...We had 548 classmates attend out of about 1,600 who entered as freshmen in 1972. I can't find the number who actually graduated in 1976, but between some attrition plus transfers in, I am using 1600 as a benchmark. As of May 31, 2026 we had lost 170 or 10.625%. Our reunion participation, at 548 or about 38% of the surviving approximately 1,430, set the reunion record to date for the highest number of class attendees.

despite officially entering ND in 1971. He had to sit out a year while he worked on a production line in Ft. Wayne due to his bad freshman year grades. So, he graduated with you, while also managing to knock up a SMC girl, marry her at the end of his junior year and be the proud Dad of my wife while he lived in Married Student Housing with the family his Senior year. And to his credit, he’s had a daughter and grand-daughter both graduate from ND. I kind of love the black sheep ND stories.

though, that your experience is the same as mine. People I will ever see as young ... Also college buddies ...

for your birth cohort.

Based on actuarial data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and cohort life tables from the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC), approximately 82% to 84% of Americans born in the 1958–1959 birth cohort are still alive today. For Americans born in 1958–1959, who are turning ages 67 to 68 in 2026, the survival rates are:
• Females born in 1958–1959: Approximately 86% to 88% are still alive.
• Males born in 1958–1959: Approximately 78% to 80% are still alive.
• Combined Total: Roughly 82% to 84% of the original birth cohort survives today.

Numbers. Wow.

I thought it seemed high as well.