SCHENECTADY — ReUnion 2005 — Union College's annual alumni weekend, which brought together more than 1,000 former students this year — won special recognition from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
The District II Accolades Awards lauded the program with a “silver award” that will be presented to the college's Office of Alumni Relations at the council's annual conference in Pittsburgh in February.
“This is a wonderful recognition for the college and our ReUnion programming,” said Nick Famulare, class of 1992, director of alumni relations, in a statement. “But more importantly, it is a testament to the hard work of our many alumni volunteers who make ReUnion so special.”
Nearly 1,500 alumni attended ReUnion 2005 in May. About 40 percent of the 50th ReUnion class attended for events that ranged from a medallion ceremony to a handshake with members of the graduating class. Thirty-five percent of attendees were graduates of the last decade. Total giving from classes was nearly $3 million, with a participation rate of 43 percent.
The entry for the awards program was prepared by Betsy Seplowitz, class of 1996, associate director of alumni relations, who directs the ReUnion programming.
Plans are already in the works for next year's event, slated for May 18-21. The weekend will include a golf outing, foot race, medallion ceremony, class photographs, alumni parade, family picnic and other activities.