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Last weekend, nearly 2,200 alumni and guests returned to campus for Reunion 2025, braving the chilly and damp weather to reconnect with ������Ƶ friends, celebrate milestone achievements, and envision the University’s 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 ������Ƶ. Another notable milestone includes the 60th Anniversary of the Presidents’ Circle, one of ������Ƶ’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 ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ Union.

The effort to complete the Lower Campus will be made possible in part by a gift of $50 million from Peter Kellner ’65, P’87, GP’16,’19 — the largest single gift ever made to ������Ƶ — 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, P’12,’12; Robert Fox ’59, GP’23,’25; and Stephen Sprague ’72.

A diverse offering of reunion college events celebrated notable faculty and alumni and underscored the ������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ Commitment; and heard from Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir ʼ01 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 ������Ƶ: Julia Bergamini Bergeron ’75; Carmine Di Sibio ’85, P’18,’21; Peter L. Kellner ’65, P’87, GP’16,’19; and Joseph P. McGrath Jr. ’85, P’15,’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 ������Ƶ emerges as a thought leader and model of resilience for the nation. In his address, Casey highlighted three guiding principles for ������Ƶ: 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 weʼre 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 weʼve talked about in the Third-Century Plan.”&�Բ�����;

The rain did not dampen spirits as alumni celebrated throughout the day and night, leaning on their shared memories. The formative relationships made at ������Ƶ live on far beyond the four years spent in Hamilton. “Itʼs the most wonderful feeling in the world that a community youʼve known for more than 50 years will embrace you when you need it,” said Debbie Wallerstein ʼ75. “That is what ������Ƶ gave me, and Iʼll be forever grateful.”&�Բ�����;