Sent: March 2022

Dear Class of ’72 Classmates,

It is hard to believe, but our 50th Class Reunion is scheduled for October 21-23, 2022! Some of you have returned to campus for other significant reunions and others may not have had the opportunity or inclination to return to Kalamazoo College to see how it has developed—and to reunite with your classmates. Our 50th reunion is not only the most significant one we can share, but it is also the “Ultimate” Reunion. After this, Class of ’72 reunion gatherings will not be automatically scheduled but will be supported by the Alumni Office “on request.” We urge you to consider embracing this chance to gather once more to get reacquainted with friends with whom you shared time while at K—and perhaps to gain a new perspective on classmates who were not in your circle of friends but may have much in common with you now.

Therefore,

• Save the dates of October 21-23, 2022. If/when you decide to join us, you can find a list of reduced rates for hotels.
• Share your suggestions for reunion events. K will coordinate our class photo and Saturday night reunion dinner, along with other Homecoming activities. How would you like to spend additional time with our classmates? For example, we know that many of our classmates, no matter their major or career paths, have explored their creative sides. We are organizing an exhibition of paintings, photography or sculpture from those who would like to participate. Please email us if you would like to participate and/or have other ideas for the weekend.
• Share a reunion update with your class. Please write a message to our class and include any information you would like to share, whether it be about your family, work, vacations, hobbies, or your favorite K memory. All completed class reunion updates can be viewed right away. Even if you can’t join us on campus, we’d love to hear from you.
• Join our Class of 1972 Facebook group. Our class Facebook group is a great way to connect with each other by posting photos of our time at K and discussing our reunion plans.

Please check your email and the homecoming website for reunion updates in the months to come. Online registration opens at the beginning of September.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a fun and exciting weekend for our class!

Sent: August 2022 via email

Greetings fellow members of the K College Class of ’72!

This is Pete Schmidt and I’m in the process of creating a class video including photos of the beginning, the past and after this reunion, the present. Thanks to the Alumni Office, I have electronic copies of yearbooks and (yes) our original “Baby Book”. I’m hoping to get copies of at least some of the group reunion photos taken over the years and photos I shot during the few reunions I attended over the years.

My collection for the first chapter is extensive but 50 years ago the quality was shaky at best. Chapter 2 is incomplete. Chapter 3 will be filmed Oct. 22.

My hope is to include shots (especially of any landmarks, achievements, fellow classmate get-togethers…that sort of thing. I hope to include a progression of reunion group photos as well if the Alumni Association (or you) make them available.

What I hope to get from you is:

• Electronic photos from your past after graduation that you would be willing to include.
• Suggestions for “theme songs” for our formative years and for this reunion period. My plan is to use Mary Hopkin’s “Those were the Days, My Friend” for the beginning. This video will not be a professional product but I have enough editing experience and the software to create a memento for you and for those unable to attend.

The current framework and early sample will be on YouTube shortly for your viewing pleasure. It will be marked “unlisted” as will the final product (meaning that you need the link to view it or pass it along). YouTube is pretty lenient about allowing this non-commercial use but on occasion blocks it in some countries.

Please submit anything you care to at either peter.c.schmidt0443@gmail.com or by text to 231.944.0089. Most formats are acceptable and I can edit/clean up photos.

Thanks!

Pete Schmidt

Sent via email on August 31, 2022

Dear Class of 1972 Classmates,

Our Kalamazoo College 50th reunion is October 21-23, 2022 and a celebratory weekend is being planned reconnecting with each other and our K community. Below are five things you can do right now to connect with our class and the College before our reunion.

Plan to attend October 21-23, 2022. Make your travel arrangements and book your hotel room now. You can find a list of hotels offering special prices for K alumni.

• Friday, October 21 at 5 pm: Class of 1972 gathering at Comensoli’s Italian Bistro and Bar 762 W. Main St. – appetizers and cash bar
• Saturday, October 22 at 9:20 am: Class of 1972 reunion photo at Stetson Chapel
• Saturday, October 22: Immediately following our class photo, we will have a Class of 72 exclusive tour of the campus guided by a member of the Advancement Office. They can provide updates on the changes to the campus over recent years, and this will also allow us the freedom to exchange stories of our memories of life on campus.
• Saturday, October 22 at 6:30 pm: Class of 1972 reunion celebration in the Banquet Room of the Weimer K. Hicks Center – $65/person – includes beer and wine
• Submit your post-graduation photos and K formative years “theme songs” to Peter Schmidt at peter.c.schmidt0443@gmail.com or text them to 231.994.0089.

Coming to campus early? We are organizing a special golf outing Friday morning. Butch Morrette has worked with K’s Director of Golf, Josh Burt, to reserve tee times at Milham Park Golf Club (the K Golf Team’s home course) on October 21 for around 10 a.m. We will have stress free Scramble competitions with some fun prizes for those who wish to play either 9 or 18 holes. If you are interested, please contact Butch as soon as possible so that we can finalize details with the Golf Club. His contact information is: bmorrette@aol.com or 330.673.8513.

Join the Class of 1972 Facebook group. Our class Facebook group is a great way to connect with each other by sharing a reunion update, posting photos of our time at K and discussing our reunion plans.

Help ensure each of our classmates gets personally invited. In addition to coming back yourself, please consider asking your friends to do the same. Personal outreach is the most effective way to ensure we get the Class of 1972 back on campus.

Please check your email and the homecoming website for reunion updates. Online registration opens Mid-September and you will receive an email and postcard in the mail when registration is open.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a fun and exciting weekend for our class!

All the best,

Arnold (Arnie) Campbell ’72
campbellam@hotmail.com

Martha (Marti) Larzelere Campbell ’72
campbellam@hotmail.com

Robert Kopecky ’72
rkopecky49@gmail.com