As the Class of 2000 experiences their first Dartmouth Homecoming, they will join the ranks of upperclassmen and alumni who call Dartmouth home.
But what brings alumni back to Hanover year after year for subsequent Dartmouth Nights? Perhaps part of the answer can be found in the enthusiasm of 1996's classes of the year: the Classes of 1955 and 1994.
David Orr, Senior Associate Director of Alumni Affairs, said, "Each year we pick two classes. One class is more than 25 years out [of Dartmouth] and one less than 25."
In addition to the two highlighted classes, over 40 different classes spanning the years from 1932 to 1996 will be represented on Dartmouth Night, said Orr, who is a member of the Class of 1957.
"About a couple of thousand alums will come to Hanover on Homecoming Weekend," Orr said.
Brooks Parker, President of the Class of 1955, explained the reasons his class was selected this year. "We have an outstanding, active class," he said.
"We had an exceptional 40th reunion in 1995. We tied for the highest attendance [at the reunion] and set a 40th reunion giving record," Parker said.
The fund-raising efforts of the Class of '55 supported acquisitions for the Hood Museum and gifts for the Athletic Department, Parker said.
The Class of 1994 also worked hard to become class of the year. Class President Jen Suhie said, "For the Alumni Fund, we had over 50% of our class giving. This is amazing for a class so recently graduated."
Suhie said she has visited Dartmouth about five times each year since graduating. "I definitely miss it and come up often," she said.
In addition to the two classes of the year, the Class of 1983 will be holding a mini-reunion.
"A lot of us have kids now," said Frank Davis, president of the Class of 1983.
Class of 1957 President Clark Griffiths said the student attitude at Dartmouth is great, which is one of the things the alums like to see.
Griffiths, who lives in Lebanon, said usually about 40 members of the Class of 1957 return for Homecoming Weekend. "We have an annual mini reunion at Homecoming," he said.
On Saturday morning there is a luncheon with the Ripley Woodward Smith cluster, Griffiths said.
"Our class contributes to their dorm activity fund," he said. "We usually have the student activities coordinator give a short talk and answer our questions. It keeps us up-to-date."
For many of the classes, Homecoming Weekend is a chance to hold class meetings.
"We have our class business meeting Saturday morning," Parker said.
The Office of Alumni Affairs will be sponsoring a $12 luncheon at Leverone Field House for any alumni.
"We will have a tent outside of the gym for the younger alums in the Classes of '87 to '96," Orr said.
