Reunions

Reunions 2024—June 6–9

ADV_Reunions_24_Email_Header_GenPop.png

Alumni College: June 5–6

Alumni College 2024 offers events, talks, seminars, and workshops presented by Reed alumni and faculty at the front lines of elections and political processes in the age of information overload and mis/disinformation. Alumni College leads right up to Reunions, so you can spend some extra time on campus, engaging in scholarly activities to get you ready to party all weekend...just like when you were a student!

Confirmed virtual presenters: Congresswoman Suzan DelBene ’83 (U.S. Representative, Washington's 1st District)

Confirmed in-person presenters: Paul Gronke (Professor of Political Science and Director of the Early Voting Information Center, Reed College), Christine Lewis ’07 (Metro Councilor District 2), Sean Long ’12 (Postdoctoral Associate, George Washington University), Peter Miller ’07 (Senior Research Fellow, Brennan Center for Justice), and Vasiliy Safin ’07 (Visiting Professor of Psychology, Reed College). Many more alumni and faculty presenters will be added in the coming weeks!

Curious to see what we got up to at previous Alumni College events? Click here.

Register for Alumni College

Reunions: June 6-9

Experience nostalgia and the joy of reconnecting by joining us for Reunions, our most celebrated tradition. Join us for everything from a live Stop Making Sense dance party, calligraphy workshops, tree climbing, a lecture by professor of political science Paul Gronke, a festive parade for all classes on Saturday afternoon, s’mores around a bonfire, storytelling, a family-friendly carnival, a Reedie Marketplace, fire dancers, and a laser light show, and more!

Register for Reunions

Dorm space will go quickly, register today to reserve your spot!

Meal tickets will NOT be sold after May 22.
In our attempt to have less food waste, we need more time to have an accurate count. Bon Appetit works with Urban Gleaners to distibute leftover food when possible.

Questions? Contact the alumni relations office at alumni@reed.edu or 503-777-7589.

Reunions Code of Conduct: As always, the Honor Principle starts with you. Let kindness, respect, responsibility, and a spirit of shared engagement in the Reed community guide all your interactions with students, staff, and each other.

Event Schedule

The schedule is subject to change. Additional events will be added when confirmed. Please keep an eye out for all the fun happenings!

Thursday, June 6

Reunions Central

12:30-8 p.m., Prexy House
When you arrive on campus, please come to Reunions Central in Prexy and pick up your registration materials, event tickets, and dorm keys.

Reactor Tour

3 p.m., Chemistry Patio, Sign up at Prexy
Tour Reed's nuclear reactor: the only nuclear reactor in the nation operated primarily by undergraduates. Licensed students use it for thesis projects and to increase their understanding of radiation and radioactivity. Sign up in Prexy to ensure your spot!

TTT Reunions Style @ The Lutz

4-5 p.m., The Lutz
Join Portland alumni for the chapter's monthly TTT (occurring earlier in the month to coincide with Reunions). We will convene up the hill at a favorite haunt of Reedies -- the Lutz! The slushy drinks and dive-y decor are the same as they ever were, but the food and drink menus have seen serious upgrades since new ownership took over in 2011. Last year, we packed the back deck for a low-key Bacchanale. Let's do it again!

Dinner

6-7:30 p.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant-style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Movie Night in the Chapel: Yes Men films

7-9 p.m., Chapel
The Yes Men
 are a culture jamming activist duo and network of supporters created by Jacques Servin and Igor Vamos ’90. The Yes Men primarily aims to raise awareness about problematic social and political issues through various actions. 

Paradox Fundraiser

7-11 p.m., Pool Hall
Drop by the Pool Hall for a classic 'Pool Hall Informal' and support the Paradox cafe.

Friday, June 7

Reunions Central

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Prexy House
When you arrive on campus, please come to Reunions Central in Prexy and pick up your registration materials, event tickets, and dorm keys.

Breakfast

8-9:30 p.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant-style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Reactor Tour

10 a.m., Chemistry Patio (sign up at Prexy)
Tour Reed's nuclear reactor: the only nuclear reactor in the nation operated primarily by undergraduates. Licensed students use it for thesis projects and to increase their understanding of radiation and radioactivity. Sign up in Prexy to ensure your spot!

Architecture of Reed College: Gothic to Modernism to Post-Modernism and back again

10-11:30 a.m., Eliot 216 & Walking Tour (sign up at Prexy)
The architecture of Reed College is a window into the evolution 20th-century architecture and the history of the college itself. This tour will take us from the Collegiate Gothic of A.E. Doyle's Eliot Hall through the Modernism of Pietro Belluschi, Reed Alum Neil Farnham, and others, and finally, the Post-Modernism of the Zimmer Gunsel Frasca era and newer buildings.

Lunch

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Commons
Commons Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant-style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

The Past, Present, and Future of Calligraphy at Reed with Gregory McNaughton ’89

1-3 p.m., Trillium Multipurpose Room
In the fall of 2012, the Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery launched the Calligraphy Initiative in Honor of Lloyd J. Reynolds. Please join Calligraphy Initiative coordinator Gregory MacNaughton ’89 for an illustrated presentation on the past, present, and future of calligraphy at Reed.

Learn How a Sausage is Made (Literally)

1:30-3:00 p.m., Spanish House
The masters of meat will demystify the metaphor, and prove that the dirty details are in fact delicious, clean fun! Meat Smoke veterans will lead a sausage-making workshop, demonstrating the entire process from snout to tail. Get hands-on experience in cutting down and grinding whole slabs of pork, seasoning it to perfection, loading and filling pork casings, and pinching and cutting sausage links. There will be plenty of opportunities for grilling and tasting our creations during the workshop. Sausage made during this event will be served to everyone after the Laser Light Show on Saturday. Come meat with us, join in the fun, and make lots of dirty jokes (sometimes they slip out unintentionally)!

Reedie Films in the Chapel

2-4p.m., Chapel
Come view short films created by Reedies when they were students! Schedule and movies TBD.

Reactor Tour

3 p.m., Chemistry Patio, (sign up at Prexy)
Tour Reed's nuclear reactor: the only nuclear reactor in the nation operated primarily by undergraduates. Licensed students use it for thesis projects and to increase their understanding of radiation and radioactivity. Sign up in Prexy to ensure your spot!

Sunny Day Surprise

Brought to you by: Gigantic Brewing
3-5  p.m., Quad
Sip on Reedie-made beer while you connect with fellow Reedies and members of the Alumni Board and Alumni Chapter Leadership!

Class of 1964: Catching Up

3:30-5:30 p.m., Eliot 216
To kick off our 60th Reunion, we will take the opportunity to share bits of our life stories. How did we get to where we are now? How much of that would have surprised us when we were students at Reed? What has made us laugh? What has made us feel good? Who do we miss? There is no set format—we’ll just converse.

1969 Mixer with Professors

3:30-5 p.m., Location TBD
Class of '69 is getting together with their professors from once upon a time for a social hour OR lecture, depending on what the profs are up for.

 

Class of 1999 Tequila Field Day: What It Is, Where It’s From, and How to Taste It

4-5:30 p.m., Winch Common Room
Join Clayton Szczech ’00 and your ’99 classmates for a deep dive exploration into the nature of tequila, complete with a tasting flight!

1959+ Social

4-5:30 p.m., Location TBD
Members of the class of 1959 and our shoulder years are invited to join us for some time to converse, reminisce, and celebrate all these years together!

President's Welcome Reception

5:30-6:30 p.m. Performing Arts Building
Join President Audrey Bilger for the kick-off reception welcoming you to Reunions 2024!

Reunions Bar

6-11 p.m., Quad

Dinner

6:30-8:30 p.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant-style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Class of 1979 Mixer at Gigantic

6:30-8 p.m. Gigantic Brewing
Join your peers for a mixer at Gigantic Brewing, a block away from Reed. There is a no-host bar, with brews concocted by a fellow Reedie, master brewer Van. Food is available from food carts on site, or you can snag your food from the ticketed dinner in Commons before making your way over. Afterwards, we will return to our class dorm on campus to continue the conversations we were having!

Class of 1974: 50th Reunion Dinner

6:30-8 p.m., Kaul Auditorium
The Class of ’74 is invited to celebrate their 50th reunion over a special evening meal and presentation.

Class of 1989 35th Reunion Party

6-10 p.m., Location TBD
Join the Class of 1989 for our 35th Reunion party at the Cross Canyon dorms outdoor patio and fire pit! We'll fire up the grills, serve delicious appetizers and potluck items, and have delicious beverages for your enjoyment! You can make your own s'mores at the fire pit.

David Autrey ’89 will pour wine and Miyuki Yoshida ’89 will pour sake and guide you through tastings. We'll have an amazing party playlist, as always!

The Dream of the 90s is Alive at Reunions

7 p.m.-2 a.m., International Plaza at the Language Houses
All class years are cordially invited to a celebration of the 90s spirit! Join us at the language houses, where we'll have delicious food, refreshing libations, and an amazing lineup of Reedie bands and musicians TBA. There may even be an opportunity for you to relive your days in a Reed band by getting onstage for open mic!

Party like it's 1984

7-9 p.m., Location TBD
Join your peers in the class of 1984 for our 40th Reunion! We will be hosting a themed celebration - break out your 80s clothes, old photos, and memories of your thesis.

Firepits, S'mores, and a Sing-a-Long with Mateo Burch ’82

8-9 p.m., Commons Patio
Chomp down on homemade s'mores while you sing the classics with Mateo Burch ’82!

S.L.U.R Performance

9-10 p.m., Physics Loading Dock

Kabbalat Shabbat, led by Katherine Wolff ’01

8:15-9 p.m., Prexy Conference Room
Join us for candle lighting and Kiddush with wine, juice, and challah. Casual, liberal/Reconstructionist, short, and sweet led by Katherine Wolff ’01.

International Folk Dancing Like We Used to Do with Jim Kahan ’64

8:30-10 p.m., Sports Center Dance Studio (Use the stairs on Botsford Drive to access the studio)
International Folk Dancing takes Reunions by storm in the Dance Studio of the Sports Center. Jim Kahan ’64 will supply the music (he has a digital version of the Olde Reed repertory and more) and some help remembering the dances. Please wear shoes that don’t mark up the floor or re-experience dancing barefoot on this wonderful wooden floor. 

16th Annual Reedie Reunions Poker Game

9-late, Winch Social Room
It's time to shuffle up and deal at the Annual Reedie Reunions Poker Game! Show off your poker skills in support of Reed! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just learning the ropes, this event is the perfect way to connect with fellow Reedies, so ante up and let's play!

Check the schedule often, events are added every day!

Saturday, June 8

Reunions Central

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Prexy House
When you arrive on campus, please come to Reunions Central in Prexy and pick up your registration materials, event tickets, and dorm keys.

Retirement: Boon or Trap? with Dr. Don Asher '82

8-10 a.m., PAB 320
Where are you getting your information about retirement planning? The retirement industry controls over $37 trillion (trillion with a “t”) in funds, and employs over 1 million mostly highly paid professionals. This massive industry floods all media with a vision of retirement that requires their existence: The permanent vacation. What if that’s not right for you? What if you want or need another version? This talk is about theories of late-career and post-career human development, meaning making, planning for the time of retirement (a third half of life), and that subset of humans who love work over leisure. There is definitely more than one right answer. Whether you’re young and thinking long-term or getting closer to traditional retirement ages--or even in the midst of retirement itself--this talk can help you think more richly about your options and your plans. Based on Dr. Don Asher’s recent dissertation: “You Can Only Play so Much Golf”: The Retirement Experiences of People Who Really Love Their Work, and ongoing research.

Bird Watching at Rhody: Sponsored by 1979

8-9:45 a.m., Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens
Waltz through the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens with members of the class of 1979 to identify birds. We will have a few spotting scopes, binoculars, and assistance from folks who can tell us that the 'one with the white head' is in fact, a Bufflehead! A limited number of spots are available for this venture - please use the sign-up form provided at check in.

Breakfast

8:30-9:30 a.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Golfing at Eastmoreland Golf Course, organized by '79

9:45 a.m., Meet at Prexy to walk over
Pre-register when you check out at registration, space is limited.

Tree Climbing

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Performing Arts Building–Front Lawn

Marketplace & Carnival

Marketplace 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Carnival 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.; PAB Lawn
Enjoy this food, drink, books and crafts showcase featuring Reedie chefs, bakers, growers, harvesters, authors, and artists, enjoy eccentric Vaudevillian swing courtesy of Bellows and Squawk, balloon artists, face painters, craft stations, and more! Don't miss out on this Reedie Reunions Tradition!

Calligraphy Wishing Tree with Gregory MacNaughton ’89 and Su Liu ’13

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Trillium Multipurpose Room
Calligraph a touching tribute to classmates who are no longer with us. Participants will have the option to hang their well wishes and fond memories on a "wishing tree" for all to share and remember. Open to all classes.

Foster-Scholz Annual Luncheon 

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Kaul Auditorium

Alumni whose graduation year is 1984 or earlier (and their partners and friends) are invited to join us in honoring this year's retiring faculty and alumni volunteers for their dedicated service to Reed at the Foster-Scholz annual luncheon and awards cermony. The Luncheon will feature a keynote speech by retiring Professor Steven Wasserstrom, and the bestowing of the Distinguished Service Award on Barbara West '64 and Steven Falk '83.

Foster-Scholz Class Photos

1 p.m. Gray Lounge

More information pending!

Hot Turkey Sandwich Picnic Lunch

Noon-1:30 p.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Class Photos

1 p.m., North Eliot Steps

  • Schedule TBD

Gather with your classmates for Class Photos!

All Class Parade

2 p.m., beginning in Eliot Circle

Lucy Advice Booth

2-4:30 p.m., Quad

 

Italic Calligraphy Scriptorium

2-4 p.m., Trillium Multipurpose Room
Scriptorium is Reed's weekly calligraphy and paleography workshop, open to all members of the Reed community. All materials will be provided.

Lucy Advice Booth

2-4 p.m., Quad
The return of a fan favorite! Come by for advice on any topic. All ages and concerns welcome. Speed therapy, advice and counsel on love, career, sex, money, religion, sports, friendship, retirement, material possessions, Swedish death cleaning, Hygge, health, fundamental values, differences between belief systems, fate of the university, multiple dimensions, what to do, what not to do, and, of course, why. Southeast corner of the Quad. Saturday. 10 to 4. Bring 5¢. Caveat emptor.

AFR Donor Reception

2:30-5 p.m., Performing Arts Building
A special reception and thank you for everyone who donated to Reed during the 2023-2024 academic year with a special thank you from President Audrey Bilger.

Geology of Reed and Eastside Portland: Earthquakes, Volcanos, and Catastrophic Floods

3-4 p.m., Eliot 314 (sign up at Prexy)
The serene Portland landscape surrounding the Reed campus has been shaped by catastrophic geological events — torrential floods of ice and lava, and eruptions of neighborhood volcanos. This presentation explores how this geology is visible to us today and how has it shaped the history of Portland and the college. 

Sewing and Swearing Craft Hour with Emily Allen ‘19

3-4 p.m., Prexy Conference Room
Do you enjoy some form of needlework? Do you enjoy swearing but hate it when your judgmental MIL glares at you because you said a bad word? Bring whatever project you’re working on, leave your judgmental MIL at home, and join us while we stab fabric with needles and curse a bunch. Any form of needlework is acceptable, and maybe we can all learn about new crafts together. Or just learn new curse words. Snacks will be provided, but needlework projects need to be brought.

Class of 1964 (and friends): Music From Our Time

3:30-5 p.m., Capehart Lounge (enter through Winch Social Room)
Gather to listen to and talk about some of our favorites from our time at Reed. We’ll have a playlist to select from that includes Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Tom Lehrer, Woody Guthrie, Rifkin’s Baroque Beatles, and others.

Reunions Bar

6-midnight, Quad

Dinner

6-7:30 p.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Alumni Talent Show

6-8 p.m., Student Union
Do you sing? Do you dance? Would you like to read embarrassing entries from your high school diary? Sign up at Prexy for a spot to show off your talent at the Alumni Talent Show!

Laser Light Show Extravaganza

9-10 p.m., ODB Lawn
Spread out across the ODB front lawn for an electric and flammable experience you won't forget!

Meat Smoke Surprise!

10 p.m., Quad
Head back to the quad for sweet and savory treats thanks to Meat Smoke!

Stop Making Sense LIVE!

10:15 p.m.–late, Student Union
Dance the night away at Stop Making Sense LIVE!

Check the schedule often, events are added every day!

Sunday, June 9

Brunch

8-11 a.m., Commons
Bon Appetit brings made-from-scratch restaurant style dining to Reed College, with a commitment to quality, innovation, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction.

Reunions Check-Out

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Prexy House
Return your dorm keys, swipe cards, and badges to Reunions staff at Prexy! Note: returning your keys is crucial! Replacing lost keys is a huge expense, and it may factor into increased dorm rates in the near future.