Colgate Class of 1980

Thie receives inaugural Balmuth Award - Colgate University News

2010-04-07T08:35:00.000-04:00

Thie receives inaugural Balmuth Award - Colgate University News

This is so great - an award named for my favorite professor is given in its inaugural year to my other favorite professor.

Heartfelt congrats to both of you!

YouTube - 1984 - Colgate University

2009-12-15T08:43:00.001-05:00

YouTube - 1984 - Colgate University

So how come we don't get one of these for 1980?

Just wondering.

Reunion: Laughs, learning, and lifelong connections - Colgate University News

2009-06-01T18:02:00.000-04:00

Reunion: Laughs, learning, and lifelong connections - Colgate University News

Yeah, sure. I get all that. But did any class have them rocking 'til 2, a la 151?

Doubtful.

That is all.

Professor Jerry Balmuth's baccalaureate remarks - Colgate University News

2009-05-19T08:22:00.000-04:00

Professor Jerry Balmuth's baccalaureate remarks - Colgate University News

Let's hear it for Balmuth - this time he's the one who needed the extension. Fifty-five years is a long time and he has been properly heralded for his distinguished service to the school.

This was an uplifting speech and he even referred to Wittgenstein without naming him - Bravo!

And in a stunning contrapositive to to his remarks on difference, I give you William James:

"There are no differences except differences in degrees of difference between difference and no difference."

I hope Jerry still decides to give lectures at reunion.

Blackmore Media Center focus of Chronicle story - Colgate University News

2009-03-20T16:31:00.000-04:00

Blackmore Media Center focus of Chronicle story - Colgate University News

Nice mention. Of course we were all passionate about WRCU. We had too much fun.

Buzz you hear is about WRCU's new high-tech home - Colgate University News

2008-09-25T10:52:00.000-04:00

Buzz you hear is about WRCU's new high-tech home - Colgate University News

This is great for all us WRCU-ers who had to use tin cans and strings to get our signal out. Kids these days have it WAY too easy.

I wonder who has to climb to the top of the tower to fix the transmitter theses days . . .

Much praise is to be heaped on our pal Rob Fraiman for spearheading the fundraising for the Bob Blackmore Media Center. Rob - pleasae let us all know if we can still participate by donating money earmarked for either the Blackmore Center or WRCU.

Bob Blackmore was an excellent friend to WRCU and he is missed.

Longtime professor Vic Mansfield dies at age 67 - Colgate University News

2008-06-06T22:27:00.000-04:00

Longtime professor Vic Mansfield dies at age 67 - Colgate University News

Sad to see. 67 doesn't seem very old, does it?

I was not a Physics major like Therm, but Vic was an inspiration outside of Physics. I took his course "Modern Physics and Jungian Psychology" and I remember that he chose the Jung classic "Man and His Symbols" in illustrated hardcover because "the pictures in this book are as important as the words."

It's one of about 30 books from school that I still own.

SI's Peter King on Colgate

2008-05-21T11:00:00.006-04:00

Cool Academic Tradition of the Week

As incoming freshmen, Colgate University students are led up the tall hill on campus in a processional by upperclassmen. As outgoing seniors, they walk down the hill ... in a really impressive display. On Saturday night, the night before Colgate's annual commencement, the 715 graduates -- including Mary Beth King -- were handed lit kerosene torches at the end of long wooden sticks, and proceeded single-file down the hill, dressed in their graduation gowns, and through a gauntlet of cheering and photo-taking parents, siblings, classmates, friends and townspeople, while traditional bagpipers played. The torchbearers ringed the lake on campus. The Colgate school song got sung. Then the torchbearers threw their torches into a huge bonfire and hugged and cried.

It is one of the many things we've liked about Colgate over the past four years.

By the way, at this time of year, with so many of you either graduating or having kids graduating from high school or college, I'd love to hear about your favorite graduation traditions. It's such a fun time of year, an emotional time for so many people. I'll run some of the best and most heartfelt traditions in the column Tuesday.

Enjoyable/Aggravating Travel Note of the Week

Places come and go as you go through life. But driving away from Colgate Sunday evening, I felt sad that I wouldn't be taking two or three trips a year there anymore. It's one of the truly great American spots. You don't often look forward to a three-hour, 40-minute drive, but I liked every trip we ever made to Colgate.

College, to me, is best when you go to a place where the students have to make the community, rather than where the students fit into a larger community. I know lots of people who thrived in city-campus environments and wouldn't have traded it for anything. But at tiny-town Colgate, an hour's drive southeast of Syracuse and 90 minutes west of Albany, the bucolic, postcardy campus is everything. There's only one of Mary Beth's college acquaintances -- out of maybe 30 or 40 -- who didn't love the place.

Three quick thanks: to Judy Schenk, manager of my favorite coffee house in America, The Barge, for her friendship to the Kings and for being a good working mentor to Mary Beth, and for introducing me to coffee-perfection Colgate Blend as we went out the door Sunday. Also to Dave Roach, Colgate athletic director and fellow Nutmeg-Stater, and wife, Anne, for opening their beautiful home adjacent to campus to us so we wouldn't have to schlep 35 minutes to a hotel. And to Gary Ross, dean of admissions at Colgate and one of the most caring bureaucrats I've ever met, for opening the door to such a rich college experience for Mary Beth. Great people make a great place. It's easy to see why Colgate's such a good school, with people like those running the place.

