As seniors graduate this year, alumni will return to campus to remember their years at Dartmouth. Among those returning this spring are members of the Class of 1953 for their 50th reunion and members of the Class of 1978 for their 25th.
According to Class of 1953 President Chuck Reilly '53, more are expected to attend this year's 50th reunion than the record 256 members of the class of 1952 on campus last spring.
One of the highlights of this year's ceremonies will be the presentation of the Class of 1953's monetary gift to the College at a luncheon today, a figure Reilly said would be record breaking.
Among the class's impressive fundraising efforts is a trust fund that the class established independently from the College during the 1990s. Reilly said he expects the money to be donated to a new commons building on the north side of campus, near the dormitories the College plans to build at the same location.
"We wanted something that was enduring. We wanted something that our name would be attached to in some way. We wanted something the College needed," Reilly said of the plans for the donation.
He added that the trust fund has helped build his class.
Reunions, though, remain a way for alumni to come together after years apart. The class of 1953's reunion, which lasts from last Thursday until Sunday, will do this through a variety of symposia and outings, including a hike up Mount Moosilauke sponsored by the Dartmouth Outing Club and golf and tennis tournaments.
While featuring similar events, the Class of 1978 reunion also included a stargazing event on Friday night.
There are also tours of the modern campus and a variety of speakers and symposia.
Both events culminate on Sunday at this year's Commencement exercises, officially marking the 50 years since the class of 1953 graduated.
"It feels like it went too fast," Reilly said.
"I think the class feels very good about what it has accomplished over the past 50 years," he added, noting that he is particularly proud of how well the class has stayed in touch through reunions and newsletter activity.
