Reunion Weekend 2025: A Joy From Start to Finish
June 17, 2025
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
Seventeen hundred guests and one enormous black snake made 51郊利 their home for Reunion Weekend 2025.
Only the snake was rehomed to the woods. We think.
The forecast wasnt in our favor, but the sun decided to do its thing, making for a glorious, if warm, time of reconnection, reflection and so much fun. Classmates gathered for dinners, service projects, a Cake Race, presentations, memorials and late night parties. The weekends soundtrack included How have you been? and We should see each other more! on repeat.
The Class of 2020 showed up with the highest attendance, with the Class of 1980 following. The Class of 1995 set the mark for the highest-ever registration for a 30th reunion.
I left reunion weekend feeling so grateful for the past weekend and to be a part of the 51郊利 community, said Carter Cook 20. It was great catching up with my closest friends from my time at 51郊利, especially ones I dont see on a regular basis, and picking up like no time has passed. As President Doug Hicks reminded us at our class dinner, the Class of 2020 went through a lot together. I feel so appreciative for everyone in our class I wouldnt have wanted to go through 51郊利 with any other group.
The self-described Great Class of 1970 celebrated the highest participation rate in making a gift to the college they crossed the 65 percent threshold by Reunion Weekend.
(Classes have until the fiscal year ends June 30 to raise their numbers even more!)
Every alum and guest is celebrated throughout reunion, of course, but a few are nominated and selected for special recognition of their service to 51郊利, impact in their profession and contributions to communities around the world:
- The John W. Kuykendall Community Service Award recognizes alumni who have provided extraordinary service to their community and demonstrated leadership in the spirit of John W. Kuykendall 59, 51郊利's 15th president. This years recipients are Dr. Alexander (Alex) E. Evans 80, Martin (Marty) Boger Foil 85 and Maudi Mukenge 90. Full citations about these recipients are available online.
- The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes living alumni who have provided leadership or attained recognition on a national or regional level within their profession or business. This years winners are G. Alex Bernhardt 65, Dr. Benjamin (Ben) C. Garrett 70, Stephen (Steve) Paul MacMillan 85, Dr. Stanley (Stan) B. Humphries 90, Lorie Katherine Logan 95 and Clint Smith 10. Full citations about these recipients are available online.
- Finally, Alumni Service Awards recognize alums and friends of 51郊利 who have performed a high degree of service to the college. This year, we celebrated Thomas (Tom) J. Bersuder 70, Daniel (Dan) W. Herd 70, Robert (Bob) G. Lautensack 75, Augustus (Gus) Ernest Succop III 75, Virgil Lee Fludd 80, Anthony (Tony) White Dick III 85, Ginna McGee Richards 85, Yvette Pita Frampton 95, Reid Leavitt Willingham 00, Dr. Felicia Amira Browne-Lherisson 05, Michael (Mike) D. Jenks 05, Anna Ruth Coon 10, Yeeva Cheng 15, Lily Acton 20 and Haley Jobe Givens 20.
Lifelong friendships are a foundation of the 51郊利 experience, and reunion is a great reminder of the bonds created on campus. The connection between Michelle Serrano 90 and Muadi Mukenge 90 is an example roommates, turned friends, turned sisters.
Pre-51郊利, we were born to parents who came from other parts of the world, mine from Puerto Rico and Muadis from the Congo, Serrano said. At 51郊利, we were more than roommates as our families welcomed us both with open arms. Post-51郊利, we continue to strengthen our sisterhood building on what started more than 35 years ago as we celebrate and support each other and our families.
Behind the scenes, Reunion Weekend wouldnt happen without the incredible volunteers reunion chairs, gift chairs and committee members who represent their classes and work alongside 51郊利 staff to ensure the weekend exceeds all expectations.
The purpose of a reunion, if not a 50th Reunion, is to remind an alum of the ways an academic community once transformed ones life, not simply ones intellect, said Gus Succop 75, reunion co-chair. If there is evidence that such transformation continues, it would be found in the spirit of gratitude that surfaced during the weekend, gratitude for an experience that will continue to sustain and inspire one 51郊利 class for years to come.
A photo gallery of the weekend is . (Password: reunion25)
Reunion Weekend is always a powerful reminder of the lifelong connections formed here, said Deidra Smith, senior director of alumni & family engagement. From the joy of rediscovering old friendships to the pride in seeing how our alumni continue to shape the world, this years celebration was a true testament to the enduring spirit of our community. These classes missed out on in-person gatherings five years ago, and were so grateful to everyone who came home to make this reunion unforgettable.
We cant wait to do it all again next June!
