The Grunge

Ray LaDriere with Ray LaDriere

As we were leaving the Royal Oaks Country Club (absolutely beautiful!) Ray LaDriere ’78 was filling us in on all of the construction at the Club which will be done this week.  Ray is in the know because he is the current President of the Club.

Ray’s good friend Dan Susie ’68 couldn’t let the photo op go by as Ray’s photo hangs in the entry way.

In true Liberal Arts fashion, Ray know everyone at the Club, wait staff on up, in a “we’re friends” way AND he has a handle on everything going on with the construction.

Sydney and Dan Susie ’68 with their mint 1957 Chevy

Had dinner Saturday night with Sydney and Dan at the Royal Oaks Country Club. (Tell CINCGRUNGE it was Whataburger!)  We were joined by Patrick Craine ’94 and his lovely bride Karen and Ray LaDriere and his lovely daughter Megan (a Domer!)

Sydney and Dan pulled up in a fully restored 1957 Chevy Bel Air two-door.  Even the guy driving a Bentley wanted to take a closer look.

The car has just been painted, the interior fully restored – it’s beautiful!  Dan wouldn’t let me cruise Dallas on Saturday night, though!

Beautiful!

You could eat off the engine.

Prof. Tobey Herzog H’11

Tobey Herzog is a great professor and a legend around here.  He’s also a class act through and through.  At Commencement he’s known as the Faculty Marshall (think faculty flight lead – he points and they follow).

Talked to Tobey after the ceremony…he has one more year as marshall before he rides into the retirement sunset.

Man, will he be missed…

President Pat White Rings Out the Class of 2013

The enthusiasm and love for Wabash College and her students shines on Pat White’s face. The hand of cards Pat was dealt during his tenure was not a good one – in fact it was a tough one to play.  He didn’t fold and he didn’t walk away.  He played them as Pat would – true to himself.

I’ve talked about Pat’s legacy before – no need to fill space today.  Suffice it to say – seven years of Wabash men can count on a wingman named Pat White for the rest of their days.  He will, as all good wingmen do, stay tucked in and available.  He’ll keep their 6 clear.

Pat White Leads the Seniors Through the Arch

Millikin – get a bell, a classic one, full of tradition and stories, on rush order.

One Proud Mom

There are the usual great photos and stories on the web about Commencement.  Please read them.  Please see the two talks by Riley and Jose on You Tube.  Those will make you proud of our guys and “this Good Place.”

Mother’s Day was almost perfect.  The sun was out and Commencement was in exactly the right spot – located between the Chapel and the mall drive leading to the rest of their lives.

Two Very Special Prizes

The real beauty of this day, for me, is to look at these young men, these difference makers, and t0 celebrate their achievements while at the same time eagerly awaiting their impact.  There’s a world-changing doctor in there, there’s a researcher who will find something better, there’s a teacher who will continue the Wabash tradition of changing people’s lives, and there’s at least one Dad who has taken the road less traveled and he alone will change the world.

Charles Hintz ’13 – On his way to teach in Africa

There when you need them!

Our 2013 Road Trip Crew – Rudy Altergott ’13, Andy Walsh ’14, and Kahlil Carazo ’14 are working with Mike Warren ’93 to put the finishing touches on this year’s Road Trip.

Their travels will take them out to the East – our biggest and longest adventure yet.

Rudy, Andy, and Kahlil teamed with the Schroeder Career Center team to use ‘Bash Bunks for overnight lodging.  It worked perfectly.  Wabash alumni opened their doors for our guys.  It’s just another way of saying Wabash is 4-LIFE.

Jacob Pactor ’04 in Action At Speedway High School

Jacob Pactor ’04, Class Agent and super-star alumni volunteer, is the author of a guest blog on recruiting and retaining better teachers.  Jacob knows what it takes to be a good one – he is!!!

Here’s the link.

Ronnie Posthauser ’15

Ronnie Posthauser is living the typical Wabash student’s life – full on and maxed out.  Right now he’s just finished finals and is on a two week immersion trip in Germany with Prof. Greg Redding ’88.

When he returns?  Division III National Championships in the 110 meter hurdles.

How many guys at other schools would be in Germany?  Not many, I’ll bet.

Read the story here in the Lafayette Journal Courier.

Matt Lohsi ’84 and his family

500 Festival Mini-marathon = 13.2 miles.  Necessary essentials = water.

Mini-marathon in Afghanistan = 13.2 miles.  Necessary essentials = water, plus gun, plus extra ammo…just in case.

Distance from Indianapolis, IN to Afghanistan  = Approximately 8,000 miles.

Running “together”as a family – priceless.

Matt Lohsi ’84 is deployed to Afghanistan.  He’ll be running in a mini-marathon on May 10th.  That mini is a part of a partnership with the 500 Festival Mini held this past weekend.  His lovely bride Colleen and daughter Karyn Joel ran in the 500 Festival Mini for him.

It’s a neat story – find it here.

The corner of Wabash and Grant

There’s a common definition of insanity out there – it goes something like this: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

OK – the Grunge is insane!  Maybe Cubs fans are as well?

The Tulips

Every year our superb Sodexo team plants the red tulips by the sign.  Every year I take photos of them.  Every year they never make it to Commencement.  Every year I keep hoping they WILL make it.

News flash – next year I’ll be hoping they make it.  Just like this year!