Reunion + Commencement

rc@wesleyan.edu
860-685-2116

Please continue to check back for updates and additions.

Jump to Saturday's afternoon and evening events.

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    WESeminars, Exhibitions, and Academic Open Houses

    See schedule and full details:

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    Annual Family Swim

    8–10 a.m.
    Webster Family Natatorium
    Please bring your own towels and goggles.

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    50th Reunion Class of 1973 Continental Breakfast

    8–10 a.m.
    Olin Library, Smith Reading Room

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    Post-50th Alumni Classes Lounge

    8:30–10 a.m.
    Boger Hall (formerly the Squash Court Building), Klingher Classroom (Room 113)

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    WESeminar: Where on Earth Are We Going? Idealism vs. Practicality: Environmental Policy-Making in the U.S.

    9–11 a.m.
    Exley, Room 150

    More on Where on Earth Are We Going

    Since its founding in 2009, the Essel '66 and Menakka Bailey College of the Environment (COE) has engaged students and faculty on critical environmental issues in an interdisciplinary way. Many Bailey COE graduates have gone out into the world and worked on environmnetal matters in areas ranging from law to business to political activism. Today, our panel will discuss how their Wesleyan educations empowered them to create lasting positive change, and how all of us can contribute to these efforts.

    Presenters:
    Barry Chernoff     is the founding Director of the Essel Bailey '66 and Menakka Bailey College of the Environment and the Robert Schumann Professor of Environmental Studies at Wesleyan University.
    Michelle Regalado Deatrick '83 is the Chair and founder of the Democratic National Committee Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis. She is also the chair/founder, of the Washtenaw County Environmental Council; Michigan Chair of the National Writers Union; and serves on the boards of Climate Power, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, OnePointFive Climate Pledge, the Huron Valley Area Labor Fed, Huron Workers' Organizing Center.
    Evan Weber '13 is Cofounder and Political Director of the Sunrise Movement.
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    Academic Open Houses (Morning)

    9 a.m.–1 p.m.
    Times and locations vary—please expand below.
    See an alphabetical listing by department.

    Academic departments and locations

    9–11 a.m.

    • College of Film and the Moving Image, Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies, West Lobby/Patio

    10 a.m.–noon

    • Archaeology, Downey House Lounge
    • Classical Studies, Downey House Lounge
    • Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Allbritton 311
    • Medieval Studies, Downey House Lounge
    • Philosophy, Allbritton 311
    • Science in Society, Allbritton 311

    11 a.m.–1 p.m. (gallery exhibit is open until 3 p.m.)

    • College of East Asian Studies, Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies
      • 11:00 a.m.: Japanese Garden Tour with garden curator, Stephen Morrell
      • 11:30 a.m.: Gallery Talk with Sabrina Tian ’24 “Understanding China in the Age of the Unequal Treaties". The gallery will remain open until 3 p.m.
      • Noon: Chinese Ensemble Performance and Refreshments
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    WESeminar: Pulling It Off: Documentary Screening and Talkback

    9:30–11 a.m.
    Ring Hall

    More on Pulling it Off

    The years 1968 through 1974 were a turbulent time in U.S. history—the Vietnam War, race riots, the draft, the deaths at Kent State Massacre which led to the Student Strike—all coalesced to create an uncertain mood on college campuses. Music of the period reflected this spectrum of emotions. Wesleyan was tiny relative to many of its neighboring colleges and universities, yet it had the richest and most diverse concert program in New England. Pulling it Off tells story of how a small group of dedicated students made it happen. Please join us for a screening of the documentary, followed by a panel discussion.

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    Xi Chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity Chapter Room Meeting

    9:30 a.m. Coffee | 10 a.m. Meeting
    242 High Street
    Welcome, brothers, old and young.

