Friends Without Borders Lifelong friends Seng-Kah “Henry” Baey ’83 and Dan Einstein ’83 reflect on their time at W&L.

By Barbara Elliott
November 30, 2023

“There’s something special about W&L. Students who go there tend to have common values. Even in the midst of varied interests, our values are the same.”

~ Dan Einstein ’83

Seng-Kah “Henry” Baey ’83 and Dan Einstein ’83 can’t remember exactly how they met, but both agree that the connection they made during their sophomore year led to a friendship that has endured.

Baey, a native of Singapore who is group managing director of American International Industries Pte. Ltd., was one of only five international students at W&L when he enrolled. He had never seen the campus, or even visited the U.S., before his arrival as a freshman. Although he spoke fluent English, he definitely found some cultural differences to overcome. For one thing, the food in the cafeteria was so bland, he brought his own hot sauce to meals. For another, everyone kept asking, “What’s up?”

Fortunately, he found both the students and faculty welcoming, especially Einstein, Jim Humphreys ’84, ’87L and his dorm counselor, Jed Dunn ’82. “Dan was always there. He was kind, helpful all the time, very caring,” Baey recalled. “These people extended a hand and were attentive and interested in where I came from and what I did.”

After two years of focusing on his studies and adapting to American ways, Baey decided to become more active in campus life, starting the International Club and helping establish the first International House.

Einstein, now business insurance division leader of the Marsh McLennan Agency in Greenville, South Carolina, invited him to join his fraternity and helped with the International Club. Their parents even had lunch together after graduation, leading to a lifelong friendship between their extended families.

Einstein encouraged Baey to return for their 25th reunion. “He said if we don’t make the effort, we may not be around to get another chance,” recalled Baey, who won the inaugural award for traveling farthest to attend a reunion. He won again this year at their 40th.

The friendship between the classmates has deepened as they have supported each other through tough times. They communicate several times a week.

“He is one of my friends who is very present, even though he is not physically here,” Einstein said. “We have just shared our lives over 40 years, although we have only seen each other four or five times. There’s something special about W&L. Students who go there tend to have common values. Even in the midst of varied interests, our values are the same.”