Above left: Singer and composer Paul Simon, who received an honorary degree from the University in 1996, performed two of his biggest hits, "Graceland" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Above right: Alumnus author Tom Wolfe chatted with Elihu Yale (drama student Derek Lucci), about the University's long history of teaching theologians.

'For God, For Country, For Yale ... Forever' --
University Celebrates History of Service
on the Eve of Its Fourth Century

The University symbolically closed the curtain on its 300th-birthday celebration on Oct. 5 not with a whimper, but with the bang of the fireworks display that concluded its Tercentennial Show, "For God, for Country, for Yale ... Forever." The gala show in the Bowl was just one part of the University's final Tercentennial Weekend, which included a Convocation that brought academics from around the world to campus; a two-day symposium titled "Democratic Vistas, Global Perspectives" that included talks by two noted alumni, Bill Clinton and Ernesto Zedillo, former presidents of the United States and Mexico, respectively; and the Yale 300 Festival at the Yale Bowl, featuring displays and entertainment by University departments and groups. One side of the Yale Bowl was transformed into a gigantic stage for the Tercentennial Show. The audience of about 30,000 people faced a curtain painted with a sun rising behind marble pillars. The surrounding "brick" edifice was flanked by four gigantic "books," with the dates 1701 and 2001 as "bookends." Two blue, fluorescent Y's adorned the upper tiers. Spotlight-lined monitors were strategically placed in the Bowl. During the show, these monitors were used to screen video clips or broadcast the action onstage. Before the show, they flashed a series of trivia questions about the University, interspersed with Yale-themed New Yorker cartoons and other images, set to music by Yale composers and performers. Students cheered during a clip from the television game show "Jeopardy" in which "Yale" was one of the categories. When the "Daily Double" appeared, the cries increased proportionately in volume. The evening began with remarks by President Richard C. Levin. "As many of you know," he said, "we gave serious consideration to cancelling this event in the wake of the tragedy of Sept. 11." The President thanked the many who offered counsel on the issue, noting that these individuals "spoke with almost one voice. Their message was: 'Carry on.' ... "So here we are," he said, "gathered as a community, all of us who live and work at Yale, together with our New Haven neighbors and alumni from afar. We are a community that has endured 75 years longer than the United States of America. That it works so well and has endured so long is a small miracle. ... Tonight's celebration is a way of thanking all of you for making Yale University the national treasure that it is." Before beginning the show, Levin asked the audience to observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. He was then joined onstage by representatives of the Yale and New Haven communities, who led the audience in singing "America, the Beautiful." "And now," said Levin when the song concluded. "Let's all enjoy the show." The production that followed blended three centuries-worth of pride in Yale's contributions to the world and the accomplishments of its alumni with heavy doses of self- effacing humor. The show's highlights included: * An overture by Emmy Award-winning composer David Kurtz '80 Mus.M. The music was performed by the Yale Tercentennial Orchestra, which combined the talents of the Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale, the Yale Symphony Orchestra and the Yale Concert Band, under the baton of Thomas C. Duffy, director of University bands. The show also featured original music by Duffy, Buryl Red '61 Mus.M. and Marco Beltrami '91 Mus. M. * An appearance by the University's first benefactor and namesake, Elihu Yale (portrayed by Derek Lucci of the School of Drama's Class of 2003), who was "magically" transported through time to discuss the "return on his investment" with author and social commentator Tom Wolfe '57 Ph.D. Informed that the University was celebrating its 300th year, Elihu Yale said, "That makes it 2001. But this place looks like the Roman Coliseum -- only older!" To which, Wolfe replied, "Well, Yale would love to fix it up. How about another contribution? They could even call it something like ... 