1954

1954

Dan McCarthy’s new book is Hammer and Silicon: The Soviet Diaspora in the U.S. Innovation Economy— Immigration, Innovation, Institutions, Imprinting, and Identity. This deeply personal book tells the untold story of the significant contributions of technical professionals from the former Soviet Union to the U.S. innovation economy, particularly in the sectors of software, social media, biotechnology, and medicine. Drawing upon in-depth interviews, it channels the voices and stories of more than 150 professionals who emigrated from 11 of the 15 former Soviet republics between the 1970s and 2015 and who currently work in the innovation hubs of Silicon Valley, Boston, and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1950-1958

From our intrepid swimmer Steve Mullins, “I won the 400-meter free at the Pan American championships last weekend, including breaking the 85-plus record by 45 seconds. It was the fastest race I have had in years (25 seconds faster than Budapest Worlds last year).”

Yesterday as coming home from the YMCAI was listening to NPR and heard a detailed report about what was going on in Turkey. At the sign off the speaker was identified as Peter Kenyon (Jr.)—the son of our Pete Kenyon.

Pete updated us on the ’54 projects committee annual report, saying that in 2017 the class raised a very sizeable amount to be placed in an endowment fund to continue the financing of internships after the class is unable to do so. This amount has been invested, and the annual interest will be used to support the funds required to continue these projects. In 2018 these funds provided 50 percent of the funds required. This allows the class to sponsor or increase support to other key projects. Also, the class finances a book chosen and placed in the library in the name of each deceased classmate. The book’s title and name of the author are sent to our classmate’s widow. The fund outgrows the spending.

We are sad to announce the passing of Philip De Turk, George Fitzgerald, Ralph Gardner Griffin Jr., and Valentine Grundman.

—Wayne Weil 246Ridge Road, Rutherford, NJ07070; (201) 933-4102; wayne@dartmouthgraphics.com