Class Letter

I have a confession.

You see, I just got home from a tremendous afternoon spent with a number of our classmates in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to kick-off planning for our 25th reunion next summer. Syd Williams’ parents hosted a motley bunch including Frederick Ilchman and Greg Fitzgerald down from Boston, Greg Delts up from New York, George Knight from New Haven, Syd and me from Fairfield County. Brian Jurek in Maine, Lee Hansen in California, and Joe Kaufman from New York joined us by telephone. It was really great to catch up and spend some time thinking about Deerfield and the independent cast of characters that constitute the class of ‘85.

I don’t connect with classmates nearly as much as I’d like (98% my own fault—I blame all of you for the other 2%), but whenever I do, I’m always amazed at how time melts away and the common bond of the Deerfield experience endures. The reunion presents us with a golden opportunity to rally the whole class back to the Pocumtuck Valley and the time to reconnect, reminisce, and recreate.

Now here’s my confession: I kind of didn’t want to go today.

Don’t get me wrong. I have the greatest respect for those who have ever volunteered their time to make phone calls on behalf of Deerfield. The effort is necessary, effective, and largely thankless. That said, the only thing that I look forward to less than receiving those calls is the prospect of making those calls. Not my thing. Really not my thing.

But this is different. And I found myself pleasantly surprised by what we decided. Our reunion campaign, which we’ve christened 85@25, is not about building a new dorm or funding a soccer field or a space ship (does Deerfield have a space program yet?), but about you. The goal of the group that met today is to get everyone back to DA for the 25th, simply because we miss you.

As I was reminded, our class is notable for its diversity of experience. In addition to those of us who have found success on Wall Street or in Fortune 500 companies, this is an entrepreneurial bunch. A lot of us have spent time, or indeed much of our careers, in non-traditional pursuits. Many have hung out a shingle and created businesses on their own. The Class of 1985 features a varied mix of business owners, architects, executive chefs, video game developers, academics, agriculturists, museum curators. One even tried to make it in TV and movies. He was last seen on an island. I often wonder whatever happened to him…

Together we’ve got amazing experiences to share, offering the ideal ingredients for great conversations and surprising chances to network. So don’t miss out. Save June 10th through 13th for our 85@25 reunion.

In keeping with the character of the class of 1985, part of our class gift is envisioned as community-focused, with a service component that would leverage the many talents and resources of our class to improve the lives of others. You will be hearing more about that as the concept takes shape.

So, yes, I will be calling you. And others will be reaching out as well. So don't be surprised to hear some voices for the first time in years. The other 2% is up to you. See you next summer!

Best,

Jeff Downing