Looking to plan a memorable fall getaway weekend? There’s still time to book a trip to Evanston for the Northwestern Alumni Association’s Fall Reunions and Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 20–22. From gorgeous autumn scenery to exciting Wildcat football and festive parties with Northwestern friends, this alma mater getaway offers plenty of fun for alumni and family members alike.
While members of the classes of 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 are already connecting with each other through the NAA web site and planning their return for class parties in Evanston and Chicago, many reunion events will be open to alumni from all classes.
The weekend begins on Friday, with walking tours on the Evanston campus that feature landmarks, such as the Arch and University Hall, and new additions, such as the Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center and Arthur and Gladys Pancoe–Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Life Sciences Pavilion. Those interested in learning about global politics can catch University President Henry S. Bienen’s talk about foreign policy and the congressional elections at the Norris University Center’s McCormick Auditorium.
Later, indulge your intellectual side at the Alumni College educational series, where distinguished faculty members teach the NAA’s Classes Without Quizzes. Presenters include Rives Collins, theater department chair, who will cover the ancient art of storytelling; Abe Peck, Theodore R. Sills and Annie Laurie Sills Endowed Chair of the Medill School’s magazine program, who will discuss why magazines fail; and Timothy H. Breen, William Smith Mason Professor of American History at the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, who will explore the concept of the American Revolution without the Founding Fathers.
After having your photo taken at the Rock or getting career advice at Norris from executive management coach and career consultant Warren Radtke (EB57) and University Career Services’ senior assistant director for alumni career services Cynthia Graham, it’ll be Friday night and time for family fun and entertainment at Deering Meadow, site of the Meadow Madness All-Class Tent Bash, and the Homecoming pep rally at Cahn Auditorium. This all leads up to the lively Homecoming parade on Sheridan Road, featuring the Northwestern University Marching Band, floats from a variety of student groups and an appearance by the 2006 Homecoming court.
“Homecoming weekend is truly a unifying tradition,” says Homecoming chair Amber Jones, a Medill School junior from Jeffersonville, Ind., who has been working with the NAA and student Homecoming committee members to generate excitement throughout campus. “It’s the one time the entire student body can come together with alumni to show their pride.& On Saturday morning alumni will head to Rocky Miller Park for the NAA’s Wildcat Alley tent party that features music, children’s games and a free beer garden before the 11 a.m. kickoff against Michigan State at Ryan Field. Reunion class members can mingle at a special pregame breakfast nearby, and later that evening they will toast their own special memories at party locations on campus, in Evanston and at popular Chicago restaurants.
Of course, your alma mater getaway wouldn’t be complete without some fun in downtown Chicago. To wrap up Fall Reunions Weekend, the NAA is offering another recent but popular tradition — a Sunday afternoon Chicago architectural river cruise, guided by Joan Lindsay (C52) (see “Queen of the River”).
For more information about the NAA’s 2006 Fall Reunions and Homecoming Weekend, please visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/reunions.
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