Spring is a busy time for many of us, and perhaps this year our sense of emerging from hibernation is stronger than ever given our pandemic-imposed isolation. For Trinity’s graduating class of 1962, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, as a self-appointed 6T2 Reunion Organizing Committee prepares to celebrate their class’ 60-year reunion.
This year’s Spring Reunion will include a mixture of in-person and online events for alumni. The class of 1962 has planned a special Zoom celebration on May 27—and as Gwynneth Evans ’62 points out, the benefit of having a virtual celebration is that alumni may join in from anywhere in the world.
“Some of the recipients have been very quick to reply to our invitation for a Zoom celebration, especially if they are far away and have little contact with their classmates,” says Evans, adding that some classmates have been more challenging to locate: “Roger Kirkpatrick, we’re so glad we finally have your new email address!”
Evans, along with classmates Jill (Reville) Hill, Gerald Wright, Sylvia (Swinden) Milne, Anne Stevens and Robert Buchan, has been working the phones and email channels and conducting internet searches for weeks to reach as many of their former classmates as possible. “It is wonderful connecting with people,” says Evans. “The other day I spoke with someone who lives very close to Ottawa, where I live, and has not been in touch with the College for a long time. I found her through her husband’s name. She has never been on a Zoom call, but she has chosen to join us on Friday, May 27 at noon!”
Marking a milestone together
In addition to their eagerly anticipated Zoom party, the class of ’62 is looking forward to the Chancellor’s Honored Year Celebration on May 26, a special virtual event for alumni celebrating their 55th, 60th, 65th, 70th, 75th and 80th anniversaries of graduation.
The class has also chosen to support the College’s Reunion priorities as a special way of marking this honored year. “Many of us are graduates of several universities and programs,” says Evans. “I have decided to donate only to Trinity, as my foundational lifelong learning experience and because I believe in education as a strong, positive and vibrant instrument of development and change. Others choose institutions from another phase of their lives to support. I think that contributing to the future development of the College, if one has the means, is an important aspect of communal life—but it is a personal decision.”
Fond memories
Although it’s been more than 60 years since Evans arrived at Trinity, the memories of that time are still fresh. “I must admit that my extracurricular activities and friendships were more important to me than many of my classes,” she recalls. “We bonded as St. Hildians and used to stay up late to try to figure out the world.
“Several of us were in the College choir, where we sang at least twice a week. Dr. John Sidgwick was a wonderful director—challenging, musical and a master of bringing a disparate group of young people together. Father Ralston, a Southerner, was our chaplain for a while and no one missed a practice or service! A group of us also bought tickets for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and used to attend the ballet. I also remember going weekly to St. Christopher’s House, a charitable community organization, to assist with the children’s programs there. I believe that helped to lay the foundation for the volunteer and education work I have done with young people in Canada and abroad in Uganda throughout my life.”
Lasting bonds
Over the years, Evans has kept in touch with many of the friends she made at Trinity. In fact, for decades a group of up to 15 St. Hildians has met once a year to spend a couple of days together at rented cottages in Ontario’s cottage country. “We have a wonderful, relaxing time,” says Evans. “And since we are all retired, we now take advantage of the cheaper rates in the middle of the week!”
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