In his valedictory address to the Class of 1957, Douglas Cole told his classmates that their graduation was "the end of the beginning … of an education that should have no end." Just as Our Lady's University left a lifelong impression on their class, the men of '57 continue to leave their imprint on Her.
The class formed in the second year of Father Ted Hesburgh's storied tenure as president. They remember with great fondness their days in the classroom, at social events like the Junior Prom, and on the athletic fields, where classmate Paul Hornung captured the Heisman Trophy despite a rough year for Irish football.
Since their graduation, they have continued to build their legacy. Whether through monetary gifts to the DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts or the Coleman-Morse Center, or gifts of beautiful artwork like the Irish Madonna, the class amply displays its loyalty, dedication, and generosity to the entire Notre Dame community.
One reason the men of '57 have been so successful in staying connected is the effort that Tom Schriber - known as the "'57 Web Guy"- and John Slevin have invested in the Alumni Association's Class of 1957 website. The site offers everything from articles by classmates, to updates on grandchildren, to a football ticket exchange. Many classmates have praised the site and the service of these two men.
Schriber and Slevin utilized the website to its fullest extent while planning for their Golden Reunion, even announcing the reunion two years in advance. In June 2007, the class celebrated an historic milestone with style and grace, returning to campus in record numbers with jubilation, kindness-and a fire truck! More than 400 classmates, accompanied by over 300 wives, attended. One member attributed the outstanding turnout to the efforts of longtime Alumni Association director Chuck Lennon. Bishop John "Jack" Dunnigan, along with seven other priests, concelebrated the Class Mass.
In the year leading up to their Reunion, class leaders established the Class of 1957 Scholarship, setting an ambitious goal of raising over $100,000 before Reunion Weekend 2007. Under the leadership of general chairman Cyrus Freidheim, class president Paul Byron, and reunion gift chair Alex McMurtrie, the men of 1957 surpassed their goal. At the class luncheon, McMurtrie and the class officers announced that a remarkable 73 percent of the class contributed to the reunion class gift. Together, they raised $209,504.06 for the scholarship and another $2,106,013.00 for the University.
In his valedictory address, Douglas Cole told his classmates that their "Notre Dame education has been a unique gift, and like every true gift it brings with it an obligation-to appreciate it, to protect it, to make sacrifices for its preservation." The men of '57 have created a legacy that will provide "beginnings" to countless future Domers. Thank you, Class of 1957.
(PHOTO CAPTION: Representatives from the Class of 1957 present University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., with a check for more than $2 million. From left, Thomas Schreiber, Paul Byron, Bill McGowan, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Alexander B. McMurtrie Jr., John Feeley, Frank O'Brien, Tom Brennan, Cyrus Freidheim, Richard Lewis and Joseph Reich.)
