Perfect weather set the scene for the 1,350 alumni and family members who gathered on campus May 30 to June 2 to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2019. Highlights include the annual Parade of Classes, Alumni Collection featuring an address, “Is the U.S. Still a Country of Refuge?” by former United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Alex Aleinikoff ’74, and an update on the College’s long-term goals from President Valerie Smith.
During Collection, President of the Alumni Association Emily Anne Nolte Jacobstein ’07 oversaw the presentation of alumni service awards. This year’s awards, which recognize alumni for their service to the College, their communities, and their fields, were presented to Fred Kyle ’54 and Elena Sogan Kyle ’54, winners of the Joseph B. Shane ’25 Alumni Service Award; Archer Dodson Heinzen ’64, who received the Arabella Carter Community Service Award; and Christiana Figueres ’79, winner of the Eugene Lang ’38, H’81 Impact Award. President Valerie Smith then gave an update on the College and acknowledged class giving, highlighting the Class of ’69 for raising more than $575,000 for their class scholarship in celebration of their reunion—putting the value of their class scholarship over $1 million dollars.
Class reunion committees planned activities including lectures, memorials, open houses, yoga classes, trivia quizzes, drawing lessons, and even the creation of a time capsule by the Class of ’94 to be opened at their 50th reunion in 2044. A number of affinity groups, including Alumni of Color, Black Alumni Network, and LGBTQ+ Alumnx Network organized events for alumni to connect with these growing organizations.
Highlights of the weekend for all alumni included the Friday night performance of jazz vocalist Judith Lorick ’69 & Ensemble, a pithy political-economics lecture by Sara Dustin ’59, and a lecture, “Tests: What Are They Good For?” from Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity and Associate Professor of Statistics Lynne Steuerle Schofield ’99. Garnet Athletics dedicated recently renovated spaces in the Mullan Center including the Michael A. Costonis ’92 Golf Center, the Beebe Multipurpose Room, the Doug Weiss Sports Medicine Annex (honoring David McElhinny ’75), and the Fallati Lobby. After two full days of intellectual inquiry and debate, alumni let loose at the All-Alumni Parrish Beach Party, featuring DJ Alan Sama ’97.
