Alumni E-Newsletter     

February/March 2007   

On a bitterly cold night in January, members of the House of Bonhoeffer, participated in New York City’s annual Homeless Count that stretched across the five boroughs. From midnight to 4 a.m. ten students joined thousands of other volunteers who talked to homeless individuals on the streets, in subway tunnels and parks. Their goal was to get an approximate head-count of the number of individuals who are without safe haven and encourage them to seek shelter.

“We did this project to start making a difference. We want this to be the first of many opportunities to aid the city in addressing the homeless problem,” stated, Jonathon Seidl, member of the House of Bonhoeffer. “It made the idea of helping people more than just a good intention, we acted.”

As you know, The King's College House System is a distinctive element of student life. Houses, which are student-led communities provide many leadership opportunities for students to develop relationally, spiritually and intellectually. The House of Bonhoeffer is one of nine houses. Participation in counting the homeless was their City Engagement Project fulfilling one of the requirements of the House System.

When asked about what he learned from participating in the homeless count, Seidl said, “What better way to help people than to walk around the city until 3 a.m. on one of the coldest nights of the year urging the homeless to find shelter. I am definitely prepared to do more now that I have gotten my feet wet.”

Jim O’Bryon, TKC class of ’64, recently published a book entitled “I Fail to Miss Your Point.”

Of the more than 2,000 entries, his book includes a number of references to Dr. Cook, The King’s College, TKC Phi Beta Beeler poetry and several quotes from the TKC administration. The cover contains a book endorsement by President J. Stanley Oakes.

Mr. O’Bryon has generously offered to donate $10 to The King's College Annual Fund for every copy purchased by alumni through the end of May 2007. The book lists for $26.99 on Amazon.com, but if ordered directly from Jim it will cost $25 including shipping, plus he will sign it if you wish.

To purchase the book directly please contact Jim at 1608 South Tollgate Road Bel Air, MD 21015, 443-528-2711.
If you happen to purchase from Amazon, please notify Jim by e-mail (jamesobryon@obryongroup.com). Either way, your gift will benefit The King's College. Remember you must order before the end of May 2007 to be included!

Jim hopes the book will bring some wisdom, encouragement, insight, smiles, inspiration and nostalgia. He is also excited to be able to financially help The King’s College community.

Nine teams. Seventy-five players. Fourteen games to determine who would emerge victorious.

Student Development at The King's College recently hosted the 4th Annual Basketball Tournament. This competition is one of six between the houses. The tournament is an essential part of the house competition because it is not only a time for bonding as a house, but it emphasizes team work.

Audra Schilling, a junior at The King's College, said, “The competition is a great time to become closer with the girls in my house. Even though we didn’t win, it was more important to come together as a team.”

House of Elizabeth was the victorious winner for the girls, while House of Churchill took home the gold for the boys.

Staff Spotlight – Kathy Leedy

Excerpt from the Harvester Yearbook 1967

Perhaps the most amusing week of the school year is Freshman Week. Though novel and sometimes shocking to uninitiated Northeasterners, this period is a very purposeful time, in that it helps newcomers adjust to schedules and customers in the gayest possible way.

Rare attire is the order of the day, How about a vegetable hat, someone? Or a ton of jewelry around the neck? Dying cockroaches in the front hall, screaming and kicking for an observing crowd, were also common sights.

The end of Freshman Week this year was marked by a nutty Kangaroo Court, in which all freshmen were judged according to their deeds, and chastisements were freely given to some. Who can forget our Miss America Pageant, or even, for that matter, the experiment conducted on certain misses dealing with a new foot beauty treatment – JELLO!