Book Club Discussion
Sunday, June 13 5 pm
Fairfax, VA
The book group will meet at the home of Walter and Diana Wilson to discuss
Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. For information, e-mail
alisoncolew@hotmail.com.
How Big Ideas Take Flight and Get Funded: Venture Capital
and Investment in DC
Tuesday, June 15 6:30- 8:30 pm
Bing Stanford-In-Washington
2661 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
Got a Big Idea? Looking to launch a venture? Want to change the world (or at
least your own world)? Whether it’s from private sector venture capitalists, a
state, the federal government, or a social venture group, this program has the
insights you need… and maybe even the investor for you.
As part of the WDCSA Speakers Series, you are invited to listen to and meet
five of the area’s top experts in venture start-ups – all Stanford grads. This is a
unique opportunity to see across the spectrum of how big ideas actually take
flight. The panelists represent very different markets, venture types, and
investment models, but all know well what makes for a successful launch of an
idea and how, where and why ideas find backing.
John Backus (’81, GSB ’84) is managing partner of New Atlantic Ventures, a
“traditional” venture capital firm; Lucy Perkins (’86) is the North American
leader at Ashoka, the country’s oldest and best known social venture fund,
offering seed funding and support to social entrepreneurs; Judy Britz (PhD
’79) is formerly an entrepreneur in biotechnology and is now the executive
director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center, offering funding from the state
of Maryland; and Tom Gillespie (’87) is a senior director of the investment
team at In-Q-Tel, a strategic investment firm supporting missions of the U.S.
Intelligence Community. Our moderator Larry Robertson (’87) helps tie it
all together. He is a former investor and seasoned start-up expert as well as the
author of A Deliberate Pause, a book that looks across all these perspectives and
shows us not only how everyone has the capacity to spark ideas to catalyze
change, but how the best ideas take hold and create lasting change.
Topics will include the following…and more: Why
the DC market has become a strong environment for
start-ups and catalyzing new ideas and how it differs
from other markets, in both good and bad ways;
What the key considerations are for anyone and any
venture that wants to succeed and find backing;
What defines the best opportunities for DC
entrepreneurs thinking of starting a new business,
and Who gets funded and by whom?
Cost: Free for young alumni WDCSA members (’05
– ’09) and Stanford in Washington students. $10 for
WDCSA members and young alumni non-members.
$25 for non-members (includes $15 membership
fee!). Registrants may bring a guest for the same
price.
Questions? Contact Tom Kohn, ’83, at kohntom@gmail.com or or call Bill Pegram at
703-486-0952. Space is limited! Register online at http://pgnet.stanford.edu/goto/event6707reg.
MEMBER PROFILE: CHRIS SHINKMAN
Chris began his relationship
with Stanford in 1982 when he
was named Director of the
Career Planning & Placement
Center on campus. His wife
Marsha worked in the Office of
Development at Stanford and
later at Stanford-in-Washington.
Their daughter and son-in-law,
Elizabeth and Todd Carter, are
both Stanford graduates (The
two of them met at a WDCSA
function here in Washington).
Chris also serves on the Board
of Directors of the Stanford
Buck/Cardinal Club and has an
enduring love of college
athletics in general and Stanford
athletics in particular.
The author of three books,
Chris has held administrative and
teaching positions at the
University of Pittsburgh, Cornell,
Johns Hopkins, Trinity, Georgetown, and the University of Virginia, in addition to his work at Stanford. With
lots of comparative information (academics, athletics, location, etc.) he feels that he is well qualified to rate
Stanford as the top university in the country. He is proud that the WDCSA, through its cultural, social,
intellectual, athletic, and community service activities, unites an amazing group of people who are passionate
about Stanford.
Chris Shinkman, Co-Vice President of WDCSA, in a picture taken at the South African
Embassy, is shown here with Zakumi, the official mascot of World Cup 2010. Chris…the
one on the right…will be traveling to South Africa for 10 days in late June to attend World
Cup matches.
