The Class of ’20 enjoys a Slope Day do-over in Barton Hall. Alumni Reunion ’25: Despite Iffy Weather, Big Red Spirit Shines Through Stories You May Like A Look at Reunions of Yesteryear, Saturated in Big Red Spirit Big Red Networking Platform Connects Cornellians Meet the Alum Behind Some of Music’s Biggest Rights Deals On top of the traditional festivities, this year saw special celebrations marking events canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic By Joe Wilensky Some 7,000 alumni and their guests descended on the Hill for Reunion 2025, reconnecting with classmates and friends and celebrating throughout a typical Ithaca rain-and-shine weekend. This year’s gathering was particularly poignant for the classes who, five years ago, missed in-person gatherings due to the pandemic—as well as for the members of the Class of 2020, who marked their first Reunion. That class—which broke a 5th-Reunion attendance record, welcoming 1,004 members back to campus—also enjoyed some special festivities aimed at making up for its missed senior spring traditions. Popular photo spot: The A.D. White Reading Room. Three other classes broke records: ’50 saw 11 classmates returning to mark their 75th; ’85 had 489 alums for its 40th; and ’90 had 353 for its 35th. Alumni came from 49 states—all but Arkansas—as well as from Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and 27 countries. In his first State of the University address as Cornell’s 15th president, Mike Kotlikoff focused much of his talk on the harmful impacts of the federal funding cuts and stop-work orders that have derailed more than 140 research projects. President Kotlikoff gives the State of the University address in Bailey Hall. “Universities are essential: to our modern lives and societies, and for our future,” he told a packed Bailey Hall. “The federal research funding Cornell receives is not a gift. It is a contract: strictly budgeted and audited, to conduct specific research that the government wants done to benefit America.” Kotlikoff also highlighted the University’s new “Cornell Matters” campaign, which invites alumni to sign up for information on how to advocate for their alma mater and help safeguard the University’s research enterprise. (More than 2,300 have joined so far.) Universities are essential: to our modern lives and societies, and for our future. President Mike Kotlikoff, State of the University address The campaign, he said, “suggests ways, large and small, that you can help spread the word that Cornell—like all of America’s research universities—matters to us all.” The weekend’s many events and programs included the annual Olin Lecture, which this year welcomed a panel of Olympians—Stephen Ogochukwu Mozia ’15 (track and field), Sorin Koszyk ’20 (rowing), and Karen Chen ’23, BS ’25 (figure skating)—who shared memories of competing at the Games. Festive spirit on Cornelliana Night. The panel was introduced by Super Bowl champ Kevin Boothe ’05 and moderated by CBS sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala ’00. The annual Spirit of ’31 Passing the Banner Ceremony saw the Class of 1950 handing off a Reunion banner to its counterparts from 2015, as well as the marking of a unique partnership between the Classes of 1960 and 2020. This year, the Olin Lecture welcomed a panel of Olympians, who shared memories of competing at the Games. The older class had donated $25,000 from its treasury to help produce a Friday night concert in Barton Hall, dubbed “Slope Day 2.020,” as an in-person do-over for the virtual Slope Day the class held in the midst of the pandemic. The concert was DJ’ed by Norwegian electronic music artist Matoma—who had performed at the virtual celebration. Smiles and confetti at the Passing the Banner Ceremony. At Cornelliana Night, the president of the Cornell Lacrosse Association—Andy Phillips ’84, MBA ’86—surprised a loudly appreciative audience by displaying the NCAA National Championship Trophy from the Big Red’s recent win. The William “Bill” Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award went to Nancy Jenkins Krablin ’69 and Larry Krablin ’69—recognizing, among other activities, their service as registration chairs for seven Reunions. Reunion fundraising totaled more than $172 million, with six classes setting new records. They will survive: Karaoke in the tents. Colleen Barry, dean of the Brooks School of Public Policy, hosted a conversation with U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne ’95, a Republican in her third term representing Texas’s 24th District. And a slew of favorite events returned—including the 5K run in the Botanic Gardens; performances by the Big Red Band; the Fun in the Sun Family Festival; the late-night tent parties on the Arts Quad; and canoeing on Beebe Lake. Scroll down for a photo tour of Reunion ’25! Touchdown poses with the Olin Lecture participants. A family favorite: Exploring Beebe Lake by canoe. U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne ’95 (left) chats with Colleen Barry, dean of the Brooks School. Smiles abound at the Arts Quad tent parties. An a cappella performance by the Hangovers. The Pep Band performs on Bailey Plaza during Cornelliana Night. Fun under the Arts Quad tents. Stories You May Like A Look at Reunions of Yesteryear, Saturated in Big Red Spirit Big Red Networking Platform Connects Cornellians For this 2020 alum, a banner moment! Traversing Hemlock Gorge. Capturing the moment in the A.D. White Reading Room. Gearing up at the Lindseth Climbing Center. Getting tuneful at Cornelliana Night. Class of ’75 alums mark their 50th. Going head over heels for the Class of ’20. Arts and crafts, McGraw Tower style. The Fun Run in the Botanic Gardens. Class of ’20 alums in Barton Hall. Taking in the view from Libe Slope. DJ Matoma headlines the Slope Day 2.020 bash. Karaoke in the Arts Quad tents. Big Red songs at Cornelliana Night. A future Cornellian rappels down the Crescent. Cornhole at class headquarters. Touchdown greets the Fun Run racers. Top: The Class of ’20 enjoys a Slope Day do-over in Barton Hall. (All photos in this story by Cornell University photographers Alex Bayer, Devin Flores, Sreang Hok, Jason Koski, and Ryan Young.) Published June 9, 2025 Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Cornelliana History Brothers: A Chat with Evan Earle ’02, MS ’14, and Corey Earle ’07 Chime In Why Democracy Needs Libraries Students Flying High: Sophomore Is a Rising Star in the Birding World