¿­ÐýÃŹÙÍø

This week marks six months since I joined ¿­ÐýÃŹÙÍø College staff as Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement.

How time flies when you’re having fun! And it has been fun. It feels like I just arrived, but as if I’ve always been here. As an alumni, that tracks. Part of you never really leaves here once you arrive.

That’s why it’s been so rewarding to help gather alumni together in different parts of the country since returning to campus. And, those little gatherings, I hope, will help to make for a big All-Class Reunion this Fall, October 3–5. Reunion Weekend will coincide with ¿­ÐýÃŹÙÍø’s Fall Weekend (formerly Family Weekend). I’ve started meeting with alumni, faculty, and, soon, students, to talk about how to make the most of our time together.

I will have quick updates each month in this space on how things are progressing (see below). 

There are plenty of opportunities, however, for us to still spend time together before Reunion. And with the weather warming up in Vermont, we have some incredible readings and performances this term on campus. Even if you can’t be here in person, a number of events have virtual options for anyone to tune in. To make sure you don't miss an event, I recommend that you sign up for our monthly public events newsletter email. 

Also this month is a two-day virtual and on-campus Black Music Symposium as part of a 50th anniversary celebration of the College’s Black Music Division. Check here for more details and registration information.

Speaking of events, our rescheduled all-alumni gathering in Los Angeles will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 4:00–7:00 pm PST at the iconic Mack Sennett Studios. The event is hosted by Trustee Bryn Mooser ’01 and a handful of alumni from across the decades! If you live near Los Angeles or will be visiting the area around that time, I hope you’ll join us. President Laura Walker will be there to give updates on the state of the College, and I’ll be there to talk about this Fall’s Reunion and plans to revive an Alumni Association. .

Reunion Update & 24 Hour Plays

One of the more exciting things we can announce is that we will be bringing 24 Hour Plays to campus this fall with a Friday night performance! I’m very excited, and if you’d like to be involved in 24 Hour Plays, email me. I’ll be reaching out to past volunteers and participants by the end of March to get the ball rolling.

If you would like to be part of a group of alumni volunteers who are stepping up to think about ways to ensure this fall’s All-Class Reunion, . I’m convening some virtual meetings this month to get the discussions started with a goal of having key programming elements ironed out by the end of April.

The official Reunion registration process will open by June, but I would recommend reserving a place to stay now if you plan to attend, as fall is a busy time in Vermont. 

A couple of places have set aside rooms for us: You can book a room at (formerly the Paradise Inn). Just let them know you’re part of the ¿­ÐýÃŹÙÍø College Reunion group to get a discounted rate. You can also call and mention “Alumni Reunion" when booking the room. 

We are working to reserve blocks of rooms at additional area hotels and will add them to this list as we secure spots. Here is a handy list of additional places to stay, if you don’t want to wait. 

One final note: I’ve been working with alumni from around the country to help pull together local gatherings–like the one mentioned above coming up in Los Angeles. If you would like help hosting a pop-up alumni gathering near you, just let me know.

Onward,

Shay Totten '91 
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement