Alumni
Our Class of 1956 held its 50th reunion celebration the weekend of August18 and 19. The class had 73 graduates, of whom 72 are still living. Classmate Joseph Shenk died as the result of a tragic accident in Tanzania in July, 2005, and our "Memory Book" was dedicated to his memory.
Sixty-three of our class members participated in one way or another in celebrating these 50 years, including 62 who contributed a page about their life's pilgrimage for the "memory book." Eighty-eight persons attended our Friday evening dinner in the Alumni Dining Hall, catered by Dottie Weber's fine services (47 were class members). Incidentally, 12 of us married fellow class members! We also had six guests from the faculty and staff of 1956.
Another guest, LMS Superintendent Richard Thomas, gave us a much-appreciated update on the LMS of 2006 and a tour of the campus. Friday night 20 classmates and spouses relived some memories by bringing their fans and sheets and pillowcases and staying overnight in the dormitory!
Saturday morning over 60 of us met again in the dining hall for
a continental breakfast, followed by a bus tour into the countryside
east of Lancaster. At an Amish store and farm we heard
fascinating insights into the joys and challenges of Amish life
from this farmer cum store owner cum minister, as we gathered on
the barn floor amid bales of hay.
Dan Wenger of our class drove one bus and told anecdotes and history of the passing scenes as we traveled into Lancaster City. We gathered in the sanctuary of James Street Mennonite church and learned of their history and ministry from our other bus driver, Larry Wenger, Class of 1953. Our last stop was downtown Lancaster where a group followed Dan to learn more stories of Lancaster in an eight-block walking tour.
Our time together ended as we wandered around downtown--especially
Central Market--had lunch in small groups in various local restaurants,
and traveled back to the campus. It was a wonderful time of renewing
friendships and catching up with one another. God has been faithful
to us in our pilgrimages through joy and sorrow. Our parting greeting:
See you in five years! - Don Sensenig, 1956
