Deep Springs hosts unprecedented Alumni Week May 29-June 5
The Deep Springs Community enjoyed a unique and busy Memorial Day week with alumni. Three different groups visited the ranch for back-to-back events on successive days, and a total of 65 alumni were present in the valley over just a few days' time (including the three who live here).
It all began with the 1980s reunion. Carloads of campers converged from different gathering points in Las Vegas, Reno, San Francisco and Los Angeles on the last weekend of May. By Saturday morning we had 40 alumni from a ten-year span camped on various lawns and floors around the campus, along with some of their families. The cold weather finally broke and cast sunny skies for two days of conversation, dining, campus tours and the ever-popular volunteer labor party. This year's chores included digging in the garden and clearing debris from the irrigation ditch. What other college alumni can be so industrious for their homecoming? Particularly noteworthy was the attendance of DS 1985: 12 of 13 were here for their 25th anniversary.
The first of June found several members of the 1960s SB on hand for a memorial gathering (organized by Dan Ihara and Ron Alexander, both DS64) to honor the memory of David Mossner, class of 1963. In addition to the stories told by those in attendance, several reminiscences were read from friends and family of David who couldn't make the trip. Community and SB members joined in song on the patio of the Main Building to celebrate the brief but very rich life of a remarkable DS individual.
The week wound up with the arrival of a chartered bus carrying nearly a score of 1940s alumni for a gathering the likes of which had not been seen in years. Over two and a half busy days, alumni visited points in Wyman Canyon, Deep Springs Lake and Bristlecone Pines; participated in Q & A about the current finances and operations of the college; heard a presentation on the history of Deep Springs from Jack Newell DS'56; explored Student Body archives and shared numerous meals with the current students. The group also devoted a lengthy evening to share recollections & memories of every single 1940s alumnus who has passed away in 60 years. Special guest attending was current DS Trustee, Beth Thomas, the daughter of Eunice & Simon Whitney DS'19. Beth spent the first five years of her childhood at Deep Springs while Si Whitney was Director of the college in the 1940s.
All reports from across the decades indicate that everyone had an enjoyable time. Attendees were able to learn more about each others' careers and they all expressed confidence in the current condition and programs of the college. The camaraderie of Deep Springs alumni continues to thrive and they each continue to demonstrate their commitment to the ethos of leadership that L.L. Nunn envisioned. Special thanks go out to Mike Zaletel DS'04 and Eamon O'Connor DS'06 who came back to the Valley for the week to lend their formidable skills in the kitchen to our regular staff and student cooks to keep both guests and community members well-fed.
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Past Events
Tacoma, Washington
May 8th brought rare fine weather for the crowd of guests at the home of Karen & Phil Craven DS'60. Alumni and friends alike enjoyed making new acquaintances in the area, including Linda L. Nunn (Lucien L. Nunn's grandniece). John Sledd DS'73 brought wild-caught salmon for the BBQ and we heard updates from alumni ranging class of 1950 to class of 2010. Thanks to Phil & Karen for hosting.
Portland, Oregon
Many thanks also to Bruce & Jana Taylor, parents of Peter Taylor DS'06, for opening their home to a score of DS alumni and friends on May 7th. The food was delicious and the conversation was, by turns, refreshingly contentious, informative and entertaining. Thanks to all those who came (spanning 50+ years of DS history).
92nd Anniversary Reunion - Labor Day Weekend - September 4-6, 2009
Deep Springs hosted 70 guests over the weekend of a full moon during our recent Labor Day Reunion. Among the attendees were 30 alumni spread across every decade since the 1940s. Events kicked off on Friday night with a dramatic reading by current student body members of selected L.L. Nunn correspondence during the founding years of the college. The reading was accompanied by an evocative slide show of campus photos from 1917 to 1925.
On Saturday morning, attendees gathered at the horse barn to witness the dedication of the newly completed Louis Azevedo Memorial Horseshoeing stand in the company of several 1950s alumni who worked with and admired the famed DS cowboy. The group was also joined by a few of Louis' friends from Fish Lake Valley, including former DS office manager Diane Seidenverg who christened the steel bars with a ceremonial bottle of Mojave Red. Student crews poured the slab and welded the framework for the stand which will make the ever-strenuous job of shoeing the horses easier and safer.
Saturday afternoon included presentations from Mark Dunn DS99 on the current successes (alfalfa production has tripled in the past three years) and challenges (alfalfa commodity prices have collapsed) of the farm operation, and from SB Trustee Steve Carmody DS08 on the current issues being discussed in Student Body politics (including, among others, peer review of academic class work.)
