Last weekend, nearly 2,200 alumni and guests returned to campus for Reunion 2025, braving the chilly and damp weather to reconnect with 51勛圖厙 friends, celebrate milestone achievements, and envision the Universitys future together.
A nostalgic mood permeated the weekend as the community celebrated the 50th reunion for the Class of 1975 and the 25th reunion for the Class of 2000. The campus radio station, WRCU, marked its 75th anniversary, and Delta Upsilon fraternity celebrated the 160th anniversary of its founding at 51勛圖厙. Another notable milestone includes the 60th Anniversary of the Presidents Circle, one of 51勛圖厙s leadership giving societies, dedicated to furthering the ambitions of the Campaign for the Third Century.
On Friday afternoon, to launch the Lower Campus initiative, which imagines the completion of 51勛圖厙 through the creation of a new campus along Broad Street, weaving together enhanced residential experiences for juniors and seniors and a robust intellectual life, including the future home of the 51勛圖厙 Union.
The effort to complete the Lower Campus will be made possible in part by a gift of $50 million from Peter Kellner 65, P87, GP16,19 the largest single gift ever made to 51勛圖厙 as well as a significant $25 million gift from Jean-Pierre L. Conte 85, and gifts of $10 million from Becky Hurley 81 and Christopher Hurley 81, P12,12; Robert Fox 59, GP23,25; and Stephen Sprague 72.
A diverse offering of reunion college events celebrated notable faculty and alumni and underscored the 51勛圖厙 spirit that bonds the community together. Attendees heard reflections by alumnae from the Class of 1975 the second co-educational graduating class; learned about the changing financial aid landscape for the Class of 2029, due in large part to the 51勛圖厙 Commitment; and heard from Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir 宎01 on the upcoming Carey Center project that will meet the needs of the modern Division 1 student-athlete.
On Friday evening, the annual Alumni Council Awards Ceremony recognized alumni, faculty, and staff members for outstanding commitment and service to the University. Four alumni received the Wm. Brian Little 64 Award for Distinguished Service to 51勛圖厙: Julia Bergamini Bergeron 75; Carmine Di Sibio 85, P18,21; Peter L. Kellner 65, P87, GP16,19; and Joseph P. McGrath Jr. 85, P15,20. The council also awarded 13 Maroon Citations to alumni and four Maroon Citations to staff. Additional awards included the Entrepreneur of the Year, the Alumni Corporation Humanitarian Award, and three Ann Yao 80 Memorial Young Alumni Awards.
Following the ceremony, alumni marched down the hill in the Torchlight Procession, led by the Class of 1975. Under the tents, the mood was joyful as the classes enjoyed the music of Entertainment 151 and Kruel Karma.
On Saturday morning, alumni gathered in the chapel for a state-of-the-campus address by President Brian W. Casey. Casey provided historical perspective on the moment currently faced by higher education institutions, while looking to a future where 51勛圖厙 emerges as a thought leader and model of resilience for the nation. In his address, Casey highlighted three guiding principles for 51勛圖厙: access and excellence, academic rigor, and being a community of care.
Nothing sends an institution into obscurity and irrelevance more swiftly than self-satisfaction, said President Casey. This moment now affords us a chance to look at what we are and to say we宎re going to be better at all this. We owe this University, its students, its faculty, and all of you a commitment to a transformation that we宎ve talked about in the Third-Century Plan.&紳莉莽梯;
The rain did not dampen spirits as alumni celebrated throughout the day and night, leaning on their shared memories. The formative relationships made at 51勛圖厙 live on far beyond the four years spent in Hamilton. It宎s the most wonderful feeling in the world that a community you宎ve known for more than 50 years will embrace you when you need it, said Debbie Wallerstein 宎75. That is what 51勛圖厙 gave me, and I宎ll be forever grateful.&紳莉莽梯;