From Peter King's online column at Sports Illustrated. Someone needs to tell Peter that his daughter can do the torch thing every time she goes to reunion.

Found via The Brothers Judd Blog - a post called "Fairest Theme of all our lays . . ." Nice.

Dave Case Cleans Up Good

2008-03-15T08:28:00.002-04:00

Big Toe Dave and his excellent troupe Billionaires for Bush have produced a tremendous video putting Barack Obama in his place.

See if you can find him. Many kudos to Daver and his troupe.

This Proves It . . .

2007-12-12T21:49:00.002-05:00

Click on the picture and all will become clear . . .

Nice Painting of The Jug

2007-12-11T10:15:00.000-05:00

If you go to the link you above you can bid on this painting on eBay.

For a second I thought they were selling the actual bar on eBay and figured Maggie would be buying it . . .

Later for you,

Mark

Beerfest - The Strike Out

2007-09-08T09:13:00.000-04:00

Jay Chandrasekhar is Colgate 91 and the director of a bunch of funny movies. The Strike Out is featured in Beerfest.

Here’s our correspondence. Nice. So far no offer of royalties.

From: Jay
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:18 PM
To: Mark
Subject: Re: Strike Out

In a message dated 7/23/07 11:55:46 AM, mtully1@colgatealumni.org writes:

Hi Jay -

I just wanted to let you know that I was present at the first Strike Out. It would have occurred in the fall of 1977, just before Winter Break, on the fourth floor of West Hall. We were trying to figure out how to assimilate three of our favorites into one smooth move, and thus the Strike Out was born.

I'm pleased to know that it survived at Colgate at least through your tenure there, and thanks to you it has survived to this day as part of Popular Culture.

Mark Tully
Colgate '80

Mark:

Amazing to hear that you were there and that it happened in West Hall. More amazing because I was an East Haller and nothing fun ever happened in West Hall back then. Ha!

Thanks for the story.

Jay

Colgate: Colgate University News - Former Raider and current Duck bringing coveted Cup to village

2007-07-18T18:11:00.000-04:00

Colgate: Colgate University News - Former Raider and current Duck bringing coveted Cup to village

Good for him. I'd bring the Cup to Hamilton if I won it.

Spa Weekend in Sedona

2007-06-23T17:30:00.000-04:00

The vortex energy high particularly high in Sedona, AZ the weekend of 4/26-28/07, due to the arrival of five powerful visitors. The East Hall Girls, aka Missy/Mora, Maggie, Carrie, Sue Ann, and Liz, celebrated their friendship and all they learned at Colgate in a spa weekend of relaxation, beautiful scenery, jeep tours, hiking, drinking, carousing, and much more that we’ll leave to your imaginations.

Where and when will their next trip be? Watch out, it could be in a spa destination near you.

Your Faithful Correspondent,

Maggie McMullen (Lechter)

Left Behind . . .

2007-05-23T08:43:00.000-04:00

Colleges deal with furniture, clothes and more left by students

A Disco Ball? What are these people thinking?

College Democrats of Colgate University

2007-05-15T18:32:00.000-04:00

College Democrats of Colgate University

Cheers all.

This is what happens when you let anybody post to your blog. I though Democrats were smarter than that.

Speaking of smarter, let me know if you want to post something here and I'll take care of it. Like, say, you took a girls' weekend in Sedona.

Starbucks to Open Fall '07 - Maroon-News

2007-04-08T09:28:00.000-04:00

Starbucks to Open Fall '07 - News

Starbucks? A cafe in the libes? And already handrails on Cardiac Hill.

Truly the end of civilization as we know it.

That is all.

Puddle Cruiser

2006-07-24T08:43:00.000-04:00

Our own Maggie McMullen contributes this review:

Move over “Citizen Kane” and “Casablanca”. “Puddle Cruiser” is the sort of film that one considers herself blessed to view; it truly humbles me to realize that I have a special connection with this precious piece of filmography. This heart-wrenching saga of the emotional and physical quest for true love during the college years pulls at the heart strings ceaselessly. The acting is inspired; the directing and editing are the work of true craftsmen, and the sound and score right on target.

Filmed entirely on the campus of Colgate University and in the hamlet of Hamilton, NY, our breath is constantly taken away by the beautiful vistas of hills, valleys, rugby fields, the Beta house, the libes, the mailroom, the Nautilus, and the pizza place. But it is two special components of this masterpiece that truly stand out:

1) The Colgate campus and downtown. From Olin Hall, to the Coop, to a party at Beta, this is the real thing. Our campus is truly SO beautiful, it makes me proud to see it on celluloid.

2) The magnificent acting of John Jug as the bartender of the Old Stone Jug blew me away. One would truly think he has done this for all is life. He seems so natural, pacing behind the bar, picking up a used glass, and pouring a beer—this is a gift indeed. Move over Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, dare I say it, Matthew McConnaughey, John Coen is here to stay.

