Members of the Class of 1951 participate in the Annual Parade of Classes May 21 during Reunion & Commencement Weekend.
Classmates Reunite During Reunions, Class Gatherings (with VIDEO)
by Olivia Drake •
Tag Archive for reunion
Class Get-togethers, WESeminars, Graduation at 2011 Reunion & Commencement Weekend
by Olivia Drake •
The Parade of Classes begins at 11:15 a.m. May 20. The annual event is a popular event during Reunion & Commencement Weekend.
Celebrate graduating seniors and reminisce with former classmates during the 2011 Reunion & Commencement Weekend May 19-22.
This year, classes ending in “1” and “6” will celebrate their reunions, and the Class of 2011 will become Wesleyan’s 179th graduating class.
“As always, I’m looking forward to R&C – it’s such a fun and celebratory time for the entire Wesleyan community, with over 150 events during three days,” says Gemma Ebstein, associate vice president for external relations in University Relations. “In addition to another incredible array of WESeminars, we’ll enjoy great live music from Grammy-nominated Jazz singer Tierney Sutton ‘86, performances by WEStand-up alumni comedians and the Wesleyan Spirits and – of course – the traditional Friday and Saturday night parties. With reunion class gatherings, academic department open houses and the Festival on Foss Hill, there’s literally something for everyone. And the weekend culminates with Commencement where we’ll hear from legendary anthropologist and physician, Paul Farmer. If you haven’t made plans to join us for this memorable Wesleyan weekend, it’s not too late to register.”
Registration begins at 10 a.m. May 19 in Usdan University Center. Alumni, parents, students and families should check in for a final weekend schedule, meal tickets, a welcome packet, campus maps and more. Campus tours begin at 9 a.m. and noon on May 20 at the Office of Admission. The entire May 19 schedule is online here.
Wesleyan’s interactive and inspiring WESeminar program begins at 11:30 a.m. May 20 with the topic “How to Learn to Like the Art You Love to Hate.” WESeminars provide opportunities to revisit the classroom and experience firsthand the academic excellence that is the essence of Wesleyan, with presentations by scholars, pundits, and other experts in their fields. Programs run approximately 60 minutes, followed by audience Q&A.
Other topics this year include Immigration Policy, Principles and Politics; Space Weather; Community Partnership and Scholarship at Wesleyan; Re-Branding Russia; The Ocean’s Oddest Creatures; The Wesleyan Media Project’s 2010 Analysis of Political Advertising; Thinking Critically about the Environment; The State of Queer Connecticut; Negotiation Skills; Japanese Printmaking; Wesleyan Alumni in Philanthropy and Public Service; and many more.
Other key events on May 20 include a Welcome Picnic Lunch at 11:30 a.m.; Wesleyan Farmers’ Market at noon;
Gemma Fontanella Ebstein Plays Key Role in Building Relationships with Alumni, Staff
by Bill Holder •
Gemma Fontanella Ebstein is associate vice president for external relations. (Photo by Dena Matthews)
If you’ve enjoyed attending Wesleyan events, chances are that you have Gemma Fontanella Ebstein to thank.
As associate vice president for external relations, she has had an ever-evolving set of responsibilities, but one constant has been ensuring that events for alumni, parents and the campus community are first rate. Under her direction, for example, Wesleyan merged Commencement and Reunion weekends into one event that rapidly has become a valued Wesleyan tradition.
“Gemma has great management instincts and I can absolutely count on her to get things done,” says Barbara-Jan Wilson, vice president for university relations. “We can’t have successful fundraising without building excellent relationships with all our constituencies, and Gemma plays a key role in that effort. Wesleyan is fortunate to have her energy, positive attitude and leadership capability.”
During her 20 years at Wesleyan, she also led planning for Wesleyan’s 175th Anniversary Celebration, merged Homecoming and Family Weekends, increased attendance at both that event and Reunion, reorganized the University Lecture Series,
Student Bands Lead MoConathon Festival
by Olivia Drake •
Student musicians performed at MoConathon May 22, a festival honoring McConaughy Hall, with live music by Wordsmith and the Concert G’s, Mad Wow Disease and Naia Kete. The event was MC’ed by Chris Correa ’10.
The event was open to those wanting to pay tribute to Mocon and its place on Wesleyan’s campus. (Photos by Nick Russell)
R&C Weekend: WESeminars, Belichick, MoConathon, Commencement
by Olivia Drake •
Family and friends reunite during Reunion & Commencement Weekend May 20-23 at Wesleyan.
More than 5,000 alumni, family and friends of the university are expected to attend Reunion & Commencement Weekend on campus. The traditional series of events begins Thursday, May 20 and culminates with Commencement on Sunday, May 23.
“We have several new and exciting events this year including a benefit concert by Santigold (Santi White ’97) on Friday under the Andrus tent, and a MoConathon concert on Saturday featuring three student bands, celebrating McConaughy Hall,” says Deana Hutson, director of events and R&C weekend. “We’ll have numerous WESeminars featuring alumni, parents, faculty and students on topics that appeal to anyone.”
The Class of 1960’s 50th Reunion gathering and the Senior Class Semiformal will kick-off R&C Weekend on May 20. Campus guests who haven’t resistered online, may do so in person at the Usdan University Center.
Events on May 21 include campus tours, senior projects in film studies,
