1979

As I write this, I am still basking in the warm afterglow of a very successful 30th Reunion. It was great to catch up with so many of our classmates. Seventy-five classmates and guests attended from all over the world, which apparently was a record for a 30th reunion. More importantly, we set a record for a class gift, with $1,033,648 donated as of Reunion! Although a record 25 percent of our class participated in the gift, which will fund a partial Class of '79 scholarship, we can do better. We have until Aug. 31 to bring the total to $1.5 million, which will fund a full Class of 1979 scholarship. So please visit alumni.kellogg.northwestern.edu/reunion/reunion-gift.htm for details on how to add to the 1979 Class Gift.

Thanks also to Jerry Cohen, Bill Ecker, Harry Kraemer, Steve Sherman and Tom Toy for hosting a Class of '79 panel on "The Global Economic Outlook." Over 400 alumni got a chance to see what a Kellogg education combined with 30 years of work experience is really capable of!

Space does not allow me to print all the news from the Reunion, but please check out our Classbook online at: auth.kellogg.northwestern.edu/Alum/Reunion/1979_Classbook.pdf (you will need your Alumni ID and password to access this).

Special thanks to Hiro Matsuzaki from Japan, who traveled the furthest to attend the Reunion. Hiro writes: "I had a rather busy year, with activities for the academic as well as social associations I belong to as a member. An advisory role for a couple of companies also marked up my calendar itinerary, including a special global educational project. In sum, the project's goal is to communicate that there are differences in the world, including different histories, cultures, religions etc. With this spirit, the program hopes we can avoid hatreds and discrimination derived from ignorance, which could eventually eliminate war. The 'Future School of Global Education' was incorporated and registered on Dec 1, 2008 as a nonprofit institution. I was nominated as the president of the organization. With nine other directors/advisers, we will endeavor to disseminate the idea and to implement this social activity in 2009.

"Great expansion was seen in the Matsuzaki family in 2008. A baby boy was born on July 22 for Yusuke (No. 2 son) and his wife Sayuri. The very next day, a baby girl arrived for Kohei (No. 2 son) and his wife Miwa. Two cats (Teto and Licus) are naughty as ever and are cutely offering us a healing atmosphere."

Also from the irrepressible V.J. Singal: "I have published the third edition of my book The Articulate Professional (verbalenergy.com). Also, before the Reunion, I was invited to speak to the Kellogg Public Speaking Club on 'Capturing the Moment: Some Simple Verbal and Nonverbal Skills for Creating a Highly Favorable First Impression.' To my amazement, about 400 students signed up, but the room could accommodate only about 110 (with some 40 standing or seated on the floor), so unfortunately some 290 had to be turned away."

Finally, I wanted to mention that July 1 will be the first anniversary of My Life Story, Inc., the image preservation business I started with my family (MyLifeStoryNow.com). I've heard that many enjoyed the Class of '79 video that we put together for the Reunion dinner and I have donated copies of the DVD to help raise additional Class of '79 funds. More details on purchasing the DVD can be obtained from Katie at the Kellogg School of Management at 847.491.3348 or via e-mail at katie-taylor@kellogg.northwestern.edu.