Alumni Service Awards
Nancy Wonnell Mathews '76 was presented a 2005 Alumni Service Award during the Lord Botetourt Auction on Feb. 10. Matthews has chaired the auction twice -- once in 1992 and a second time in 2002 -- and served on the auction committee since its inception in 1990. She and her husband, Hallett Mathews (Honorary Alumnus '02), have supported Tribe Athletics for years. Additionally, she has served on the board of directors of the Athletic Educational Foundation. Mathews, who served on her 25th Reunion gift committee, is currently a member of Class of 1976 30th Reunion gift committee.

Henry D. Wilde Jr. '53 was presented a 2004 Alumni Service Award on Jan. 14 for his ongoing efforts on behalf of the College and the Alumni Association. As co-chair of his 50th Reunion gift committee, Wilde and his classmates raised over $1.3 million for their class gift. He is an emeritus member of the Endowment Association board and a former vice president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Wilde, who lives in Texas, is a founding member and past president of the Houston Alumni Chapter. He has served as a member of the Houston Alumni Admission Network and as a class agent.

Board of Directors Meeting in New York
The Alumni Association's Board of Directors gathered in New York City for their spring meeting on March 23-24, 2006, prior to the 12th biennial New York Auction. Among other actions taken during the meeting, the Board:

Voted on the 2006 Alumni Medallion Award recipients and selected Constance Warren Desaulniers '75, Thomas P. Hollowell '65, J.D. '68, M.L.T. '69, Susan Aheron Magill '72, Theresa Thompson '67 and Winfred O'Neil Ward '54.

Approved Charter Day as the new time and place to honor Medallion recipients, thereby eliminating the need for the Homecoming Ball.

Selected Joseph Plumeri '66 as the 2006 Homecoming Grand Marshal.

Approved the selection of James Armstrong, director of William and Mary Choirs, and Robb Dunn, associate athletic director, as recipients of the 2006 Faculty/ Staff Service Awards.

Granted associate alumni status for 20 retiring non-alumni employees of the College.

Reviewed and approved the 2006-07 operating budget for the Alumni Association.

Named the five 2006 Alumni Fellowship Award recipients: Alison Beach, assistant professor of religious studies; Rachel DiNitto, assistant professor of modern languages and literatures; Mark H. Forsyth, assistant professor of biology; Robert L. Hicks, assistant professor of economics; and Ram K. Ganeshan, assistant professor of business.

Class of 1956 Celebrates 50th Reunion
The 2006 50th Reunion weekend began with a welcome reception at the Muscarelle Museum of Art on Friday evening, April 28. Activities continued Saturday morning with breakfast, a student panel discussion and a guided bus tour of campus. Following the tour, President Gene R. Nichol accepted the Class of 1956 reunion gift on behalf of the College at a luncheon in Trinkle Hall.

Saturday evening, classmates met at the University Center for a reception and dinner. The class relived memories of graduation 50 years ago, on Sunday, by donning academic regalia and receiving medallions during the Olde Guarde Induction Ceremony in the Wren Yard. Immediately following this ceremony, deceased classmates were honored during a special Service of Remembrance.

Olde Guarde Day 2006
Olde Guarde Day, on May 1, featured guest speaker Harrison R. Tyler '49 during the academic symposium, discussing his great-grandfather, the 10th U.S. President John Tyler. The traditional Bloody Mary reception followed to welcome the newest members of the Olde Guarde, the Class of 1956.

During the luncheon, President Gene R. Nichol addressed the audience, admiring their dedication to the College. Linwood Perkins '52, Olde Guarde chair, presented Dixon L. Foster '44, B.C.L. '49 with the fourth annual Olde Guarde Distinguished Service Award. The Gentlemen of the College performed a rousing rendition of the "Alma Mater" to conclude the day's festivities.

New York Auction 2006
This year's auction featured many amazing items, but the biggest bidding war was over the adorable puppy honorary auctioneer President Gene R. Nichol toured around the room. Sam Sadler '64, M.Ed. '71 served as auctioneer with guest appearances by Joseph Plumeri '66 and President Emeritus Paul R. Verkuil '61. Alumni from all classes gathered at the Grand Hyatt for the auction, which grossed close to $200,000 for the Alumni Association's out-of-state student scholarship endowment, diversity programming, the Dean's Endowment for the Arts, and Association programs and publications. On the Saturday evening after the big event, alumni had the opportunity to attend the Broadway musical Wicked and to be greeted by the cast during a special post-show program.