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    WESeminar: 25th Reunion Panel: Teaching for Tomorrow

    10–11 a.m.
    Downey House, 113

    More on Teaching for Tomorrow

    Education and education-adjacent field are the most represented professional fields in this year's 25th Reunion Class of 1998, with 13 percent of the class working in education in some capacity. Please join members of this class for a conversation on their varied roles in the field and perspectives on the future of education. This session will also explore education's role in society and highlight the value of a liberal arts education in preparing the next generation of educators.

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    WESeminar: Harnessing Wesleyan's Unique Collections

    10–11 a.m.
    Olin Library, Room 014

    More on Unique Collections

    What do Wesleyan's social history from the 1970s, coeducation, fashion, museum repatriation, and Chinese embroidery have in common? They are all thesis topics this year, centering on objects in Wesleyan's Special Collections & Archives, the Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, and the East Asian Art & Archival Collections. Throughout the years Wesleyan's students have used materials from the unique collections such as historical objects, rare books, and university archives to undertake numberous undergraduate honors theses. Exploring these collections allows students to do distinctive, hands-on research, all while demonstrating the relevance of historical collections to contemporary questions and issues. Join us to hear from five graduating seniors about their work with the collections and their final projects, as well as the collections managers who worked with them.

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    Mystical 7 Society of Wesleyan Annual Meeting

    10 a.m.
    Templum, 100 Lawn Avenue

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    Class of 2023 16mm and Digital Senior Thesis Films

    10 a.m.–3 p.m.
    Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies, Goldsmith Family Cinema
    See film schedule

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    Children's Morning Story Time

    10:30 a.m.
    Wesleyan RJ Julis Bookstore, 413 Main Street

    More on Story Time

    Settle in for a fun and interactive story time at the bookstore featuring the latest and greatest in delightful picture books. Story time includes a mix of new picture books and classic tales! Stories often follow traditional and world culture holidays and celebrations, seasonal highlights, and more.

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    Annual Parade of Classes

    11:15 a.m.: Assemble at your class sign, Huss Courtyard, Usdan University Center
    11:30 a.m.: Parade begins, rain or shine

    More on the annual parade

    Reunion alumni, the Class of 2023, and families: join in this festive annual Wesleyan tradition, featuring a live Dixieland band.

    The parade begins promptly at 11:30 a.m., rain or shine, beginning at Huss Courtyard (behind Usdan University Center), down College Row, and into Memorial Chapel. The parade is followed by the Wesleyan Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association.

AFTERNOON EVENTS

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    Wesleyan Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association

    Noon–1 p.m.
    Memorial Chapel

    Watch recording

    More on the Alumni Association award recipients

    Confirmed Alumni Association Award Recipients

    DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
    Claire E. Reade ’73
    Peter B. Ganbarg ’88
    David Pollard Derryck ’93
    Kathryn Dickson Haviland ’98
    Dana M. Peterson ’98

    OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
    Peter G. D’Oench ’73
    W. Michael McKenna ’73
    David G. Davenport ’88

    JAMES L. McCONAUGHY, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD
    Steven S. Greenhouse ’73, P'08
    Emily Greenhouse ’08

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    Picnic and Festival on Foss Hill

    Noon–3 p.m.
    Pick up lunch from the Marketplace, 2nd floor, Usdan University Center

    More on the picnic

    Pick up your to-go lunch (advance purchase required) from Usdan and connect with friends and family members for this lively festival with entertainment, including a magic show from 1–2 p.m. with Malik the Magic Guy. 

    $20 per person. Advance ticket purchases through registration is required for all guests—including graduating seniors and current students. Register by May 12 to purchase lunch.

    Limited tickets may be available to purchase at the Marketplace cashier during lunch hours, however, availability is not guaranteed. Cash bar available under the Andrus Field Tent.

    At 1 p.m., check out the Magic Show with Malik the Magic Guy under the tent!

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    Campus Tour Presented by the Office of Admission

    Noon–1:15 p.m.
    Stewart M. Reid House, Office of Admission

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    Academic Open Houses (Afternoon)

    Noon–5 p.m.
    Times and locations vary—expand below for details.
    See an alphabetical listing by department.

