Class of 1976 (50th)

Greetings!

During Reunion Weekend June 4–7, 2026, we will mark 50 years since our graduation from Colby. I managed to unearth my programs from our baccalaureate service as well as commencement, May 29 and May 30, 1976, respectively. As foretold, I remember little of speaker messages, but many names are familiar—Tom Angers, our class marshall; Nate Winstanley, our senior class speaker; Robert Weinstein, choir director; Condon Medal winner Robert Anderson; a responsive reading by Trustee Kenneth Johnson ’37 (no relation to our own Ken “Boomer” Johnson ’76); and prayers and benedictions by Tom Longstaff, who, for me, was a treasured professor of Biblical literature and greeted 8 a.m. classes with astounding voice and energy. And I remember driving away from Colby onto I-95 South that day with tears in my eyes. I truly loved my years at Colby.

Today Colby has changed, but its heart and soul remain the same. As class agent for countless years and chair of our 50th Reunion, my “job” is to encourage all of us to give back to Colby as best we can and continue great Colby traditions. For our 50th we have special opportunities to add to Colby, and it is my hope, goal, and dream that each and every one of us can make an extra special gift to Colby in honor of our 50th Reunion.

Here are a few ideas:

• Contribute to the Colby Fund—designate your gift to your favorite department or sport, financial aid, health, the arts, and/or environment.
• Contribute to the Jimmy Hayes Fund, an endowed scholarship fund in memory of our friend, football and baseball star, fraternity brother, and all-around great guy.
• Contribute toward the new science center, where our class will work on a gift to endow a chair, a lab, or research.

As a financial aid recipient myself, I now hope to support all of the above in one way or another. Last year I gave to Colby Crew, the Colby Museum of Art, and the Performance, Theater, and Dance Department. We have big goals for our class of 1976—$197,600 and 176 donors for the Colby Fund. Our class CAN reach the highest Reunion Gift Total and the Highest Participation Level (which we often achieve). Let’s show our heart and soul. Gifts can be made over multiple years or as a legacy gift.

Thanks for your generosity. Our themes this year are—from our Class President, Scott McDermott—”Just Show Up,” and, for my theme, I refer to the Chicago Mafia slogan, ”Vote early and often” with a slight change, “Give early and give often!”

See you in June. Go Mules of ’76!

Sincerely,

Jenny Frutchy ’76
50th Reunion Chair