Your pal,

Mags

Tom Wolfe's Washington Post

2006-07-03T17:04:00.000-04:00

Tom Wolfe's Washington Post

For you if you love Tom Wolfe as much as I . . .

A review of his 314 stories as a city desk reporter for the Post from 59 – 62.

(My number in Chevy Chase was OLiver 4-6222; in DC it was FEderal 3-7241.)

Colgate University News - Colgate students, NPR fans benefit from radio partnership

2006-06-27T21:23:00.000-04:00

Nice! I think I could host Fresh Air . . .

Prof. Fred Busch dies at age 64 on Feb 23

2006-02-27T12:56:00.000-05:00

Colgate Alumni - News - Full Story

He'll certainly be missed. May he rest in peace.

Colgate Alumni Message Board for Bob Woodruff '83

2006-02-17T13:40:00.000-05:00

Bob Woodruff Message Board

The Alumni Corp has set up a message board for Bob Woodruff and his family so the Colgate Family can express the thoughts and prayers for Bob's recovery.

I was especially touched by this post. It's hard to imagine how life has changed for Lee and their kids. I encourage anyone in the Rye - Westchester County area to help out as they are able.

Mark

Submitted by: Wendy Hufford
Submitted on: 2/8/2006 12:52:39 PM
Year Graduated: 1983
Message:
Bob (a former classmate) and his family live in my town of Rye and we are all praying for his speedy recovery. His family has issued the following request that I thought I would share in case you want to help out. The area codes are 914 in Westchester if you want to follow-up with the sender of the letter.

Best regards,
Wendy

Woodruff Family Support

The Woodruff family is extremely grateful for all of your support during this difficult time. Many of you have offered to help in many different ways, and, again, Lee thanks all of you. At this point, the situation at home has settled down somewhat, and the family is trying to establish a quieter atmosphere for the benefit of the kids.

The one thing that Bob and Lee’s brothers and sisters have asked for is a food support system to help the family get through what could be a lengthy recovery. To that end, we have outlined below several options for those of you who would like to contribute.

Home-cooked Meals: If you would like to cook a meal for the family, please contact Vicki McHugh at vom0707@aol.com or 921-0707

Cornerstone Catering: If you would like to contribute to this gourmet-catering store, please contact Amy Swank at swank1@optonline.net or 921-0894

Piazza Pizzeria: If you would like to contribute to this Pizza Place please contact Lois Lavelle at JLCKKK@aol.com or 967-3624

Rye Country Store: If you would like to contribute to this local catering/market store, please contact Alicia Chabot at acnewhome@aol.com or 967-9223

Please know that a system is in place to monitor the amount of food being prepared, bought etc…. and an itemized list of your donations will be kept and given to the Woodruff family periodically.

Many of you have asked about helping with the children. Right now the family believes that the best thing for Mack, Cathryn, Nora and Claire is regularity and consistency with their routine. They are blessed with their long-time caregiver, Diana, and they see familiar faces on play-dates, rides to practices, etc – again, the goal is to keep things consistent and familiar.

Once again, thank you for your support. If you have any further questions please contact me at 967-9223 or acnewhome@aol.com

Thank You,
Alicia Chabot

Prof. Thurner Died Jan 3, 2006

2006-02-07T13:12:00.000-05:00

Prof Thurner, father of Laura from our class, died on January 3. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura and her family. Memorial servcie will be on campus on February 18 if anyone is available to represent our class.

Joseph Thurner, Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, dies at age 85 on 1/3/06

Joseph John Thurner, Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, died Monday, January 2, 2006. He was 85. Joe Thurner first came to Colgate in 1951, having earned degrees from Hartwick College and Harvard University. He retired in 1986.

During his Colgate years, Joe served both as chair of the Department of Chemistry and as director of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Joe was the first recipient of the Sydney J. and Florence Felten French Teaching Award given for “inspirational teaching” and was also awarded the Alumni Corporation’s Distinguished Teaching Award for “his excellence of teaching and rapport with students.” He introduced generations of students to the language and mechanics of inorganic and analytical chemistry and remained in close contact with many of his students long after their graduation and his retirement. Joe also served as a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee in the 1960s and in the year following his retirement served as chair of Colgate’s Middle States Accreditation Committee. He was also an active member of the American Chemical Society and was chosen as “Outstanding Educator of America” in both 1972 and 1973.

Joe is survived by Jean, his wife of 57 years, a son John, a daughter Laura, two grandsons Philip and Markangelo, his sister Eileen Hall and brother Robert Thurner. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, February 18, at 1:00 p.m. at the Colgate University Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Thurner Prize at Colgate. The prize was created in 1986 by Joe and Jean Thurner for an annual prize awarded by the Department of Chemistry to the graduating senior(s) who submits the best Honors Thesis or equivalent paper based on laboratory or other research in chemistry or biochemistry.

To make your gift, mail your check to Colgate University, The Annual Fund, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346-1398 and simply add a note designating your gift to the “Thurner Prize.” You can also pay via credit card by calling 1-800-668-44CU or online and write "Thurner Prize" in the Special Requests box. Thank you

Bob Woodruff: Colgate '83 and a Michigan boy on top of world news

2005-12-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

WZZM 13 Grand Rapids - Bob Woodruff: A Michigan boy on top of world news

Does anyone remember Bob? I have a vague memory of him at WRCU . . .

