OWU's Alumni Weekend Honors Distinguished Graduates

May 17, 2001

DELAWARE, OHIO -- The month of May signals the time for annual reunions of specific Ohio Wesleyan University graduating classes and a time for alumni recognition and merriment during the annual Alumni Weekend festivities, from May 18-20. Classes ending in "1" and "6" are celebrating reunions this year. Two gatherings of note are the Class of 1951, the Golden Key reunion class, and the Class of 1976, which will celebrate its 25th Silver Key reunion.

Planned events include reunion dinners, a variety of alumni colleges -- a series of classes taught by OWU alumni, including several who also are receiving OWU's Distinguished Achievement Citation (D.A.C.) awards. Additional weekend highlights feature something for everyone: an early morning birdwalk in the Kraus Wilderness Preserve with OWU Professor Jed Burtt; a "Fun Run" with President Tom Courtice; performances by the alumni choir; the annual recognition awards program, including presentations of the D.A.C. and other alumni awards; the traditional Parade of Classes and procession to an all-alumni luncheon; and an all-alumni reception kicking off the weekend activities on Friday evening.

Recipients of the D.A.C. awards, the highest honor presented to OWU graduates for professional and service accomplishments are: George Conrades '61, Chairman and CEO of Akamai Technologies, Inc.; Jim Henke '76, Deputy Director, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; David Wetherell '76, Internet innovator and Chairman and CEO of CMGI, Inc.; Roscius Doan '61, pediatrician and former Director of Project Hope in the Soviet Union; and actor, film maker, and writer, Melvin Van Peebles '53.

Receiving alumni awards for outstanding service to OWU are Sally Christiansen Harris '76 and Ann Weiser Keller '71. Conrades, Henke and Doan will present Alumni College lectures during the weekend on "The New Internet Economy," "Creating a Museum for Rock and Roll: The Story of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," and "The Health Impact of the Break Up of the Soviet Union: Some Personal Observations," respectively.

In addition, Ezra Vogel '51, Delaware native and Henry Ford II Research Professor of Social Sciences at Harvard University will lecture on "The Rise of China: Implications for the U.S. and OWU."

Alumni Weekend is, as OWU Associate Director of Alumni Relations and coordinator of the weekend Kathleen Dolan says, "the largest and most comprehensive campus event. Everyone has a vital role to play in making it a success."