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of . Shortly after returning to my room , Bill Grimm and Randy Reynolds called me , disguising their voices and trying to prank me . After I caught-on to their shenanigans ( reminiscent of 50 years ago ), we called Bill Fisher and decided to go up to the restaurant bar for a night-cap . We found that the bar was closed for the night , so we walked back to the hotel , picked-up a six-pack from the hotel concessions , went to the second floor breakfast area , and commenced to telling war stories from our Willy days . John Koenigsberg arrived later and so we continued with the war stories until sometime after midnight .

On Friday , June 3 , 15 of us gathered at 7:45 a . m . in the Williamson dining hall for a continental breakfast , prior to Commencement . Those in attendance were : Harry Beach , Dale Carlen , Dave Churchman , Glen Dudley , Bill Fisher , Bob Fletcher , Bill Grimm , Dennis Hollenbach , Bob Hopkins , Randy Hummel , John Koenigsberg , Jim Kressly , Rich Mays , Randy Reynolds , and John Young . I should note that we did not have to stand for line-up prior to breakfast . After breakfast , we all walked to the Restall Sports Center to prepare for Commencement . Upon arriving at the Restall Sports Center , we were met by Williamson staff who outfitted 13 of us with gold robes and mortar boards . ( No , brickies , not that kind of mortar board .) We had lots of leisure time before Commencement which allowed us plenty of time to catch-up with each other . Then , lo and behold , Dave Peterman surprised us by showing up . Dave said he didn ’ t sign-up for any of the reunion festivities , however , he stated that he just wanted to see his classmates . Bill Fisher and Randy Reynolds who did not sign-up to process in with the graduates , welcomed Dave to join them for Commencement in their designated seating area . Dave , thank you . Although a brief visit , it was great seeing you ! At approximately 9:45 a . m ., we began our procession to the football field for the Commencement ceremonies . We were joined by the board of trustees , Williamson administration , faculty , staff , and , of course , the Class of 2022 . Following the National Anthem , beautifully sung by the Artisans , Williamson Chaplain Rev . Mark Specht 7W7 introduced Dave Churchman who gave the invocation . At the conclusion of Commencement , 13 of us , wearing the gold caps and gowns , stood in a receiving line to congratulate the 2W2 graduates and welcome them into our brotherhood . The Commencement was wellplanned by the entire Williamson team . God blessed us with beautiful weather .

At 6 p . m ., we gathered at the Concordville Inn for a social hour , prior to our reunion dinner at 7 . It was such a beautiful evening that most of us socialized in the outside patio area . This was the perfect vantage point for watching the arrival of our classmates . It was a beautiful thing , watching all the hugging

going on , true brotherly love , circa 1969 . By 7 p . m ., we were seated at our tables as we listened to Williamson president Michael Rounds congratulate us and give us a brief State of Williamson Address . He also made a comment or two about our classmates who had submitted their profiles for this reunion . President Rounds has just completed his ninth year as Williamson ’ s president . Under his leadership , our school has seen dramatic improvements , i . e . new dorms on campus , new programs added , increased student enrollment , and soon the new Joseph L . and Marion M . Wesley Student Center , just to name a few . Thank you , President Rounds , for joining us for our special occasion .

Following President Rounds , Dave Churchman greeted and welcomed the Class of 7W2 and their wives / guests . Rich Mays came to the podium to present President Rounds with our class gift . In his comments , Rich stated that he believes the most important word in the English language is the word “ others .” Rich said we have to constantly be asking ourselves , “ what can we do for others .” Rich said that our classmates who donated to our class gift did it for “ others .” With almost 60 percent of our class contributing to the gift , we were able to present President Rounds with a check for $ 77,681 . Our class president , Dennis Hollenbach , offered a toast to the Class of 7W2 , speaking eloquently about memories of our Williamson days and the bonds that were forged in 1969 . Dale Carlen came to the podium and shared reflections and memories before offering a beautiful blessing for our meal .

Our classmates who attended the reunion dinner are as follows : Harry and Deborah Beach , Walt Becker , Tim Benner , Gary and Diana Biddington , Dale and Bonnie Carlen , David Churchman , John Dell , Glenn and Susan Dudley , Keith and Cindy English , Bill Fisher , Bob and Patricia Fletcher , Norman Glass , Bill Grimm , Bill Herion , Dennis and Donna Hollenbach , Bob and Jane Hopkins , Randy Hummel , Tom Hunsinger , John and Terri Koenigsberg , Jim and Ursala Kressly , Rick and Karen Lentz , Rich Mays , Jerry Newswanger , Randy Reynolds , Steve Robinson , Jim and Patti Swiger , Bob Titter , Craig and Rita Walsh , and John and Carolyn Young .

After dinner , Bob Hopkins provided the entertainment for the evening with a 15-question trivia contest . Williamson donated three prizes for the top three winners . Everyone participated and had lots of fun .

