Alumni Weekend Set for May 18-20
Lining up for the traditional Parade of Classes during Alumni Weekend 2011. (Photo by Doug Martin)
As the final preparations for this year’s Alumni Weekend are being tended to, several hundred Ohio Wesleyan alumni and their families are getting ready to travel to campus for a fun-packed weekend of class reunions and engaging programs and activities on May 18-20. Alumni who graduated in years ending in “2” and “7” will be especially welcomed and recognized as the variety of events unfold.
“Alumni Weekend offers an ideal setting for people to re-engage with Ohio Wesleyan and connect with classmates,” says Emily Roudebush, assistant director of alumni relations and coordinator of the weekend festivities. ”We are so excited to welcome our alumni back to campus.”
Special highlights this year include a series of alumni colleges. OWU professor Jed Burtt will talk about “The Art and Science of Alexander Wilson: Father of Ornithology;” Dr. James Charlesworth ’62 will discuss “Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls;” an alumni panel of 1962 graduates including Jim Traxler, Jan Logan, Bob Wright, and Bob Coffman will focus on “Passages: How Our Lives Have Evolved Since Graduation;” and Eric Gnezda ’79 will present “Incivility in Our Public Square.” This year’s Distinguished Achievement Citation award winners being recognized are Byron Pitts ’82 and Edwin Grant Conklin, Class of 1885, posthumously. Receiving alumni awards are Ellen Simpson ’77, Richard Gordon ’62, and Jack McKinnie ’54. Other weekend highlights not to be missed are the Friday night Blues and Barbecue dinner on the JAYwalk and HWCC Benes rooms, featuring Jaycee Schnaars ’72 and the Honky Tonk Angels; the Friday afternoon Golden Key diploma ceremony in Gray Chapel; Saturday’s annual Parade of Classes and All-Alumni Luncheon; Saturday afternoon’s dedication of the new fountain on the JAYwalk, a gift from the Class of 1962, and the Stuyvesant Hall bell tower, a project spearheaded by the Class of 1957; and the Sunday morning Convocation program in Gray Chapel, with speaker Dr. Myron McCoy ’77 and organist Dr. Robert Griffith ’62. In addition, Ohio’s new major league lacrosse team, The Ohio Machine, will open its home schedule at Ohio Wesleyan’s Selby Stadium on Saturday during Alumni Weekend, at 8 p.m. against the Rochester Rattlers. Tickets are $12 each (discounted price) for alumni and can be purchased during registration for Alumni Weekend.
Please note: The OWU Bookstore will be open during Commencement Weekend on Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 13 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. During Alumni Weekend, the OWU Bookstore will be open on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.