Accompanied by my daughter, Elysa, I chose to attend just the dinner event at the University Club.

Before diving into the details of the reunion itself, I'd like to share the early events that set me on the path to attending RISD. My older half-brother, Robert A. Hart, had majored in Interior Design at RISD and graduated as part of the Class of 1936. I was just a little boy at the time, but his artistic pursuits left a lasting impression on me. I still have a cherished photograph of my brother, proudly posing in front of the Providence Art Club during his student years.

It was Rob's creative influence that sparked my own artistic aspirations. One evening, as I watched him work on an RISD assignment at his desk, I was captivated by his meticulous attention to perspective, particularly in the way he rendered the feet of a male figure. I still possess Rob's drawing, which is nearly 87 years old now, a tangible connection to the roots of my artistic journey. Both my mother and Rob nurtured my artistic inclinations from an early age, making it no surprise that I eventually enrolled in RISD's Junior School in September 1942 and later, as a freshman in 1950, with Illustration as my chosen major.

One of the most cherished memories I had from my time at RISD was the friendship of the Brandreth brothers, Bob and Charlie. Bob was in my Illustration class, while Charlie completed a rigorous five-year course in Architecture. To share the highlights of our reunion, I decided to give Charlie a call, and it was heartwarming to catch up and reminisce about our shared experiences. As the reunion approached, I was informed by RISD staff that due to various challenges faced by my 1953 classmates, I would be the sole representative from our class at the event. While I had hoped to reconnect with a few old friends, I understood that 70 years is a significant span of time, and circumstances change.

Now, let's fast forward to the evening of June 3rd—the night of the reunion dinner. My daughter and I arrived at the University Club, where the dining room was brimming with alumni and guests. We found our table and were soon joined by the delightful Judith R. Doe 73 IA and Randall Russell, who added to the warmth of the evening. Shortly after, Kat Read, representing RISD, entered the room and welcomed everyone to this marvelous dinner.

As we introduced ourselves and chatted away, I shared a memory album filled with photos and clippings from my RISD days with the other guests. This led to delightful conversation, allowing us to relive old memories and create new ones.

Though I had attended a few reunions in the past, this one was truly exceptional because it marked the passage of an astounding number of years. It was a poignant reminder of how time transforms us all, and yet, our shared experiences at RISD continue to bind us together, bridging the gap between the past and the present. As we left the University Club that evening, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the enduring connections and the profound impact of our alma mater on all of us who had the privilege of studying there.