Music in the Schools
The 1957 Yale Bowl Portal Project (Final Report)
The Donald K. Walker '26 Scholarship Fund
Dwight Hall Summer Fellowships

Music in the Schools

The Music in the Schools class project has its own website. Click here to enter it.

Project Update May 2008

We are midway between the hugely successful first biennial Symposium on Music in Education, which coincided with our 50th reunion last year, and the second Symposium, to be held in the spring of 2009. These Symposia, sponsored by the Yale School of Music as part of the Music in Schools Project, are living signs of the national reach of our class music project. The goal of the project, first established in the years following our 40th reunion, to support an increase in music education in public schools, is being realized.

The importance of our Music Endowment to the Yale School of Music is apparent on YSM's website – www.yale.edu/music - where a link on the home page takes viewers to pages headed Outreach: Music in Schools. Those pages offer thanks for “the vision and leadership of the Yale Class of 1957” and provide further links to the three segments of the Music in Schools Project: YSM's work with New Haven schools, the biennial Symposium (including photos of classmates at the 2007 Symposium), and the Visiting Professor of Music Education. There is also a direct link from the YSM site to our class website.

YSM's Dean Robert Blocker spoke to the class at our annual dinner in New York in April, 2008 on the growth and future plans for the project. His enthusiastic report included introductions of two young YSM graduates who are working full time on the project. Jim Banner's thorough description of Dean Blocker's report is available on our class website.

The first Symposium in May 2007 is also well and fully described on our class Music Project website, managed by Phil Richards – www.musicinschools.org Plans are underway to integrate that site in time into the Outreach pages of YSM's site. Indeed, all of the work that Phil and others have put in over the years to gather information and resources on music in education will find a place in the YSM Outreach pages, as that site grows in the future.

Our class's continuing involvement in the Music in Schools Project, in addition to website development, will take several forms, including the following:

The 55th Reunion team will be gearing up to increase the $5 million already raised from classmates for the Music Endowment;

Classmates will again be invited to nominate outstanding public school music educators from their localities to be honored at the New Haven symposium in 2009; and

A committee of classmates will continue to be involved in offering advice and support to YSM as the project rolls on.

As this is a class project, all classmates with an interest in promoting music education in American public schools are urged to participate. Please send our Class Secretary, Tom Chittenden, your thoughts and suggestions at tchitten@earthlink.net.

—Malcolm Mitchell

The 1957 Yale Bowl Portal Project (Final Report)

At half time of the Harvard Game, on November 17, 2007, a Portal Plaque was unveiled at Yale Bowl honoring the extraordinary athletic achievements of the Class of 1957 during senior year. The plaque is the result of the generous contributions of nearly one hundred classmates who raised in excess of $250,000, as part of our 50th Reunion gift, to help with the much-needed renovation of Yale Bowl. The plaque reads

It is displayed among plaques honoring the 1934 Iron Man Team, Levi Jackson, Carm Cozza, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Football Championship Teams of 1960, 1968, and 1989 among others. It is notable company, but company in which the Class of 1957 belongs.

As an integral part of the fund-raising effort, memorial gifts were received in honor of the following deceased classmates:

Memorial Gifts were also received in honor of the following deceased friends and mentors:

May they all rest in peace.

This magnificent effort would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the committee made up of Don Bab, Bill Clinton, Colin Gracey, Don Griffith, Ev Hedeen, Colin Jensen, Dick Jones, Ted Jones, Jim King, Ed Meyer, Mike Oberlin, Jack Pendergast, Ed Robinson, Bide Thomas, and the late Pete Fritzsche.

The Donald K. Walker '26 Scholarship Fund

The Donald K. Walker '26 Scholarship Fund was created at the Class of 1957's 25th reunion, the brain child of classmate Bill Wrean. Don Walker was a senior member of the undergraduate admissions office when our class applied to Yale, and he interviewed many of us as candidates for admission. He was also a resident fellow of Calhoun College and through that tie stayed in touch with many of us during our four years in New Haven.

Early gifts to the Walker Fund and principal appreciation since then have generated enough money so that income from the Fund currently can support full scholarships for four Yale undergraduates. The Fund is part of Yale’s permanent endowment, and the Fund will exist in perpetuity. Gifts to the Fund are credited to the amount the class gives to Yale during the five years leading to each reunion.

