1982

As spring and summer approach, we express hope that the well-being of our world, our country and the global economy will improve.

Recently, Tom Williamson shared with me wonderful memories of our Kellogg days. Tom, like me, has enjoyed 22 years with the same firm. He's a Deloitte executive with responsibility for the regional strategy and operations practice for 400 of Deloitte's practitioners. Over the years, he's worked in mergers and acquisitions and enterprise transformation, primarily consumer products and manufacturing companies.

With wife Kim and three sons Andy (15), Danny (12) and Jack (10), Tom lives in Lincoln Park in Chicago and still enjoys being on campus. These days, he recruits for Deloitte at Kellogg and elsewhere. Commenting on the Kellogg Centennial event that he attended, Tom said he felt very fortunate to have witnessed this milestone: "It was first-class and so much fun to see old friends and colleagues, including Ed Wilson. It was definitely a long way from the old 'TGs' on the second floor of Leverone!" Absolutely.

Diana Ingram reports a fulfilling 2008, with informative excursions to Chile, Argentina and Mexico, where she visited her goddaughter (3).

Kevin Murnane and his wife Mollie are enjoying life with daughter Maggie (3).They live near downtown Chicago and return to China later this year or early 2010 to bring home Maggie's younger sister. Kevin is teaching and coaching at both Kellogg and the master's program in learning and organizational change at Northwestern. As part of a team, he will teach the first Kellogg coaching class this spring. Kevin wants to hear personal stories — whatever the outcome — about your coaching experience. E-mail him at kmurnia@aol.com. Your anecdotes just might help the new generation at Kellogg.

Etsuko Nakajima, who retired last year from the financial world, is living her dream in the culinary arts. Late last year, she began her Spanish culinary tour, and most recently has been testing recipes and attending Spanish wine (sip) seminars (sip, sip). Ah, the good life, Etsuko.

I, like many Chicagoans, feel relief from what was a brutal winter. Despite the challenges, last year was another great year during which Morgan Stanley appointed me to its global wealth management diversity council, so my role is being expanded in a wonderful way that makes me proud. After 22 fine years as a wealth adviser, my expectation is that good outcomes continue. The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana welcomed me to its board last year, and again I will serve on its Camp CEO Advisory Council and complete my inaugural year on the Tribute to Achievement Committee. In a city that loves sports, I'm still a Chicago Sky (WNBA) season ticket holder and have discovered a new Chicago through its games and the loud fans who attend them.

A number of former classmates continue to express excitement about the presidential election and inauguration with hopes for a renewed sense of promise in 2009 and beyond. As one who remains in Chicago, I enjoy conversations with so many whose fond memories of the Chicago we came to know in the 1980s reflect brilliantly on the future of the city that groomed President Obama, and holds great promise for the 2016 Olympics.

And now, my appeal to the class of '82: In this year of promise, service and hope, it would be wonderful if for the next issue of Kellogg World you'd pour out stories of your special efforts at your favorite project, charity or/and the involvement of your children or others you treasure. And please e-mail me photos. Our class was always known as the best, and we can show it in the next issue.