor and delivery room of their local hospital, helping bring a member of the class of 2011 into the world. (And when today's alumni tell you that all they do is work, don't believe them. All these babies didn't just show up on their own. Enough of this aspect of alumni activities, however, before I once again destroy my chances of being named secretary of the year.)

John Coco and wife Noelle Thabault announce the January 4 birth of their son, Aildrew Scott. Coco-nut (that's a Carothersism) still lists Bethesda as his home port.

March was booming with babies. Grantand Aane (Daigneault) MacEwan welcomed a daughter, Katherine Anne, on March 1. Brent and Cami (Crone) Bilger greeted Christen Cameron on March 19.

Paul Elmlinger, with wife Jennifer's help, brought Alexa Reed into the world on March 14. Paul is a vice president in the legal department of the investment management firm of Scudder, Stevens & Clark.

Rona and Jeff Citrin added son Andrew Frazer to their family on March 10. Andrew will enjoy playing with his two-year-old sister Alex who, according to Jeff, is learning English faster than Jeff ever learned a new language under Professor Rassias. Jeff is moving his happy family to the 'burbs, Stamford, Conn. Meanwhile, Jeff is a vice president with Chemical Realty Corporation. Having retired from the practice of law three years ago, Jeff reports that he much more enjoys being the client than being the humble attorney.

Lori and Rob Rough are moving from San Mateo, Calif., to Little Rock, Ark., along with daughter Chandler Lilian, born April 12. Rob is leaving Touche Ross to become chief financial officer for Acadia Markets Corporation, a 60-store supermarket chain.

Emily (Lisberger) Vitale and husband Tom are celebrating the arrival of daughter Caroline Keenan, born April 23. The Vitales call New York City home.

With all these babies, and more on the way, I understand why my cousin works at Gerber six days a week. Reunion planners, please take note that the pitter patter of little feet will be heard under the big tent next summer,

That's all for now. We, "the alumni," have changed. The College has changed. Change is constant. It's when we stand still that we need to worry.

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