Shaping the Men Who Shape Our World: Cranbrook Men Celebrate the School's 80th Anniversary
Over 250 alumni and guests returned to the Cranbrook campus on Saturday, October 20, 2007, to celebrate Cranbrook School for Boys’ 80th anniversary, savoring treasured memories: The annual pageant. The Smoking Room. The Rifle Club. Wonnberger’s dreaded essay assignments. The beautiful campus. The faculty who inspired them. Their friends.
Over 250 alumni and guests returned to the Cranbrook campus on Saturday, October 20, 2007, to celebrate Cranbrook School for Boys’ 80th anniversary, savoring treasured memories: The annual pageant. The Smoking Room. The Rifle Club. Wonnberger’s dreaded essay assignments. The beautiful campus. The faculty who inspired them. Their friends.
The dining hall was filled with familiar faces from as far back as the 1930s. Former headmasters Bob Sandoe (1964-1972) and Sam Salas (1960-1986), and long-time former faculty members Ben Snyder and Del Walden returned to join the celebration. In his remarks, Ben Snyder reminded the attendees of the legacies of the faculty and leaders who had gone before them. Charlie Shaw, Head of the Upper School, had the distinct pleasure of announcing the official naming of Del Walden Field, the playing field located in the Thompson Oval.
Guests were regaled by the witticisms of the discussion panel moderated by Michael Barone, C’62 and composed of alumni spanning five decades: Ward Just, C’53, James Evans, C’68, Brad Leithauser, C’71, Alexi Lalas, CK’88, and Trooper Sanders, CK’91.
Part of the musical entertainment flew in from the other Cranbrook School in Kent, England. They joined our own Master Singers and Archers to intone both traditional and modern elements to the occasion. A court jester and herald (retrieved from their rehearsals for the annual pageant) livened up the festivities. And to top it off, one of our most celebrated alumni was Master of Ceremonies for the day: Peter M. Dawkins, C’55 – Heisman Trophy Winner and Brigadier General.
It was a notable day for all who attended – and the men came from far and wide, including 15 states, and even one alumnus, Maxime Rincourt, C'74, who came all the way from Paris, France. As Arlyce Seibert said in her closing remarks, “There is no question but that our Cranbrook men have taken their motto, ‘Aim High,’ seriously. They are truly men who are shaping the world.”