From Moosilauke to Main Street: 2023 Reunions Were a Major Success
Nearly 4,500 alumni and their guests gathered in Hanover for the 2023 Reunion season! Despite the rainy weather, spirits remained high and the week was a great success. The alumni community showed up in full force from 'round the girdled Earth, with more than 100 attendees traveling to campus from abroad. Reunion-goers attended many events, from a Back to Class session to canoeing in the rain. Individual Reunion classes also enjoyed bespoke events that ranged from wine and cheese tasting to live entertainment with dancing.
The 2023 Reunion season kicked off before Commencement with the Class of 1973's 50th anniversary. Hundreds of class members and their guests arrived in Hanover as early as Wednesday, starting the festivities with a pre-reunion trip to Moosilauke. The class engaged in a "Letters to Dartmouth and The Class of 2023" program, encompassing thought-provoking essays and interviews from 17 classmates.
They reflected upon their time in Hanover and their post-graduation experiences, and shared invaluable advice for the Class of 2023. The class took the opportunity to dedicate their cherished class project, "The Rise," a space near Bartlett Tower offering serene environment for contemplation while overlooking the Bema. The class also connected with the Class of 2023 during a special luncheon, fostering camaraderie across generations, as well as participating in the time-honored tradition of joining the commencement procession, donning 50th anniversary hats to commemorate their milestone.
Welcoming President Beilock
In addition to the usual Reunion fun, attendees took part in officially welcoming Dartmouth's 19th president, Sian Leah Beilock, to the Dartmouth family. The new president joined a small group of alumni on a hike up Mount Moosilauke, giving her a chance to experience this Dartmouth tradition firsthand.
Saturday morning, President Beilock gave an address to an overflowing crowd of enthusiastic participants that was eager to hear the new president's priorities and vision for her presidency. Her address was followed by a moderated conversation with well-known alumnus and Nike Inc. CEO John Donahoe ’82, who was attending his 40th reunion.
Six Affinity Groups Came Together in Community
Members of Dartmouth's affiliated groups—Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association (BADA), Dartmouth Asian Pacific American Alumni Association (DAPAAA), Dartmouth Association of Latino Alumni (DALA), Dartmouth Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alumni/ae Association (DGALA), Native American Alumni Association of Dartmouth (NAAAD), and Women of Dartmouth—came together to fellowship and share their experiences at a reception that featured music and food. This mini-reunion comes on the heels of milestone anniversaries for three of communities. Fifty years ago, the College became fully coeducational; recommitted to educating and supporting Indigenous students by establishing the Native American and Indigenous Studies and the Native American Program; and strengthened Dartmouth’s Black community by founding BADA. Throughout 2022, the College honored all three milestones with a year-long celebration including on-campus and virtual events.
In addition to the group reception, DGALA hosted a breakfast where members of Dartmouth's LGBTQIA+ community reconnected and enjoyed a meal on campus. The breakfast was a success, with DGALA members expressing their enjoyment of the event after Reunions concluded.
After this rewarding, albeit rainy weekend, Dartmouth looks forward to seeing even more alumni returning home to campus for reunions in the years to come.
You can see more reunion photos on the Dartmouth Alumni Flickr—and check future reunion dates by visiting the Reunions headquarters page on the Alumni Relations website.
