Once a Pard, always home

As the crowd grew for the Parade on Saturday morning, so did the class banners and alumni energy. Together, these reunion classes raised more than $14.3 million for the College this fiscal year. 1 Saturday’s parade route led right into Reunion Rally, which has become a signature event in just its second year. Inside Colton Chapel, the Class of 1975 took a standing ovation to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days.”2 By day, the iconic Reunion tent was the spot for a casual picnic with menu items grown by LaFarm; by night, it transformed into a Friday beer garden and a Saturday dance floor packed with alumni enjoying a high-energy cover band.3 Skillman Library offered a sneak peek at an upcoming fall exhibition, Lafayette 200: A Bicentennial History of Lafayette College, on its second floor.4 The Council of Lafayette Women gathered for an afternoon tea in the Marlo Room.5 The Quad hosted a variety of events including “Postcards for new Pards,” where alumni wrote welcome messages to the incoming Class of 2029.6 After singing the alma mater on Pardee’s steps Friday night—by the twilight’s glow—alumni were treated to a taste of local whiskey.7

Warm weather and music, plus a sea of maroon and leopard print, set the scene on College Hill June 6-8. More than 600 alumni returned to Easton, including milestone classes (those ending in 0s and 5s). Jason ’10 and Meghan Gray Garman ’10, who met at Lafayette, were among the attendees celebrating a notable anniversary. “We’re still incredibly close with our roommates and the friends we made here,” Meghan says.

With more than 50 planned events, the weekend schedule offered something for every Leopard from a welcome toast with President Nicole Hurd to information sessions in the classroom. New traditions joined the classics, such as afternoon tea sponsored by the Council of Lafayette Women, a happy hour with faculty and staff inside Rockwell, plus an opportunity to sample food at restaurants downtown.

During Reunion Rally (pictured, inset), alumni had the opportunity to hear College updates from Board of Trustees chair Robert E. Sell ’84, H’18, President Hurd, and Fran Della Badia ’91, president of the Alumni Association. Awards were also presented to the following volunteers: Megan Young ’13; Wynne Whitman ’86; Sammy Chavin-Grant ’16; Kathleen Squires ’88; and Wendy Hill, director of the Daniel and Heidi ’91 Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education.

Here, we map out some of the spots where memories were made from the weekend. Were you at Reunion? Let us know your favorite memory by emailing lafayettemagazine@lafayette.edu.