Reunion 2011 Recap
By Georgene Pilling ’04M, Director of Alumni Relations
A beautiful June 4th weekend welcomed more than 250 alumni and guests who returned to campus to celebrate their Reunions, with classmates Sue Decker Fenimore ’61 coming from as a far away as Washington State and Anita Elefant Renaud ’71 coming from Switzerland.
The 50-year Class of 1961 gathered early on Friday with an excursion to the Morris Arboretum that set the stage for a full weekend of laughter and reminiscing that could be heard across the campus into the night and through Sunday morning. The Class of 1971 arrived in full force on Saturday morning, winning the Cornell Cup for the Class with the largest attendance at Reunion.
We were honored to greet Marjorie Minner Klotz ’36, who proudly carried her class banner down the Alumni Fund Walk of Pride into the Dining Hall, and we were delighted to welcome more than 130 alumni and families at the young alumni picnic on the Grey Towers Castle lawn, thanks in much part to the work of Karen Woodeshick Orkin ’96 and Amber LaJeunesse ’06, who used their class Facebook pages to round up their classmates.
Four classes were recognized for their expanded fundraising goals that allowed for Reunion Class Naming Opportunities in the new University Commons. The 40th Reunion Class of 1971 named the Grand Entrance; the 50th Reunion Class of 1961 named a Student Lounge area for commuter students; the 55th Reunion Class of 1956 named a Student Lounge area; and the 60th Reunion Class of 1951named a Student Activity Room.
Alumni Association Awards were presented on Saturday evening by President Karen Rossi Brager ’91, Vice President Donna Segner Levan ’93 ’95M, ’03 DPT, and Board member Amber LaJeunesse ’06. Class Officer and Mary Louise Armstrong Wolf Awards were presented to deserving alumni and the coveted Golden Disc Awards were presented to the following: Daniel Phillips ’11 (Senior Golden Disc); Rebecca Goldstone ’01 (Young Alumni Golden Disc for Distinguished Achievement); Jey Young Auritt ’71 (Golden Disc for Meritorious Service); and Anna Deavere Smith ’71 (Golden Disc for Distinguished Achievement). A detailed report listing and honoring alumni award recipients and Annual Fund Reunion Class Awards will be listed in the Arcadia magazine and Annual Report.
The energy and enthusiasm that filled the campus over the Reunion 2011 weekend has inspired many classmates to meet again at mini-reunions throughout the year and stay connected until their next Reunion. In the meantime, Class Officers whose class years end in 2s and 7s are already planning for their Reunion in 2012 that will capture the same spirit as the one that was just celebrated.
Click here to read about all the Class Gifts and Alumni Award Recipients in the Awards Presentation Program Book.
