Reunited and It Feels So Good!

More than 1,100 people flocked to campus for Alumni Weekend 2018, which celebrated classes ending in 3s and 8s as well as a host of Alumni Award winners.

For the first weekend of June, the College welcomed back more than 1,100 former Fords and their families for Alumni Weekend 2018, which celebrated classes ending in 3s and 8s. People traveled from all over the globe—from 38 different states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan—for the weekend’s dinners, talks, panels, awards, and parties, and, of course, to catch up with old friends.

Though the forecast predicted thunderstorms, the rains mostly held off until late Saturday, allowing attendees to still enjoy desserts under the tents and the food truck festival outside. And even a downpour couldn’t dampen the spirits of all of gathered Fords.

The extensive schedule included events for every interest. There were panels on the historical implications of statues and monuments, the pace of change, and perpetuating Haverford’s ideals in pursuit of a more peaceful world, and a talk by Provost Fran Blase on Haverford’s 21st century curriculum. Art lovers could enjoy a trip to the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia or take in the on-campus opening of the Atrium Gallery’s latest exhibit, The American Monument, featuring Lee Friedlander’s classic photos. Music lovers could revel in the sounds of Analog Groove (featuring Rob Staples ’73), the Shameless Impersonators (with Jim Bower ’69 and Ked Edgar ’69), and Rightback (which includes Jeremy Jaffe ’83, Tim Hooper ’80, Rosalie Hooper ’12, Noah Jafe ’17, Rachel Jaffe ’15, Vanessa Mangini BMC ’83, and Nancy Wolfson BMC ’83) while chowing down on tater tots, tacos, burgers, cupcakes, and more at the food truck festival. And alumni band, Dingo—featuring James Pabarue ’72, Robert Sandhaus ’71, Michael Stehney ’71, and David Yager ’71/’72—also provided the soundtrack to Saturday night’s party, which was moved from outside into the Field House.

Alumni were honored with awards on two different days, as the Department of Athletics inducted the latest cohort into the Thomas Glasser ’82 Hall of Achievement by Athletics on Friday night and 16 Alumni Award winners—including Kannerstein Awardees Pete Dorwart ’63 P’96 and Elon Spar ’83 P’20—were recognized during a toast with President Benston on Saturday morning.

Our photographers, Cole Sansom ’19 and Alexandra Iglesia ’21, were there to capture all the hugs, tears, and fun, and alumni were also able to capture their own memories in the photo booth. Don’t forget to share yours using #fordreunion.

It’s never too early to mark your calendars for next year’s festivities. Alumni Weekend 2019 will be held May 31–June 2, 2019 and will celebrate classes ending in 4s and 9s. See you there?