Arlene Snyder , vice president for institutional advancement , briefly spoke about the role of the Office for Institutional Advancement . Mrs . Snyder announced that Randy Hummel joined the Wanamaker Society this weekend . To find out more about the Wanamaker Society , go to williamson . edu . Congratulations , Randy , and thanks for being

the first in our class to join the Wanamaker Society . Kelsey Turk , associate vice president for institutional advancement , presented each of us with a 50th reunion medallion to be worn throughout the weekend . Bob Hopkins led us in a tribute and moment of silence for our deceased classmates : Gary Charnock , Bob Hopson , Bob Feathers , David Scheffey , Frank Hull , Warren Hunter , Larry Stroup , and Mark Fair . Until we meet again , R . I . P . dear brothers . Kim Elliott from Lewistown , Pa ., is our only classmate that we cannot locate .

During the “ Open Mic ” portion of the evening , several guys spoke of their appreciation for their Williamson education and the impact that it ’ s had on their lives . Rich Mays announced that a 50-year-old mystery has been solved . Advancements in science , particularly with DNA research , recently revealed that Bill Grimm was , in fact , the son of Mr . Groh , and that Jerry Newswanger was , in fact , the son Mr . Bateman . This revelation brought lots of laughter and relief , now that the mystery has been solved . The evening concluded with Dave Churchman ’ s closing remarks and Dale Carlen leading us in the singing of our alma mater .

Our 50th reunion banquet was a huge success , thanks to the efforts of Kelsey Turk who worked tirelessly to ensure its success . Thank you to the 50th reunion committee for their dedication to a year of phoning and emailing classmates and participating in phone conferences with Kelsey . Thank you : Bob Hopkins , Jim Kressley , Dale Carlen , Rich Mays , Dennis Hollenbach , John Young , and Dave Churchman . The committee would like to express their appreciation to all of their classmates who made the effort and sacrifice to attend the reunion and / or contribute to the class gift . Thank you , gentlemen . Bill Herion “ takes the prize ” for traveling the farthest from Sacramento , Calif . A special thanks goes to Carl Vairo , Williamson ’ s director of PR and communications , for taking photos throughout our weekend and then providing us with a keepsake thumb drive of those photos . Carl is also responsible for the publication of The Williamsonian , in which you will find these class notes .

Saturday , June 4th , Alumni Day , was another beautiful day . Some of us gathered in Alumni Hall at 9:00 a . m . for an Alumni Memorial Chapel service , lead by Rev . Mark Specht 7W7 . Our classmate Mark Fair was included in the list of alumni who had passed away during the past year . Their photos flashed across a large screen displayed at the front of the room . Each of us conjured up a memory of Mark after seeing his photo displayed . After the service , one of our freshmen , George Else C-22 , came up and introduced himself . George was most excited to see Bob Fletcher who was George ’ s senior . George spoke highly of Bob as one of his favorite seniors who treated him

fairly . At 10 a . m ., our class attended a luncheon , as invited guests of President Rounds , giving us another opportunity to spend time together . We spent the rest of the day touring shops , loading up on merchandise at the school store , and just enjoying each other ’ s company .

On Saturday evening , our class was invited as guests of the school to attend the Alumni Banquet at the Springfield Country Club . There were 13 of us who attended the banquet along with eight spouses . In his opening remarks , Alumni Association president John Rex 7W5 congratulated our class for our 50th anniversary . Members of our 50th reunion committee were invited to the podium to , once again , present our class gift to President Rounds .

On Sunday morning , those of us staying at the Concordville Inn , met for a long breakfast before departing for home . We didn ’ t want to leave . We didn ’ t say any good-byes , just “ See ya later !”

I hope these notes find you safe and healthy , especially our brothers in Florida affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian on Sept . 29 . Until next time , stay healthy and may God bless and watch over you and your families .

Dave “ Church ,” A-9

Tim Kain 7551 Siena Blvd . Myrtle Beach SC , 29572 Cell : 302-528-8614 trkain @ netscape . net trkain5189 @ gmail . com

Classmates ,

Well , gentlemen , in about seven months we will be celebrating our 50th reunion at Williamson . Hard to believe , but here we are . I went to Commencement last June to try and get a feel for what it will be like . Needless to say , there have been a lot of changes since we graduated in a tent on the front lawn in 1973 . Graduation is now held on the football field which is awesome . The Class of ’ 72 was well-represented and Dave Churchman gave a great speech . The school is in the process of building a student center that overlooks the football field and it is an impressive facility . It should be completed well before June . I must admit it , you get a special feeling when you get back on campus and start reminiscing in your head all of the good times and the bad we had during our three years at Willy Tech . I went up to the Brick Shop and spoke to some of the students . Just like us , they were anxious to get home for the summer and get to work . I am glad I went back ; it was definitely worth the trip . I bumped into Bob McNabb and we had a chance to catch up . He has been working with the Alumni Association for a while and they are going through some changes . Bob , I hope things work out for everyone in the end . It was good to catch up with you , Bob , and thanks for your help with some email contacts .