Reunion: The Practical Side of a Magical Weekend
Plan, Plan, Then Plan Some More
Planning for reunions begins two years in advance. For Renunion 2009, class presidents were sent a letter this past April asking for the names of reunion chairs, who are then invited to a planning workshop in September. Most classes do a "save the date" mailing a year in advance; the association sends another letter eight months in advance. Registration materials are mailed two months before Reunion; memos are sent to planners monthly from August through May. It helps to write everything down.
A Celebrant for the Record Books
Lots of women of every age come back for their reunions. In 2006 we welcomed 1,156 alums, along with 319 of their guests and 171 children. But get this: one year, an alumna returned for her eightieth reunion. Now that's enthusiasm! Th fiftieth class usually has a best attendance, in the last five years averaging between 45 and 52 percent of the class. The fortieth class comes in secon, with a five-year percent of class members returning.
Basic Grooming Encouraged
Between six and ten dorms with a total of about 600 beds are reserved for reunion weekends. Classes often plead to stay in a particular dorm; those requests are honored if the numbers of returnees match the dining hall capacity and room availability. Loyalty classes (alumnae celebrating a 65th or later reunion) are housed in scenic Willits-Hallowell. Students and staff housekeepers do a serious amount of schlepping and sweeping, and make the beds, mop the floors, and brush the window screens in all the dorms. No chocolates are left on guest pillows, but a small bar of soap and towels are offered for basic grooming.
Grass, Trash, and a Fleet of Canoes
Mike Buckley, Facilities Management’s superintendent of general services, has his hands full leading up to reunion. His crews repair winter damage along the road edges by tilling and reseeding. Two hundred white stakes are then put into the ground and strung with twine to protect the newly seeded areas. Those come down a day or two before Reunion I. New sod is laid in the amphitheater for the annual meeting. Lawns are mowed continuously so the campus grass is at attention when alumnae arrive. A fleet of canoes is hauled from Upper to Lower Lake and fitted with festive lanterns for the canoe sing.
Students Love Working Reunion
Guaranteed hours, good wages, and a desire to make some fast cash before vacation this year resulted in 270 applicants for 145 jobs at Reunions I and II. Students make $7.75 an hour—student supervisors get $8.50—and they do a lot of the heavy lifting. Job titles include luggage helper, loyalty class assistant, van driver, housekeeper, custodian, grounds crew, waitress, dishwasher, usher, child caregiver, lifeguard, ticket salesperson, and registration assistant.
Speech, Speech
President Joanne Creighton is on duty both weekends and will deliver at least six speeches. She speaks on Friday night of Reunion I to the fiftieth reunion class. She delivers a speech at Baccalaureate. She speaks at the “Luncheon with the President” on both weekends. Finally, she speaks at Commencement.
Reunion’s ‘Holy Book’
This will be the fourth year that Joni Haas Zubi, associate director of classes and reunions, has coordinated Reunion at MHC. She has worked for the association since 1986. During both weekends, she carries around with her what she loosely refers to as “the bible.” But instead of the Lord’s instructions to Moses, it contains more mundane directions, like when chairs should be delivered to Chapin Auditorium if it rains, and the timetable for getting electrical service to Mary Lyon’s grave.
And Finally, a Funny Story
Okay, there are lots of juicy stories that Joni won’t let us tell you. For example, it’s safe to say that some serious imbibing of spirits goes on each Reunion evening, and we’re talking bottled spirits. A papier-mâché class sphinx became the object of actual genuflection by one spirited reunion class. But interesting sober moments abound, too, such as the alum who recycled items she found in the trash by using them to decorate her Reunion weekend dorm room. Finally, lots of folks seem to lock themselves out of their rooms when they take showers. One alum simply made the best of it and walked around nude. I mean, we’ve seen it all, yes?
—M.H.B.
