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Looking back on my college days, I fondly recallÌýthe merger of the men’s and women’s campuses in my freshman year,Ìýthe unbeaten 1958 football season, at the close of whichÌýtheÌýhapless RPIÌý[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]Ìýdeclared a moral victory for having scored more points (seven) against UR than any other team that season.ÌýI alsoÌýhave great memories of playing bridge in the TKE fraternity lounge, with our most unconventional conventionsÌýthatÌýCharles Goren—who popularized the game—would never countenance.ÌýÌý

Other favorite memories include the dinners the UniversityÌýheld withÌýbusiness administration and economics students andÌýlocalÌýcorporate CEOs. We met Joe Wilson, Ritter Shumway, Mercer Brugler, and others—theseÌýwereÌýtheÌýleaders of some of the greatest companies ofÌýthe time based hereÌýin Rochester. Meeting with themÌýas a business majorÌýat such a formative age made quite an impression on me.

After college,ÌýI spent 33 years as a trust banker, retiring at age 54 to enjoy life. For aboutÌý30Ìýyears, I traveled on vacations throughout the western United States, hitting every national park, state park, and historical site I could find,ÌýandÌýtook five Ä¢¹½´«Ã½-sponsored trips to Europe, ending just before the 9/11 security efforts madeÌýair flightsÌýtoo nettlesome.ÌýÌý

As an alumnus, I can proudly say that I’ve attended every Meliora Weekend since the tradition began—that’s 16 years of events.ÌýDuring these weekends, I’ve particularly enjoyedÌýeachÌýpresidential symposium, Miller’s Court, George Eastman Circle event, and the keynote address.ÌýÌý

One particularÌýstandoutÌýwas journalist Fareed Zakaria’s keynoteÌýaddressÌýduring the election season of Bush/Gore.ÌýThe audience appreciated his crisp and balanced analysis and his attractive personality and sensibility. Bill Clinton also gave an outstanding talk that focused onÌýhis foundation’s humanitarian work.Ìý

During those weekends and at lectures and other events throughout the year,ÌýI also seek out opportunities to interact and listen to our stellar students. It is rewarding to see what they are already accomplishing at this young age.ÌýÌý

MyÌýotherÌýcurrent principal diversions are theater, classical concerts, and lectures, plus gardening,Ìýmanaging my investments, and basketball. I’ve beenÌýalmost all of theÌýmen’s basketball home gamesÌýsince the early 2000sÌýand as many of the away games weather and health permitted.ÌýÌý

I loveÌýwhat Division III basketball is all about here:Ìýnurturing the scholar athlete.ÌýOne particular thrill was watching the 2016 gameÌýwhereÌýSam Borst-Smith’sÌý. The video of the clip went viral and was shared widely around the world.

Jonathan Foster was there when for this historic play in UR basketball history.Ìý(Watch the video to catch the shot and see Foster cheering on the team.)

I also enjoyÌýbeingÌýa member of the University’s Lifelong Learning Council.ÌýOurÌýrole is to help the University determine topics and speakers for this twice annual event. The next one will be this June, followed by anotherÌýeventÌýat Meliora Weekend in October.ÌýÌýÌý

Looking ahead,ÌýI project my future principal activities to consist ofÌýmore Meliora Weekends, a lotÌýmoreÌýbasketball,Ìýplus sporadicÌýinvoluntary napping.ÌýÌý

Mr. Foster is a member of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society, and the Wilson Society, which honors those who have included the University in their estate plans.