By Roger Seidenman
So Thursday night a week ago we had our Alumni Annual Fund Phoning Night. It always provides a glimpse into fundraising at Park, alumni sentiment toward Park, and very broadly the core of Park. This particular phoning session usually features some of our most enthusiastic callers. We spanned five decades of graduates; it would have been six decades, but a few of our stalwarts from the 50’s had pressing engagements.
If you asked me what our greatest challenge was I would reply without hesitation that it’s people don’t answer their phones anymore. Truth be told, I don’t answer the phone much either. Despite all of that, this is not a lament but rather more a hosanna to our phoners, to our alumni, and to our school.
The evening started a bit slowly. But once we got rolling, gifts came in at a good clip. I’m reluctant to single people out, because of course it’s Park after all, but please indulge me. The two youngest phoners in the room, Matt Rogers’ 04 and Jason Trout ’03, were terrific. Being of the “What’s a landline?” generation helped them to reach their classmates, and when they did, they got gifts. Their experience was the lesson. When alumni speak to other alumni about their time at Park, people give generously. Answering the why they give probably has as many dimensions as there are graduates.
Since it’s my blog, I guess I get to share a few of my own answers to that question and I imagine they will resonate with many of you. My reasons include some very special faculty. As a result of taking numerous classes taught by Kenny Greif, I’m a far better reader and thinker than I would have been without that experience. Perhaps I drive him crazy with my exhaustive interpretations of the symbolism behind characters’ names— I’ll go down swinging on the argument that Olive in Saul Bellow’s Seize the Day is not named that by accident—but he taught a level of literary interpretation that is unparalleled. By the way, I’ve found those same analytical skills can pay off when dealing with real people. Brooks Lakin, of course, embodied the notion that what may satisfy many isn’t good enough if there’s more to be done. Lucky Mallonee ’62, who picked on me a good bit my junior year, taught me a great life lesson that has translated on and off the field; we all face challenges and the true winners are those who confront obstacles with all the resources they can muster and who give their best effort without being deterred by the fear of failure.
Aside from those lessons, and there are so many more from other mentors, there are my Park School friends. I’m still in contact with many of them and I consider them family. They embody the things that make life so fulfilling: wisdom, laughter, compassion, beauty, determination, and a whole host of other remarkable qualities.
That’s what Park provides---lifelong learning and a community to share and enjoy it with. With apologies to Pete Townshend, “I call that a bargain. The best I ever had.”
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