Dear Class of 1975,

It’s remarkable to think that just a week ago, I had the privilege of meeting so many of you for the first time at alumni reunion weekend. Though I rarely know the alumni who return to campus, reunion weekend has become one of my most cherished times of year — and this year in particular will stay with me.

While I also volunteered at last year’s 50th reunion, something about this one felt different. Perhaps it was the 500+ photo slideshow I curated for your class party or the fascinating authors I came to know while preparing the author’s corner pamphlet. Most likely, though, it was simply the gift of time spent in conversation with all of you. The remarkable people I met and the stories I heard are what made this weekend so special for me.

I discovered that Columbae was founded in 1970, making your class among its pioneering residents. One alumnus shared how his journey from Columbae took him to New York, where he entered construction. He rose to prominence partly, he explained, because he was willing to work on luxury apartments rather than chasing skyscrapers and because his openness to collaborating with designers set him apart in an industry that wasn’t always welcoming. He eventually led his own firm and now, in retirement, creates art and volunteers at a soup kitchen twice weekly.

Another alumnus delighted in showing me a photograph of his younger self — long-haired and exuberant as a part of Stanford’s band on the field. That hair, he told me, had to go when he became a public defender. He didn’t want his appearance to disadvantage his clients. He spoke matter-of-factly about representing those on death row, then added with a wry smile that in baseball, batting .500 gets you into the Hall of Fame.

At your class party, one of you reached into your dress shirt, produced a Ziploc bag containing a moon rock and proceeded to offer an impromptu lesson on space exploration. Years ago, they said, they’d shared similar knowledge with a young Tom Hanks, giving him lessons that helped him land his role in “Apollo 13.”

Of course, there were many more stories that stuck with me — like the serendipitous encounter at the Stanford bookstore during reunion that turned two alumni in your class into a married couple.

Thank you, Class of 1975, for reminding me of some of the reasons why Stanford is so special. I’m grateful to have witnessed the paths you’ve carved — from co-ops to construction and from the band to the court. Your willingness to share your journeys, your humor and even your moon rocks has left an impression I won’t soon forget.

I hope your reunion weekend was as meaningful for you as it was memorable for me. 

With warm regards and deepest appreciation,

Sonnet Xu
Class of 2027