NPR : Pocahontas & Colgate

2005-12-23T09:51:00.000-05:00

NPR : 'New World' Offers New Take on Pocahontas

Colgate Prof. Camilla Townsend, among others, comments on Pocahantas.

Yale Alumni Strike Back at Tailgating Limits - New York Times

2005-11-20T08:58:00.000-05:00

Yale Alumni Strike Back at Tailgating Limits - New York Times (Free registration Required)

The horror!

"They can do whatever they want to do as long as they don't get the funnels out."

Amen to that.

Colgate Class of 1980: November 2005

2005-11-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

Colgate Class of 1980: November 2005

Class of 2027

Yup, had another child on Sunday October 23 and if she is indeed class of 2027, I'll be...gulp...,67 when she graduates. Yikes. Anyway we welcomed Anabelle Sage Murdock into the world and everybody is happy and healthy. She was 7-13.5 and 20.5 inches long and pink and beautiful. Photos to follow.

Why not save the country while we're at it?

2005-11-03T11:30:00.000-05:00

Alright, Tent People and other ‘Gaters in for a visit, at the risk of veering away from the practiced irreverence of this blog, it’s time to get serious for a few minutes. I hope you’ll all forgive me for injecting a bit of self-interest into the mix. So, with the sole desire to bring greater glory to our fair alma mater, and with the intent of actually making a difference in the world, I have committed to running for Wyoming’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives.

PAUSE

Ok, now that you’ve finished digesting that news (and, in the immortal words of our parents, you’ve wiped that shit-eating grin off your face) and all friendly joking aside, I believe the outcome of this race can have a huge impact not just for the folks who live in Wyoming, but also for everyone across the country who is concerned about how this country is run and what that means for our future. God only knows, the way things are headed at the national level, we can use all the help we can get!

Go check out the web site (just up and pretty bare-bones at this point – more content to come) at http://www.traunerforcongress.com/.

Now for the pitch…

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

While we would all like to think that winning a political race of this magnitude will hinge solely on who I am and what I believe in, the unfortunate truth is more complicated. Frankly, my ability to create momentum, as well as prove my legitimacy, through raising money will be a determining factor in whether or not I succeed. The first question I am asked by the “big wigs” in DC and elsewhere is “How much money do you have – you won’t get any support unless you prove you are viable by raising money…”

My goal is to raise $1 million, something never before accomplished by a House candidate in Wyoming. This will be a challenge, given that there are stringent limits on individual donations - $2,100 per person per election cycle (the primary is a separate cycle from the general election).

Thus, as difficult as this is to do, for those who believe in a better world, I am asking for your support, financial and otherwise. Don’t think of this as a contribution to me – it is an opportunity to invest in issues and policies that will directly affect the well-being of you and your children.

And that ends the civics lesson for today. But before I go, I thought you might be interested to know I have been in consultation with the bass player from 151, and he has indicated to me that the band may have a sudden interest in politics – or at least playing for a political purpose – so stay tuned!

Trauns

Things we learn

2005-10-12T01:43:00.000-04:00

A four year old boy was a big fan of the Bob the Builder Show. He knew what every heavy machine looked like, sounded like and what they did. One day he went to the grocery store with his Grandfather and was standing in the checkout line behind a very large woman with an overloaded grocery cart. Her pager went off and the boy cried out: "WATCHOUT GRANDPA SHE'S BACKING UP!"

Colgate University News - Want to bet which campus was ranked most beautiful?

2005-10-06T16:02:00.000-04:00

Like this is news! I notice there was no mention of space trucking, though . . .

Corporate September Class Notes - Official

2005-09-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

Oh my. Not so much in the news department.

Click title above to see what I mean . . .

Davey, it's time for you to step up big, Matey.

Gizoogle says: Davey, its time fo` you ta step up bizzle Matey.

Send your news (or lies) to dsmurdock "at" comcast.net

(Being circumspect so spammers don't grab DSM's addy, fools.)

Earth's Kitchen

2005-08-31T15:03:00.000-04:00

Check out the renovations Mrs. Earth and I have gotten ourselves into.

The Kitchen

Pre-Order Liz Musiker's Book!

2005-08-31T14:45:00.000-04:00

You can now pre-order Liz' book The Smart Girl's Guide to Sports!

You can get in at Barnes and Noble or at Amazon.com.

B & N says it will be released on 10/28; Amazon on 11/3.

Whatever, let's pump up the sales of this one!

Here's the propoganda from her publisher. We love her even though she's a Yankee fan, and we love Bob even though he's a Mets (The Mets?!?!?!) fan.

Book Description: For the woman whose significant other spends hours glued to ESPN comes a fun and irreverent guide to understanding (and enjoying) the male-dominated world of spectator sports.

From The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sports: Welcome, ladies. This book will not make you a sports expert. It will not make you put down a great novel to watch football, or stop you from helping your kids with their homework because you have to watch the last five minutes of a basketball game. It will, however, give you a glimpse of why men do these things. And it will allow you to enjoy sports—really, I swear.

