Fall 2023
Wharton Graduate Emeritus Society E-Bulletin

Hello members of the Wharton Graduate Emeritus Society (WGES). We are happy to report the following news and activities over the past several months of 2023. Please read on!

Congratulations to the Wharton MBA Classes of 1974 and 1979!

  • Any Wharton MBA graduate of 45 years or more is automatically a member. This year, we welcome the Wharton MBA Class of 1979 to our community and congratulate them on their upcoming 45th Reunion.
  • Likewise, congratulations to the Wharton MBA Class of 1974 on your 50th Reunion. Steve Asperoand Howard Weiss are leading the effort this year.
  • We are looking for volunteers for both the 45th and 50th Reunion committees. Please join your class leaders to ensure a wonderful celebration in May 2024. Let us know of your interest by sending an email to: emeritussociety@wharton.upenn.edu.
  • Save the Date: The  Wharton MBA Reunion Weekend will take place on May 17–18, 2024 in Philadelphia and all members of WGES are invited to attend!

WGES Celebrates 20th Anniversary:

  • We are pleased to report that our society has been in existence for 20 years since its founding in 2003. We are growing ever more each year with 9,000+ WGES alumni to date.
  • Under the purview of the Wharton School, we are proud of our organization and what it has accomplished:
  • The Crandall Challenge: honoring fellow alumni who are doing public service in retirement. We are pleased to recognize the following 2023 Crandall Challenge recipients: Sivaporn Dardarananda, WG’70, Carmen Hill, WG’74, and Gerald Rothstein, WG’65. The 2024 Crandall Challenge will commence soon so please be on the lookout for our call for your Crandall story submission in the next few months.
  • Social Media: digital flow of related Wharton and Penn news and information via LinkedIn and Lifelong Learning.
  • Establishment of a unique Thriving in Retirement program offering resources for the retired or soon-to-retire fellow alumni on topics such as communities and relationships, health and wellness, travel opportunities, caregiving, volunteering, continuing education, overcoming loss, and other challenges and transitions.
  • Enhanced connections between WGES and Wharton Global Clubs throughout the USA and world through small gatherings and events.
  • Staying connected through ongoing Zoom calls with classmatesaround the globe.
  • An updated WGES website.
  • Members of the Class of 1973— Eugene Aaron, Rick Hackney, Nancy Kelsey Carty, and McClain Gordon — organized and shared their unique experiences on a panel, “Back in The Day: What it was like to be one of the few women or African Americans at Wharton MBA in the early 1970s,” delivered at the May 2023 Reunion Weekend with much success.
  • Led by the 45th Reunion chair, Jay Fischer, WG’78, attendees had a roundtable conversation on “What I thought my career was going to be when I graduated and where I am now.” 
  • John Majane, WG’58, continues to lead in-person gatherings with fellow WGES alumni who reside in the Washington, D.C. area. The next event is on October 5.
  • Wharton Magazine regularly features members of WGES. The Spring 2023 issue carried an uplifting profile of Rick Perkins, WG’70. In the upcoming Fall 2023 issue, you will find profiles on two of our leadership committee members: Eugene Aaron, WG’73, and McClain Gordon, WG’73 . We have 13 WGES class correspondents who continue to contribute to the highly popular Class Notes section. If you would like to learn more about serving as a class correspondent, connect with the editor, Valerie Houck, at classnotes@wharton.upenn.edu.
  • Formation and continuation of a Leadership Committee to direct activities throughout the year. This year, we welcome Gloria Rabinowitz, WG’78. Gloria has been a tireless alumni leader who served for many years as president of the Wharton Club of Philadelphia.
  • Support of the School though contributions to The Wharton Fund.
  • Availability of Wharton WGES hats — thanks to committee member, Jack Holton, C’69, WG’73, for coordinating this.

We endeavor to engage regularly with our constituents in an active and comprehensive manner. We invite YOU, as members of the WGES community, to step forward and seek further involvement. Learn more about how to get involved through the WGES website and reach out to me at thadlock64@gmail.com or 917-412-0355. We look forward to your active participation!

Best,
Tom Hadlock, WG’66
WGES Chair

PS: View the leadership committee members here.