1980

The 2010 Census illustrates the continued migration of Americans from the established population centers of the north and east to the sprawling lands of the Sunbelt. At matriculation our class boasted representation from each of the fifty states but you could count the students from many of the western and southern states on one hand. A disproportionate number of our fellow students hailed from the greater New York and Boston metropolitan areas, as many still do today: Boston and New York continue to reign supreme, with nearly a third of our classmates settled in or around these two cities. But there have been significant shifts among other regions. More of us now live in Virginia and Texas than in Illinois and Ohio, and more classmates now reside in California than in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania combined.

By returning to their hometowns of Little Rock and Omaha, Dana Abraham and Ted Bridges maintain solitary state outposts in Arkansas and Nebraska.

It is difficult to believe that as recently as 1970 Orange County, California, was the nations top producing agricultural county. With a current population in excess of 3 million, Orange County is now the second most populous county in California and sixth biggest nationwide. And no wonder everyone is moving there! In Orange County you can find great weather, world famous cultural attractions, spectacular coastlines and Rob Speidel. Rob, his spouse, Leslie, and their two young daughters live in Newport Coast, the coastal community directly south of Newport Beach. As head of research for an investment management firm that services high net worth individuals Rob has not only been able to implement strategies that mirror his core investment philosophy but also dabble in an area of personal interest: environmentalist investing. For more than 20 years Rob has sought and made investments in companies that are focused on improving the environment, through either their own actions (i.e., energy efficiency) or product introductions (i.e., wind farms). Since last springs reunion Rob has reacquainted himself with another Orange County-based private equity investor who, like him, is an East Coast transplant with young children: classmate Andy Graham.

Just a century ago St. Louis, Missouri, was a world stage and the nation's fourth largest city, host to both an Olympic Games and Worlds Fair. Back then it was St. Louis, the "Gateway to the West," that reaped the benefits of westward migration. St. Louis reached its peak in 1950 before losing half its population and sliding 50 places in the city rankings in the 50 years that followed. But according to the latest census, St. Louis is growing once again, and these numbers were tabulated before Rick Gemberling decided to forsake his beloved New Jersey for St. Louis to pursue a career opportunity there. Something stirred inside me as I listened to Rick talk about the city's rich history, enthusiasm for sports, lovely gardens and parks and world-class symphony orchestra. I must admit he sounded like me talking about my adopted Philadelphia. With Rick as St. Louis resident and enthusiastic spokesperson, how long can it be before the rest of us follow?

111 Arbor Place, Bryn Mawr, PA19010; (610) 581-8889; ffesnak@yahoo.com; 3201 W. Knights Ave., Tampa, FL 33611;(813) 300-7954; robdaisley@mc.com