The beautiful thing about sports, unlike, say, neurosurgery, is that a little bit of knowledge is not a dangerous thing. If you’re amidst a herd of men and the topic turns to sports, you only need to know a few key points and you’re in. If the discussion turns to home runs, for instance, and you say, "Yes, but there’s never been anything more exciting than when McGwire and Sosa were after Maris’s record," you instantly win a new kind of respect from the testosterone crowd.

We don’t have the sports gene men have. (We have other, better ones.) Thus, this book aims to give you only the most fundamental, most fun, and most entertaining information—the tools to enjoy sports, or to participate in the game in whichever way you choose.

The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sports covers all the major professional sports: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, soccer, boxing, and even car racing.
Each chapter includes a "Here’s How It Works" section that explains the basics of the game; profiles of each sport’s timeless greats and "contemporary cool" players; and a funny, readable glossary of key terms.

About the Author: Liz Hartman Musiker is a tireless sports enthusiast and a former publicity director at Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster). Although she lives on Long Island, she is more of a Yankees fan than a Mets fan, which horrifies her geographically loyal son and husband.

Colleges Try to Deal With Hovering Parents - Colgate

2005-08-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

Colleges Try to Deal With Hovering Parents - Yahoo! News

I never told my parents that the coffee at the Union was so, er, explosive that we could barely get back up the hill to make it to the bathroom . . .

Kids these days, I tell you.

If Snoop Dogg Had Written Davey's Class Notes . . .

2005-08-26T23:34:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of Gizoogle . . . (www.gizoogle.com)

My favorite: "Good old 151. Haven't lost a step dogg. In fact, they jizzay kizzy rhymin' cracka . Snoop dogg is in this bitch."

Pirate Class Notes Frizzom tha Dizzay of . . . Davey Murdock

Yo-ho me hearties ,

Wizzell friends, it seems tha cutlass is back in tha scabbard n tha blood curdl'n cries is now spendin' in tha Chenango Valley as tha Class of 1980 has retreated once again ta mizzy placid n soba lives outside of tha friendly confines of alma shot calla. And we have begun tha hard work, made pusha by e-mail, of try'n ta maintain tha ties that bind us, as we continue ta shot calla tha age old question, "Who is Mora Cronin, n what has she done wit mah cizzay?

My deepest appreciation ta those who think we need a mizzle personal forum fo` class news. We shiznall institute a blog, eh? No editors, no quarizzles no corporate spies, lest you have one of yo own. So, we underway tizzle. First of all, many thanks n hearty backslaps ta Bob Musika fo` so diligently pimpin' tha proceed'n in digital format so we all could share . Aint no killin' everybodys chillin'. He made it look so fun n easy droppin hits. And I guess while we at it let's go aheezee n acknowledge Liz Hartman Brotha fo` gang bangin' up wit Bob fo` all these years in what appears ta be a very strong n stoked marriage. Bob's 200+ photo album is probably available at some web site, in case you missed it. Bob wizzay hizzle ta fizzle us in.

I have gathered F-R-to-tha-izzom tha torrent of e-mail tizzle some of you are, shizzay we say, disheartizzle shocked, mortified n generally PISSED, T-H-to-tha-izzat tha reunion Dave Alvord attended did not in any way resemble, in its reportizzles tha reunion T-H-to-tha-izzat you attended n squashed unda yo hobnailed boot like tha mighty class of '80 scalawags thiznat I kizzle you all ta be. W-to-tha-izzell, let's git represizzles as tha brotha say fo' sheezy. My first thought is that it's actually a good thing many of us do not live hustla playa geographically coz you is all jizzy too dizzay much fun ta H-to-tha-izzang out wit, reminisc'n or not. My next thought is tizzle we should try ta find a way ta do this mizzy than just every five years as tha good Mr . Bounce wit me. Alvord alluded ta in his post'n, although not fo` AARP discounts so i can get mah pimp on. They can kizzle those.

Seriously, this reunion was that good. And tha really bizarre quality of "it's like we jizzle left" or brotha thizzay odd time capsule thing is, T-H-to-tha-izzat is obviously very hard ta put into words, may jiznust as wiznell be left unspoken so that tha experience can just come ta tha surface like it always does. Call it Old Faithful .

Good old 151. Haven't lost a step dogg. In fact, they jizzay kizzy rhymin' cracka . Snoop dogg is in this bitch. It's just not fair, that in all weed-smokin' athletic we decline in ability as tha years go by n W-H-to-tha-izzen we try ta recapture tha speed, or tha agility, or tha abs, or tha muscle tone, most of us realize, it's jizzay not possible , ya feel me?. But not 151, no sir, these dudes jizzle shiznow up, trizzay out they gear, n fliznat out blizzow tha doors off reunion n steal tha shizzow fizzy all tha otha tents wit they hatin' rock n rizzay like a motha fucka. T-R-to-tha-izzuth be T-to-tha-izzold, these guys were a shawty worried they mizzight embarrass themselves!! Can you believe thizzat? Seems unthinkable in retrospect.

