Monday Morning Update

June 08, 2009

Close to 750 reunion alumni and more than 400 family and friends celebrated the largest reunion in Stonehill history on May 29 to May 31. Alumni & guests explored campus changes, showed their children around, renewed marriage vows, caught up with friends, and prayed for deceased classmates. They also enjoyed good food, music and dancing. Here's an overview of Reunion 2009:

Alumni from 17 classes, 1952 to 2004, participated in 25 events during Reunion 2009. Thirty-one members of the Class of 1959 were inducted into the Pillar Society, which includes alumni who have celebrated or are celebrating their 50th reunion.

In his remarks to the Class of 1959, Class Speaker David Pomfret addressed the question of retirement, noting that "the transition to retirement is learning to maintain self-respect while letting go of self-importance."

Over 100 alumni visited the Science Center, where current students and faculty members gave guided tours of the new facility. Alumni traveled from 22 states and the District of Columbia to attend Reunion 2009.

The flashback moment of the weekend came when Denise '59 and Herb King '58 presented an Evening Session pamphlet from 1958, which advertised eight-week courses in American Democracy, Philosophy, English, Speech, Religion, and Current Events for $6. Yes, that's right, six bucks.

More than 160 members of the Class of 2004 returned to celebrate their 5th reunion, matching the record set last year by the Class of 2003 for the most classmates at a Stonehill reunion.

Twelve couples renewed their wedding vows in the Chapel of Mary at a ceremony with Alumni Chaplain Fr. Genaro Aguilar, C.S.C. All together, these couples share 334 years of marriage. To see a Snapshot, visit here.

With perfect weather, the midday BBQ on Saturday attracted a record attendance of more than 500 guests, many with small children who enjoyed free ice cream and entertainment.

Forty Student Alumni Association volunteers welcomed alumni, guided them, and helped to make the three-day event run smoothly.

Chair of the Stonehill College Fund Ken Michel '68 presented President Mark Cregan, C.S.C. '78 with a gift of $301,490, representing donations from more than 700 reunion alumni.

To view a Snapshot of some Reunion Weekend highlights, visit here.