Stories - Party On: Reunions ’23

More than 1,200 alumni, family, and friends returned to Hamilton to reconnect with old friends, make new memories and “Party On” at Reunions ’23 on June 8 to 11. Of special note, this year marked the largest Hamilton 50th Reunion class with 82 registered. Beloved traditions mixed with new events to fill the weekend with something for everyone:

Alumni pose with Alex during Reunions ’23. — Click image to watch highlights from the weekend!

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Reunions ’23 parade — Old friends reunite on campus!

Peggy Malloy Garte ’01 hugs Jazmin Gatto de Torres ’02 during the Women on The Hill event.

Josie Collier at the Reunions ’23 parade — Josie Collier ’97, P’14 takes a selfie at the Reunions parade.

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Celebrating Sharon

Former Director of Alumni Relations Sharon Rippey P’12, who retired after 25-plus years at Hamilton, was celebrated at a Little Pub reception, where she was named an honorary alumna of Kirkland College.

Read Citation for Sharon T. Rippey P’12

Alumni Colleges

Alumni Colleges included talks about the Black Hole with astronomer Peter Schloerb ’73, consumer behavior with former Saks chairman and CEO Stephen Sadove ’73, and a birding expedition with ornithologist Craig Caldwell ’73.

Geoscientists Reunite

Geosciences alumni returned to campus to celebrate retiring and new faculty, and took part in five field trips to local sites, including Herkimer Diamond Mines, Green Lakes State Park, and the Rome Sand Plains.

Reunions ’23 candids — Geosciences reception.

Celebrating Phyllis

Phyllis Breland ’80 was honored in her retirement with the renaming of a room in McEwen Hall as the “Phyllis A.H. Breland Center For Academic Excellence.”

Enlace Launched at MARC Mixer

Enlace, an initiative from the Multicultural Alumni Relations Committee (MARC) to connect students and alumni of color, was launched.

Enlace graphics revealed by Jazmin Gatto de Torres ’02 — The enlace program and logo were unveiled during a mixer at the Days-Massolo Center with MARC Committee Chair Emerita Jazmin Gatto de Torres ’02.

Enlace poster — Illustration by Mil Emily Fienco ’23

Join Enlace

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sean Bennett chats with Art Mossolo ’93 — Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sean Bennett chats with Art Massolo ’93 during the MARC mixer.

The 2023 Bell Ringer

Trustee A.G. Lafley ’69

“It surprised no one that you — a former president, CEO, and chairman of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods company — were remarkably on brand when you spoke at Hamilton’s commencement in 2012. ‘Choose to Know Thyself,’ you told the graduates that morning.”

Read Citation

A.G. Lafley ’69 is recognized as the 2023 Bell Ringer Award recipient.

2023 Bell Ringer Recipient A.G. Lafley ’69

50th Reunion

The traditional medallion ceremony for the Kirkland and Hamilton 50th Reunion Class of 1973 kicked things off on Thursday.

big check showing total of 50th Reunion class gift

Reunions ’23 50th class leadership committee

Half-Century Annalist Letters

Stuart Hamilton ’73

Reading the Hamilton Half-Century Annalist Letter

“We soon discovered that the insistence on effective written and oral expression extended well beyond the English Department; it was a campus-wide conspiracy. Other professors who had no business worrying about sentence structure and semicolons got into the act of correcting our mistakes. Eventually, however, we understood that writing was not our fundamental challenge; it was thinking. Because to write or speak clearly, you had to think clearly. And that is what our teachers taught us to do.”
Class of 1973 Annalist Letter (written by Roy Schecter ’73)

Connie Belfiore K’73

Reading the Kirkland Half-Century Annalist Letter

“Our personalized education was indeed ‘a sign of the times,’ those turbulent, disturbing, but ultimately inspiring and reinforcing times. We arrived at Kirkland as optimistic, curious, and idealistic students. We left as more mature and courageous risk-takers, determined to make a positive difference in the world.”
Kirkland Half-Century Annalist Letter

Weekend Entertainment

One Hill Of A Party: The Concert

Reunions ’23 concert — Friday night’s festivities included a concert featuring the alumni band Rogue, with Kevin Barry ’79, Bob Kinkel ’79, Brian Middleton ’79, Tom Porter ’80, and David Scofield ’80, with special guest DJ Dzeko.

The Sam Pellman Memorial Alumni Jazz Jam

Reunions ’23 Jazz — Saturday’s all-alumni picnic took on a new vibe with the Sam Pellman Memorial Alumni Jazz Jam celebrating the life and legacy of the late James L. Ferguson Professor of Music. Alumni musicians and vocalists were invited to sit in.

2018 Bav Pav Concert

A Cappella Concert

Buffers at Reunions ’23 — A reunion a capella concert — with 50 returning Buffers — drew a standing-room-only crowd.

Save the Date: Reunions ’24

We look forward to celebrating Reunions ’24 on the Hill June 6-9. In addition to welcoming alumni back to campus, we’ll celebrate President David Wippman’s retirement. It’s going to be One Hill of a Party!

President Announces Retirement

Party On: Reunions ’23