Jim Hottois (with wife Sue on their way to a dinner-dance). While attending Albany, Jim decided that he really liked going to college. So that is what he has done ever since! He earned a doctorate in Political Science at SUNY Buffalo and started teaching at Grinnell College in Iowa. From there he became an Assistant Dean at the University of San Diego; Provost at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande, Oregon; President of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, in 1995; and in 2001 became the President of Palo Verde Community College in Blythe, California.

Sue, whom he pursued throughout high school, made him "an honest man" in the summer of 1965. They have two great children – Robert (Robby) and Jo-Elle – and two wonderful granddaughters. About ten years ago, Jim fulfilled a lifelong ambition and learned to fly. Since then he has earned a commercial pilot license with single-engine land and sea ratings, a multi-engine land rating, and an instrument rating.

In 2002, Jim received an award from the Civil Air Patrol for Lifesaving and a certificate from the Imperial County (CA) Sheriff for saving three people who had become stuck in the mud in the desert on a 110+ degree day (that's right, stuck in the mud in the desert!).

A quote from Jim: "Since you are doing the class get together at the WT, here is a memory from that wonderful place:

"Art McCall and I had an apartment on Washington Avenue just down the block from the WT. One night neither of us could sleep. We decided that possibly a beer would help. So, off we went to the WT. The problem was that we had spent all of our money and between us had enough for one glass of beer. The solution was simple: We ordered one glass of beer and two straws.

"I have several other memories of the WT that I would rather not have in print anywhere."

Comment from Judy: "I wonder whether another beer with a straw would encourage Jim to share more."

Judy Koblintz Madnick retired in 2003 after selling her resume-writing business. She received her M.S. in '66 from the University at Albany, taught middle-school mathematics, and provided transcription services for court reporters prior to starting a home-based word processing business, which evolved into strictly resume-writing. Her husband, Stuart, retired in 2003 from the CDTA, formerly the United Traction Company. (Remember those buses?) Judy and Stu have two daughters and one granddaughter.

Judy is co-councillor for the Class of 1965, a member of the Alumni Association Board, and participates on several Alumni Association committees.

Ira Paul Rubtchinsky represented teachers for 27 years with New York State United Teachers, retired, and then represented nurses on behalf of the New York State Nurses Association for 2 1/2 years. He is now looking for work representing other certified or licensed professionals. If you have any leads, please contact him. In any event, he hopes to see you in June.

Ira is co-councillor for the Class of 1965.

David J. Simons worked for IBM for 37 years in a variety of programming assignments, both technical and managerial, retiring in September 2003. Four months later he was asked to return as a part-time consultant, a position he still holds. This has all been in Raleigh, NC, except for a two-year assignment in Nice, France. He and his wife, Carolyn, have four children between them plus three grandchildren. Other than various volunteer activities, their primary interests are boating and Rocky Mountain skiing.

Unfortunately, Dave will not be attending the Reunion because he will be representing the Raleigh Sail & Power Squadron (a unit of the United States Power Squadrons) as the Squadron's Administrative Officer at a National Meeting the same weekend. (We'll miss you, Dave!)

And from Ed Brown, thoughts on the 40th reunion:

Hi Judy,

You golden tongued devil you (red devil, that is)! I have never attended a reunion, just taken sentimental journeys back to the old campus at other times. But now you've done it. Talk about baiting the right hook with the right bait to catch this never-before-caught fish. As I casually read the class notes, what did I see but your "Celebrate 40 years by throwing back a few brews at our class dinner at the WT!...THE WT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the memories – Harold putting our beers on the bar as soon as we walked in the door (and refilling them as soon as they emptied), hours spent staring that the hypnotic Millers beer sign at the other end of the bar from OUR SEATS as we talked for hours about the range of "shoes, and ships, and sealing wax – of cabbages and kings" – the nature of the universe and our place in it – as seen from the perspective of a college freshman (and sophomore and junior and senior and grad student).

Yes, I know that Harold has been gone for many years and the old place has been totally remodeled...BUT...THE WT – the chance of seeing, in that special place, even one of the folks I knew then, folks who share some of my own cherished memories!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, reel me in. I will probably be joined by my wife, Beth, whom I met (at Papa's on Madison rather than the T) during my latter days as an Albany State grad student. She was a nursing student at the old AMC School of Nursing.

...Thank you so much for doing what you did. As they say in the U.K. – "brilliant!"