Skip to Content
  • Browse
  • Past Issues
  • Search

Arts and Letters

Wagner History

Wagner News

Inside Sports

Alumni Stories

Obituaries

Alumni Events

From the President

Feature Stories
Winter 2018–19
Summer 2018
Fall 2017
Summer 2017
Fall 2016
Winter 2015-16
Summer 2015
Fall 2014
Winter 2013-14
Summer 2013
Fall 2012
Summer 2012
Fall 2011
Summer 2011
Fall 2010
Summer 2010
Fall 2009
Summer 2009
Fall 2008
Summer 2008

You Haven’t Changed a Bit!

SHARE
PRINT
BACK TO TOP
You Haven’t Changed a Bit!

And other little white lies told at alumni reunion.

The Man Behind the Mystery
Campaign Profile: Elisabeth Cardiello ’06 M’07

By Joel H. Cohen ’50

There's seldom more fun than having a classmate declare, “You haven't changed a bit,” while staring at your nametag trying to figure out who the heck you are. Or, in the spirit of good fellowship, a fellow graduate asking, “Remember all the fun we had in chem lab?” And you responding, “Sure,” though you never took chemistry.

Inevitably, regrets are expressed at the passing of years without contact. None are more sincere than those expressed by the fellow who, if he said anything to me during our four years in school together, it was, “Get outta my way, kid.” For this one evening, though, he's my best buddy, and he pleads, almost tearfully, “We've got to get together again soon.”

Class reunions always stir mixed emotions, and the announcement of my 60th at Wagner was no exception. But bottom line: I love ’em.

Reunions always offer the promise of schadenfreude — that forbidden (but, admit it, delicious) sensation of pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. Secretly, I hope the idols of yesteryear have passed their prime: that the quarterback is flabby, the cheerleader matronly, the leading man fit only for character roles.

I wonder whether some of my memorable classmates will attend — the marathon pinochle players; the varsity jocks who sat stony-faced in speech class as I urged more resources for intramural sports; the girl in bio lab who implored me to grab a frog for her from the barrel of embalmed animals ready for dissection, and I was not able to admit I was as squeamish about it as she was.

Too many years have passed to expect to see memorable professors — the drama coach who called me Senator Claghorn in reference to my overdone Southern accent in a Varsity Players production; the shy, courtly historian who always ended a scholarly commentary with, “Well, a lot more could be said about that”; the psychologist who charged a quarter to transport students up the hill in his station wagon.

Questions circle in my mind: Will the one-time heartthrob cause a murmur? Will age concerns cause absences? Will classmates have changed drastically, like the prankster who led us to hide on the roof during French class, and who is now a serious political force? Will all of us look old?

Will I remember my classmates' names? I recently introduced myself to the same stranger twice within a five-minute span. On the other hand, I immediately identified an unnamed classmate pictured in this magazine, even though we'd had only passing contact during school and none since. So there's hope. And nametags.

So, send this boy to campus, and let the fun begin!

Joel H. Cohen '50 is a Staten Island native, husband, father of four, and freelancer who writes for anyone who'll have him.

LEARN MORE

Visit the Wagner Reunion Weekend page

Connect with your classmates via social media

 

Summer 2010

  • Alumni Events
  • Alumni Stories
  • relationships
  • students
SHARE
PRINT

Related Stories

image description

A Very Special Class

Jul 31, 2019 The College inducted 632 new alumni, including Richard and Carin Guarasci, and remembered one who died much too young.
image description

Every Story Matters

Jul 31, 2019 “I can only truly become the president through listening, learning, and practice,” says President Martin.
image description

‘We Are Family’

Jun 14, 2019 Reunion Weekend 2019 was filled with singing and dancing, laughing and crying with friends old and new.
CLASS NOTES
OBITUARIES
CONTACT US

LATEST NEWS

image description

Almost a Century

Four faculty retirees collectively put in 99 years of dedicated teaching.

image description

A Term Paper for the Ages

How the biology department got its evolution mural.

image description

Connor Gibbs ’17: Composer

The high school chorus teacher creates new music for all kinds of instruments.

image description

What’s Inside: The Nursing Resource Center

Students get realistic hands-on experience in the Hi Fidelity Simulation Lab.

  • About the Magazine
  • Give to Wagner
  • Wagner Newsroom
  • Wagner Home
FOLLOW US

© 2021 All Rights Reserved