ITHACA, N.Y. -- As the first reunion of Cornell University's Class of 2000 approached, it seemed to many in the class that graduation just happened yesterday. But a question arose for the "Class of the Century" that was more pressing than that of "Where did the time go?" It was "How are we going to pay for all this?"

Bill Vanneman '31 knows a thing or two about organizing a Cornell class reunion. The 96-year-old has been serving as class president since he graduated 74 years -- and 14 reunions -- ago. So when he heard that the Class of 2000 was having trouble meeting expenses for its first reunion, he did not hesitate to lend a hand -- and a buck.

Vanneman and other Class of 1931 officers approved a transfer from their treasury to the Class of 2000's treasury covering the entire $9,000-plus Reunion expenses deficit.

Vanneman called the gift as much "smart" as "generous." "Some day, some of them will make it big and donate millions to the university to build buildings and other things," he explained. "This may be the greatest gift we could ever give to Cornell."

Although there was no Class of 1931 reunion this year (its 75th reunion will be held next year), Vanneman traveled to Ithaca from his home in Cape Cod, Mass., so he could speak as an honored guest at the Class of 2000 meeting June 11 under a white tent on the lawn in front of Clara Dickson Hall on North Campus. He was warmly applauded by 500 alumni some 70 years his junior.

Like many other alumni who graduated some multiple of five years ago, the Class of 2000 was planning a variety of events for its members during Reunion Weekend. They advertised a Welcome Back barbecue, catered breakfasts, a class volleyball game, an international cuisine dinner and, of course, after-hour parties.

Because reunions are self-supporting, the bill goes to the Class of 2000's own treasury, which is funded by donations and registration fees from class members. As the youngest class participating in alumni weekend, its officers faced the challenge presented by the fact that many of their members still hold entry-level jobs and many others are graduate and professional students with no jobs at all. 

"I could think of nothing worse for a class -- or for Cornell -- to start off with a lousy first reunion, with no fun, not enough people … it would be a disaster for the future of their alumni life," Vanneman said. "It's important for them to have a good time. All through the rest of their lives, it will echo. With each reunion they will grow closer to the university and to each other. They will get to know alumni in other classes."

Andrea Wasserman-Marbach, Class of 2000 reunion chair who graduated with a degree in policy analysis and management from the College of Human Ecology and now works in the nonprofit sector in New York City, said: "Bill Vanneman inspired our class with his deed, as well as his presence and words, at our class meeting. His gesture is a pinnacle of the spirit of generosity that so many Cornell alumni embody."

Wasserman-Marbach noted that the Class of 1931's donation covered notifications and informational mailings to classmates that otherwise would have been added into the $135 reunion registration fees. Because registration fees can be a deterrent to young alumni, the donation most likely increased the number of '00 attendees significantly.

Vanneman graduated with a degree in English and economics from the then Arts College in 1931 and began a career publishing law books for lawyers, politicians, accountants and other legal professionals. He attributes his lifelong involvement in alumni activities partly to his father, C. Reeve Vanneman, Class of 1903, who was an active alumnus later in life. The Cornell Vanneman legacy also includes Bill's two sons, William Vanneman Jr. '65 and Reeve Vanneman '67; his daughter-in-law, Jane Wallace Vanneman '68; his granddaughters, Michelle Moore Vanneman '89 and Kara Vanneman Klein '89, and Kara's husband, Kenny Klein '87.

Thomas Oberst is a writer intern at the Cornell News Service.