RIT Welcomes the Class of 1958 into Golden Circle
Over 200 alumni gathered today to welcome new members into RIT's Golden Circle, a special recognition for those who graduated from RIT over 50 years ago. This year RIT welcomed the Class of 1958. The all-male a cappella group, 8 Beat Measure, was there to sing the alma mater as new inductees were given a pin commemorating their membership into the Golden Circle.
This is one of the treasured events of Brick City Weekend. "It's so fun talking to the people and they're so happy to see each other," said Kathy Lindsley, editor of “University Magazine.”
The graduates have great memories of RIT. Bob Gates, Class of 1951, reminisced of when he used to play basketball for RIT. "We had to practice at Jefferson High School," Gates said. He also recalled Jakes, a popular downtown hangout spot for students. "You could get a plate of spaghetti for $1.25!"
The RIT Archives and Special Collections displayed old photographs and yearbooks dating back to 1936. Alumni flipped through pages in search of their senior pictures. A lot can change in 50 years. "I'm an old man now," said James Reed, Class of 1957. "I have a hearing aid and glasses," Reed added.
A popular topic of discussion involved the differences in student dress. Gates recalled how all the men used to wear Bucks, a brand of white pants. Other alumni mentioned ties and hairstyles.
RIT's campus was previously located in Downtown Rochester. The Henrietta campus was not built until 1968. The Downtown campus, also known as the Concrete Campus or The Brick Campus, was much different from the one we know as Brick City.
"It wasn't much, not like here," said Donald DeVries, Class of 1958. "It was just a few buildings," DeVries added. RIT is the only school to have constructed over 200 buildings in 40 years. After the lunch, alumni had the option to take a bus tour of the current campus.
Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations, Kelly Redder, reminded the group how things had changed since 1958. Minimum wage was $1 and postage stamps cost 4 cents. That was also the year that American Express and Visa credit cards were first introduced.
RIT's Office of Alumni Relations has set up a "virtual reunion" for anyone interested in the luncheon who could not attend.
Photos and messages from alumni can be viewed online at www.rit.edu/alumni.
Photo credit: Rachel Simpson
Photo credit: Rachel Simpson
Photo credit: Rachel Simpson