Dallas/Fort Worth Club Holds First Summer Barbecue

On July 15, 2006, the Wharton Alumni Club of Dallas/Fort Worth hosted the largest event in the club’s history with true Lone Star style. Club members and their families gathered at the ranch home of Robert Zorn, WG’81. The fantastic location 40 miles north of Dallas was the perfect setting for a real Texas barbecue, with plenty of children’s activities and outdoor sports.

More than 160 adults and children enjoyed horse rides, a petting zoo, bass fishing, swimming, horseshoes, volleyball and much more. Organizers Linda Bechtold, W’90, and Stacie Hyatt, WG’00, could not have been more pleased at the turnout and response to the event — especially in the 100+ degree weather!

Among the many positive outcomes, the event drove 41 new Club memberships and raised $3,914 in revenue. Said Linda, “With such enthusiasm and participation for the first time we have sponsored this type of event, it is likely it will become an annual treat!”

Fast Times for Chicago Club

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, nearly 90 Wharton alumni and their guests gathered for the annual Ferraris on Oak Street event. June 11 was the first time the Wharton Club of Chicago participated in the annual event fundraiser. Alumni basked in the Roman décor surrounded by spring topiaries while enjoying a day of shopping, pampering and Ferraris.

All Wharton members and their guests received VIP status for the event which included a wine tasting of exceptional Italian wines, served in elegant, fine crystal, lunches provided by Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, and a few Maseratis, along with private showings by their owners.

Awards Dinner for the Wharton Club of Washington, DC

The Wharton Club of D.C. hosted its 37th annual Joseph Wharton Awards dinner in June at the newly refurbished Park Hyatt Hotel. This year, the honorees were Elizabeth Duggal Taghipour, WG’85, Marshall Chawla, WG’73, and Geoffrey Corbett, WG’66. The event raised $10,000 for an undergraduate and graduate scholarship.

This year’s scholarship recipients were Louise Conroy, WG’08, and Stefanie Thomas, W’07. The evening was a success and the recipients received standing ovations for their warm and heartfelt speeches.

Shanghai Club Fetes U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce

Wharton Club of Shanghai welcomed Undersecretary of Commerce Franklin Lavin, WG’96, with an informal event on July 26. Undersecretary Lavin, also a former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, exchanged views on China’s economy with his fellow alumni in an informal setting, with discussion touching on the U.S./China trade relationship, the exchange rate, intellectual property, oil prices, and other hot topics. Wharton Club of Shanghai welcomed the Undersecretary of Commerce with an informal event on July 26. Undersecretary Lavin, also a former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, exchanged views on China’s economy with his fellow alumni in an informal setting, with discussion touching on the U.S./China trade relationship, the exchange rate, intellectual property, oil prices, and other hot topics.

Phillip Wu, WG’95, President of the Wharton Club of Shanghai and Managing Director of Wharton Shanghai Office, delivered welcoming remarks, and Jeffrey Bernstein, W’92, Chairman of AMCHAM Shanghai, introduced Lavin. The 48 guests in attendance included a delegation from the U.S. Department of Commerce, members of the U.S. consulate, and Wharton alumni and supporters in Shanghai.

The Wharton Club of Shanghai is a hub of business activity in the city, with more than 140 alumni members registered, as well as a network of more than 200 participants of Wharton executive programs dating back to 1990 in Shanghai. The network is composed of senior officials of Shanghai Municipal, senior executives of leading state-owned enterprises, financial institutions as well as private companies.

The 125th Anniversary Faculty Tour Series Hits Coral Gables and Charlotte

More than 110 alumni in Coral Gables, FL and 75 in Charlotte, NC, were thoroughly entertained at lunchtime events featuring Peter Linneman, the Albert Sussman Professor of Real Estate.

It was a gorgeous day in Coral Gables as alumni found their way to a banquet inside the historic Biltmore Hotel. The oldest alumnus to come to lunch was Bernard Lubschutz, W’34. At 93 years old, Bernard’s memory is still so crisp, those at his table were enthralled by his stories of Penn back in the 1930s.

Alumni in Charlotte were graced with a stunning view of the city from the top floor of the Wachovia Center other side of the age range, alumnus Jonathan Taylor, W’99, President of the Penn Club of South Carolina, came with his wife Jami and their son, Jack, the youngest honorary alumnus for the day. They made an entire day of it to come all the way from Hilton Head, SC. Baby Jack was prepared with his red and blue hat and t-shirt.

Further north, a crowd of 140 in D.C. enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Ritz-Carlton. Nothing could dampen their spirits, not even the potentially gloomy topic broached by Professor Olivia Mitchell—the outlook of Social Security and the future of retirement. Her presentation was laced with humor, optimism, and a dose of common sense advice which helped to lighten up the topic.

It seems only fitting that Kenneth Shropshire, the David W. Hauck Professor of Legal Studies, shared the exciting and novel features of the Wharton Sports Initiative with the alumni in Atlanta, former host of the summer Olympics. The crowd in Atlanta enjoyed an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as they mingled at the Ritz-Carlton. Cameron Adair, C’69, WG’70, past president of the Penn Club and chair of the Wharton Club’s speaker series, presented Ron Balser, W’60, with the Outstanding Alumni Award of the Year. Ron was unable to be there, so his lovely wife, Barbara received the award on his behalf.

Club Notes in Brief

Michael Hronchek, WG’98, is stepping down as President of the Atlanta Club. Thanks to Michael for six years of great service to the Wharton Club of Atlanta. Brian Hankin, WG’97 will be replacing him this year.

The Wharton Club of South Florida has appointed Kaihan Krippendorf, E’94, W’94 as President-elect. Bill Britton, WG’89, will serve one more year as club president.