Class News
Robert Whitby ’64, Chris Getman ’64, and the Yale Canon Mini-Reunion
October 9, 2021
Chris Getman
Robert Whitby
In one of our Class’s most ambitious Zoom events ever, co-chairs Robert Whitby and Chris Getman assembled a stellar cast of speakers for an all-day Mini-Reunion on Saturday, October 9, 2021.
The genesis of the theme — “60 Years of Change to Yale’s Academic Canon” — was at the 2020 Class Council meeting, the last one we held in person. Earlier that year, the History of Art course had been canceled, signaling a change in the Yale Canon. The announcement stirred controversy, with strong opinions on both sides.
Our co-chairs, Robert Whitby and Chris Getman, proposed a mini-reunion to explore the subject, at the time envisioned as a traditional in-person gathering either in New Haven or NYC. Rather than give up on the theme when the pandemic shut things down, they converted the event to Zoom.
Co-chairs Whitby and Getman with Class Secretary Lavely on Zoom
The stellar cast of presenters included:
- Dean of Yale College Marvin Chun
- Yale Art Gallery Director Jock Reynolds
- Yale graduate and renowned artist James Prosek
- Yale Bands Director Thomas Duffy
- Classmate and ‘64 Whiffenpoof Roger Thompson
- Former YC Dean and President of Duke University Dick Brodhead
- Classmate and Harvard College Humanities Professor Stephen Greenblatt
Roger Thompson
Stephen Greenblatt
The event began at 10:00am and wrapped up at 3:30pm, allowing for some “socializing” time at the end.
Jock Reynolds, Yale Art Gallery Director, and artist James Prosek
Whiffenpoof Roger Thompson and Yale Band Director Thomas Duffy
1964 Whiffenpoofs
Over 75 classmates and friends attended the event which included three breakout sessions for discussion. Eleven classmates facilitated the breakouts:
Larry Crutcher
Bill Galvin
Chris Getman
Tony Lavely
Ed Massey
Roger Thompson
Joe Wishcamper
Bill Woodfin
Breakout Group #2
The Zoom event was recorded (except for the breakouts). The videos are below. With very positive word-of-mouth already underway, we expect to reach an audience of over 200.