Class of 1974
50th Reunion
Our 50th reunion will take place during Alumni Weekend, June 7-9, 2024. Keep checking this page as updates will be added throughout the year.
50th Reunion Class Gift
Dollar Goal: $3 million
Participation Goal: 50%
Progress (as of 3/4/24):
Dollars: $3,436,446
Participation: 29.2%
Registration
Click here to register!
- Early-bird registration pricing ends April 30, after which prices will increase. Online registration closes May 31.
Click here to view a public list of registered classmates.
Memory Book
We would love to know more about your favorite memories at Dickinson and your life since 1974! Please fill in this online questionnaire to share your reflections on your Dickinson experience, as well as life updates since graduating 50 years ago. The information you submit will be incorporated into a Memory Book keepsake, which will be made available electronically to everyone in the class and distributed at the reunion to those who request a printed copy. You don’t have to attend the reunion to share your reflections!
The deadline to submit entries for the memory book is Monday, April 15. Late entries will be accepted through Monday, April 22.
Photo Display
Do you have any photos of campus events between 1970-1974? Please send them in to be used in a photo display! We will use as many photos as space allows. Photos can be sent electronically to Marlene Jones Kinney at mjkinney88@gmail.com by April 15.
Reunion Events
Our 50th is a special milestone and we are looking forward to spending time together. On Friday, we have a special trip planned for our class to explore the College Farm. We’ll gather again as a class on Saturday afternoon for a facilitated panel and open discussion. On Saturday evening, plan to join us for our class photo at 5:45 p.m. followed by a cocktail hour and our class dinner. When you are not preoccupied with other events during the weekend, spend time in our class lounge to reminisce and catch up with classmates.
The full schedule of events during Alumni Weekend can be viewed here. Here are a some highlights specifically for the class of 1974:
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
2–3:30 p.m.
Class of 1974 Private Event: College Farm Talk and Tour
Members of the class of 1974 are invited to join classmates for a private tour of the College Farm.
There is no fee for this event, but preregistration is required. Please indicate if you will drive on your own or if you would like college-provided transportation. College transportation will leave campus at 1:45pm to arrive at the College Farm around 2 p.m. A 3:45 p.m. arrival back to campus is expected.
5 p.m.
Alumni Award Ceremony
Please join in as Dickinson bestows the Alumni Association’s highest honors on this year’s award recipients and celebrates Volunteer Award-winners.
6 p.m.
Welcome Back Reception
Join President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11, in a toast to celebrate Distinguished Alumni Award recipients and kick off the weekend at the new John M. Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center! Be sure to stop by the Alumni Council and Mermaid Society tents during the reception to learn more about getting involved and supporting the college.
7 p.m.
Celebration Dinner
Enjoy a delicious dinner buffet and great company at this year’s Celebration Dinner on Morgan Field.
8:30–10:30 p.m.
Dessert & Music on the Plaza
Catch up with friends while enjoying coffee, dessert and music on Britton Plaza.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Alumni College Sessions, including a session led by classmate Harry Lewis '74
Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Priestley and William Petty, Lord Shelburne: Master Propagandists in the Cause of American Liberty
Session led by Harry Lewis ’74
Joseph Priestley, an English chemist and discoverer of oxygen, was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin, who got Priestley started in his scientific career and persuaded Anglo-Irish aristocrat and British-opposition leader William Petty, Lord Shelburne, to employ him. In addition to writing books about science, while in Shelburne’s employ, Priestley wrote best-selling books and articles, in the London newspapers and elsewhere, supporting the American cause both before and during the American Revolution. Priestley’s secret correspondence with Franklin during the war, written on behalf of Shelburne, was intercepted by a British spy and then publicly exposed, leading to a nearly deadly duel in Hyde Park.
Hear the dramatic story firsthand and learn about Dickinson’s own Priestley connection through the perspective of Priestley’s close friend and associate, Thomas Cooper, from whom Dickinson purchased Priestley’s chemical equipment for student use on campus. The college then hired Cooper as the first chair of Dickinson’s chemistry department.
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Alumni Food Truck Festival
1-3 p.m.
Class of 1974 Gathering: 50th Reunion Panel and Group Discussion
Inspired by Dickinson’s Dialogue Across Differences initiative, members of the class of 1974 are invited to join this 50th reunion panel and group discussion to explore how society has advanced since they were students 50 years ago and what changes they would like to see in the future. This is an opportunity to hear from classmates and college representatives and share reflections on lively topics including sustainability, equality, economics and more.
5:45 p.m.
Class of 1974: Class Photograph (Bosler steps)
6 p.m.
Class of 1974 50th Reunion Reception (HUB Social Hall)
7 p.m.
Class of 1974 50th Reunion Dinner (HUB Social Hall)
9–11 p.m.
The Dickinson Dance Party
Keep the celebration going during Dickinson’s Dance Party with music from Downtown Sound. Stop in for dessert and/or a drink and catch up with friends.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
9 a.m.
Memorial Tribute
Honor the milestone alumni the Dickinson community has lost during the past five years and alumni from all classes who were lost during the past year. There will be a nondenominational memorial tribute to celebrate the lives of those who have passed but live on in every Dickinsonian’s heart.
9-11 a.m.
Champagne Brunch
Campus Map & Parking
Download the 8.5 inch by 11 inch campus map
Download the 11 inch by 17 inch campus map
We recommend parking in the Allison parking lot, located on the campus map behind Allison Hall (#34) and Witwer Hall (#47).
Hotel Information
Comfort Suites
Small block of rooms reserved for the 50th Reunion
Book your room
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Block of rooms available for alumni
Book your room: Call 717-323-4800 and provide the group code DAW (Dickinson Alumni Weekend)
View full list of accommodations for other options in and around Carlisle
Class of 1974 Reunion Committee
Enid Erikson Albat
David Bassert
Sam Blumenstyk
Jean Colby
Gregory Douglass
Susan Duffield
Maggie Dunbar
Toni Somerville Ebron
Kathy Wallete Ellis
Barbara Faulkner
Lizzie Gorman Gilchrist
Steve Heller
Gracie Hemphill
Jennifer Smyth Jillson
Marlene Jones Kinney
Chris Larson
Patricia Love
Lise Blumberg Ragan
Cathy Williams Stambaugh
Teresa White
Staff Liaison
Lindsay Powell McCauslin ’06
Associate Director of Annual Giving
E-mail: mccausll@dickinson.edu
Phone: 717-254-8981
Visit Carlisle
List of Carlisle Restaurants
https://lovecarlisle.com/map#EA