    Academic departments and locations

    Noon–2 p.m.

    • College of Education Studies Senior and Alumni Reception, 164 Mount Vernon Street

    1–3:30 p.m.

    • Sociology, Russell House

    1–3 p.m.

    • College of Letters Senior Reception & Reunion, Boger Hall, Room 324 (College of Letters Library)
    • Religion and Jewish Studies, Religious Studies Backyard, 171 Church Street
    • Psychology, Zelnick Pavilion 

    1:30–3 p.m.

    • Quantitative Analysis Center, Reception for QAC Students, Parents, and Alumni, Allbritton 103
    • College of Social Studies Seniors Reception, 330 High Street Tent

    2–3 p.m.

    • Writing Workshop and Multilingual Writings, Shapiro Center for Creative Writing & Criticism, 116 Mt. Vernon Street

    2–3:30 p.m.

    • Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, Fisk Hall, Room 208

    2–4 p.m.

    • Anthropology, Anthropology Room 6
    • Natural Science and Mathematics, College of Integrative Sciences, Exley Science Center, Terrace
    • English, Downey House Lounge
    • Romance Languages, 300 High Street, Highwaymen Common Room

    3–4 p.m.

    • German Studies, Fisk Hall Patio

    3–5 p.m.

    • College of Social Studies Alumni Reception, 330 High Street Tent
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    Honoring the Legacy Graduation Celebration

    12:30–2 p.m.
    Center for the Arts Green Tent

    More on the celebration

    To the class of 2023: We celebrate and honor your legacy! We are proud of how much you have accomplished for yourselves, your families, and your communities. Join us at the 3rd annual Honoring the Legacy event to celebrate! The Socioeconomic Status and Disability interns in The Resource Center created this event to honor the graduating FGLI community at Wesleyan. During the event, seniors will receive a complimentary lunch, custom graduation swag, and well wishes from each other and the Wesleyan community.

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    Lunch in Honor of the Post-50th Reunion Alumni

    1–2 p.m.
    Daniel Family Commons, Usdan University Center

    More on the Post-50th lunch

    All post 50th reunion alumni and their guests are invited. Please register in advance by May 12.

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    WESeminar: Bollywood and Beyond: Objects, Histories, and Pleasures of Indian Cinema

    1–2 p.m.
    Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies, CFS 112

    More on Bollywood and Beyond

    The epic scale of Indian cinema—three-hour-long films! Temples and elections devoted to stars! Billboards bigger than buildings! The last of cultural dominion against Hollywood!—lends itself easily to accounts that run the gamut from gentle mockery to enthusiastic acclaim of its audience's religious fervor. Following the global success and the Oscar award for the best original song in RRR (S.S. Rajamouli, 2022), the attention on and interest in Indian cinema has never been greater. Drawing on the class and the accompanying exhibit of Indian film ephemera and student work on the exhibit at the Rick Nicita Gallery in the College of Film and Moving Image, this seminar will talk about why (and if) we must take the Indian popular cinema seriously, and what are its pleasures?

    Presenter: Anuja Jain, Assistant Professor of Film Studies

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    Magic Show with Malik the Magic Guy

    1–2 p.m.
    Andrus Field Tent
    All welcome for this magic show during the picnic and festival!

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    WESeminar: Improv Anyone? The Art and Science of Improv

    1–2 p.m.
    World Music Hall

    More on Improve Anyone

    Gag Reflex, Wesleyan's oldest improv group, is held dear by many alumni and current students alike. Among these alumni is Anthony Veneziale '98, who is now a leader in the field of musical improvisation and a Tony Award winner for his work in Freestyle Love Supreme. Anthony has been performing and teaching improv for more than 20 years. Join us for a performance from Anthony and several additional members of the Wesleyan Gag Reflex community for a performance and talkback that will explore how improv informs the way we collaborate, communicate and create.

