YAM Notes: May/June 2025
By John D. Hatch III for the Communications Team. YAM@Yale62.org
It’s graduation time and maybe you are still looking for the right gift for an ambitious graduate? Robert Rosenkranz has written just the thing: The Stoic Capitalist, Advice for the Overly Ambitious; published on May 6. The press release says of it: “Robert Rosenkranz shows how its teachings can lead to a life of accomplishment, fulfillment, and impact. Stoic principles are applied not just to help you cope but to achieve your most ambitious goals. . . . He explains how ancient philosophy and its psychological insights can be used to create extraordinary outcomes in your personal and professional life. . . . Rosenkranz writes as he speaks, with the engaging voice of a Renaissance man who is insatiably curious, eager to learn, open to all viewpoints, but embracing none without critical thought. Reading this book may help you realize your childhood dreams.”
As this is being prepared on March 1, word arrives that Bob Oliver is in rehab, having broken his hip. Cards can be sent to him at Autumn Lake Healthcare at The Willows, 225 Amity Rd, Woodbridge, CT 06525.
A very informative and lively exploration of Yale undergraduate involvement in public service was the topic of the February Coffee Hour. Dwight Hall provided the speakers: two undergraduates and their supervisors, and together they shared why they were involved in the New Haven community, what they did, and what impact it had on their lives and the lives of the community. As all students arriving at Yale today possess community service hours as part of their high schools’ curricula, a goodly portion of any one Yale class continues that concern and engagement for the community into their four years at Yale. While Dwight Hall is only one of a number of organizations providing options, it has the broadest and largest number of offerings. The Coffee Hour session can be found at Yale62.org.
March’s Coffee Hour was extremely informative, concerning the relationships between Ukraine and the two major powers, the US and Russia. What exactly is the stance of the two big powers, and to a lesser extent, perhaps, that of the NATO countries, and what might any peace negotiations look like? Put together by Bob Breault, a military and international relations expert with roots and current relatives in Ukraine, it featured Jim Brooke ’77, an experienced journalist (New York Times, Bloomberg, Voice of America, eight years in Russia, six years in Ukraine), and members of The Friday Pilots, retired senior military officers, some of whom still have their high-level security clearances and remain actively engaged with the issue. Tim Hall provided the “glue” in his service as moderator.
As you have noted, there is very little news from yourselves—please help out future reporting by sharing with your scribe information about yourselves and family and sending it to me at YAM@Yale62.org. Deadline for the next issue is May 2. Thank you.