I admit it—I am a newspaper junkie. When I am traveling, I buy the local paper, regardless of the locale. When I don’t read a newspaper for a few days, I become disoriented and crabby. Whether it be the sports section, the obituary section, or the front page, I find myself constantly gravitating to newspapers. They are a source of information, inspiration, humor, and serve for me as a lifeline between my job and the world that surrounds us.
This love of newspapers is an old one. I recall reading Newsday backwards as a young boy; after all, the box scores were at least as important as the Watergate-related headlines. Today, I still read the paper backwards, only this time it is the op-ed section that is the first to be perused.
To no one’s surprise, Haverfordians have immersed themselves in journalism. Our passionate interest in the world around us and our intellectual curiosity make us naturally suited to the profession. Journalists are recorders of history, but they are much more. As they inquire and enquire, they have become conduits of knowledge, spokespersons, and have even been deemed “the fourth branch of government.”
I am pleased an honored to have Haverfordian journalists as friends and colleagues, and am even more delighted that we have the opportunity to read articles by or about some of them in this issue. My first-year hallmate Kate Shatzkin ’87, and my fellow Alumni Association member Chris Lee ’89 are featured on pages 25 and 40, respectively. I first met Joe Quinlan ’75 when I was a student on some panel; he graciously pulled me aside after a meal in the Dining Center, and we have been friends ever since. Juan Williams ’76 is a gem of a human being, and has repeatedly spoken to my political science students. I recently bumped into a former student who told me that Juan’s discussion of the media and politics was the highlight of his college career.
These individuals are but a few of the many Fords who have distinguished themselves, and who have provided outstanding copy in this issue of our alumni magazine. I hope that you enjoy, even if you are not reading the issue backwards! I remain,
Sincerely,
Robert M. Eisinger ’87
eisinger@lclark.edu link to Alumni Association Executive Committee
Steve Schwartz, past parent and former Chair of the Parents' Fund, will donate $10,000 to the Parents' Fund in honor of the Class of 2003 if the Class can surpass the standing record of 66% participation set by the Class of 2001. Parents and students are welcome to make a contribution online at https://www.admin.haverford.edu/online-donations/donate.html; for more information please contact Elaine Haupt.
The Haverford website is a valuable resource for alumni. View photos of recent events in the Alumni Photo Gallery, register online for this year’s Alumni Weekend, sign up for e-mail
forwarding, update your address and contact information, obtain Career Development information, and see what your classmates are up to on your class’s own webpage. Visit: www.haverford.edu and click on “Alumni.”
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 (San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix,
Albuquerque, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Charlotte)
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.
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.
AAEC's Class of 1998 Challenge
In an effort to encourage annual giving participation by the members of the Class of 1998 at the 5th Reunion, the Alumni Association Executive Committee promises to contribute at least $50 for every member of the class who makes a gift to the Haverford Fund by June 30, 2003.