Boom to Bust Rooftop Happy Hour
Friday, June 18 6 – 8 pm
Washington Embassy Row Hilton
2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
Attention Late Boomers and Early Busters! Were
you in college during double digit inflation or the end
of the Cold War? Have you ever used carbon paper
or a slide projector?
If you were an undergraduate somewhere between
the mid 1970s and mid 1990s, the University of
Chicago Club of Washington, DC has started a new
group just for you. Those too old for the young
alumni and too young for the seniors will feel at
home.
Join us for light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at one
of Washington’s best rooftops and watch the sunset
over the city on the longest Friday night of the year.
Enjoy the magnificent view with people who are old
enough to remember when stamps needed to be
licked but young enough to think of JFK as an airport
and not a president. In case of rain we will be in the
Consulate Room.
Please send your name, email address, university, and
year and a check for $25 per person made out to
The University of Chicago Club of DC to Debby
Prigal, 1625 Q St. NW #207, Washington, DC 20009.
You may bring a spouse/partner/guest or come solo.
Prepayment must be received by Monday, June 14th.
Email reservations and walk-ins are $35. Dress code:
casual. Email dprigal@aol.com or call (202) 265-3145
with any questions.
If you can not attend the June 18th event but would
like to be added to the email list and be notified of
future events please mail or email the above
information.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT:
HANDS ON DC WORK-A-THON
On Saturday, May 15th, WDCSA volunteers participated in the citywide Hands on DC work-a-thon to
beautify DC public schools. Our Stanford volunteers at Langdon Elementary School were full of school
spirit and quickly developed an expertise in painting the school’s 20 outside doors (almost) Cardinal
red! Nearly 100 other volunteers joined our efforts at the school to rake, mulch, and paint the indoor
hallways and classrooms.
Connie Church, Alice Brathwaite, Heart Hsin and Serena Connor helped paint the exterior of Langdon
Elementary School during Hands on DC work-a-thon.
A Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Mount
Pleasant Heritage Trail: A Village in the
City
Saturday, June 26 10 am
Washington, D.C.
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
Join other Stanford families with children as we take
a self-guided walking tour to discover a
neighborhood celebrated for its cultural diversity and
charming streets.
We’ll discover a thriving neighborhood with
delightful ethnic markets and restaurants along with
neighborhood highlights such as the expatriate
“Czech Row” community, and Canaan Baptist
Church, the first African American place of worship
on 16th Street. Afterwards, we can grab some food
at one of the local eateries.
We will meet at the first sign on the tour at 16th and
Harvard Streets, NW, three blocks from the
Columbia Heights station on Metro’s Green Line.
Send an e-mail to Kimberly Loffer Coerr ’91 at kcoerr@stanfordalumni.org to let us know you are
coming, or call her at (703) 955-1002. Check out http://tiny.cc/9v7x3 for more information about the
tour.
2nd Annual WDCSA Happy Hour Cruise
Thursday, July 15 7:30 pm
Potomac River Cruise
Departing Georgetown Marina
Save the Date!
Come join us for a sunset cruise past the
monuments! We’ve rented a beautiful boat for the
exclusive use of our club. Mix and mingle with your
fellow Stanford alums, enjoying hors d’oeuvres and a
premium open bar.
Pricing information and more details to follow in the
July newsletter. If you have any questions now,
contact Steven Kelts, Ph.D. ’02, at kelts@gwu.edu.
Washington Freedom Soccer Game
Saturday, July 24 7 pm
Germantown Soccerplex
18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, MD
FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
The Cardinal are coming to town. The Washington
Freedom will host the Bay Area Gold Pride in one of
the featured match ups of the season. Two of the
best women soccer players in the world, Abby
Wambach and Marta, will be dueling it out at the
Germantown Soccerplex. But more importantly, the
match will unite five of Stanford’s star soccer players
including Hermann Trophy winner Kelley O’Hara ’10,
Ali Riley ’10, Marissa Abegg ’09, Rachel Buehler ’07,
and Nicole Barnhart ’05 who will be happy to sign
autographs after the match. It’s a perfect
opportunity to gather the Stanford faithful and
support professional women athletes.
