It’s Good to be Back

This year, four reunion celebrations—featuring receptions, socials, dancing, the annual campus parade, and more—took place to allow classes that were not able to assemble over the past two years, due to the pandemic, to reunite. Alumni celebrating their 55th through 65th, 15th through 45th, and 50th reunions—as well as young alumni celebrating their 10th and fifth reunions—returned to campus. At the Alumni Association reception, the passing of the gavel took place between outgoing Alumni Association board president Tracy Hagert Sutka ’82, P’17 and incoming president Michael Weisburger ’82. Longtime volunteer and Lafayette advocate Weisburger, aka “Weissy,” is looking forward to his next two years as president. Weisburger knows a thing or two about alumni engagement. Not only has he served as vice president of the Alumni Association board for the last year, but his family legacy runs deep. (Weisburger’s father, Mark Weisburger ’55, is a trustee emeritus and also served as president of the Alumni Association 1975-76.)

“I’m incredibly honored to have been elected to this position. The new structure of our Alumni Association board reflects our ongoing commitment of having alumni volunteers directly involved in the future of Lafayette,” explained Weisburger. “Our role in working with President Nicole Farmer Hurd to realize her vision will be as important as it’s ever been. To that end, we have an incredible group of committed alums and Lafayette staff ready to get the job done.”

President Hurd was out and about throughout Reunion speaking with alumni about her vision for Lafayette and reflecting on her first year on College Hill. Specifically, two “Conversations with President Hurd” took place to provide alumni the opportunity to speak with the president directly and ask questions.

Whether alumni were parading through campus, singing on the steps of Pardee Hall and sharing their favorite Pardee memories, joining a class social, and more, one thing is certain—there was a common phrase heard on the Quad throughout the four reunion events that took place: “It’s good to be back!”

Athletics Toast
Sherryta Freeman, director of athletics (pictured here with former athletes), hosted a toast commemorating 50 years of women’s athletics at the College.

New Plaza Dedication
A special groundbreaking to commemorate a new plaza to be located near the Civil War monument at the top of the hill took place June 3. Spearheaded by Jeff Ruthizer ’62, P’00 and class fund manager John Weis ’62, the plaza, once constructed, will honor the Class of 1962. Pictured from left: Rico Reyes, director of Lafayette Art Galleries; Easton Mayor Sal Panto; Ruthizer; Weis ; President Hurd; and Julia Greeley ’25.

Alumni Association Dinner
Hurd (center) with outgoing Alumni Association board president Sutka and incoming president Weisburger at the Alumni Association Dinner held June 3.

Athletics Discussion
Freeman hosted a discussion focused on the changing landscape of college athletics with John Troxell ’94, Fred M. Kirby II ’42 head football coach, and Kia Damon-Olson, women’s basketball coach, June 10.