More than 20 class and affinity groups hosted milestone reunion celebrations on campus during Homecoming weekend, Nov. 3-5.
The energy and excitement around Elon’s reunion program continues to grow, drawing more alumni back to campus to celebrate class and affinity reunions every year at Homecoming. Alumni volunteers played a key role in the success of this year’s reunions, with more than 200 alumni planning events specific to their class or affinity groups and coordinating outreach to encourage fellow alumni to support reunion giving efforts.
Alumni participated in a range of events and experiences during their reunion celebrations, attending everything from galas and campus tours to golf tournaments and service projects. Many reunion attendees kicked off their weekend at Elon’s second annual block party, Rock the Block, on Friday, Nov. 3. The event included a special Reunion HQ tent just for class and affinity reunions, with giveaways, yearbooks and a customized photo booth.
Following Rock the Block, more than 250 alumni and friends gathered at the Tap House on Friday night for the fourth annual “Alumni Celebration at the Lighthouse.” The evening featured a two-hour set by Dakkota, a band made up of Elon alumni including Rudy Baker ’93, Joe Beckham ’94, Stan Powell ’94, Patrick Riddick ’96, Brian Spangler ’96 and Andy Timmons ’94.
On Saturday, Nov. 4, each class and affinity group presented checks for total funds raised to President Leo M. Lambert during halftime of the football game vs. Towson. In total, alumni celebrating reunions contributed more than $3.8 million to the university.
That included the Class of 1967, which celebrated its 50th reunion with 57 percent giving participation and $432,337 raised for Elon. Class members were inducted as Golden Alumni at a special lunch on Friday and also hosted a College Coffee mixer, a dinner and a campus tour along with other weekend events. Sandy Bueschel Bass ’67, Tom Bass ’67 and Sam Troy ’67 were the reunion co-chairs for the Class of 1967, with 10 additional alumni volunteers also serving on the committee.
Charlie Davis ’72 P’07, who served as reunion chair for the Class of 1972’s 45th reunion, reflected on his experience over the weekend by saying, “Homecoming 2017 was outstanding. For me, the weekend started with a fantastic block party and reconnecting with classmates. Saturday was a damp and cool day weather wise, but getting together with Elon friends from 45 years ago provided more than enough warmth. We discussed old times, how amazing the campus is now, and to top it off, the football team won in double overtime. Good friends, great college memories and a university that still believes that its responsibility is to the students. What more could an alum want?”
To serve as a volunteer for an upcoming class or affinity reunion, please contact reunions@elon.edu.