Upcoming Events
Reunions
92nd Anniversary Reunion - Labor Day Weekend - September 4-6, 2009
Deep Springs will host a reunion for alumni, family and friends over the last weekend of summer. In addition to being the 92nd anniversary of the college, it has also been forty years since we began hosting reunions at the college.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
2:00 Registration, Museum and Archives Open House
4:30 Presidents Reception hosted by David Neidorf
6:00 Dinner, Boarding House
8:00 Welcome Program, hosted by Michael Stryker DS64&TDS Chair. Introductions by David Neidorf, President. Multi-media performance of LL Nunn&SB correspondence.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
7:30 Breakfast, Boarding House
9:00 Dedication of Louis Azevedo Memorial Horseshoeing Stand at the Barn
10:00 Optional garden labor project. Time for hiking
12:30 Lunch, Boarding House
1:30 State of the College presentation with the President, Ranch Manager, SB President, Labor Commissioner and Chair of the Trustees
3:30 Roundtable discussion: The impact of a Deep Springs model for education and what role that model can take in higher education in the future
5:00 Group photos on the Main Porch
6:00 Dinner, BBQ cookout in the garden orchard
8:00 Presentation of the 2009 Deep Springs Medal for Service to Jack Newell DS56 and former President. Followed by a video screening of highlights from 1950s, 1960s&1970s reunions, courtesy of Ron Alexander DS64.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
7:30 Breakfast, Boarding House
8:00 Group Field Trips. Options include Cow Camp, Lake Corrals, Roberts Ranch
1:00 Lunch, Boarding House
2:00 Departures and free time
6:00 Dinner, Boarding House
7:30 Trustees reception for fall TDS meeting. Followed by a gathering of the Deep Springs Performing Arts Committee in the Main Room.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Linda Williams at lad@deepsprings.edu with your dates, number of attendees and your lodging plans. Of course, guest facilities on campus are in short supply so we recommend that you camp (either tent or RV). For those wanting more stars in your grade of accommodations, please contact motels directly in Big Pine or Bishop as soon as possible for reservations (it is Labor Day weekend!) Please see the list below for information.
Because of economic conditions and the added expense of hosting so many people, we ask that attendees make a donation to Deep Springs College when you arrive to help us defray the cost. Recommended donation for the weekend is $200, plus an additional $100 if you bring a partner and/or children. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to seeing you here.
Download the Area Lodging List
Gatherings for Alumni&Friends
Chicago, IL: to be announced
Seattle, WA: to be announced
Past Events
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."
Other Gatherings
New York, NY: Sunday, March 8, 2009
Less than 24 hours later another thirty alumni and friends gathered in the guest lounge of Trustee Peter Lubin's Chelsea apartment building in Manhattan for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. It was great to see alumni from every decade between 1940 and 2010 on hand. President David Neidorf fielded more questions and painted a picture of the current Deep Springs. Fundraising Director David Welle added details on the state of financial contributions to the college. We thank everyone for coming out on a rainy evening and extend our appreciation to Peter for providing the venue.
Washington, DC: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Thirty five alumni and friends of Deep Springs packed the home of Julie and Juraj Slavik DS'48 for dinner, drinks and dessert on a warm late-winter evening. President David Neidorf reported on the current mood and activities of the student body and 'staffulty' in the Valley. David also fielded numerous probing and curious questions from the gathered audience, ranging from topics like the state of the student labor program to diversity recruitment to the health of the college's finances. We greatly appreciate the generosity of Julie&Juraj in hosting the event.
Berkeley, CA: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Nearly 70 friends and alumni gathered at the historic Thorsen House across the street from UC Berkeley for drinks, snacks and shared stories. Scott Earnest DS04 and Bryce Kellogg DS05 (current members of the Sigma Phi Society that resides in the house) played host to the event. We were happy to see several former faculty members and quite a few parents along with the 33 alumni in attendance who represented classes ranging from 1947 to 2006. Michael Stryker, Chair of the Trustees, and David Neidorf, President of the college, discussed the current state of Deep Springs and fielded numerous questions from the audience. It was great to see such enthusiasm for the college.
Los Angeles, CA: December 6, 2008
Twenty-eight alumni, friends, and parents joined DS President David Neidorf at the new office of Stayner Architects, graciously hosted by alumnus Christian Stayner DS00 and his parents Gil Stayner and Teri Fox. With a marvelous view of downtown LA from the 12th floor suite, guests enjoyed a fine table of refreshments and entrees prepared by Christian. We greatly appreciate the Stayners' hospitality and generosity.
Boston, MA: November 1, 2008
More than 30 friends and alumni (ranging from 1955 to 2005) gathered in the banquet room of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Cambridge. Naturally, there was a strong contingent of recent DS alums who currently represent DS at Harvard.
Please contact Linda Williams, Assistant to the President, with any questions or RSVPs either at lad@deepsprings.edu or (760) 872-2000 x33.