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Get in Touch and Get Together

Alumni enjoy the all-tent bash. Photo by Andrew Campbell

The buzz is building as the Northwestern Alumni Association's 2004 reunion season gets under way.

While members of the class of 1954 finalize arrangements for their spring reunion weekend (June 18-20), co-chairs for the reunion classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994 and 1999 have been busy tracking down classmates and encouraging participation in class-party preparations. The NAA will welcome all alumni, including members of the reunion classes, during the Homecoming and Reunions 2004 weekend, Oct. 29-31.

This year the Homecoming all-class tent bash, previously held on the grounds of the John Evans Alumni Center, will move to Deering Meadow, closer to the Homecoming parade route. Though the meadow has been home to many celebrations over the years, this is one of the first showcase events on Deering since Commencement moved to McGaw Memorial Hall in 1953.

"Putting a tent on Deering Meadow is a radically new move," says Lynn Stephenson Carver (C53), former associate director for the NAA. "This will be a new and exciting venue for fall reunions and should in itself be an incentive for alumni to return to campus. We all have happy memories of the meadow."

Other plans for the weekend may include a fireworks display on the grounds of the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Aquatics Center. And because Homecoming and Reunions 2004 falls on Halloween weekend, the NAA plans to offer activities for children, such as pumpkin painting or possibly a costume party.

Through the NAA web site, www.alumni.northwestern.edu, alumni planning to return to Evanston for Homecoming and Reunions 2004 can find special links for each reunion class and a full schedule of weekend events, including the Wildcat Alley tailgate party prior to the Wildcats' Homecoming game against the Purdue Boilermakers. Through the reunion web pages, alumni can also seek out Northwestern friends by linking to the NAA's free online directory, which lists alumni contact information. Online registration for these events will be available through the web site in August.

Each reunion class' co-chairs have been in close contact with their committee members to organize individual class parties on campus and at various Evanston and Chicago locations. The 40th reunion class of 1964 will be holding its celebration dinner amid the elegant surroundings of the Charles Deering Library, while the 25th reunion class of 1979 has chosen the trendy Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe in Evanston for its party. The committee for the class of 1999 is especially excited about holding the class' fifth reunion party at Wrigley Field.

The anticipation will peak much sooner for the class of 1954. In a few weeks members will return to Evanston to participate in Commencement, celebrate their 50th reunion at a dinner dance at the Woman's Club of Evanston and join members of previous classes at the traditional Half Century Club luncheon at the Norris University Center.

Get together! Find out more about Homecoming and Reunions 2004 at www.alumni.northwestern.edu/reunions.