The Class of 1966 has met in many locations including Mesa , Ariz ., Coronado , Calif ., Clearwater Beach , Fla ., Medora , N . D ., and Coeur d ’ Alene , Idaho .
Mahowald continued to plan the class reunions and be the glue that is so important in keeping a class connected until his passing in 2001 , five months after their sixth reunion in Coronado , Calif . The reunions didn ’ t stop after Mahowald ’ s passing . In fact , they became more important with the " Sixty-Sixers " deciding to meet every two years from then on . Coordination of the reunions passed to Robert Wheeler until 2013 , then the unofficial position was passed to Gerszewski . A core group of the class , which includes Gerry Galloway and Tim Keating , has nurtured and enjoyed remaining connected , thus the reunions continue . The spouses have also bonded with each other and the class over the years and continue to be an important and integral part of the equation . The glue keeping the class connected remains strong to this day .
You share experiences with your classmates , whether you were friends at the time or not . You are likely the same age as your classmates , had the same professors , and bonded by being together in the same time and place for several years . “ We were the first class under Dean Jerrold Walden and for some unknown reason , really bonded ,” said Gerszewski of the Class of 1966 ’ s connection . recalled Gerszeweski , “ especially impressive was the technology .”
The UND Law Class of 1966 met 59 years ago when they entered law school . They graduated shortly after and went their separate ways to practice law and live their lives . Why have they stayed connected throughout all these years ? What is their secret ? Why do they continue to do it ? “ The reunions are a lot of fun through getting together with good friends and their spouses ,” says Gerszeweski , “ Perhaps , at this point in life , that is reason enough .”
The next reunion for the UND Law Class of 1966 is scheduled for 2024 in Coronado , Calif .
UND School of Law is happy to assist with class reunion planning . Creating a memorable event tailored to your class is important to us . We offer support , timelines , resources , and guidance free of charge to make the reunion planning easy for your committee . For more information , please contact Beth Moe at 701-777-2856 or beth . moe @ UND . edu .
In the early years , reunions provided a much-desired escape from the harsh winters , and , at each reunion , the bonds forged in law school were reinforced and grew even stronger . Reminiscing about the past is perhaps the most enjoyable part of a reunion . Sharing stories with one another is an important part of reconnecting . It can be amazing how fast those memories and feelings come back . For the Class of 1966 , their favorite memory occurred in 1964 while sitting in Contracts II . They heard through open windows , via a battery-powered megaphone , Larry Jahnke and the late Honorable “ Sparky ” Gierke say , ‘‘ Dean Walden convicts without due process .”
Gerszeweski laughed . “ We will probably smile thinking about that as we take our last breath on this Earth .”
The 50-year class reunion was Gerszeweski ’ s favorite . The reunion took place in Grand Forks in 2016 and was hosted by UND School of Law . Seventeen of the 42-member class attended . “ I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to interact with several of the student volunteers and the faculty ,” said Gerszeweski .
The reunion included a private tour of the UND School of Law that just completed a remodel and addition the previous year . “ It was a real eye opener ,”
STEVEN A . STORSLEE
IN PERSON OR BY ZOOM EXPERIENCED MEDIATION
� 40 years as a civil litigator
� 25 years as a mediator
� Substantial experience in all types of civil cases
Storslee
Law Firm , P . C .
Phone : ( 701 ) 226-3550 steve @ storsleemediation . com P . O . Box 996 , Bismarck , ND 58502-0996 www . storsleemediation . com
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