Kudos ta Mizzy White, Steve Lesniak, Jim Goldenberg, Doug Watt, Dave Case, Mark D'iorio n Tom Aarts fo` provid'n tha most memorable perpetratin' reunion or nizzy rappa . Boom bam as I step in the jam, God damn. Plans fo` tha reunion tizzy tentatively titled "Smell tha Tequila" is underway, stay tuned n shit. If anyone wants ta reach Dave Case in tha meantime, jizzy call Rosie Radigans in Jersey City , (201) 451-5566. Ask fo` Moe tha bartenda.

The classmate tizzy no one knew, Dan Benton , coughed up $5 million ta Colgate. But in tizzy class of '80 style, that's not enough. He matches everyone else's G-to-tha-izzift n voila, tha largest reunion gift of all tizzle. Raise yo hand if you knew it was tizzy easy! That leaves Prez Chiznopp breathless, n she declares us tha "rock n rizzay class" or "the music class" or sum-m sum-m like tizzle n then goes on ta detail how this level of giv'n broke all sorts of records fo` class gift n 25th reunion gizzift, etc. Then, in T-H-to-tha-izzat same speech, I love this piznart; she has tha cajones ta ask fo` mizzle money ta git ta our "percentage of saggin' goal!

Gang Bangin'! You gots`ta love that!! She is tha dawg .

A hearty, "funky Ass go'n" ta classmate Jizzle Vornle fo` sippin' Prezz Chiznopp heezee over heels on tha dance floor dogg. Classic yaba daba dizzle. Indescribable . Im crazy, you can't phase me. That'll be tha last time we see her in our tizzy . Dogg House Records in the motha fuckin house. Does anyone have a spare $5 mil so we can git her B-to-tha-izzack? Bizzy I don't know who was responsible fo` rhymin' tha pizza delivered ta tha class dinna, but thiznat too, was a classic. Pleaze takes two giant steps forward, whoeva you are n' shit.

Meanwhile, Carrie Hayes, Nancy Goldstein n tha aforementioned Mora Cronin (Missy Houston, don't ask ) hosted a lovely wine trippin' at they B n B hangout on Maple St. on Thursday even'n. Whiznat a bootylicious idea fo` future reunions as tha booze provided by tha university is more appropriate fo` tha class of '08 than tha class of '80 . Nigga get shut up or get wet up. Both Carrie n Mizzle is in tha wine biz in Napa n anyone mackin' there is welcome ta look thiznem up except Jizzy Vornle. We is in desperate need of a "booze upgrade." Someone, pleaze git busy on this. Accommodizzles upgrade would be funky ass too n shit.

I hizzy several candidizzles in mind fo` tha "Oh mah gizzy you look exactly tha same, award."

Not surprisizzle most of thiznem is bitchez. Shout out ta all you gals, hizzle crap, is it J-to-tha-izzust me or do all tha bitchez look even betta now thizzay they did in '77-'80?! I do not know some of T-H-to-tha-izzem, so hopefully this wiznon't be too creepy. The Suzy Leonard, Kaleeny Cannon combo was pretty fierce. Marianne Crosley, Noelle Bullion, Vicki Weisman, Sandy Stewart, Liz Hartman Musika, Carrie Hayes, P-E-Double-Gizzy Flanagan, Carolyn Zenk n Liz Nay wizzy all exceptionally wiznell preserved n Drew Schaeffa n R-to-tha-izzick Taylor also haven't lost mizzle youth, nor has Jim Goldenberg . Bizzay bitch miznuch considerizzle I think tha award has ta go ta Dave Alvord , I mean, you put an Oneida letta jacket on that homey n its 1977!! In a related note, I am stiznill search'n fo` tha name of tha award fo` Maggie Lechta McMullen who actually looks drug deala n more fit that she did wizzy we wizzle in school . It dont stop till the wheels fall off. She sez her children keep her young . Dogg House Records in the motha fuckin house. So we'll call it tha "My children kizzle me young, award," or more crassly, "izzy Hot MOMMY."

Mark T-U-Double-Lizzy was pleazed n somewhat relieved ta find tizzle several classmates were actually bigga than he is, n tizzy he would not, afta all, be gang bangin' tha "mizzost spaced-out hippie award." For 411 on this award hustla pleaze contact Mark directly. In a related note, outgo'n university photographa/chronicla n all-around bootylicious gizzle John Hubbard, told Earth tizzy in his 30+ years at Colgate, Earth is not only tha coolest nickname of all tizzle but also tha mizzle fitt'n. Amen.

If there is a way ta acknowledge revolutionary think'n , T-H-to-tha-izzen I have ta point out tizzy Mizzay Mclaughlin has hit upon a bootylicious reunion tradition n tizzle is tha wine bizzle i-pod, hatchback, picnic concept, whereby you pizzay yo ride as close ta tha tizzent as possible, provide bootylicious music n wine out of tha bizzle of tha SUV n hold an impromptu party!! Outstand'n think'n, n obviously a dawg of bootylicious skill n experience . You'se a flea and I'm the big dogg. Wizzay done n shit. You just may be tha dawg ta captain tha aforementioned booze upgrade committee.

