Reunion 2017 Recap: 10 Highlights

1. Alumni Parade

Reunion Weekend is jam-packed with old traditions and new programs. And what better way to inspire Big Blue pride than with the annual Alumni Parade. We love cheering on the procession organized by class year, beginning with the old guard—shout out to Thruse Hammer, Bob Reynolds, and John Corse, all Class of ’42!

2. Leisure on the Great Lawn

There’s no disputing the beauty of campus or the wonderful wave of nostalgia that happens when alumni come together for pickup games and picnics, or just to feel the grass between their toes.

3. Dancing After Dark

Whether it has been five years or 50 since you last visited Andover, the memories, the laughter, and lots of dancing keeps alumni moving and grooving well past the class dinner and into the wee hours of the morning.

4. BLU-ber Confessions

School spirit and good times are nonstop when Director of Alumni Engagement Jenny Savino, P’21 drives alumni around campus in the now-famous BLU-ber golf cart equipped with a video camera.

5. EQ Lounge

The best thing about Reunion Weekend? Having a blast catching up with old friends, of course! And in the middle of all the action was Every Quarter, the official podcast of PA, which brought its show outdoors to gather Andover stories from alumni in the Class of 1942 all the way to the Class of 2012. Listen below or at podcast.andover.edu.

6. Reunion Rowing

Bonds built during grueling workouts last a lifetime. Just ask members of the Class of ’92, who couldn’t wait to get back on the Merrimack River with a team of eight pulling the oars.

7. Sharp Dressed Alumni

Whether they came decked out in casual or formal attire, alumni celebrated all things blue. Then there were others—enter Jeff Bennett ’92—whose statement-making style turned heads and turned up the party atmosphere.

8. Signs of the Times

Celebrating their 50th Reunion, the Abbot Class of 1967 came to the party outfitted with nostalgia and school spirit thanks to handmade placards made by Margery Goldman ’67. Each sign was emblazoned with the title of a Beatles song and an event marking the time period—a memorable reflection of women’s history since the 1960s.

9. Swaying to the Music

Members of the Class of ’57 took a musical walk down memory lane, performing folk hits from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie, and more for an afternoon sing-along at Bulfinch and again during their class dinner at Paresky Commons.

10. Schooled Again

There’s nothing like coming back to the classroom, and Reunion Weekend offered an extensive lineup of programming—including discussions with some of Andover’s legendary teachers, like retired chemistry instructor David Stern who dazzled alums with a little smoke and fire.