1975

1975

Time to catch up with a few folks that I have not connected with in...years. First, Matthew Johnsen, who lives and works in Worcester, Massachusetts, combining his passions for music, sociology and a new passion for social enterprise and social business. He states, “On a sabbatical from the Worcester State University sociology department and center for social innovation, I took a four-month trip to study social enterprises and to teach in Africa, Europe and Asia. I ended in Bangladesh, where I had an opportunity to learn about the work of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who founded the Grameen Bank and microfinance.”

Matthew has been married to Fran Williams for 36 years and they have two daughters and two grandchildren. In addition to his work as a full professor, Matthew serves as musical director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester. He also performed with the Christmas Revels in Cambridge, performing for about 20,000 each year in a long musical tradition. So, when do we hear you play at Rollins Chapel?

I recently received a fresh-off-the-press copy of The Crowdfunding Handbook by Cliff Ennico, which was officially released on May 16. If you did not already know, Cliff is a syndicated columnist, author, professional speaker and lawyer. If you want to know more about crowdfunding, just take a look at Cliff’s YouTube channel; yes, you heard that right. This is a hot topic that has had an impact on the funding of innovative, early-stage companies. You really should check out Cliff on YouTube, the guy can speak.

In a truly bizarre twist, I reached out to Bill Meili and my call was forwarded to his cellphone. The cellphone happened to be in his hand in the back seat of a taxi in Rio de Janeiro, where he and his wife, Karen, were preparing to attend daughter Katie’s bronze medal-winning turn in the Olympic pool. It was great catching up with a fellow Middle Fayerweather dweller. The Meilis live in Texas, where Bill is a practicing attorney and a retired reserve colonel in the U.S. Army. Congratulations to the whole family on a super result in Rio—especially to Katie!

Regarding the past class secretary, Jim Bildner, The Boston Globe recently ran a piece regarding Jim’s work at the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. The foundation seeks to support social entrepreneurs who address complex issues such as gun violence, racial injustice and the digital divide. Perhaps he and Matthew ought to compare notes— good to see our classmates giving back.

In a last gasp I note that my roommate Peter Castle returned to the pond in an eight-man scull for a reunion with fellow 60-something junior Olympians of the Litchfield Rowing Association. I think Katie’s time might have been faster.

Go Green football; and everything else, for that matter!

—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com