A word or two `bout our Class of '80 memorial n The Memorial Service. As you may know, we lost a classmate tha week prior ta reunion. Margaret Dudley lost a long battle wit hustla n Sandy Brotha , God bless her, gots up in front of tha 60 or so of us that had gathered fo` tha memorial service and, through tears n sobb'n, barely able ta speak, Sandy gave an unbelievably gang bangin' tribute ta her fallen freshman roommate n cracka ta her children yaba daba dizzle. There wizzle several nigga who spoke, Hart Mecke , Marianne Crosley , Kathy Gow , S-A-Double-Lizzy Campbell DeCock , etc mah nizzle. n forgive me I can’t recall exactly wizzle fallen comrade they were remember'n, but tha best speech came fizzle Dave DiNardo , who miraculously did not shed a tear, but managed ta keep it warm n somewhat fuzzy by recall'n lots of good spendin' n by frontin' how important n amaz'n it is that we give enough of a dizzy ta do this memorial at all and my money on my mind.

Anyway, if you haven't been ta a memorial service at reunion, pleaze attend tha nizzle one crazy up in here. It is mov'n beyond description n' shit.

Fair warn'n fo' sho': if you is not comfortable ballin' in front a large group of people, this service may not be fo` you.

Finally, I don’t kniznow how many of you made it up ta Murray n Sally’s farm , but what a glorious location, overlook'n tha entire campus. And wizzy an off tha hook dedicated couple, who have always welcomed us into they home, not jizzle at reunion, but anytime . Throw yo guns in the motherfuckin air. It’s J-to-tha-izzust hard ta imagine liv'n through winta like that year cracka year, but T-H-to-tha-izzat hizouse probably takes some of tha sting out of it.

That’s all fo` now.

Davey

It's Only Rock and Roll . . .

2005-07-27T07:45:00.000-04:00

. . . but we like it!

Caser and Serpico. Rock stars.

(The Scene is not, however, Rolling Stone.)

Not an ER story

2005-07-14T01:52:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday my wife and I spent the day at a swim meet with our 9 and 10 year olds. Our 26 year old babysitter asked if she could have a bridal shower for her sister at our house while we were out. No problem. Except this was a scanky lingerie party. One of my best friends who happens to be our family lawyer was in the neigborhood and stopped in unanounced for a visit. It was a case of mistaken identity. He is tall and not bad looking and he couldn't understand who these people were and why they were hooting and hollering at him. When they asked him if he brought his own music and if he was familiar with "The Full Monty" he did a quick 180 out the door. I guess he forgot his tear-away pants. We're still laughing about this one.

Ironic. It IS all about . . .

2005-07-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

. . . the Hokey Pokey:

A Real Tragedy

With all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which went almost unnoticed last week.

Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey," died peacefully at age 93.

The most tragic part for his family was getting him into the coffin.

They put his left leg in. Then the trouble started.

SHUT UP..... You know it's funny.

Pirate Class Notes From the Desk of . . . Davey Murdock

2005-07-05T22:30:00.000-04:00

Yo-ho me hearties,

Well friends, it seems the cutlass is back in the scabbard and the blood curdling cries are now fading in the Chenango Valley as the Class of 1980 has retreated once again to more placid and sober lives outside of the friendly confines of alma mater. And we have begun the hard work, made easier by e-mail, of trying to maintain the ties that bind us, as we continue to ponder the age old question, "Who is Mora Cronin, and what has she done with my car?"

My deepest appreciation to those who think we need a more personal forum for class news. We shall institute a blog, eh? No editors, no quarantines, no corporate spies, lest you have one of your own. So, we're underway then.

First of all, many thanks and hearty backslaps to Bob Musiker for so diligently recording the proceedings in digital format so we all could share. He made it look so fun and easy. And I guess while we're at it let's go ahead and acknowledge Liz Hartman Musiker for putting up with Bob for all these years in what appears to be a very strong and happy marriage. Bob's 200+ photo album is probably available at some web site, in case you missed it. Bob will have to fill us in.

I have gathered from the torrent of e-mail that some of you are, shall we say, disheartened, shocked, mortified and generally PISSED, that the reunion Dave Alvord attended did not in any way resemble, in its reportage, the reunion that you attended and squashed under your hobnailed boot like the mighty class of '80 scalawags that I know you all to be. Well, let's get representin' as the brothers say.

My first thought is that it's actually a good thing many of us do not live closer together geographically because you are all just too damn much fun to hang out with, reminiscing or not. My next thought is that we should try to find a way to do this more than just every five years as the good Mr. Alvord alluded to in his posting, although not for AARP discounts. They can keep those.

Seriously, this reunion was that good. And the really bizarre quality of "it's like we just left" or whatever that odd time capsule thing is, that is obviously very hard to put into words, may just as well be left unspoken so that the experience can just come to the surface like it always does. Call it Old Faithful.

Good old 151. Haven't lost a step. In fact, they just keep getting better. It's just not fair, that in all things athletic we decline in ability as the years go by and when we try to recapture the speed, or the agility, or the abs, or the muscle tone, most of us realize, it's just not possible. But not 151, no sir, these dudes just show up, trot out their gear, and flat out blow the doors off reunion and steal the show from all the other tents with their blistering rock and roll. Truth be told, these guys were a little worried they might embarrass themselves!! Can you believe that? Seems unthinkable in retrospect.

