When I was an undergraduate, I occasionally visited Roach and O’Brien, and distinctly recall going there when alumni were in town. We would chat with the older, wiser alums, obtaining hints about finding jobs or internships, or reminiscing about what Haverford was like back in the day. Today, I now find myself one of those older alums, who is being questioned about life ‘back’ in the ’80s. At the risk of employing an overused cliché, my how time flies when you are having fun.

My tour of duty serving as the president of the Alumni Association will end in June. It has been a pleasure and an honor. Two years in this capacity remind me once again how proud I am to be have graduated from Haverford, and more importantly, how privileged we are to be blessed with close college friendships and a College committed to excellence

I am especially excited about Haverford’s present and future. Part of this job has entailed chatting with students – in committee meetings, between or during meals, or perhaps while walking from one part of campus to another. At the risk of embarrassing certain current students, I will single out a few anyway. Scott Simpson ’04, Joe Sacks ’05, Ted Cleary ’04, Jon Debrich ’05, and Lauren Hradecky ’05 are but a few of the students I am pleased to have known. Scott’s passion for jazz, Joe’s interest in party politics, and Ted’s interest in and knowledge of business are contagious. They represent our alma mater well. After meeting each of them, I am left believing that their charisma and intelligence will help make the world a better place.

I recently met Jon and Lauren, Haverford’s current student government co-presidents, at Leadership Weekend this past October. Once again, these two students possess that rare combination of wit, smarts, and panaché. They listen well. They recognize their limitations, questioning authority (the administration) as they simultaneously determine when to defer to authority’s expertise. They are bright, as are their futures beyond Haverford.

Time at Roach’s on the Saturday night of Leadership Weekend allowed me to converse with alumni of different vintages. Again, at the risk of mentioning only two persons, I will note that conversations with David Spitulnik ’76 and Tal Alter ’98 served as poignant reminders that Haverfordians are both inquisitive and thoughtful. David and I met years ago when I lived in Chicago; we found ourselves chatting about politics and sports at various alumni events. This past fall we reconnected, and found ourselves once again speaking candidly about our favorite (and least favorite) politicians, sports teams, and professors. Tal and I met by accident at Roach’s, only to learn that we have mutual family friends and intellectual interests.

I would be remiss if I did not reveal my appreciation for members of the Board of Managers. Their love of Haverford, combined with their sense of purpose and generosity, is truly remarkable. Barry Zubrow ’75, Cathy Koshland ’72, and so many others too numerous to name have steered, prodded, and guided Haverford both imaginatively and constructively. I am grateful for coming to know them, and hope that more of you get to do so in forthcoming years.

In each of these encounters, one overarching theme prevails. Most Haverfordians are decent, honorable men and women who appreciate life’s complexities and challenges. By decent I do not mean ‘tolerable’ or ‘passable’ but rather genuinely and sincerely kind. These alumni, and so many others, care about the world in which we live, think about ways to improve the lives of others, and then pursue a course of action, leaving their mark without a trace of hubris.

To those Haverfordians not yet connecting or reconnecting to the College, I ask that you contact me, or perhaps a classmate or long-lost friend. The future of Haverford is bright, in large part because of all of you. Your intellectual and financial generosity is needed now more than ever. Haverford College is a beacon of excellence, and will remain so with the continued support of its alumni volunteers.

Hope to see you on campus soon.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Eisinger ’87

Alumni Association Executive Committee

LAMBDA List-serve
LAMBDA, the Alumni Association’s network of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and interested alumni, has been maintaining an e-mail list-serve. To subscribe, send the following message to listproc@haverford.edu: subscribe lambda-alumni, your name, and class year. For more information about this and other LAMBDA activities, please contact the Alumni Office or Theo Posselt ’94 at: tposselt@dc.com.

Regional Societies
Great things are happening in your area!

“Welcome Freshmen” parties, informal alumni gatherings, visits from faculty, staff, and President Tritton, campaign celebrations, and much more! For complete information about these or any upcoming alumni events, visit the online Regional Events Calendar, accessible from: www.haverford.edu. Click on “Alumni,” then “Regional Events.” This calendar is updated frequently, so be sure to check back often.

Also, the Haverford Alumni Office recently has been visiting several key cities around the country in an ongoing effort to recruit Regional Leaders to host future alumni events. Do you have an idea for a successful regional event? Are you interested in learning how to become a Regional Leader? Contact the Alumni Office at 610-896-1004 for details.

Alumni Admission Volunteers Needed
Alumni volunteers are needed in the following states to assist in interviewing propective students and attending college fairs. Send an email to alumni@haverford.edu or call (610) 896-1002.

Additional Volunteers Needed:
California (Kent, Davis, Oakland, Berkeley), Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, ITNERNATIONAL, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri (Kc and StL), New Hampshire, New York (Rochester, Staten Island, Long Island, Bronx, Queens, Queensbury, Pine Bush), North Carolina (Charlotte), Ohio, Oregon (Portland), Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Doylestown, Allentown, Royersford, Bensalem), Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin

No Current Volunteers:
Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming

Admission Volunteers Needed: Baltimore, Boston, NYC, and Beyond
Regional volunteers plan events that help alumni, parents, and friends keep in touch with Haverford and become active members of their local Haverford community.

The Admission Office is looking for helpful volunteers, especially in the Baltimore, Boston, and New York City metropolitan areas. For more information, contact the alumni office at (610) 896-1004, or alumni@haverford.edu.