'The Yale Bowl.' " Asked about the "dream of great theologians and ministers" that Elihu Yale had subsidized, Wolfe noted that "Yale preserves the dream with one of the nation's great divinity schools and the heritage of educating clergy since its founding." * A mini-lecture by School of Music faculty member Willie Ruff on how the "Yankee bass" was originally created to accompany hymn-singing New England congregations, followed by a performance of "Amazing Grace" by Ruff, the Tercentennial Chorus (composed of members of the Yale Glee Club, the Yale Alumni Chorus and the Yale Camerata) and opera singer Tiffany Jackson '95 Mus. M., '96 A.D. * An exchange between Big Bird from "Sesame Street" and commentator and editor William F. Buckley Jr. '50 B.A. about the many Yale alumni who have contributed to the world of literature and letters. After asking "Mr. Yuckley" if he could think of any words that begin with Y (to which the alumnus replied, "yoknapatawpha, yaupon, yeanling, yamadou, ytterbium, yohimbine ..."), Big Bird acknowledged the many Yale alumni who have worked on "Sesame Street," and cited the educational partnerships between Yale students and youngsters in New Haven's public schools. * An appearance by Sam Waterston '62 B.A., who honored Yale faculty members and graduates who "have made extraordinary contributions in a wide variety of fields, in visible -- and sometimes less visible -- ways." These, he noted, include scores of Nobel Prize winners and public servants, plus hundreds of Tony, Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy and Grammy award winners. * A performance of "Graceland" and "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" by singer and songwriter Paul Simon, one of the many individuals who have received honorary degrees from Yale in recognition of their outstanding work. * A video-taped statement by former U.S. President George H.W. Bush '48 B.A., who paid tribute to the Yale patriots who have died in service to the United States, beginning with Nathan Hale, Class of 1773, who was hanged by the British as a spy during the Revolutionary War. Bush also acknowledged the other Yale alumni who have served as U.S. presidents, including William H. Taft, Class of 1878; Law School graduates Gerald R. Ford '41 and William J. Clinton '73; and his son, George W. Bush '68 B.A. * A montage of movie scenes in which Yale is mentioned by actors ranging from the Three Stooges to Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Mickey Rooney, Julia Roberts and Fred Astaire. * A conversation between a life-sized rendition of fictional quarterback "B.D.," originally created by cartoonist Garry Trudeau '70 B.A., '73 M.F.A. during his Yale years, and former Bulldog football star and ex-Dallas Cowboy Calvin Hill '69 B.A. about the contributions to the sport made by Walter Camp, Class of 1880. This was followed by a video montage of Eli athletes from various sports set to Yale fight songs and the turning of the spotlight on a huge inflated replica of Handsome Dan in the end zone. * A moving rendition of "The Impossible Dream" sung by Nicholas Janitzky of the School of Music's Class of 2002 and conducted by Mitch Leigh '51 Mus.B., '52 Mus.M., Tony Award-winning composer of "Man of La Mancha." * A humorous look at the University's future via a segment from FNN (Futuristic News Network) featuring newscaster Jack Ford '72 B.A., who announced that Yale's 400th anniversary festivities would include "a spectacular show at the new Yale Dome and a special lecture series by Professor Vincent Scully on 'What went wrong with 21st-century architecture.' " * A rendition of "Bright College Years" by the Tercentennial Chorus. In keeping with tradition, the singers and some audience members waved white handkerchiefs at the conclusion of the song. * An eye-dazzling display of Gucci fireworks and a laser light show set to music by the Tercentennial Orchestra. -- By LuAnn Bishop YALE 300:MARKINGAMILESTONE Community Celebrates Yale's 300th Year 'For God, For Country, For Yale ... Forever' -- University Celebrates History of Service on the Eve of Its Fourth Century Convocation celebrates 'the greatness that is Yale' Clinton assures Yale and U.S.: 'It's going to be all right' Former President of Mexico calls for reform of 'international financial architecture' Faculty give their perspectives on Yale in 2001 and 2101 Yale, Yale, the gang's all here . . . having fun at the festival Scenes from Yale's Tercentennial Gala T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Community Celebrates Yale's 300th Year Sept. 11 attacks have put ordinary citizens on 'front line' . . . Economist Yellen describes 'The Art and Science of Central Banking' . . . NIH grant supports new center for biomedical computing Brain expert to explain 'How Matter Becomes Imagination' Governor of Washington to be Chubb Fellow President of The New York Times to address Sept. 11 'From Biology to Ethics' is theme of Terry Lectures 'Do what's good for society at large,' urges alumnus neurosurgeon Renowned child psychiatrist Dr. Donald J. Cohen dies Higher education, African development are talks' focus Challenges of ensuring quality care to be explored in forum on reproductive health A home of their own Yale Parents' Weekend Famed Westminster Cathedral Choir to make an appearance in Woolsey Hall Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page