Make it an Annual event

Daily Cardinal Alumni Association 1999 alumni reunion

In an emotionally charged reunion, the first for the 107 year old Daily Cardinal, alumni from the past 70 years gathered to celebrate their history and recent success in rejuvenating the Cardinal, and honor their most recognized staff.

Robert Taylor received the first "Robert Taylor Service Award", an award named for him. Prof. Taylor rose from reporter to night editor to news editor and to managing editor during his tenure at the paper from 1934 to 1938.

In response to Prof. Taylor's remarks, the 100 person assembly broke into roaring laughter when he said, "that in the 40-some years on the staff and board, so far as I remember, this is the first time I was ever thanked for my service".

Prof. Taylor has the distinction of having the longest serving tenure at the Cardinal. He was with the paper during two staff strikes, one in 1938 and the other in 1975. "I was on the losing side both times," he said.

The reunion began in Grainger Hall with a alumni welcome reception. Alumni filtered into the central meeting space from all eras, dressed in all styles, and in all physical conditions. Several came with assistance from wheelchairs. Alum's wore tradition clothing as well as the style of their day. One actually wore a sweater which has come via the Cardinal newsroom of the sixties.

Peter Greenberg, Daily Cardinal executive editor 1971, currently the travel editor of the Today Show and the host of Travel Daily, was reunited with Gene Wells, a Cardinal staff writer from the sixties. Greenberg was not only stunned to see Wells, who many had believed at that time worked for the paper since the fifties, but was shocked to learn that Wells still occasionally writes for the Cardinal. "I was thrilled to see Gene," said Greenberg. "He seemed to be beamed out of the past."

Dick Leonard, who joined the Cardinal staff in 1939, received the "Daily Cardinal Hall of Fame" award and accepted a similar award for Edward Newman said, "that the enthusiastic reunion showed that the Cardinal was alive and well and that there was a warm and family feeling" at the event.

Responding to an award bestowed on Karl Meyer, editor-in-chief, 1949-50, Leonard recalled the days when Karl Meyer was the UW campus correspondent for the Milwaukee Journal. "He usually had a good story, and I always knew that he would be a big success," Leonard said. Meyer went on to serve, until last year, on the New York Times Editor Board.

Cardinal Alum's were given the opportunity to tour the paper's currently office. Old bound volumes, from a mostly complete archive, were spread over various tables. Debates by those originally involved with the writing, editing , and placement of various articles were resumed. One writer lamented about an article he had written in the 40's which was cut and place "below the fold." The night editor, present in the archive, went on to explain and justify his reasons.

The alumni reunion was also a time for the current staff of the Cardinal to get to know more about and meet those who created their history. This reporter, upon visiting the Cardinal offices in 1986, learned that the entire archive was about to be thrown away. The editor at that time explained "we just microfilmed these books and there is no need to let them take up valuable space." It was evident during this important weekend that the current trustholders of this valuable piece of history know better and are far richer after this experience.

DCAA to host reunion, awards

One hundred and seven years of adventures, deadlines and cut classes will come together over two days and two nights next month in Madison.

Alumni from all eras will meet at the first ever Daily Cardinal Alumni Association reunion set for May 7-9, 1999 at Grainger Hall on the UW -Madison campus. Participants will retell and reward the Cardinal's past and plan for its future for the paper's second century.

Festivities begin with a reception Friday night. Alumni are encouraged to attend and share war stories in the Grainger Hall Atrium. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m.

Events continue with the first Cardinal Congress, where alumni will receive information about the Cardinal's and the DCAA's recent and upcoming activities. DCAA President Anthony T. Sansone and current Cardinal editor Adam W. Lasker will brief alumni and answer questions.

Former New York Times editorial board member Karl Meyer, editor 1951, will speak at the Founders' Luncheon. This weekend was selected due to its overlap with other reunions and to not discourage anyone from attending, the luncheon will honor the senior Cardinal alumni.

During the afternoon, there will be a presentation of the Cardinal Archive Project by Allison Sansone, archivist 1996-97, and current Cardinal archivist Cynthia Lott.

The high point of the reunion comes Saturday night when the DCAA will present five alumni with awards (see story below). The awards dinner, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will be held in the Grainger Hall Atrium.

On Sunday, interested participants can help plan for the future fundraising for the DCAA and the Cardinal.

Costs vary based on the events attended. Attending the luncheon costs $30 per person; the dinner, $40; and both events, $55. The price includes the Friday night reception and continental breakfast on Saturday.

If you have not made reservations for the reunion, contact Sue Miller at (800) WIS-ALUM. Ms. Miller can also answer inquiries about accomodations.

Questions about the reunion should be directed to the reunion chair, Robert Lewis, editor 1941-42, at (202) 363-1431 or (608) 924-1034. Questions about the DCAA should be directed to Anthony Sansone at (877) THE-DCAA.