While students, faculty and staff celebrated the founding of Harvey Mudd College on Dec. 14 in the Hoch-Shanahan Dining Commons, alumni were having celebrations of their own at many locations around the globe. In addition to raising a glass to toast the signing of the charter on Dec. 14, 1955, alumni at 18 sites were treated to a pre-recorded 'toast' by dignitaries of the college that was sent prior to the satellite receptions. Visit the virtual scrapbook of all these receptions at http://alumni.hmc.edu/.

Participants toast HMC's 50th Anniversary during a reception at Saddle Rock in November. Sitting, from left: Barbara Patocka P00, Jean Platt, President Emeritus Joe Platt, Tracy Fox '07, Assistant Professor Elizabeth Orwin '95, Professor Emeritus Thomas Helliwell, Anne Kroeker P07, Dean of the Faculty Daniel Goroff. Standing, from left: Simon Stump '06, Board of Trustees Chair R. Michael Shanahan, President Jon Strauss, Malcolm Lewis '67 (50th Anniversary Celebration Committee Chair), Jed Levin '06, and Fred Pickel '74 (HMC Alumni Association Board of Governors President).

Regional Events Program Thrives

Under the direction of Associate Director of Annual Support and Alumni Relations Karen Taggart '77, effective alumni regional events planning continues to be an important effort in the Alumni Office. Be sure to visit the alumni Web site (http://alumni.hmc.edu/) to find an event in your area, or send e-mail to alumni@hmc.edu to offer suggestions. Meanwhile, here are a few events that occurred during the fall.

Mt. Baldy-- Alumni and students made their annual trek to the Mt. Baldy summit on Sunday, Sept. 18. As usual, they were led by alumnus Bill Hartman '62. Special thanks also to Jim Castelaz '06, who invited and organized the details for the students' transportation and meals.

"Othello" in Los Angeles-- On Nov.19, 37 alumni, faculty, students and guests gathered at the home of Robert De Pietro '69 for a delicious dinner, an insightful talk by Humanities and Social Sciences Chair and Professor Jeffrey Groves, and a trip to the A Noise Within Theatre to see "Othello." After the play ended, the actors came back onstage to talk and answer questions. Everyone enjoyed front-row views in the 150-seat theatre.

Check the Alumni Events Web page (http://alumni.hmc.edu/events.html) for events happening in your area, or contact the Alumni Office to suggest events at 909/621-8010 or alumni@hmc.edu.

Alumni Fundd Reminder

By now, each of you should have received the annual Alumni Fundd appeal detailing our goal for the year-50 percent participation for the 50th. To be more specific, we are asking for your help to:

1. Attain 50 percent participation among the alumni body as a whole.

2. Increase your individual giving by 50 percent as well to take part in the generous incentive program sponsored by the alumni members of the Board of Trustees.

As this year's Alumni Fundd Chair, I feel hopeful we can achieve these two goals. Why? We have reached them before. We achieved 51 percent participation in 1997-98. Last year, over 350 of us increased our giving by 50 percent to meet the Trustee Challenge. This alone added an additional $124,000 as well. We also have a special motivating factor-celebrating 50 years of excellence.

Your generosity today will help perpetuate the tradition of providing the academic foundation for tomorrow's scientific leaders. As you know, Harvey Mudd College is a good place to send your money.

Jon Mersel '75
2005-06 Alumni Fundd Chair

A Great Use for Past Bulletins!

Before tossing that old issue of the college magazine, consider ways of sharing the news of Harvey Mudd College with others. Leave a copy in the waiting room at your office. Or perhaps in the waiting room of your doctor, dentist or beauty salon-anywhere other reading material is displayed. Even consider taking it to a local high school, senior facility or church. Often these and other locations are delighted to have new reading material, and you serve the dual purpose of spreading the word about your alma mater to a wider audience.