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    Theater Department Senior Project Showcase

    1 p.m.
    Theater Department Studio, Lower Level TST 001
    Limited seating. Please register in advance.

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    Come to Your Senses - Unique Collections Open House

    1–3 p.m.
    Olin Memorial Library
    Special Collections and Archives and the Davison Rare Book Room More on the open house
    Love the smell of old books? Do you ever get the impulse to touch certain textures or fabrics? Ever heard an unusual sound that evokes a specific place or memory? Our senses are how we interact with and understand the physical world around us, and that's reflected in the items we create. We invite you to explore historical objects and materials related to the five senses – experience ancient Greek perfume bottles, Peruvian whistling jars, the feel of different kinds of paper, recipe books to get your mouth watering, cutting-edge experimental music, and more! Come to your senses with materials from Special Collections & Archives, the Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, World Music Archives, and the East Asian Art & Archival Collections.
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    WESeminar: Two Nations Now One: 50 Years of Shared Love for Wesleyan

    1–3 p.m.
    Ring Hall and on Zoom (expand below for link)

    More on Two Nations

    Wesleyan’s Class of 1973 included 50 Black and LatinX students, which was more than double those at peer schools at the time. As these students navigated the social turbulence around the country, they also had to chart a new path on campus for themselves and keep the door open for those that followed. Dean Stephen Butler served as their mentor and championed their academic and social pursuits which resulted in many of these students of color going on to medical school. This discussion will feature remarks from Dean Butler as well as testimonials from members of the class.

    This WESeminar can also be viewed live on Zoom.

    Watch on Zoom

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    Wesleyan Spirits A Cappella Concert

    2–3 p.m.
    Memorial Chapel

    More on the Spirits concert

    Come out to an impromptu concert of current and former Spirits as they sing all the hits from back in your college days that you remember...or maybe none of them! This promises to be a perfectly executed and finely choreographed display of guys who have never sung together. What could go wrong?

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    WESeminar: A Conversation About The 1619 Project

    2–3 p.m.
    Crowell Concert Hall

    More on the 1619 Project

    "The 1619 Project is an ongoing initiative … to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.” (1619 Project)

    Originally published in August 2019 under the leadership of Jake Silverstein '98, Editor-in-Chief at The New York Times Magazine, The 1619 Project is still growing and evolving today. Please join us for a conversation between Silverstein and Professor of Film Studies and Co-Director of the Wesleyan Documentary Project Tracy Strain about The 1619 Project, it’s significance, the motivation behind it at its inception, and how it is now expanding into a multimedia platform.

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    WESeminar: Money Secrets Every Graduate Should Know

    2–3 p.m.
    Judd Hall, Room 116

    More on Money Secrets

    In this session, Haley Sacks '13, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones, will give you the tools you need to have the life you want.

    Like most people in their 20s, Haley Sacks did not understand money. She had the desire to enter the financial world, but it seemed the only methods of learning its ins-and-outs involved indecipherable jargon and boring videos. Sacks took note of the content gap in the personal finance sector and, fueled by her frustration, decided to combine her newfound interest in finances and her background in entertainment to do the impossible: make finance cool. Four years later, it seems Sacks has conquered the impossible. Using a combination of pop culture, humor, memes, videos, and more, Haley has gotten through to millennials and Gen Z about finance. Sacks now engages over 700,000 followers across her social media platforms, and that number is continuing to grow daily. Sacks was named in Fortune's 40 Under 40 in 2020, and in 2021, she was named one of InStyle's Badass 50. This year, Hailey was named the AdWeek Creative Visionary Award Winner for Personal Finance Advice.

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    Alumni and Students of Color Reception and African American Studies Open House

    2–4 p.m.
    Davison Health Center Tent

    More on the reception and open house

    All are welcome to this reception honoring alumni and students of color. Sponsored by the Center for African American Studies and the Alumni of Color Council.