Kudos to Mike White, Steve Lesniak, Jim Goldenberg, Doug Watt, Dave Case, Mark D'iorio and Tom Aarts for providing the most memorable evening, reunion or not, ever. Plans for the reunion tour tentatively titled "Smell the Tequila" are underway, stay tuned. If anyone wants to reach Dave Case in the meantime, just call Rosie Radigans in Jersey City, (201) 451-5566. Ask for Moe the bartender.

The classmate that no one knew, Dan Benton, coughed up $5 million to Colgate. But in true class of '80 style, that's not enough. He matches everyone else's gift and voila, the largest reunion gift of all time. Raise your hand if you knew it was that easy! That leaves Prez Chopp breathless, and she declares us the "rock and roll class" or "the music class" or something like that and then goes on to detail how this level of giving broke all sorts of records for class gift and 25th reunion gift, etc. Then, in that same speech, I love this part; she has the cajones to ask for more money to get to our "percentage of giving" goal!

Outstanding!! You gotta love that!! She is the man.

A hearty, "nice going" to classmate John Vornle for flipping Prezz Chopp head over heels on the dance floor. Classic. Indescribable. That'll be the last time we see her in our tent. Does anyone have a spare $5 mil so we can get her back? BTW, I don't know who was responsible for getting the pizza delivered to the class dinner, but that too, was a classic. Please take two giant steps forward, whoever you are.

Meanwhile, Carrie Hayes, Nancy Goldstein and the aforementioned Mora Cronin (Missy Houston, don't ask) hosted a lovely wine tasting at their B and B hangout on Maple St. on Thursday evening. What a great idea for future reunions as the booze provided by the university is more appropriate for the class of '08 than the class of '80. Both Carrie and Mora are in the wine biz in Napa and anyone traveling there is welcome to look them up except John Vornle. We are in desperate need of a "booze upgrade." Someone, please get busy on this. Accommodation upgrade would be nice too.

I have several candidates in mind for the "Oh my god, you look exactly the same, award."

Not surprisingly, most of them are women. Shout out to all you gals, holy crap, is it just me or do all the women look even better now than they did in '77-'80?! I do not know some of them, so hopefully this won't be too creepy. The Suzy Leonard, Kaleeny Cannon combo was pretty fierce. Marianne Crosley, Noelle Bullion, Vicki Weisman, Sandy Stewart, Liz Hartman Musiker, Carrie Hayes, Peggy Flanagan, Carolyn Zenk and Liz Nay were all exceptionally well preserved and Drew Schaeffer and Rick Taylor also haven't lost much youth, nor has Jim Goldenberg. But, after much consideration, I think the award has to go to Dave Alvord, I mean, you put an Oneida letter jacket on that guy and its 1977!! In a related note, I am still searching for the name of the award for Maggie Lechter McMullen who actually looks younger and more fit that she did when we were in school. She says her children keep her young. So we'll call it the "My children keep me young, award," or more crassly, "The Hot MOMMY."

Mark Tully was pleased and somewhat relieved to find that several classmates were actually bigger than he is, and that he would not, after all, be receiving the "most spaced-out hippie award." For information on this award winner, please contact Mark directly. In a related note, outgoing university photographer/chronicler and all-around great guy, John Hubbard, told Earth that in his 30+ years at Colgate, Earth is not only the coolest nickname of all time but also the most fitting. Amen.

If there is a way to acknowledge revolutionary thinking, then I have to point out that Mark Mclaughlin has hit upon a great reunion tradition and that is the wine bar, i-pod, hatchback, picnic concept, whereby you park your car as close to the tent as possible, provide great music and wine out of the back of the SUV and hold an impromptu party!! Outstanding thinking, and obviously a man of great skill and experience. Well done. You just may be the man to captain the aforementioned booze upgrade committee.

A word or two about our Class of '80 memorial and The Memorial Service. As you may know, we lost a classmate the week prior to reunion. Margaret Dudley lost a long battle with cancer, and Sandy Schlotzhauer, God bless her, got up in front of the 60 or so of us that had gathered for the memorial service and, through tears and sobbing, barely able to speak, Sandy gave an unbelievably touching tribute to her fallen freshman roommate and godmother to her children. There were several others who spoke, Hart Mecke, Marianne Crosley, Kathy Gow, Sally Campbell DeCock, etc. and forgive me I can’t recall exactly what fallen comrade they were remembering, but the best speech came from Dave DiNardo, who miraculously did not shed a tear, but managed to keep it warm and somewhat fuzzy by recalling lots of good things and by noting how important and amazing it is that we give enough of a damn to do this memorial at all.

Anyway, if you haven't been to a memorial service at reunion, please attend the next one. It is moving beyond description. Fair warning: if you are not comfortable crying in front a large group of people, this service may not be for you.

Finally, I don’t know how many of you made it up to Murray and Sally’s farm, but what a glorious location, overlooking the entire campus. And what an awesome dedicated couple, who have always welcomed us into their home, not just at reunion, but anytime. It’s just hard to imagine living through winter like that year after year, but that house probably takes some of the sting out of it.

That’s all for now.

Davey

Here it is, mateys . . .

2005-07-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

Avast ye hearties! Grab the mizzen and have a Coke and a smile!

This here is the rebel site for Colgate Class of 80. We are the Tent People.

Do your darnedest!