Skip to main content

Why I Come Back: Mike Davidson '91

alumni tent
"It's not just about seeing your classmates, it's about meeting all these people who share a common Swarthmore experience."

Why I Come Back: Reunion Memories

In honor of Swarthmore's sesquicentennial all alumni, regardless of class year, are invited to join us at All-Alumni Weekend, June 6-8. In honor of this unique reunion, we asked a few reunion regulars three important questions: Why do you come back to reunion? What's your best reunion memory? And what are you looking forward to at this year's All-Alumni Weekend? Below is one of these conversations.

Mike Davidson '91 - Half of a matchbox couple (his wife is Christy Reardon '91), Mike's involvement in Alumni Council led him to start attending not just his own milestone reunions, but also reunions in his "off" years.

Why do you come back to reunion?

The main reason I come back for reunion is that returning to campus brings back so many great memories. Swarthmore isn't just the place I went to college; it's also where I met my wife. I proposed to her in Crum Woods. Those are the kinds of memories I remember when I'm back on campus.

What's your best reunion memory?

I don't have a specific memory that stands out, but the part of the weekend I always enjoy most is the opportunity to catch up with friends and classmates I haven't seen in a long time. To see those people I haven't seen and wish I had.

It's that feeling of catching up that defines reunions for me. Since my dad's an alumnus as well (Stephen Davidson '61), it's nice to see my parents and the people they know. Reunion is unique because of the real feeling of intergenerational connection. It's not just about seeing your classmates; it's, about meeting all these people who share a common Swarthmore experience. That's what I most enjoy about it each time.

What are you looking forward to at this year's All-Alumni Weekend?

My wife and I would like to come back and probably will if we can make it work, but we're not sure yet.,

I'd like to come back because it'd be nice to see those classmates I haven't seen in a long time who come back this year because this is a special event. And I'd like to see alumni in the classes just before and just after me that I haven't since we left campus. It'd be great to see and catch up with some of those folks.