Stand-Up Night; "Fall Begins Now"

Old Owls,

Here we are again: the end of long lazy summer days, the time of year when apple trees sag under the weight of their heavy harvest, the season when invasive spotted lanternflies finish their gestation and hop or fly onto your clothing as you grimace in disgust and swat or flick them away.

Incidentally, it’s also when the students return to campus. Which means — yes — a new Big Four, captaining a The Yale Record through its 154th year of existence. Welcome Matt Sprintson (Chair), Squirrel Lanz (Editor-in-Chief), Elizabeth Richards (Online Editor-in-Chief) and Audrey Stankunas (Publisher).

So far they’re off to a strong start this year; they’ve posted jokes to the Instagram account (if you’re not following them, and you’re on Instagram, you should follow and interact). They’ve published one print magazine and have it in hand for the recruiting events of the first week, and are working up subsequent issues with a goal to publish 8 total.

They also made what I’m calling a prank but could be described in other terms. As a fan of baseball and of collecting, this makes me so happy! It’s a series of baseball cards of Yale stuff, from professors to administrators to culture. Organized in packs, to be given away to students. Wonderful! I’ve secured several packs from Sprintson, the Chair, and if folks are interested I’d be happy to mail you a pack. I’m going to keep one for myself. Supplies are limited, first come first serve.

Continuing a proud tradition, Rob Schlaff ‘00 and Arnav Tawakley ‘24 have helped organize the 7th annual Yale Record Standup Night, held at the YCNYC per usual. This year it’s happening the evening of Friday, October 9. If you’re in New York City, please come. If you’re near NYC, and can reach it via train, as a gentle reminder the YCNYC is across Vanderbilt from Grand Central Station. Super accessible!

If you'd like to attend seating is limited; please send an email to reserve your place to oldowl@yalerecordcorporation.org. Specific details such as where to meet, when, and your YRC point of contact will be furnished a week before the standup show. I hope to see you there — a good turnout helps the Yale Club justify continuing this tradition, which the students love. The YCNYC give us a great deal on it.

Ten years in preparation, the YRC is completing a major publication, The Yale Record Anthology 1872-1972: the first century of America’s original college humor magazine and its contributions to 20th century comic arts and entertainment. The Anthology features the undergraduate work of over 350 notable and quotable Record alumni from Peter Arno to Garry Trudeau, and is edited by Don Watson ’59, YRC’s Hysterical Archivest and YRC Vice President Elizabeth Kingsley ’19. The YRC will offer the Anthology in digital and print versions, supported by YRC support, initiated by a very generous grant by Dyer Wadsworth ’59.

Thanks to everyone for your ongoing interest. Funds raised by YRC have been going to support Record initiatives for over a decade, now. Satire and the process of holding powerful individuals and interests to account is one of the finest and most noble purposes to which a citizen in a democracy can aspire, and The Yale Record continues to be an incubator for folks interested in sharpening their wit outside the classroom.

Sincerely,
Adrian Bonenberger O.O. '02
President, The Yale Record Corporation