Dear Classmates,

Greetings to each of you! Our class gift and percentage giving was incredible in 2004.  It is hard to believe five years have passed, but we look forward to October 2-4^th when we gather again on the “Hill” in the glorious colors of fall foliage for our 55^th Homecoming celebration. Thank you again for your support at our 50^th.

From our experience we know that Norwich University provides a sound education and continues to teach the values that are necessary for the growth of our country. Young generations of Norwich graduates are entering their fields of endeavor with a solid education that helps them contribute to society. As Norwich alumni it is our continuing obligation to provide our alma mater financial support so the University can continue to mold the country’s future leaders. There are very few institutions of higher education today that teach the values of service to country and community, work ethic, honesty and honor: the cornerstone values of Norwich University.  We are asking for your support now to ensure that Norwich can continue to instill these values in our future leaders just as it did for us. 

Our class was one of the first to very successfully take advantage of the concept of making a deferred gift. A good percentage of our class decided to support Norwich through their wills, life income gifts, or multi-year pledges, and applied these gifts to our 50^th reunion. For those of you who have not made a planned or deferred gift to Norwich, we hope you will explore this way of contributing.  Those of you who have already included Norwich in your estate plan, we hope you will consider arranging an additional deferred gift to apply toward our 55^th reunion. Finally, please remember that the Mapes Matching Opportunity is still available for our class. Pier Mapes ’59 and his wife will match all planned gifts of $10,000 or more for our class with a gift from their own estate- doubling the gift to Norwich.  Information on the various options that are available to you is enclosed.

If you would like to see an online version of our Homecoming schedule of events, it can be found on the alumni page at: www.alumni.norwich.edu where you can log in and register for Homecoming! We have also enclosed details of Homecoming events that pertain to our class.  A classmate will be in touch with you soon regarding the details outlined in this letter.

We hope to see you at the reunion. Our best wishes to you.

Norwich Forever!
Don Kjelleren and Herb Steele