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    Theater Department Open House Reception

    2–4 p.m.
    Theater Department East Classroom and Outdoor Patio
    All are welcome!

    More on the Theater Open House Reception

    All are welcome to come. Food and drinks will be served. Come meet some of the Class of 2023 and our Theater Department faculty and staff.

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    50th Reunion Class of 1973 Lounge

    2–4:30 p.m.
    Olin Library, Smith Reading Room

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    Senior Thesis Showcase Reception

    2:30 p.m. with curator remarks at 3 p.m.
    Ezra and Cecila Zilkha Gallery

    More on the showcase reception

    A reception for the Senior Thesis Showcase exhibition featuring the work of the Class of 2023’s thesis students in the Department of Art and Art History’s Art Studio Program. Includes a conversation with Associate Professor of Art History Nadja Aksamija; Associate Director of Visual Arts and Adjunct Instructor in Art Benjamin Chaffee; and the student curators Bailey Chapin '24, Emma Flaherty '24, and Sabrina Tian '24.

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    WESeminar: Building Intersectional Impact Across Industries

    2:30–3:30 p.m.
    Allbritton Hall, Room 311

    More on Intersectional Impact

    Join us for a wide-ranging moderated conversation on leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable impact. Featuring Anne Martin, Chief Investment Officer, Wesleyan University; Evan Okun '13, Associate, Working Capital Fund, Felicia Appenteng '05, fmr. Managing Director, The IE Fund; and Gato Nsengamungo '23, Founder, Rwanda Youth Tech Informants. Moderated by Ahmed Badr '20, Interim Director, Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship

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    Athletic Department Senior Awards Presentation

    2:45–4:30 p.m.
    Freeman Athletic Center, Silloway Gymnasium

    More on the awards presentation

    Come celebrate the accomplishments of our senior student-athletes as they gather together one final time as undergrads in Silloway Gymnasium.

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    Guided Meditation led by Dina Kaplan '93

    3 p.m.
    Top of Foss Hill

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    Eclectic Alumni Coffee Hour

    3–4 p.m.
    200 High Street, Small Ballroom

    More on Eclectic Alumni Coffee Hour

    Alumni of the Eclectic Society are invited to sip coffee and exchange stories with current members at daytime get-together.

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    Post-50th Reunion Alumni Classes Lounge

    3–5 p.m.
    Boger Hall, (formerly the Squash Court Building), Klingher Classroom (Room 113)

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    Family Friendly Activities

    3–5 p.m.
    Boger Hall, room 114 More on family activities
    Parents and their young children are invited to join Wesleyan students for arts and crafts and games.
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    WESeminar: The BioTech Boom

    3:30–4:30 p.m.
    Boger Hall, 112

    More on the BioTech Boom

    Please join us for a conversation on the booming BioTech industry. Kate Haviland '98, CEO of Blueprint Medicines; Marc Casper '90, P'23, chairman, president, and CEO of Thermo Fisher Scientific; and Joshua Boger '73, Hon.'18, P'06, '09, founder and former president and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will discuss their current roles, industry trends, its place in society, and how their Wesleyan liberal arts education prepared them for work in the BioTech field.

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    LGBTQ+ Reception

    3:30–5 p.m.
    The Resource Center, 167 High Street

    More on the reception

    Join LGBTQ+ alumni, faculty, students, families, and friends as we welcome graduating seniors to the alumni community. Come together in recognizing outstanding undergraduate scholarship by announcing Gay, Lesbian, and Sexuality Studies (GLASS) Prize recipients.

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    Entrepreneurs & Investors: Cocktail Hour

    4–5 p.m.
    Mystical Seven Society Templum, 100 Lawn Avenue
    Hosted by the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship More on the cocktail hour
    Join us for a cocktail hour to celebrate Wesleyan alumni interested in entrepreneurship, investment, and social innovation. Connect with leaders from across sectors and explore potential opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Please RSVP here. Walk-ins are welcome.
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    Phi Beta Kappa Initiation

    4–5 p.m.
    Memorial Chapel
    With opening remarks by President Michael S. Roth '78

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    Class of 1973 Photo

    5–5:15 pm.
    Olin Library steps

EVENING EVENTS

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    Reunion Class Receptions and Dinners

    5:30–9 p.m.
    Locations vary

    More on class dinners

    Class dinner locations are subject to change based on registration numbers. Please check back for final locations.