On Saturday evening, everyone gathered for barbecue cookout on the lawn of the Cowboy House at the lower ranch under beautiful blue skies and cool breezes. BH Manager Bill Scott and his student crew whipped up a fabulous tri-tip picnic with Deep Springs corn-on-the-cob picked fresh that very morning by a crew of volunteer alumni.
Alumnus and former DS president Jack Newell DS56 received the Deep Springs Medal in a ceremony on the Main Porch. Board of Trustees Chair Michael Stryker DS64 presented the medal to Jack (with wife Linda at his side) in recognition of a remarkable career spent working on behalf of Deep Springs and on behalf of Nunnian ideals at other institutions of higher learning.
Sunday was enjoyed as a day of rest by the reunion attendees as everyone was free to roam the campus and valley at their own behest, simply enjoying the quiet and beauty of the desert and partaking of the company of new and old friends. The reunion was capped by an extravaganza of musical and dramatic talent on Sunday night as the Deep Springs Performing Arts Committee convened. Performers included students, staff, alumni and friends and ranged for two hours from the SB jazz ensemble's rendition of "Footsteps", to a Scottish dance by Chris Campbell DS73.
Throughout the weekend, President David Neidorf opened the doors of his home to host a continuous welcome reception for attendees, and students volunteered extra hours of labor to produce a continuous string of fantastic meals. Thanks to everyone who came to visit; we hope you felt rejuvenated by the time and that you take a bit of the spirit of L.L. Nunn's vision back home with you.
Decade Reunions
1970s Decade Reunion: May 23-25, 2009
Deep Springs Valley was home to 20% of 1970s alumni over the Memorial Day weekend. 25 former members of the SB were on hand, representing every class from the decade except 1972. With so many present, visitors experienced a remarkable sense of continuity through the classes; those who hadn't met before found at least one friend already in common.
The community was able to accommodate everyone while tents dotted both the upper and lower ranch. Volunteers shared group preparations of breakfast and BBQ dinners throughout the weekend. Festivities included a lively discussion on the changing character of Labor at DS, an even livelier discussion on the history of DS politics during the 1970s, and an evening remembrance dedicated to the memories of six alumni from the era that are deceased--held outdoors under stormy skies at dusk.
Of course, alumni enjoyed most of their time simply reconnecting with each other, taking excursions in the valley and meeting the current student body. Everyone expressed great satisfaction with the format and appreciation for the hospitality of the SB and the entire community. We enjoyed having the collective memory and energy of the gathered alumni to enliven the college.
1960s: September 19-21, 2008
Sixteen former members of the SB circa 1960-69 came to the ranch for an extended weekend that included a few formal panels, student receptions, group trips to the lake and the Whites, a marathon run, labor parties in the garden and BH and plenty of socializing. An informal "remembrance" gathering was held in the main room for those alumni who have passed away. Jack Newell joined the group to present some of the research from his forthcoming book on the history of Deep Springs. Members of the current student body appreciated having a small group of alumni visitors fit readily into the community and students past and present were able to share perspectives with each other.
1950s: October 24-26, 2008
An additional ten former members of the SB circa 1950-59 convened one month later. In addition to rediscovering the campus and socializing, activities included a comparison of SB government functions then and now, a group review of archival materials from the decade and further illumination among the gathered of some very tumultuous times in Deep Springs history.
Read some of the responses to the mini-reunion format:
John Getsinger DS64 felt the reunion "was way better than anything I expected". He appreciated that it was a "small slice of folks which felt really informal and personal."
Donald Attwood DS60 thought "it was a great event." It was his first visit to the Valley in nearly 30 years and he particularly liked meeting people he hadn't know personally but had always known of through mutual classmates.
Brian Galvin DS65 "had a great time." He found the reunion was both a positive and useful event for him because it was a chance to reconnect and get a more objective view of Deep Springs outside his original experience as a student.
Larry White DS53 said "the visit to Deep Springs was very memorable and worthwhile. Discussing experiences with the guys at the reunion was enjoyable. The physical plant looks and feels the same even though it is very different. The changes are improvements and the whole complex is very impressive. I was also impressed with the current students that we met. I am glad that I went."
Eric Swanson DS65 felt the smaller reunion format made it easier to share common experiences with the other attendees and he appreciated the opportunity to review archives from the era.
David Hoople DS56 responded with gratitude, "In my case it has been 49 years since I was on campus. It is remarkable to me how little has changed physically although the upgrades certainly have been positive. The spirit of Deep Springs was in evidence seen in the students...I enjoyed the camaraderie of those who attended. In short, my visit allowed the desert to speak to me as it did many years ago."
Please contact Linda Williams, Assistant to the President, with any questions or RSVPs either at lad@deepsprings.edu or (760) 872-2000 x33.