Rain and chilly weather didn’t dampen the spirits of nearly 1200 alumni and their guests at Reunions ’13, June 6-9. Class dinners, alumni colleges, the annual meeting of the Alumni Association, a cross-country run, jazz and a dance party kept alumni busy as they dodged raindrops.

Alumni will gather to celebrate the start of Hamilton’s third century during Reunions ’13, June 6-9. Nearly 1200 alumni and their guests are expected.  A special welcome is extended to members of the class of 1963 who are celebrating their 50th reunion. A full schedule of events will keep attendees busy through the weekend. 

During the recent All-Alumni Bicentennial Reunion, brothers of  Psi Upsilon presented a check for $2500 to the Clinton Fire Department. In the 1980s the Clinton Fire Department responded to a fire at the fraternity house. Brothers of Psi U never forgot the CFD's response and wanted to express their gratitude after all these years.

Following are capsule descriptions of a few that took place at the All-Alumni Bicentennial Reunion May 31-June 3.

Lots of smiles, reminiscing and laughter marked the All-Alumni Bicentennial Reunions that came to a close on June 3. Saturday’s highlights included the annual meeting of the Alumni Association, the Reunion parade, a campus picnic, Bicentennial Colleges and class dinners. Events concluded on Sunday with the moving Service of Remembrance featuring performances by the Baldwin and Reunion choirs.

At the Bicentennial Meeting of the Alumni Association on June 2, the college's namesake Alexander Hamilton was awarded a posthumous honorary degree.

Alumni began arriving from near and far on Thursday, May 31, to begin the Bicentennial Reunion weekend festivities. Thursday’s highlights included a tour, “The Legacy of Trees on the Hamilton Campus,” guided by Arboretum Director Terry Hawkridge  P’01, and “Giants in the Earth,” a talk and tour of Hamilton’s Cemetery, led by Hamilton Alumni Review Editor Emeritus Frank Lorenz.

As Hamilton celebrated the 200th anniversary of the signing of its charter this past week, Don Spencer ’59 was celebrating his birthday as well. While turning 200 might initially seem like a grander feat than turning 76, Don Spencer’s 76th birthday was far from unremarkable. That’s because Spencer turned 76 while riding a bicycle in the midst of a nearly 500-mile journey from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Hamilton’s Bicentennial Alumni Reunion in Clinton, N.Y.

Hamilton’s annual reunions take on special significance this year as the college celebrates its bicentennial with an All-Alumni Reunion, May 31-June 3. More than 2000 alumni and their guests are expected.  A special welcome is extended to members of the class of 1962 who are celebrating their 50th reunion. A full schedule of events will keep attendees busy all weekend.

Hamilton College turns 200 on May 26, the day the New York Board of Regents granted the College its charter. Many organizations are joining in the celebration:

• Wednesday, May 23: The New York State Senate passed a resolution recognizing Hamilton’s anniversary.
• Thursday, May 24: Hamilton representatives will ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. (video will be available Thursday on the NYSE website)
• Saturday, May 26: The College Arboretum will host an event that includes remarks from Professor John H. O’Neill, co-chair of the Bicentennial Committee.