50th Reunion of the Class of 1967:

First Reunion Held in CNU's

Klich Alumni House

Text by A. Jane Chambers

Photos by the 

Christopher Newport Office of Alumni Relations

          Buckets of rain did not seriously interfere with Friday's Golden Celebration of the Class of 1967, the first class reunion at Christopher Newport held in the recently completed Gregory P. Klich Alumni House. The above photo, taken at the end of the Dinner and Program, shows (L-R) Wade Williams, Raoul Weinstein (first track coach and math instructor), Bill Smith, Dave Hall, Dalton Blankenship, Jane Chambers (professor emerita), Lois Wright (1st graduate), and Edna Taylor. A number of class members unfortunately had left before this photo was taken. Maybe the class portrait should have been taken before the dessert and champagne toast.

          Shown above left is Baxter Vendrick, Director of Alumni Relations, who was Master of Ceremonies. Shown right is Ross Snare IV, Alumni Society President, another major participant in Friday's program, with John Morris ('70) and his wife, Kimberly. John was instrumental in getting the first tennis team started at CNC.

          CNU's Rector of the Board of Visiters Scott Millar (standing, L) chats with Bill Smith ('67)and his wife, Nita. Scott, previously the alumni president, was encouraged to attend then-CNC in the 1980s by relatives (and professors) Al Millar and Marshall Booker. Bill and Nita are very active members of the CNC First Decaders. Also very active First Decaders are Norman ('66) and Dalton ('67) Blankenship, shown above right with Scott Millar's wife, Muriel, an alumna who is a major member of the Alumni Society.

          CNC's first track coach (2nd L above), Raoul Weinstein, poses with some of CN's first star athletes: Norman Blankenship (1st L), Wade Williams (3rd L), Bill Smith, and Dave Hall. The "most sports award" in the first decade goes to Dave (track, flag football, and tennis). Wade is a very active First Decader, serving on our leadership Crew and manning the charcoal grill at each annual September Picnic in Newport News Park. He's also written articles for our website.

          Two highlights before the meal were the presentation to non-AA degree 1967 class members of Honorary Alumni Certificates and, for both degree and non-degree members, the Pinning Ceremony, during which 50 year Alumni Lapel Pins were given. Photo left above shows Alumni President Ross Snare IV giving Michael Coburn his certificate. Photo right shows Tom Lockard being pinned by his wife, Barbara. Tom was also CNC's third alumni president.

          CNU President Paul Trible was able to stop by during the cocktail hour. He's pictured here (above L) greeting Pam Hall, wife of Dave Hall ('67). The reunion was also a special treat for AA degree recipient Edna Taylor and her husband, Donald (photo R). At age 17, with his parents' permission, Donald joined the Navy to fight in WW2. He served on a battleship in the Pacific while CNC's first Captain, Scotty Cunningham, was commanding a PT boat in that same area, along with John F. Kennedy.

          Raoul Weinstein (above L) holds the two books he authored--Become a Man of Confi-Dance and Precalculus Mathematics: A Fundamental Approach--before placing them on a shelf in the Library Room. Christopher Newport professors, coaches, staff and students are invited to donate copies of their published books for these shelves in the Alumni House. The second photo shows baritone Steven Field ('16) enchanting First CNC Graduate Lois Wright ('62) with his rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening," distracting her entirely from her filet mignon meal. Other young CNU students who serenaded the party-goers were soprano Stephanie Swift ('17) and the group CNU Voices.

          Because of the rain, the Candlelight Ceremony this year had to take place inside the Freeman Center Field House (photo above). Class of 1967 members who attended were seated on the stage and Dalton Blankenship had the honor of lighting the first candle. The sea of lights is always impressive, as this event is attended by almost all of the current graduating students, numbering over 1200. (CNU photo)

          Here we five are in our reserved seating on the front row, before the procession of faculty and students began. From the left are Dalton ('67) and Norman ('66) Blankenship, "Dr. Jane," Wade Williams ('67), who forgot to wear his academic stole, and First Track Coach Raoul Weinstein.

          Despite the rain, all in all this fifth 50th Class Reunion on the lovely campus of CNU was a great success. Comments from some attendees are in this issue's FEEDBACK (below). In this article we could show only 14 photos of the 106 taken by the Alumni Relations staff, plus 1 picture (Candlelight Ceremony) taken by CNU Photography Staff. Happily, all of the 106 taken by the Alumni Relations staff have be sent to all Class of 1967 members who attended the Reunion. Anyone who did not attend but would like to see these additional photos can contact me at the email below.

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We welcome your FEEDBACK. Send to

cncmemories61_71@yahoo.com.

Published May 26, 2017