ALUMNI UPDATE
Agile On Attack
 John
Cheek, one of the most prolific scorers the sport of lacrosse
has ever seen, on November 22 became
Washington College’s sixth alumnus to be inducted into
the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Cheek ’77, a three-time All-American attackman, scored
212 goals over his career on the field, a record that has stood
for nearly three decades. He was named the Division II/III Player
of the Year in 1976 and the Division II/III Attackman of the
Year in 1976 and 1977. He was a member of the U.S. team in 1978.
Now a broker-dealer and partner with Brown Investment Advisory
and Trust Company of Baltimore, here is what he has to say about
his time with the Shoremen:
“What I think lacrosse enabled me to do in the business
world is to meet the changes day to day. With sports in general,
if you played, you learned to react to whatever comes your way.
It happens to me every day, financial  markets
always changing, opportunities resulting in rising interest
rates, or whatever happens. You need to figure where you want
to be in a changing environment, and it’s similar to lacrosse
in that regard. I always enjoy interviewing young people who
want to be in the business world and who have athletic backgrounds.
I think they’ve learned things they can bring with them.”
As for what Washington College did for him, Cheek recalls:
“Some feel a small-sized college is a detriment.
I disagree. With a small school there’s more of a family
environment, a need to get along with all members of that family.
Washington College assumes that role. To this day I have memories
of the involvement of the community in the college’s athletic
program. Many community members had us to their homes for dinners.
It really was special, a family environment. For me, Washington
College was just right.”
Crouse Accepts Annual Alumni Service Award
Sometimes, the farther you travel from home and the higher your
career takes you, the more you appreciate where you came from.
That seems to be the case for Thomas C. Crouse ’59, an
international and commercial banker, who has traveled the globe,
living and working in Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia. On campus
in late February to receive the 2003 Alumni Service Award, Crouse
accepted a symbol of his Eastern Shore roots: a duck decoy carved
by his dear friend Douglass Gates ’59.
Crouse, formerly of Caroline County, is chairman and founder
of CIG  International,
LLC, a venture capital and investment firm. Prior to establishing
CIG in 1985, Crouse worked for Citibank for 15 years, living
in Asia for much of that time. He holds an MBA from Columbia
University.
Crouse followed a succession of family members to Washington
College. In recent years he has played an increasingly important
leadership role for the College. As 40th Reunion Chair with
classmate Ellen Reilly, he generated record levels of class
giving that paid for the restoration of Norman James Theatre.
He has hosted events in Washington, D.C., and this year serves
on his 45th Reunion Committee. He served as the first Chair
of the Visiting Committee, and is a member of the Milestone
Council and the Greater Washington, D.C. Campaign Cabinet. In
January, the Alumni Council appointed him to the College’s
Board of Visitors and Governors.
“Just as important as his consistent support and guidance
is Tom’s quiet demeanor and fierce loyalty to Washington
College and the lifelong friends he made while here,”
said Alumni Association President Valarie Sheppard ’86
in presenting the Service Award. “He has continued this
personal commitment by helping students find jobs, developing
internships, scholarships or study abroad opportunities, or
making professional introductions. Tom constantly gives of himself
in little ways that make a big difference in other people’s
lives.”
During his acceptance remarks, Crouse ’59 found it difficult
to hold back his emotions. Tears of joy and moments of sincere
reflection on Tom’s part were genuine. The audience felt
his deep appreciation for the honor and love for his alma mater.
He recounted the story of his first encounter with Don Chatellier,
then the track coach, and how that “very important”
relationship developed. He spoke of his respect for John and
Debby Toll. He personally thanked his wife, Kay, and his children
and sisters for their love and support. And he was touched by
the gift of the goldeneye decoy because of its connection to
the Eastern Shore and to his long friendship with Doug Gates.
Tolls Take Farewell Tour
The Alumni and Parent Relations Office is coordinating a Farewell
Tour for Dr. and Mrs. John S. Toll as they approach the end
of their tenure as President and First Lady of Washington College.
The primary goal of these regional events is to allow alumni,
parents and friends of Washington College to personally thank
the Tolls for their unparalleled commitment to this institution.
The first event, held in November, was a dinner in Seattle,
WA, hosted by Charles and Mary Kastner, members of the Parents
Council and parents of senior Katie Kastner. Jeffrey Grafton,
president of the Kent and Queen Anne’s County alumni chapter,
offered the Tolls congratulatory remarks during the chapter’s
annual holiday party in December. Friends in the Washington
metropolitan area gathered at the University Club in January.
Toll supporters are invited this spring to celebrate in the
following regional areas: Annapolis, Baltimore, New York City,
South Florida, Wilmington/SE Pennsylvania/South Jersey, Mardel
and Talbot County, MD.
Information about these gatherings can be found on the College’s
website at www.washcoll.edu/wc/alumni.
Laxers Invited To Come Out And Play
Lacrosse is a time-honored tradition at Washington College,
and for those who once sprinted up and down Kibler Field, the
love of the game far outpaces the steady march of the calendar.
This spring, lacrosse alumni of all ages will have the opportunity
to take to the field again. The annual Alumni Day of Lacrosse,
set for Saturday, April 10, is fast becoming another favorite
spring tradition. This year’s alumni game coincides with
the varsity team’s rematch with Gettysburg College, which
lost its longstanding Centennial Conference championship title
to Washington College last May.
Jay Elliott ’75, a two-time All-American defenseman who
is helping to organize this year’s event, says he is hoping
for a tremendous turnout of former players and fans from all
eras to either play, cheer or coach the alumni team.
“We’re encouraging everybody to come back, including
those who played in the ’70s and ’80s,” he
says. “For me, coming back and playing in the alumni game
is one of the highlights of the year. I can’t think of
a better time than spending a day in Chestertown playing, and
then watching, lacrosse.”
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The alumni game, which pits odd-year players against even-year
players, gets underway at 10:30 a.m. The scent of pit beef barbeque
will call players and fans together for a post-alumni game reception
adjacent to Kibler Field, in anticipation of Washington’s
face-off with Gettysburg at 1:30. Alumni players can sport their
Alumni Game t-shirts in the stands.
“What we’re trying to do is provide a forum for
alumni to come back and have a good time,” says Elliott.
“What better way for lacrosse players to do that then
to come play lacrosse together?”
The men’s varsity program is promising to hold up their
end in providing fast-paced excitement that day, as well. At
press time, Washington was ranked 4th in the preseason polls;
Gettysburg was 9th.
For more information about participating in Alumni Lacrosse
Day, call Curtis Gilbert, assistant lacrosse coach, at 410-778-7230,
or e-mail him at cgilbert2@washcoll.edu.
Photos:
Tricia and Jamie Baker ’95 (left) and Dave Dennehy ’95
and his
fiancé Stephanie Durstin attended the DC Salute to President
and
Mrs. Toll at the University Club in January.
Marie Mohler ’93 and Lacy Frazer M’93 organized
the first
George Washington Toast in Chapel Hill, NC, on February 22
at the Bear Rock Cafe. Those in attendance were, bottom row
left to right, Lacy Frazer M’93, Jack Frazer Mohler, Tanya
Cunic ’93 and her husband Scott Koons ’95, Marie
Mohler ’93,
and Joseph Frazer Mohler. Second row left to right: J.T. Cunic
’99,
Joan Burri ’80, Sarah Dekuyper ’93, and Jane Kennedy
Mack ’93.
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