Surviving Sandy
Although I was among the luckier of this group, the Club was indeed a refuge. I joined other members who were warmly (both literally and figuratively) welcomed as guests until our homes were once again provided with power and water. Many staff members of the Club were also affected, some severely, yet the incomparable service appeared seamless.
During my six nights in residence, I saw many alumni, friends, and parents come in to ask if they could charge their phones, take a hot shower, study for grad school, or do just about anything else that seemed too difficult to do elsewhere. They were all warmly welcomed, offered some hot coffee, or more.
Near the end of my stay, I watched in awe as the Cornell Club management and staff geared up, “all hands on deck,” for their magnificent efforts to support the Big Red Band Sy Katz ’31 Parade in New York City. As always, the band members and cheerleaders were given the opportunity to shower and change, and to enjoy a delicious hot dinner. Hundreds of alumni, family members, and friends who followed the march down Fifth Avenue continued the celebration at a post-parade buffet at the Club.
It’s impossible to understand how all this was accomplished so flawlessly. And for me, it’s impossible to imagine “weathering” the storm without the Cornell Club’s support.
Ed. Note: For more about Cornellians helping each other—and many others—after the storm, see “From the Hill.”
Ahoy There
On page 60 of the November/December 2012 issue, you showed the model of the U.S.S. Essex made by my classmate Bob Persons. Just think—10,000 hours of work. In past years, that would  have been about equal to the work to earn a BChemE  degree. I have known Bob for sixty-plus years as our Class Curmudgeon, and I hope to see him in 2013 at our 65th Reunion. Congratulations, Bob, she is a wonderful work of art!
Summer Survey Inquiry
Civil Engineers, Forestry, and Landscape Architects—Class of ’65 and earlier: Did you take the Summer Survey? It was a five-week course, usually taken during the sophomore year, conducted at Cayuta Lake. Until 1961, the course was required for civil engineers and open to majors in forestry and landscape architecture. The course was then dropped from the engineering curriculum and the camp abandoned. I’m trying to preserve the memory of the camp, and I’m looking for photos of student life and training there. Please contact me at jwallen77@verizon.net or call (302) 351-3915. Thanks!
Correction—November/December 2012
Currents, page 30: “Serving Society,” the interview with AAP Dean Emeritus Porus Olpadwala, failed to include his Cornell degrees. They are MBA ’73 and PhD ’79. Our apologies to Dean Olpadwala for the omission.