Celebrating connections at the “Spirit of ’31—Passing It Forward” ceremony

Some of Cornell's most seasoned classes gathered with the newest alumni leaders to kick off Reunion weekend. The “Spirit of ’31—Passing It Forward” ceremony brought together the Classes of 1956, 1961, 2016, and 2021.

“Whether gathering at Reunion, Homecoming, or the Spirit of Zinck’s Night around the world, alumni of all generations come together to celebrate their love of Cornell and its traditions,” said Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs Michelle Vaeth ’98. “It is you—our alumni—who pass our Cornell traditions on to students. Then they become alumni, and pass it forward, as well.”

Members of the Class of 1956 Joe Henninger and Carole Rapp Thompson presented the Class of 2021 banner to Kamla Arshad Freidl ’21, Michelle Glauberzon ’21, and Bryan Weintraub ’21. More than 1,000 alumni from the Class of 2021 registered to attend their fifth Reunion.

The Class of 2016, who missed their fifth Reunion because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was also recognized for their tenth Reunion. Class of 1961 representatives Rosanna Romanelli Frank and Pat Laux Richards presented the Class of 2016 banner to Amanda Hurlbut Conery ’16 and Helena Wu ’16.

Special guests Alice Katz Berglas ’66 and Bill Vanneman Jr. ’65, son of Bill Vanneman Sr. '31, attended the ceremony and were recognized for creating the "Passing it Forward" tradition.

The event also included remarks by President Kotlikoff and a performance by the Hangovers.