For the last decade or so, class members have each winter taken Walker Scholarship holders to dinner at Mory's to tell them about Don Walker and why scholarships in his name exist. These dinners are also wonderful opportunities for us to meet several Yale undergraduates in a relaxed setting and to sense how gifted today's Yale students are.

Donald K. Walter Scholarship Recipients, 1983-present

2007-2008
Chad C. Costello '11
Molly J. Kim '09
Jarrett M. Drake ‘09
Michael B. McLeod ‘09

2006-2007
Molly J. Kim '09
Jarrett M. Drake ‘09
Michael B. McLeod ‘09
Michelle Gosselin ‘07

2005-2006
Andrew Burke ‘06
Jarrett M. Drake ‘09
Michael B. McLeod ‘09
Michelle Gosselin ‘07

2004-2005
Andrew Burke ‘06
Robert D. Carr ‘05
Eric M. Diamond ‘05
Michelle Gosselin ‘07

2003-2004
Andrew Burke ‘06
Matthew Murray ‘07
Robert D. Carr ‘05
Eric M. Diamond ‘05

2002-2003
Matthew W. Lewis ‘03
Robert D. Carr ‘05
Eric M. Diamond ‘05

2001-2002
Matthew W. Lewis ‘03
Robert D. Carr ‘05
Eric M. Diamond ‘05

2000-2001
Matthew W. Lewis ‘03
Rashad Bartholomew ‘01
David Farrell ‘03

1999-2000
Matthew W. Lewis ‘03
Rashad Bartholomew ‘01
David Farrell ‘03

1998-1999
Kenneth Marschner ‘99
Scott Benton ‘99

1997-1998
Kenneth Marschner ‘99
Scott Benton ‘99

1996-1997
Kenneth Marschner ‘99
Scott Benton ‘99

1995-1996
Kenneth Marschner ‘99
Scott Benton ‘99

1994-1995
Raymond Rast ‘95

1993-1994
Raymond Rast ‘95

1992-1993
Raymond Rast ‘95

1991-1992
Raymond Rast ‘95

1990-1991
William McSwain ‘91

1989-1990
William McSwain ‘91

1988-1989
William McSwain ‘91

1987-1988
William McSwain ‘91

1986-1987
Steven Provenzano ‘90

1985-1986
Ardel McKenna ‘86

1984-1985
Ardel McKenna ‘86

1983-1984
Ardel McKenna ‘86

Following is a copy of the most recent report about recent Walker Scholars from Bill Bidwell, Yale’s recording secretary, to Don Roberts.

October 2, 2007

Dear Don:

It is always a joy to write and tell you about the deserving students who are benefiting from the Donald K. Walker (B.A. 1926) Scholarship Fund, and to express Yale's profound gratitude for the enduring and vital support this endowment provides. Three of last year's four Walker Scholars, Jarrett M. Drake '09, Molly J. Kim '09, and Michael B. McLeod '09, have been afforded the honor once again for 2007-2008. Their fellow beneficiary in 2006- 2007, Michelle Gosselin '07, graduated last spring, and in her place we have selected Chad C. Costello, a member of our Class of 2011.

This marks Jarrett's third year as a Walker Scholar. From Dolton, Illinois, he was an Advanced Placement Scholar and a commended scholar-athlete at the Thornridge High School. He excelled academically while competing in varsity football, track, and basketball. Jarrett captained the football and basketball teams while earning All-Area, All-Conference, and Academic All-State honors for his own efforts as a wide receiver in football and All-Conference honors as a forward on the basketball squad. He graduated as valedictorian of his class. Now a junior at Yale, Jarrett has declared as a history major, and his interests also include political science and law. He would like to attend law school after earning his B.A., and he has enjoyed working for a law firm during the summer. In addition to his stud- ies, Jarrett participates in several extracurricular activities. He continues to be an involved member of the Morse College community, to tutor area high school students, and to serve as co-president of the Yale Black Men's Union, but the lion's share of his energy this fall has once again been directed to Yale football. A quick and tall wide receiver, he began to play an increasingly important role with the varsity last year, when he was particularly effective in the game against Princeton. Thus far this year, he has made three catches for 59 yards— with one for 32 yards early on and another for 12 off of a third-and-seven conversion—as a starter in the season opener against Georgetown; and he has continued to contribute to the team's successes against Cornell and Holy Cross and their current record of 3-0. He is ex-pected to see even more playing time over the course of the season.