Ticket price is $15.
The link to order your own tickets is : http://wf1.glitnirticketing.com/wfticket/web/logingroup1.php?&refresh=1274108924 Password – stanfordsoccer.
When you arrive at the stadium look for the
Stanford banner and join us! From I-270 take exit
118 South towards Germantown. In 2.8 miles turn
right on Richter Farm Road and then in 1 mile turn
left on Schaeffer Road. The Soccerplex will be on
the right.
Contact Chris Shinkman at c.shinkman@verizon.net or 301-229-4427 for more information.
Kayaking Brewery Tour
Saturday, July 31 10 – 4:30 pm
Monocacy River
Frederick, MD
Enjoy a half-day of summertime kayaking followed by
a visit to one of Frederick’s homegrown micro
breweries! The Monocacy River is popular for its
proximity to Washington, DC and friendliness for
those who are new to paddling. We will pass lush
farm fields, wooded bluffs and views of the Catoctin
Mountains. Risa Shimoda ’77, veteran kayaker and
seven-time member of the US Freestyle Kayak Team
will offer paddling tips along the way.
Once we reach the river takeout we will drive to
Barley and Hops Microbrewery for a tour through
the working brewery, taste samples of their fine
product and share appetizers that serve as a light
dinner.
Cost: $84.50 includes: canoe or kayak rental and
related equipment, guide, beer tasting, parking, and
tax. Tips for the guide(s) and bartender are
appreciated, but not expected. Please bring a bag
lunch in a waterproof container to enjoy on our trip.
A box picnic lunch can be provided for an additional
$8/person if ordered in advance. Note: designated
drivers will receive a discount! For more trip details,
including directions to the meeting location and
advice on what to wear, visit www.rivertrail.com/
dress-directions-brewery.php.
To make your reservation, call River & Trail Outfitters
directly and let them know you’ll be part of the
WDCSA (Stanford alumni) group. 1-888-446-7529.
Contact Kevin Coyne at
kevin.coyne@stanfordalumni.org or (703) 517-9082
for more information.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic
Saturday, July 31- Sunday, Aug 8
16th & Kennedy, NW
Washington D.C.
The 2010 Legg Mason Tennis Classic is an ATP World
Tour 500 tournament, making it one of the top 20
men’s tournaments in the world. WDCSA has 6
premium box seats in Aisle 36, Section 3 to all
sessions. Our seats are in the same location as in
recent years – very close to the court. (Premium box
seats are $525/seat for the tournament, an increase
of $25 from last year, but our prices will remain the
same). These seats provide access to the Courtside
Club restaurant. We have two parking passes available
for each session at $10/pass. The Sunday of the first
weekend usually includes main draw matches as well
as qualifying matches.
Sat 7/31 (qualifying) 10am – $7
Mon 8/2 4pm – $36
Tue 8/3 4pm – $43
Wed 8/4 4pm – $48
Thurs 8/5 4pm – $54 (4 left)
Sat 8/7 (semifinals) 1pm – $63 (3 tickets left)
Sun 8/8 (finals) 12pm – $73 (2 tickets left)
Check the WDCSA website at
www.stanfordclubs.org/dc for current ticket
availability for each session. Please email wmpegram@comcast.net indicating the number of tickets desired, the session,
and parking passes desired. Bill will process requests
in the order they are received and confirm availability
by return email and provide instructions for payment.
Stanford in the News
The Stanford Rowing Team will RIDE AGAINST
AIDS this summer, traveling 4500 miles in 67
days.
Get Involved!
Got Fresh Ideas?
For guest speakers, networking opportunities, familyfriendly
activities, group outings? WDCSA is looking
to expand its offerings to fit the diverse needs and
interests of a 7,000-strong community of
accomplished local alumni. Since we are an allvolunteer
organization, we can only do this with your
help! If you have ideas for events, or want to get
involved on a subcommittee planning for WDCSA’s
future, contact Steven Kelts, Ph.D. ’02, at
kelts@gwu.edu
This month’s newsletter is available for download in PDF format.