Alumni Gazette

Survey Says . . .

On the occasion of the Class of ’44 reunion last fall, we sent out 154 questionnaires, and we had 68 returned (a 44 percent return rate—not bad). I’ve used percentages where possible, but the actual figures did not always add up to 100 percent, because some people skipped questions. By Jack Keil ’44

Are you—or were you—married?
78 percent said, “Yes.” One person said, “Not sure.”

Is your wife or husband still living with you?
67 percent said, “Yes.”

Is he or she still the same person you were living with when we conducted our last survey 35 years ago?
61 percent said, “Yes,” including one who said, “So far, basically.”

How many children do you have?
The total was 186. One claimed to be unmarried with four children. Another said, “None to speak of.”

Are you still physically active?
49 said, “Yes”; 19 said, “No.” Activities included golf, tennis, swimming, fishing, walking, hunting, jogging, exercise regimen, gardening. One said, “Skydving.”

Do you weigh within five pounds of what you did 35 years ago?
57 percent said, “Yes.” Are you overweight? 29 percent said, “Yes.” (We’ve put on a little weight since the last survey.)

Have you tried any sexually enhancing drugs (Viagra, for example)?
Seven people said, “Yes.” One said, “None of your business.” One said, “Wow.”

35 years ago, over 70 percent of the class felt that Vietnam was a mistake and that we should get out. Do you feel the same applies to Iraq?
62 percent said, “Yes.”

Do you feel that we were led into the war in Iraq under false pretenses?
62 percent said, “Yes.”

Do you feel the United Nations should have been more involved?
92 percent said, “Yes.” (The result seems to indicate that some who felt that going into war was justified still would have liked the U.N. to be more involved.)

Are you, or have you over the past 35 years, done volunteer work?
86 percent said, “Yes.” Volunteerism included church work, politics, Habitat for Humanity, teaching or tutoring, medical response teams, museum docents, juvenile protection, and crime prevention.

Looking back over the past 60 years and realizing we’ve all had our ups and downs, would you say your life has been happy and rewarding?
61 percent said, “Yes.” Seven people said, “OK, but more bumps than I wanted.” One said, “So, so.” No one felt that their lives had been “Not so hot” or “Bleah.”

All in all, I found this sample indicates a pretty happy, helping, successful, and somewhat worried class.

Keil is a former vice president of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Agency and a life trustee of the University.