Willingness to lend a helping hand between generations of alumni is part of what makes the Cornell alumni experience unique, and Reunions a pleasure, said Julie Vultaggio ’02, Cornell Association of Class Officers (CACO) board president.

“You go to Reunion to remember. But you also go to Reunion to build,” Julie said. “People’s willingness to share their stories, their experiences, and their own networks is so powerful, and powerfully unique to Cornellians.”

One such bond was built at Reunion 2025 between the Classes of 1960 and 2020. In an example of true Big Red spirit, the Class of 1960 stepped up with a gift of $25,000 from their class treasury for the Class of 2020—who did not have traditional Cornell senior year experience—to celebrate their first milestone Reunion.

“It’s like we’re their grandparents. This was something we truly felt good about,” said Linda Jarschauer Johnson ’60, the Class of 1960 Reunion chair. “We thought ‘Let’s help them have something really special because they’d missed out.’”

The Class of 1960, who missed their 60th Reunion in 2020, reached out through Alumni Affairs and Development to offer their contribution to the Class of 2020, transforming what was possible for their 2025 celebration. 

The financial gift was just the start of the tie between the two generations. “The Spirit of ’31—Passing It Forward” ceremony is one of many annual Reunion traditions that foster relationships between the classes, in which the most senior Reunion class passes an official banner onto the most junior class. This year, the Class of 2020 received its banner from their benefactors, the Class of 1960, and the Class of 2015 received its banner from the Class of 1950.

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused Cornell University to shut down in March 2020, the Class of 2015 missed its fifth Reunion (and its class banner). But the Class of 2020 missed out on Slope Day, Senior Days, and in-person graduation.

“We never really had a proper goodbye or send-off. At the time, obviously, everyone was taken by surprise,” said Dillon Sumanthiran ’20, Class of 2020 president.

While some members of the Class of 2020 were able to attend a belated on-campus commencement ceremony during Homecoming in September 2021, the 2020 class council earmarked their fifth Reunion as another chance to make up for lost time. Former University President Martha E. Pollack set aside $25,000 to help make their 2025 Reunion memorable, and the matching gift from the Class of 1960 brought that vision to life.

It’s not unusual for Cornell alumni classes to form partnerships as mentors, learning partners, and lifelong friends. Reunion plays a large part in pairing senior classes with more junior classes, uniting different generations through shared experiences and a mutual love for Cornell. Not long ago, the Class of 1957 contributed $10,000 to the Class of 2007 and shared programming ideas to help the younger class make their fifth Reunion a success. In turn, the Class of 2007 has had a presence sharing gratitude for the Class of 1957 at their 55th and 60th Reunions, and the two classes have reconnected at alumni community events like the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference (CALC).

“There’s a generosity of spirit that our alumni represent with each other—genuinely wanting all of the classes to be successful and to feel like they’re part of this Cornell community, no matter where they are, no matter what year they graduated, that we’re all in this together,” Julie said.

She continued: “You almost can’t believe that there’s a class that would be willing to take $25,000 out of their fund. It’s so normal for Cornellians. Cornellians are great at taking action.” 

Thanks to this new connection, the Class of 2020 finally celebrated their senior Slope Day after a five-year delay.

In an event dubbed “Slope Day 2.020,” Norwegian EDM artist Matoma energized Barton Hall on June 6, DJing an exclusive set for the Class of 2020, with a special guest—Linda Jarschauer Johnson from the Class of 1960. It was a full-circle moment for the class in more ways than one: Matoma was originally part of a Virtual Slope Day in 2020. 

“We listened to Matoma in the car ride up to prepare!” said Rosalie Krasnoff ’20, who drove from New York City to Reunion with Kyra Conroy ’20, her first year roommate from Clara Dickson Hall. “I’m so excited to be back. This means a lot to us to gather again and get a sort of closure, and also thinking about the next chapter of being a Cornell alum and getting to reconnect. It’s been amazing.”

“We’re so thankful,” agreed Matt Barnello ’20. “I’d like to think that we would do the same for the Class of 2080.”

In thanks, the Class of 2020 invited the Class of 1960 to join them in a champagne toast and wine tasting with Professor Cheryl Stanley, who teaches Introduction to Wines, and members of the junior class surprised the Class of 1960 at their class dinner in Klarman Hall with a card signed by the entire Class of 2020.

While the partnership is still developing, it bodes to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.