Alumni

FROM THE PRESIDENT

As the academic year drew to a close, a wonderful new chapter in student life on campus began with the opening of the splendid Mohr Student Center and Stuart Commons.

I can still hear the echoes of our students’ cheers in greeting these long-awaited new facilities. The grand opening in late April occurred in time to give graduating seniors a couple of weeks to enjoy the pool tables, comfortable couches, wide-screen TVs, and performance stage. Those 21 and older also had the opportunity, if they chose, to order a cold beer or wine cooler at the food and beverage bar.

Led by Lorenza Taylor ’06, president of student government, a number of graduating seniors worked closely with architect Steven Wright to plan the new space. Moreover, the senior class raised a $10,000 endowment, as a class gift, to help cover the future costs of maintaining the gaming and recreational equipment. I commend these students for their contributions to a campus facility they will only use as alumni.

I also give special thanks to College trustee Jean Whyte Mohr ’52 and Frank T. Mohr ’52, Lillan and Ambassador Robert D. Stuart Jr., trustee Margaret S. Hart, trustees John and Paula Lillard, and James L. Kenney ’59 for their remarkably generous contributions that made possible the $5 million Mohr Student Center and Stuart Commons.

Commencement on May 13 was a joyful experience, as will be clear from the story and photos in this Spectrum. Speaker Robert Falls, the internationally acclaimed artistic director of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, recently designated the best regional theatre in the nation by Time, was alternately hilarious, dramatic, deeply moving, and inspirational. I have never heard a better graduation speech.

In March we launched the Spectrum Bulletin, a bi-annual newsletter, and we appreciate the positive comments that have come in about this new communication vehicle. That first newsletter reported on the formation of a steering committee, chaired by Michael Ebner, the James D. Vail III Professor of History, for the College’s 2007 year-long sesquicentennial celebration.

In anticipation of the sesquicentennial, you will read a nostalgic, humorous essay in this issue from Associate Professor of Mathematics Jill Van Newenhizen ’81, who recalls her days as a commuter student when she and Lori Nerheim ’82 snuck into the abandoned fifth floor of College Hall (now Young Hall). We invite you to follow in Jill’s footsteps—not by sneaking up to the fifth floor, but by submitting a memory or two of your own from your time at the College. We will publish some in the next Spectrum and on our Web site.

Lastly, under the imaginative leadership of editor Lindsay Beller, this issue features a new editorial format and design intended to give you more information about what’s happening on campus and to tell you some interesting stories about Lake Forest alumni, students, faculty, and staff. As always, Lindsay welcomes your comments.

Enjoy the summer.

Stephen D. Schutt
President