This will be Molly's second year as a Walker Scholar. You may recall from my last report that she is a first-generation American of Korean ancestry, that she was brought up principally in Burbank, California, and that she compiled an exemplary record at the Bur- bank Senior High School. An Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, Molly earned several academic honors, and she also served as an officer of her school's Model U.N. pro- gram and Key Club, played varsity golf, studied ballet, and undertook mission work through her church. She is the first in her family to attend college. Now a junior at Yale, she has declared as an economics major, and remains interested in pursuing graduate studies in bus- iness administration after earning her B.A. In addition to working hard at her studies, Molly has been very active as treasurer and social chair for Sigma Psi Zeta, an “Asian interest” sorority for women of all ethnicities; and she remains affiliated with the Korean American Students at Yale and Liberty in North Korea organizations. Her many interests include bal- let, baking, baseball, and “long conversations about life.”

Mike has been a Walker Scholar since coming to Yale in 2005 from New Britain, Connecticut. He earned a record as a superb scholar-athlete at New Britain High School, where he excelled academically while also captaining the football team and earning numer- ous honors as a star running back. Among other achievements, he rushed for 1,800 yards in a single season, earned All-League and All-Area honors, and garnered First Team All-State “Best of The Best” honors from the New Haven Register.

Mike is also now a junior, and he has declared this year as a political science major. Interested also in history and several other subjects, he is an active member of Jonathan Ed-wards College. The Yale campus is buzzing with excitement over his performance this fall as a star tailback for the Eli varsity. Perhaps you have been following his exploits. He came out of the box running in the opener against Georgetown, earning 157 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns on 31 carries, and then produced a nearly identical record against Cornell in the Ivy opener, with 151 yards and 3 touchdowns on 31 carries. The Georgetown stats moved Mike into a tie for second (with Robert Carr) on Yale's all-time rushing touchdown list. The Cornell game was his 11th in a row with at least one touchdown, an accomplishment that tied him with Calvin Hill in that category; and for the Cornell game he was named co-Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, an honor he shared with Columbia junior running back Jordan Davis, who had a big day that weekend against Marist. This past weekend, however, against Holy Cross, Mike pulled out all the stops with a dazzling 256 yards and a record-tying five touchdowns as Yale beat the Crusaders 38-17 in an away game. He set new Yale records for career rushing touchdowns and single game rushing yards, and broke the tie with Calvin Hill for the longest streak of consecutive games with a touchdown, with 12, in addition to tying the record for the most touchdowns in a single game. And the season is still young! For his ef- forts Saturday, Mike was named Ivy League offensive player of the week for the second game in a row, won the Gold Helmet Award from the New England Sports Writers, was one of four winners of the College Sporting News national player of the week honor, and was named na-tional co-offensive player of the week (along with San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson). I am informed that Mike has been listed on the Payton Watch for the FCS player of the year. Enclosed for your interest is a copy of an article about Mike's tremendous record-breaking performance against Holy Cross from the New Haven Register.

The newest Walker Scholar, Chad Costello, was born in Northridge, California, and brought up in Agoura Hills, in Los Angeles County. Partially home-schooled, he prepared for college at the Oak Park Independent School, where he excelled both academically and athletic-ally. Chad was particularly adept at math and science, and showed special talent for physics and chemistry. Outside of his studies, he pursued several other interests, competing in two varsity sports, learning guitar, attending a National Youth Leadership Forum, and working as a youth sports coach. Chad played varsity lacrosse and football, and he was captain of the la-crosse team. A long stick midfielder in lacrosse, he made First Team All-League in both his sophomore and juniors years and was named Defensive MVP as a junior. As captain, he led the team to the California Division II Championship this past spring. In football, Chad com- piled a fine record as quarterback and a safety.

At Yale, Chad is a member of Timothy Dwight College. He is the first in his family to attend college. Interested in a wide range of subjects, he is thinking about majoring in eco-nomics. Chad has joined the lacrosse team, and he is excited about the squad's upcoming first match of the season, an exhibition contest against the Iroquois National Team at the Madison [Connecticut] Surf Club's Strong Field on October 6th. The game is part of the Hammonas- sett Native American Festival, held each year in Madison.

