Coming Home for Alumni Weekend 2011
Parading to the All-Alumni Luncheon in Branch Rickey Arena. (Photo by Doug Martin)
Hundreds of Ohio Wesleyan alumni celebrated their five-year reunions on campus for Alumni Weekend 2011 on May 13-15. Seeing old friends and making new ones; catching up on OWU news and accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff members; and celebrating the lives and accomplishments of fellow alumni are the highlights of this special weekend.
Beginning with Friday’s 50th reunion lunch for the Class of 1961, other events of the day included alumni college presentations by Jack Winters ’61 and Bruce Alton ’61, as well as reunion diploma awards for those celebrating their 50th reunions, several receptions, and the festive Blues and Barbeque dinner on the JayWalk with live music by the Kansas City Jammers. Then it was on to a night of class parties and reunions and preparation for the morning’s Alumni Recognition Ceremony and bestowal of prestigious—and well earned—alumni awards, including the Distinguished Achievement Citation (DAC) awards.
Members of OWU’s Class of 2006 celebrated their first of many OWU reunions. (Photo by Doug Martin)
Receiving this year’s DAC awards were Bruce Alton ’61, Fred Manske ’61, John Keltner ’61, and Shirin Siddiqi Tahir-Kheli ’61. Also recognized with alumni awards were Marsha Tilden ’81 and Jack Winters ’61. As OWU President Rock Jones thanked everyone for attending the program, eager alumni began lining up for the traditional Parade of Classes, culminating in Branch Rickey Arena for the All Alumni Luncheon. Highlights of the luncheon included remarks from Craig Luke ’85, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and a generous class gift presentation to OWU from the Class of 1961—a check for $826,614! Following President Jones’ University updates, alumni moved on to an afternoon of alumni colleges including presentations by Tahir-Kheli, Doug Dittrick ’55, and Carl Harris ’56, and the Class of 1961 Gateway dedication in front of the R.W. Corns Building. The evening was capped off by numerous class reunion dinners at various locales and dancing. The next morning’s Convocation program featured a performance by the Alumni Choir and inspiring remarks by Phil Roach ’61.
View our 2011 Alumni Weekend photo gallery for a more detailed view of the event.