    $65 per person, inclusive of beer and wine reception and dinner. Advance registration and purchase required. If you are unable to purchase tickets in advance, a very limited number of class dinner tickets may be available, though not guaranteed, for purchase at the Welcome + Giving Center. Tickets will not be available at dinner.

    Wesleyan University Service Award recipients will be honored during each class dinner. THE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SERVICE AWARD (WUSA) is presented to volunteers who have given sustained service to Wesleyan University over time or who have given significant service in a specific area such as admission, career resources, fundraising, reunion planning, regional programs, or class notes. See below for a listing of recipients. 

    Post-50th Reunion Alumni
    Usdan University Center, Andersen Meeting Room (110)

    Class of 1963
    Usdan University Center, Taylor Meeting Room, (108)

    Class of 1968
    Boger Hall, Gordon Career Center

    Class of 1973
    Olin Library, Campbell Reference Center

    Class of 1978
    Usdan University Center, Daniel Family Commons

    Class of 1983
    McKelvey Green, Tent with Red Flag

    Class of 1988
    Patricelli '92 Theater

    Class of 1993
    Usdan University Center, Mink Dining Wing

    Class of 1998
    Fayerweather, Beckham Hall

    Class of 2003
    President's House Lawn

    Class of 2008
    McKelvey Green, Tent with Black Flag

    Class of 2013
    Usdan University Center, The West Wing

    Class of 2018
    Russell House Lawn

    WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS 
    Syed Agmal Ali '13
    Souleymane Ba '03
    Jaime Bachrach '93
    Daniel Max Baranovsky '98
    Wayne Barber '73, P'01
    Lisanne J. Misrok Biolos '88
    Jeffrey P. Burack '83, P'23
    Rhea J. Drozdenko '18, MALS '22
    Jessica Golden Cortes '98
    Justine Gubar '88
    Mark P. Helfat '73
    John B. Huttlinger Jr. '73
    Sohil Khanna '18
    Ronald Medley '73
    Audrey Shuman Nathanson '78
    Kate Elisabeth Nattrass '03
    Daniel Mark Poniatowski '08
    James S. Powers III '73
    Rashida Amina Richardson '08
    Jennifer Louise Roff '93, P'26
    Laura Davidson Ross '93
    David Hideo Shimomura '13
    Andrew Justin Smith '08
    Aaron Jakob Tell '98
    McKenzii Denise Webster '13
    Ari Chaim Wolfe '03
    Donald E. Zilkha '73, P'22

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    Stargazing: Astronomy Open House

    9–11 p.m.
    Van Vleck Observatory
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    Traditional All-College Sing

    9:30–10 p.m.
    North College steps
    Rain location: Memorial Chapel

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    All-Campus Tent Party

    10 p.m.–1 a.m.
    Andrus Field Tent

    More on the tent party
    Celebrate with classmates, graduating seniors, and families - all are welcome! Hear the best pop, rock, and soul music from the ‘70s, '80s, and '90s with a ten-piece all-star band featuring members from both "The Future Heavies" and "The Usual Lebowskis.” The group is led by drummer Andrew Chatfield MALS '19 and includes lead vocalists Alice-Anne, Wendy Berry, and Sarah LeMieux, saxophonist and guitarist Dustin Kreidler, bassist Derek Monahan, lead guitarist Aaron Read, keyboard player David Lovelace, percussionist Brendan LeMieux, and Chris Barrett on trumpet and percussion.

    The performance will be followed by DJ set by Mario Torres. A cash bar will be available (cash or Venmo).