More than 700 visitors returned to campus for ReUnion 2023 (May 19 – May 21), enjoying great weather and great events ranging from the Lobster Fest to the Alumni Parads and Networking Events. ReUnion is a time for alumni to look back and reflect on their time at Union, what they learned, who they met and how those experiences have impacted their life post-graduation.
Doyin Richards ’98 presented on the topic “Real Talk About Racism and Mental Health in America” at 4:00 p.m. on May 19 at the Nott Memorial to kick-off ReUnion Weekend. Richard also led another special conversation on Mental Health on May 20. One of the events for the weekend was the Senior Class Handshake on Saturday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. Members of the Class of 2023 shook hands with members of the 50th ReUnion class, the class of 1973. The Japanese Drumming Ensemble Zakuro Daiko also did a performance during the Award Ceremony. A First Generation Networking Reception took place on Saturday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. in The President’s House Garden to allow current first-generation students, whose parents did not attend college, to network with alumni who were also such students.
On Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a picnic was organized for students and alumni to interact with each other. It had tables from various Student Clubs such as Chemistry Club which served Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream, and WRUC who played music for the event. Taking inspiration from LobsterFest organized by Student Forum and Dining Services, Alumni Engagement organized a special Lobster Fest for alumni. It was a new experience for a number of alumni since Lobster Fest was a tradition that did not exist during their time at Union while enjoying music from The Ill Funk Ensemble. An ice cream and desert social for organized at 8:00 p.m. on May 20 at the Reamer Back Patio to celebrate the successful completion of Powering Union: The Campaign for Multiple Tomorrows. The highlight of the weekend was the fireworks on Saturday, May 20 at 8:45 p.m. Many students, alumni, and other members of the campus community gathered on Rugby Field to celebrate.
The weekend ended with a talk where in Dr. Ajay Major ’12 will spoke to Leadership in Medicine (LIM) stu- dents about his research and experiences after Union.
This article was originally published in the print edition of Concordiensis on May 25, 2023.
