CCW Annual Dinner featuring Carl Leubsdorf ’59

Over 60 Cornell alumni gathered at Tragara Ristorante in Bethesda to attend the club’s Annual Dinner. The evening began with the President’s report, highlighting significant accomplishments from the past year.

Key programs included the Cornell vs. Georgetown football game tailgate, a tour of the Cornell Solar Decathlon house, a packed Zinck’s Night, the Cornell-China Symposium, the 45th semi-annual Old Rag Hike, and the faculty speaker event with Prof. Brian Wansink.

Additionally, the club continued to build partnerships with other alumni groups for mutual benefit, determined a better way to manage the scholarship fund to ensure strong returns, made significant enhancements to the website including online payment functionality, and launched the DC Public Schools Task Force to compliment our existing efforts in support of local students and schools.

We thanked this year’s officers as well as the dedicated group of past presidents for their service and toasted John Rasmus ’63 in honor of his over 30 years of commitment to the club as he leaves the area. Immediate Past President, Jonathan Simon ’92, then presented the slate of the 2008-2009 officers; an incredible group ready to continue the CCW legacy.

Award presentations followed, with the Best Program Award going to Kim Jones and the members of the DCPS Task Force for organizing the Evening with DC Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Bill Newell ’68, Chair of the Book Award Program since its launch 17 years ago, received the distinguished Bondareff Award in recognition of his outstanding and dedicated service to the Club.

The evening ended strong, with guest speaker Carl Leubsdorf ’59 talking about the Presidential race from his experience as the Washington Bureau Chief of the Dallas Morning News for over 25 years. Having covered every election since 1960, he provided the audience with some truly insightful commentary.

Thanks to everyone who made the 2007–2008 year a success; we look forward to another exciting year ahead!