Class News

Tony Lavely ’64 reports on YAA 2020 Assembly

YAA 2020 Assembly and Convocation Kickoff on Zoom

by Tony Lavely ’64, Class Secretary

September 20, 2020

The Yale Alumni Association and Convocation — “The Arts and Humanities at Yale: A Legacy of Excellence in Moments of Challenge” — got off to a good start this month on Zoom. There was a Deans’ panel discussion followed by small breakout sessions. Bill Morse, our YAA Delegate, and Kai Lassen, YAF Board member, joined me in the Zoom calls.

Bill Morse emailed: “Interesting discussion on several topics: How the arts and humanities contribute significantly to those specializing in the sciences. Someone noted the cross stimulation between engineering, science, and the arts, which is distinctive at Yale. Architecture on campus uplifts and inspires. Yesterday Peter Salovey quoted Kingman Brewster: “A liberal education makes life more interesting.” One participant today followed up on that, commenting on how the liberal arts inspire lifelong curiosity. This virtual small-group discussion, bringing together significantly involved alumni from around the world, was engaging, lively, and successful.”

Kai Lassen emailed: “Great presentations by President Salovey and the panel on the humanities at Yale. I especially appreciated the up-close feel from Zoom where we were right in the faces of the presenters. While I miss the on-campus interaction of the traditional Assembly/Convocation, I thought the virtual presentation was excellent and effective and in its own way felt very personal.”

Another important point that one of the deans mentioned was how virtual classes can be better than in-person classes. It’s easier for teachers to recruit experts and celebrities since these speakers can talk to classes virtually. They are more likely to accept invitations now than pre-COVID.

The program also featured an artist’s rendering of the new Humanities Quadrangle (below).

On Thursday, the Yale Alumni Fund Kickoff played a lively video of undergraduates on campus and how they are coping.