I am pleased once again to provide you with postal and e-mail addresses and telephone numbers for our current Walker Scholars. The Scholarship Fund honoring Donald Walker's memory plays a deeply meaningful and valued role here. Our students and the University greatly appreciate this support and the special interest that you and some of your classmates take in these extraordinary young people.

With warm regards,

Sincerely yours,

William B. Bidwell ’63

Dwight Hall Summer Fellowships

The Class of 1957 supports summer fellowships in Dwight Hall in memory of Frank Mongillo and Howie Gillis.

Started in 1968, Dwight Hall Summer Fellowships give Yale students the opportunity to spend their vacations in New Haven working full-time on projects they have themselves designed in response to community needs. In addition to working with community or student groups or other not-for-profit organizations to implement their projects, the fellows meet for weekly dinner seminars with New Haven community leaders to gather advice and learn more about pertinent city issues.

During the summer of 2005, Class of 1957 summer fellowships will support Hannah Yoon (Saybrook, '05) to head up an initiative in conjunction with Advanced Strategies for Healthcare Access Inc. to research and publicize eye care resources available to the uninsured in New Haven. In addition, Benjamin Staub (Saybrook, '06) will work directly with those enrolled in Connecticut Voices for Children's newly launched foster youth-transition program in helping the young people to create self-governing Youth Leadership Boards and raise their own voices in area and state legislative debates on foster care issues.

Below is a letter from Tess Wheelwright, Student Coordinator of Dwight Hall Summer Fellowships, to Steve Hopkins, dated 16 May 2005:

Dear Mr. Hopkins,

It comes as great news that the class of 1957 intends to sponsor two of our Dwight Hall Summer Fellows this year! A thrilled thanks to you and your classmates for such generosity, from all of us here in Dwight Hall.

I am Tess Wheelwright, Yale College class of 2006, and this year’s coordinator of the Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship. During the academic year, I co-coordinate the Dwight Hall-affiliated Urban Fellows Program, which similarly places students as interns in city and community agencies, and like the Summer Fellowship involves a group component of weekly discussion meetings. I’m very much looking forward to extending my experience in that role to the more in-depth Dwight Hall Summer Fellowship.

Kathrine Burdick passed along to me your email address; it is my pleasure to present to you Summer Fellows Ben Staub, Saybrook ’06, and Hannah Yoon, Saybrook ’05, for Class of 1957 sponsorship.

Hannah will be interning at Student Health OUTreach, a recently founded (2000) New Haven nonprofit organization that calls itself a “project of advanced strategies for healthcare access.” SHOUT works to reach out to the city’s uninsured families and enroll them in Connecticut’s Healthcare for Uninsured Kids and Youth (HUSKY) program, as well as research and advocate on their behalf for improved access to medical and dental resources. Hannah’s interest in health and medicine, and her year’s experience already as an organizer of outreach at SHOUT, make her a great candidate for her summer project of coordinating a new SHOUT initiative concerning eye care, specifically. Hannah will be researching, compiling, and publicizing information about existing eye care resources for families in New Haven without insurance, while directing attention to the problem as part of a larger SHOUT advocacy project to document “Stories of the City’s Uninsured.”

Ben’ focus will also be on children and will also combine direct service with research and advocacy but will concern itself specifically with youth in the foster care system. His project is with Connecticut Voices for Children, a respected organization committed to improving the lives of youth through high-quality research and public policy analysis, and promoting youth voice and leadership through citizen education and organizing. CT Voices recently received a grant to look at the issues facing youth “aging out” of the foster care system, and it is in conjunction with this larger project that Ben will be researching this population in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, as well as working with the youth directly to help them form boards to organize discussions and events, empowering them to add their own youth voice to the legislative debates. Besides being a Summer Fellow, Ben is also the current Co-Coordinator of Dwight Hall’s student Executive Committee, a Dwight Hall Early Childhood Education Fellow, and generally an invaluable member and representative of the Dwight Hall effort. He would be happy for the opportunity to share more about his summer project, and welcomes contact at benjamin.staub@yale.edu.

Thank-you again, Mr. Hopkins, for your generous support. Only with it are we able to provide the deserving Ben and Hannah and the equally deserving organizations they’ll be serving with such a valuable summer opportunity!

Tess Wheelwright