Assembly LXV and “How Do You Eat a Liberal Education?”
by Carolyn Claflin
In his welcome for Assembly
LXV – In After Years, Chair Michael Madison ’83 asked: “How
do you eat a liberal education?” This thought-provoking question would
stimulate and punctuate discussions and conversations throughout the weekend.
Mike went on in his opening remarks to share with attendees more about the
objectives of Assembly LXV. “The point of this Assembly is to talk about
what happens in between, about the planning and thinking that goes into getting
students from ‘welcome to Yale’ to ‘this is what our alumni
do,’ between the students as Yale accepts them, and alumni as Yale welcomes
them back. What happens, and what should happen – from the perspective
of the student, and from the perspective of the University – to prepare
them to choose among and then to engage with the further education, the careers,
and the other things that occupy them when they graduate, for the 5-10 years
after they graduate, and (maybe) even beyond.”
Nearly 450 alumni and their guests gathered in New Haven for Assembly LXV (held November 17-19), which offered a wide range of sessions related to this theme of life after Yale. Thursday opened with a panel presentation by four deans – Peter Salovey ’86 PhD, Dean of Yale College; Jon Butler, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Robert Alpern, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine; and James Bundy ’95 M.F.A., Dean of the Drama School. The balance of the day featured sessions with career services officers, career roundtable discussions moderated by AYA Board members, and a presentation by Yale sociologist, Deborah Davis. Friday’s programs were designed to help Assembly delegates and other alumni leaders in their volunteer lives and included sessions with key university administrators, a luncheon with remarks by Vice President and Secretary Linda Lorimer ’77 J.D., and sessions specially organized for volunteers based on their constituency (classes, clubs, shared interest groups, and graduate and professional schools). A university update with President Richard Levin ’74 Ph.D. capped the program. The weekend also featured the Yale Medal dinner, the ever-popular indoor tailgate, and the fun and tradition that is The Game – despite the disappointing triple overtime outcome on the gridiron.
An executive summary is being prepared and will be posted soon to the Assembly Web site. The AYA will also solicit feedback from attendees via a brief online survey. Among the questions on the post-event survey is “What one piece of information that you learned at the Assembly surprised you?”
The success of the weekend is due in very large part to the many Assembly delegates and volunteer leaders who made the trip to campus. You are what make Assemblies special and we appreciate all that you do to engage with your alma mater and with each other.