THE SIGNET SOCIETY

46 Dunster Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

 

May 26, 2010 

Dear Signet Alumni,

Greetings from Cambridge, on the eve of Harvard’s 359th Commencement. This is the Signet Society’s 140th year playing a major role in the intellectual, literary, and artistic life of Harvard College.  And let me assure you that the Society remains the preeminent place at Harvard for invigorated pursuit and celebration of the arts and letters.  I write today to update you on important changes at the Signet, share news of recent events and undergraduate achievements, and ask for your support. 

First, I am sure you will join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to outgoing Steward Katharine Urbati M.Ed. ’10, who has been with us for 10 years-- a model of graciousness and good cheer.  To fill her role, we created two new positions and are bringing two wonderful people to 46 Dunster Street:  Secretary Mark Hruby, and Artist in Residence Suelin Chen.  A very important part of both their roles is to ensure that the Signet remains a vibrant and inclusive community for all members, undergraduates and alumni alike.

The Signet has recently been abuzz with events that co-mingled generations of artists and thinkers-- see http://www.signetsociety.org/annual-dinner-2010/ for more information and photos.  The Annual Dinner Weekend was an enormous success.  Friday cocktails and Sunday brunch at the Signet House bookended the 119th Annual Dinner, which was presided over by humorist and Toastmaster Susan Stevenson Borowitz ’81, and featured New York Times news editor and Medallist Jill Abramson ‘76, and New Yorker staff writer and Speaker Tad Friend ’84. In addition to this gala evening, alumni had a chance to attend Signet events in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Seattle during the year.

The core of the Signet Society remains its undergraduate members, and we doff our caps to them-- especially our graduating seniors.  Their names and myriad accomplishments are online as well, at http://www.signetsociety.org/class-of-2010/.  We especially welcome the energy and creativity of the new undergraduate officers from the class of 2011, led by President Yuga Cohler, a Computer Science concentrator and Music Director of the Bach Society Orchestra.

Last, but surely never least, I ask you to consider your memories of and gratitude for the Signet as you open your purse now to contribute generously to the Signet Society, ensuring its continuing financial security. Your gift will support the undergraduate experience, as well as the physical and virtual infrastructure required to sustain our community’s healthy and vital connections. Please send a check, or make a gift via our website at http://www.signetsociety.org/donate/.  Do it today, please.  The Signet’s fiscal year, like Harvard’s, ends on June 30.


Thank you!

With best wishes,                                                                                            

Thomas Forrest Kelly
Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music
tkelly@fas.harvard.edu

PS.  For more information on alumni activities, you can email signet@post.harvard.edu.