Reunion '03: Weekend To Remember

More than 2,400 alumni and guests returned to Cambridge June 68 for Tech Reunions, braving temperamental weather to gather among friends and mark significant milestones. "MIT's already a lively place, but it was thrilling to see the campus come alive with the whole MIT community represented-alumni, friends, students, and parents," says Monica Ellis '91, director of class programs.

Among the highlights of the weekend were tours and department receptions on Friday and the Technology Day symposium on Saturday. "Fast Times at MIT: What's New, What's Next-Now What?" featured presentations by faculty from each of the five schools at MIT, which were well received by the capacity crowd at Kresge Auditorium.

The downpour Saturday afternoon didn't dampen the spirits of attendees at the Tech Night Dinner, where reunion gifts were announced. Gasps were audible when Alumni Association president James A. Lash '66 announced the record-breaking reunion gift total, $179.3 million-far surpassing the prior record of $90.7 million set last year. At the Pops concert following the dinner, the crowd enjoyed selections by Bach, Stravinsky, and John Williams, as well as a moving rendition of "In Praise of MIT," dedicated to the Alumni Association's departing executive vice president and CEO Bill Hecht '61.

On Sunday the weather improved enough for the Reunion Row, where the Class of 1963 prevailed, amid stiff competition from the Classes of 1973, 1958, and 1953. And the Class of 1978 took first place at the Tech Challenge Games, to the delight of scores of onlookers.

For more highlights see page 6 or view the reunion slide show at alum.mit.edu/ne/reunions. If you're celebrating a reunion in 2004, it's a great way to see the fun that awaits you next June!

Members of the Class of 1993 at their Welcome Back event on Baker House rooftop. Left to right: Paul Grewal, Natalya Eliashberg, S. Carolene Huguenin, Gowri Grewal and son Calvin, Kimberly Kohlhepp, and Raymond Sedwick, AA '94.

Reunion gift chairs (left to right) Kenan Sahin '63, Bob Johnson '63, Dick Simmons '53, Bob Piper '53, and John Jarve '78 are flanked by Charles M. Vest HM and James A. Lash '66 (left and right, respectively) at the Tech Night Dinner. Four classes announced record-breaking gifts: the Class of 1943 ($3.7 million and 72.3 percent participation), the Class of 1953 ($25.4 million and 63 percent participation), the Class of 1958 ($3.5 million and 48 percent participation), and the Class of 1978 ($6.2 million and 65 percent participation).

 
Children attending Camp Tech fine-tune their creation for the domino physics activity as their counselors look on (left photo). Classmates Vincent James, Nanelle Stine, and Bob Tatz (all 1978) gather for a reception after their class forum, "Changes and Challenges." (right photo)

 
Departing executive vice president and CEO Bill Hecht '61 shares a light moment with Mark Hamilton '63 and Ned Brish '63 at the volunteer thank you reception in the lobby of the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center (left photo). The pressure was on as the Class of 1983 shell took to the Charles for the Reunion Row (right photo).

 
Cardinal and Gray Society reunion attendees included (left to right) Holton Harris '44, Emily Roderman, Will Roderman '44, and Lou Demarkles '44 (left photo). With Keith Lockhart conducting, assistant professor Michael Hawley, PhD '93, of the Media Lab performed the Piano Concerto no. 2 in A by Franz Liszt at Tech Night at the Pops (right photo).