When Alumni Weekend began, I, like most of us, didn't know what to expect. Before I'd had too much time to venture a guess, I met Mort Levine and Irwin Markowitz. I escorted them to the bound volumes and listened to them talk about the university and the Cardinal as it was over 50 years ago. Mostly, they talked about people. I didn't really know what to do, so I just stood around for a while. I was fascinated.

After hearing them talk about what friends had gone on to do after leaving the university, I began to see my colleagues in a new light: What are you going to do after you leave this place? I quickly came to terms with the idea of life after the Cardinal, something you don't always have time to do during the normal production cycle, and started wondering what the future holds for myself and my friends.

Over the remainder of the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending almost every event and speaking with alumni from every era imaginable. After my experience with Mort and Irwin, it didn't take long for my reporter's instincts to kick in, and I started asking questions... a lot of questions.

I heard about so many things: the benefits of staff courtships in the early '40s; the effect of World War II on the sports desk; Cardinal practical jokes that had the Associated Press calling the office; UW campus climate during the Vietnam War; and the basis for the Cardinal's free rent in Vilas Hall. More importantly, I felt a part of something much larger than myself.

That feeling of community made me, and, I believe, the rest of the staff, feel better about the work we're doing for the Cardinal right now. We know our legacy will endure, and so will our friendships. The alumni functions made that plain to see.

I hope to see all of you again at next year's event. I know I'll be encouraging more of my friends to come this time, and I expect you to do the same.