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Alumni Weekend 2008, recap |
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Husk-E-News, June 2008
UConn alumni and friends braved the elements and reconnected during Alumni Weekend 2008! Neither driving rain nor searing heat kept our alumni away as they toured the campus, reconnected with their school or college, or enjoyed an educational seminar. Alumni also had the opportunity to mingle with current UConn students and see the campus, as it is today, through their eyes.
The weekend kicked off with welcoming remarks by new UConn President, Michael Hogan, and a special pop quiz to reconnect alumni to their days at UConn. Current UConn student, Josh Freeman, added to the nostalgia by leading alumni in the singing of the alma mater.
Various groups of alumni reconnected either in separate receptions or as part of the weekend. The School of Nursing alumni held a special luncheon at the Alumni Center, followed by a reception with the new dean, Anne Bavier. Also, student leader alumni reconnected at the Student Union, and the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha and Chi Phi celebrated during a reception at the Alumni Center. And, as you might have guessed, there were plenty of spontaneous gatherings at the Nathan Hale!
Friday wrapped up with a reception, ceremony and dinner to honor the 50th reunion of the class of 1958, and their significant giving contributions. Sonny Googins ’58, co-chair of the Class of 1958 Leadership Gift Committee, presented President Hogan with a check for over $419,000 raised by the class of 1958 in the past year. Some of the funds will be allocated to the Class of 1958 Study Lounge in the Homer Babbidge Library and the 50th Reunion Alumni Scholarship Fund.
On Saturday morning Lisa Lewis, Executive Director of the Alumni Association, and Fran Archambault ’68, ’69, led the 120th Annual Meeting of Members. During the meeting the Association welcomed the addition of three new Board members, as well as celebrated the service of three outgoing Board members for their tenure: Fran Archambault ’68, ’69; Annette Lombardi ’76; and Donny Marshall,’95. The 2008 U-Awards were also presented to four outstanding volunteer groups to recognize their programming contributions over the past year.
Saturday also featured a Q&A session during a lunch with President Hogan where he answered questions from alumni and provided insight into his visions for UConn. The afternoon concluded with tours of The Mark R. Shenkman Training Center and The Burton Family Football Complex, the Student Union, and the Greek Village, followed by a traditional New England style clambake. And, as a bookend to Friday’s breakfast, the UConn Pep Band once again led the singing of the UConn fight song and the alma mater.
Alumni Weekend is a time for all alumni to “come home” and reconnect with friends and classmates, share stories from their days at UConn and beyond, and visit their campus to see what has changed. The Alumni Association thanks the alumni and friends who reconnected with us this year, and we hope to see you all again in 2009!
Save the Date! June 5 & 6, 2009
Don’t miss out on the next Alumni Weekend! Mark your calendars now, and watch your mailboxes for more information coming soon.
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