Milestones, Mixers, Memories in the Making: The Magic of Alumni Weekend 2025
Anniversaries, affinity celebrations highlight multiday event
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson; photos by Dan Loh and Joe O'Neill
There's a palpable energy on campus every Alumni Weekend, and it can't be dampened a smattering of summer rain. From milestone celebrations and all-college extravaganzas to special outings, Alumni College sessions and small-group gatherings, Dickinson's signature alumni event once again provided abundant ways for generations of alumni to reconnect and create meaningful new memories together.
Mixers and milestones
Alumni toured the campus and the College Farm. They snapped selfies at fondly remembered hotspots, and they marveled at what's changed and changing, including the soon-to-be-completed Holland Union Building renovation. They broke bread and raised a cup during all-campus receptions and dinners and noshed snacks al fresco during the Alumni Food Truck Festival. They rocked out at the Saturday-night dance party and mellowed out during a sunset concert. They got active with a 5K and golf outing, got creative with candle-pouring and cookie-decorating sessions and got their wine on during guided tastings.
During Alumni Weekend, the college held the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity.
College anniversaries added more joy to the mix. Dickinsonians toasted the 60th anniversary of the Dickinson-in-Bologna program and the 20th anniversary of Dickinson’s first New York Posse class. One year after marking the 10th anniversary of Dickinson’s Popel Shaw Center for Race & Ethnicity, they again joined together to check out the center's new digs. And they saw a new landmark unveil, when the college dedicated the Old West Society Walk.
Live and livestreamed learning
Dickinsonians cheered on their peers during Alumni Awards and President’s Award ceremonies, and they learned about new and notable college initiatives during President John E. Jones III ’77, P’11's 2025 State of the College address. These all-alumni events were both live and livestreamed, permitting alumni around the world to join in and tune in to the college of today.
Eric Denker '75 gives a guided tour of a special exhibition at The Trout Gallery.
Those on campus also learned directly from fellow alums who are experts in their fields. Eric Denker '75, a longtime educator and director of prints at the National Gallery of Art, provided a guided tour of a special exhibition at The Trout Gallery. The Associated Press's Christopher Rugaber '90 explained how the AP calls elections. Isoke Senghar '20 led a yoga class. Dwight Dunston '10 gave a workshop on navigating conflict. Poet Yazmin Monét Watkins ’09 and author Kelly King '80 also shared their talents.
Several Dickinson professors and staff members continued the lifelong learning. Leaders from the Office of Admissions demystified the college-admissions process for families with high-school students. Alumni-relations pros delved into Dickinson's Alumni Global Adventures program. Christopher Francese, Asbury J. Clarke Professor of Classical Studies, spoke about ancient and modern secrets of persuasion. Amy McKiernan, director of Ethics Across Campus & the Curriculum, introduced alumni to the college's Core Values Project.
Club and affinity gatherings
While class-reunion events brought classmates together, smaller gatherings provided a chance to gather with alumni with similar interests, affinities and experiences.
The Milton B. Asbell Center for Jewish Life hosted services, an annual Bagel Brunch & Stanley Ned Rosenbaum Judaic Studies Memorial Lecture. Alumni who were part of Dickinson's Pershing Rifles dedicated a plaque in memory of members of the classes of 1976 and 1977. Former Liberty Caps recalled the challenge of avoiding the college seal while walking backwards across Britton Plaza. Fraternity and sorority members pored over college memorabilia during the Old Fashioned IFS Quad Party & Crow Show. Members of Dickinson's affiliation-based alumni networks bonded, celebrated and discussed plans for the coming year.
And Sunday's memorial tribute and champagne brunch added a thoughtful coda to the rich and full weekend.
We can't wait to do it again next year!
View more photos on Dickinson's Flickr account.
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Published June 16, 2025