Commencement festivities are over and Reunion fun is on the horizon. What better time for an update. In 2010, Around the D featured Reunion Weekends, noting that the timing for Alumni Weekends had wandered a bit over the years from June to May to April.
The next year, the reunion date changed again — back to June –but not back to overlapping with Commencement.
Reunion/Commencement
luncheon in 1947
Not just the date has changed over the years. Earlier weekends tended to focus on class gatherings and group photographs. Current reunions offer more learning opportunities with faculty offering lectures on a range of topics.
Mini-lectures aren’t entirely new – Alumni here are listening to Ed White.
Somethings remain constant:
Presidents always get time in front of alumni.
Other traditions have faded:
Group photos are a long-standing tradition. Gathering of class spouses, less so now.
and
In the 1970s, the alumni office tried out using hats to distinguish classes.
Food is always important –
Class gatherings have varied from formal to informal – air conditioned and open window affairs.
And music is too – we just don’t feature as many tubas.
Music in the 1970s
What’s your favorite reunion memory? Tradition?
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