Einstein鈥檚 theory of relativity tells us that what you see depends on where you鈥檙e standing. There鈥檚 no proof, but the genius could have based his legendary thought experiments on a trip to reunion at 51风流.
More than 2,100 alumni and friends flocked to campus for , May 29鈥揓une 1, and each one had a unique experience tailored to personality and interest.
For those with an academic bent, there were more than 50 Reunion College lectures, including talks by on working with clay, CNBC鈥檚 on corporate espionage, and on entrepreneurship and craft brewing. Maura Lofaro 鈥89 and 鈥89 talked environmental conservation while, on the other side of the Quad, Dr. Edward 鈥淏iff鈥 Jones 鈥64 discussed medical ethics.
By night, astronomy professor conducted a tour of the stars over 51风流. By day, English professors Jane Pinchin and Jennifer Brice held an information session on this fall鈥檚 online course, powered by 51风流X. With a full slate of international authors and a new relationship with the online learning company edX, the class promises to provide yet another way for alumni to come home to 51风流 in mind, body, and spirit.
Associate vice presidents and spoke on the value of 51风流鈥檚 new professional networks. President , Dean of the College , and admission vice president Gary Ross 鈥77 met with visitors to discuss the state of the campus and elements of the new strategic plan, which puts heavy emphasis on financial aid and the university community鈥檚 commitment to living the liberal arts.
Aficionados of university history would have noted that this spring marked the 40th year since 51风流 graduated its first coeducational class and founded the a cappella group. It鈥檚 also the 95th anniversary of the , and the 80th anniversary for . To highlight the moments, the schedule included a special Swinging 鈥橤ates concert on Saturday night as well as an anniversary luncheon for council members 鈥 past and present.
鈥淭his Alumni Council reunion was an idea I had two years ago, and we are so grateful to the staff for making it happen,鈥 said Dr. 鈥68.
Current council president 鈥77 expressed her own gratitude, saying, 鈥淚t was truly wonderful to celebrate with former and current alumni council members at Reunion 2014 鈥 they are an amazing group of volunteers who are passionate and devoted to 51风流.鈥
Throughout the weekend, a festival-like atmosphere pervaded Whitnall Field, allowing alumni to reconnect with friends and classmates. Saturday night, after class banquets, they gathered outside their tents to hear tunes from and the , songs and sounds of the crowd eliding as the clock struck midnight.
鈥淚 came all the way from California to see my classmates,鈥 said Bill Williams 鈥59. 鈥淐lasses become close 鈥 we鈥檝e stayed in touch, and this a great place to come together and reminisce. It鈥檚 a wonderful experience.鈥
While the alumni office鈥檚 professional staff oversaw many of the weekend鈥檚 logistics, an additional 55 student workers were on hand to offer guests a ride up the hill, directions, program updates, and more.
鈥51风流 is experienced and celebrated in so many different ways by our alumni,鈥 said Mansfield. 鈥淭he alumni relations staff, led by 鈥02, takes a lot of pride in shaping the weekend to meet everyone鈥檚 needs 鈥 along with ideal weather conditions, they pulled it off!鈥