Report from YAA Assembly and Convocation
November 16-17, 2023by Bill Crosby ’65, YAA Delegate
When John Pinney asked me to represent the Yale Class of 1965 at the Yale Alumni Association (YAA) for three years, I was a little fuzzy about what was involved. John arranged a Zoom session with the two classmates who have done this most recently, Dennis Mack and Bob Hammond. They were very persuasive, so now I am taking on this new role. I also received encouragement from Chris Kinney, who preceded Bob Hammond in this role, and from Bob Rounsavall who represented the Yale Club of Kentucky at the YAA in the past. The first assignment is to attend the annual Assembly and Convocation of the YAA, which was held this year on November 16 and 17, just before the Yale-Harvard football game. The next assignment is to report to the Class of 1965, so here is that report.
Participation in this YAA event was the first time I have been back to New Haven since our 50th reunion 8 years ago. The event ran like a well-oiled machine. Events began and ended on schedule. Meals were well planned and executed.
The theme of this year’s YAA gathering was “The Creative Economy at Yale: Innovations in Culture, Society and Technology.” There were a number of tours and programs offered.
November 16
The first selection for my wife, Connie, and me on Thursday morning was a tour of the two new residential colleges, Pauli Murray and Benjamin Franklin. I was impressed. While recently constructed, it felt like being back in one of Yale’s traditional colleges. We were guided by a very accomplished senior in Pauli Murray College, Hannah Oblak. The two new colleges are larger than most of the original colleges. Students assigned to the new colleges along with those assigned to Silliman and Timothy Dwight live in the college for all four years. Students in other colleges live on the Old Campus for freshman year, and then move into a college for the last three years just as we did.
After lunch there was a tour of the Schwarzman Center which includes new additions under and behind Commons where we all dined as freshmen.
Next was a class entitled “Design Agency and Urbanization Models: A Discussion of Architecture and Climate Change.” Professor Joyce Hsiang noted that humans are reshaping the planet. Some islands are disappearing. Architecture is changing to meet the new needs of humanity. She pointed out that the earth currently has a population of roughly 7 billion people. Some have projected that the earth’s population will level off at about 8 billion, but she was skeptical, noting that in the past there were projections that earth’s population would stop growing, and the projections were wrong.
Thursday night was the Yale Medal Dinner and Ceremony in Commons. The space was filled. Five alums received the Yale Medal this year. Then recipients of the Yale Medal during the Covid years who were present were called to the stage, since there was no in-person YAA gathering during those years. One of those honored in this group was our classmate, Bruce Alexander, who received the Yale Medal in 2020 for “his countless contributions to Yale and to New Haven.” The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of “Bright College Years.”
November 17
Here is a photo of the Yale campus taken from the Omni Hotel about 7am on November 17 before all the fog lifted.
The highlight of the Friday session was a presentation by Yale President Peter Salovey at 8:30am. He noted that the situation in the Middle East has impacted Yale. There have been a lot of demonstrations, but so far no injuries or serious damage. Yale has increased safety patrols. President Salovey reported that he has been in touch with both the Jewish Chaplin and the Muslim Chaplin. Students from Israel and Gaza have been contacted individually, and offered counseling. President Salovey condemned the October 7 attack on Israel. He said that Yale rejects violence, but accepts freedom of speech.
On other subjects:
• He noted that Yale is making a serious effort to reduce or eliminate student debt for graduates. 86% of Yale College students graduate with no debt. The Drama School is tuition free.
• He also pointed out that Yale is making a serious effort to increase its engineering program. This involves a 35% increase in funding.
• He explained that there is a new building being constructed at the Divinity School, which will actually improve the environment.
In conclusion Connie and I enjoyed the event, and look forward to next year.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Crosby
Class of 1965 YAA Delegate