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November 2007
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ALUMNI NEWS |
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Alumni Reconnect and Reminisce at Alumni Weekend 2007
More than 500 alumni and friends returned to campus for Alumni weekend 2007, held October 26-28. Despite some rain showers and gloomy skies in the earlier part of the weekend, loyal Eagles showed up in droves for class reunion parties, academic sessions, the AU picnic, and the Saturday night reception, “Port & Politics.” Current AU parents and family members shared in the festivities, as Alumni Weekend was held concurrently with Family Weekend for the third year in a row. Friday featured class reunions, including the annual Golden Eagle Luncheon, which honored members of the Class of 1957 celebrating their 50-year reunion. Lunch was served on the stage of the Abramson Family Recital Hall in the Katzen Arts Center, where attendees enjoyed a beautiful opera performance from a current AU music major, as well as an historical slide show presentation, “AU, Then and Now,” from AU Archivist Susan McElrath. AU President Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA ’71, presented the newest Golden Eagles with the special Golden Eagle medallion, and Class of 1957 reunion chair, Ivory Mitchell, SPA/BS '57, made welcoming and closing remarks. The afternoon provided a special time for reminiscing and reconnecting with old friends. Other milestone reunions were celebrated on Friday night at various D.C. locations. The classes of 1982 and 1987 enjoyed a joint reception honoring their 25- and 20-year reunions, respectively, at the National Press Club. Across town in Cleveland Park, the Class of 2002, led by reunion cochairs Ashley Philips, SOC/BA, and Jeff Orschel, SIS/BA, met up at Ireland’s Four Fields (formerly known as the 4 Ps).
Downtown at Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant, more than 80 members of the Class of 1997 gathered to celebrate their 10-year reunion. Reunion cochairs, Erin Ackerman, SPA/BA, Cathy Paparizos Prego, KSB/BSBA, and Lisa Deck, KSB/BSBA, welcomed their classmates. “It was great to see so many people from the Class of 1997, both those from the D.C.-area and people who came back to town especially for the weekend. We had a great crowd and a great venue, and the pouring rain didn't keep people away,” says Ackerman. “I loved that some of my classmates brought their children and that many others had photographs to proudly display. I heard all night from people how impressed they were with the turn out and how much they loved reconnecting with people from their clubs and classes.” Saturday presented a wide array of campus activities. Alumni and family members started the day in the Ward Circle building to hear President Kerwin’s campus update. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with the deans and faculty members at individual school receptions. Although damp weather forced the annual AU picnic inside, the open and inviting layout of the newly renovated first floor of the Mary Graydon Center gave more than 1,000 alumni, students, and parents easy access to overflowing buffet tables, and a great view of the entertainment - the Sandra Dean Trio, and Bubbles the Clown, aka David Felzenberg, SPA/BA ’72.
Alumni had the chance to revisit some of their favorite professors in "Classes without Quizzes,” or head over to the AU Museum at the Katzen Arts Center for a hands-on art activity with visiting artist, Carol Goldberg. Down the street at neighborhood restaurant Chef Geoff’s, the second annual Legacy Reception welcomed families for whom an AU education is a tradition, honoring alumni, faculty, and staff who currently have a student attending AU. On Saturday evening, alumni enjoyed a night of “Port and Politics” in a transformed Butler Board Room. Guests mingled over Spanish tapas, sangria, and port amidst posters of Spanish art, rustic lanterns, and wooden wine barrels. President Kerwin and AU Alumni Association President Brian Keane, SPA-SOC/BA ’89, presented the prestigious Alumni Recognition Award to James T. Brett, SPA/BA ’73, president and CEO of the New England Council. Ken Biberaj, SPA/BA ’02, former student body president and current VP and spokesperson of the Russian Tea Room Funding Group, received the second annual Rising Star Award (presented to an alum who has graduated within the last 10 years). Both Brett and Biberaj spoke of the impact AU has made and continues to make on their lives, as well as the importance of giving back to both the university and the greater community.
“I particularly enjoyed the collision of past, present, and future at the Port & Politics reception, with current students, old friends, and alumni from 40 years ago sharing their experiences,” said Ryan Hayes, SOC/BA ’03. “I was also able to reconnect with old friends and meet some older alums with fascinating perspectives on how far American has come and the great things ahead in the future.” Following the reception, guests headed over to Bender Arena where they joined some 1,800 students and family members for the “From Kennedy to Bush: Covering the White House from the Front Row” discussion, cosponsored by the Kennedy Political Union and Alumni Programs. SOC Professor Leonard Steinhorn allowed both the legendary Helen Thomas and David Gregory, SIS/BA ’92 to give prepared statements before beginning the moderated portion of the discussion. Audience members also had the opportunity to ask questions. “The entire evening was absolutely superb,” said Hayes. “In Bender Arena, surrounded by students, faculty, parents, and alumni, I felt connected to the AU community again: learning, laughing, and sharing.” -Tara Sherwin | |||||||||
