Published on January 02, 2025

Class of 1974 celebrates 50 years

The Class of 1974 celebrated its golden jubilee on Oct. 5 during this year’s Alumni and Family Day. The class was honored with a commemorative luncheon hosted by President Karim Ismaili, who presented golden diplomas to the group.

“The Class of 1974 holds a significant place in my tenure as president,” said Ismaili, “as you are my first class to sign golden diplomas. I’m happy to honor your legacy ... Know that you are always a part of Eastern’s story.”

Reflecting on her time at Eastern, Claudia (Moffitt) Bettez ’74 fondly recalled living in Burr Hall and participating in campus life. “Eastern wasn’t yet a university — it was still a teachers' college — but there was a lot to do: hanging out with friends, walking around campus and going to Hurley Hall,” she said. “My one regret is that I didn’t see Stevie Wonder when he was here.”

Don Richmond ’74 said, “The campus was very small ... Everybody knew everybody. It was like your extended family. It’s very impressive how the campus has grown, but it still has that family atmosphere.” He humorously recalled pranks in Winthrop Hall, where his friends once moved his bed into the hallway and left a frozen fish under his pillow.

Katherine and Kevin Matsil ’74, who met as juniors and have been married for 50 years, traveled from North Carolina for the reunion. “Eastern was such an important part of our lives. It gave us the ability to grow academically and emotionally,” they said. The couple recently made provisions for Eastern in their estate plans. “We want others to have the experience we had. It’s important for us to give back to help this institution thrive.”

Speaking of the overall turnout for Alumni Day, Chris Dorsey, director of alumni communications and advancement, said: “This year’s guests represented a remarkable 60-year span of Eastern’s history, with graduates from the class of 1964 all the way to our newest alumni from the class of 2024. Their continued engagement serves as a testament to the lasting impact Eastern has on its graduates, generation after generation.”

Written by Michael Rouleau '11