Alumni celebrate, give back, and honor their own at Alumni Weekend

Class of 1959 gives $3 million to support scholarships, presidential initiatives

WOOSTER, Ohio — Some 900 alumni and family members returned to Wooster this weekend to renew old friendships, give back to the college, and honor their own. Among those gathering on campus were 21 members of the class of 1949, six from the class of 1944, and three members of the class of 1934, celebrating their seventy-fifth reunion.

On behalf of the fiftieth anniversary class of 1959, Rev. Eugene C. Bay announced a class gift of just over $3 million, a portion of which will be used to establish an endowed scholarship fund.

The John D. McKee Alumni Volunteer Award was presented to Nancy Braund Boruch ’64 and Sohil Parekh ’99 was named Outstanding Young Alumnus. Wayne A. Cornelius ’67, Jay R. Gates ’68, and Cynthia S. Tice ’58 all received Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Cornelius, a distinguished professor of political science and director of the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies at the University of California—San Diego, reflected on how his Wooster experience had prepared him for his vocation.

“I give full credit to Independent Study for launching my academic career and getting me into a top five political science graduate program at Stanford," Cornelius said. Wooster was also where he nurtured the musical talent needed for his avocation: a 20-year run singing with the San Diego Master Chorale.

Cornelius concluded by saying “Thanks so much, Wooster, for  enabling me to make a difference.”

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes mentored independent research. Each Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty adviser to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 1,800 students.