Pages

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Alfred University alumni cycling group keeps growing

Alumnus Dave Perry '61 and his wife, Kate,
will join fellow alums for the reunion bike trip in June
The Alfred University alumni cycling group that will pedal into the Village of Alfred for Alumni Weekend in June is growing fast!Veteran Alfred University alumnus and cyclist Dave Perry ’61 and his wife, Kate, will travel east from the Milwaukee, Wis., area to meet with other alumni bicyclists in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio.
Alumni will begin the trip to their alma mater on June 4 after gathering at the Lake Erie resort town. Geneva-on-the-Lake began attracting tourists in the nineteenth century and is recognized as Ohio’s first summer resort.  It is also the center of Ohio wine country, with several wineries located nearby.
Perry, who grew up in Corning, N.Y., made his first cycling trip to Alfred in 2011 for his 50th reunion. The bicyclists that year traversed the Adirondack Mountains, beginning at  Lake Placid.  “The trip and reunion exceeded all my expectations and I have been coming back ever since,” Perry says. He and his wife also enjoyed the rides from 2011 through 2015 and are looking forward to rejoining the group this year. 
Perry majored in ceramic engineering and after military service went on to graduate from Duke Law School.  He and his wife married in the Duke Chapel the day after his law school graduation.  “Kate said no wedding until I earned the degree,” Perry says.
He and his family have an extensive legacy at Alfred University. Two brothers are alumni: Richard Perry '68 and the late Robert Perry '56. His grandniece, Danielle Perry, is in her first year at the University, competes in women’s track and field, and recently broke  a 30-year old record in the triple jump.
Alfred University alumnus Jim Randall ’77, who is helping to organize the reunion cycling trip, invites other alumni to join the group.
“You are welcome to take part in the entire ride, ride with us for a day or two, or meet us for lunch, dinner, or sightseeing along the way,” Randall says.
 The tour moves from Geneva-on–the-Lake  to Erie, Pa., where bikers will spend two nights and tour Presque Isle State Park. The final stop on the tour is the familiar Letchworth State Park, where the group will spend one night before pushing on to Hornell for one more night before making the ride into Alfred Friday morning, June 9.
 Some alumni are meeting early in Cleveland for sightseeing and a Cleveland Indians baseball game.  Anyone interested in learning more about the trip should contact Randall ’77 at JamesRandallJr@msn.com, or call (607) 776-4404.