Alumni Reunion ’23 in Pictures: Clearing Skies on a Dazzling Weekend Stories You May Like Cornellian Crossword: ‘Back Home on the Hill’ Hearts on the Hill Reunion ’22 Photo Tour: The Hill Is Alive with Big Red Spirit From Cornelliana Night to goat yoga and the ‘Redstock’ concert, alumni celebrate traditions old and new By Joe Wilensky More than 6,300 alumni and their guests attended Reunion 2023, enjoying the traditional events and trying some new ones. Cornellians from as far away as Thailand and Australia—representing 24 countries and 45 states (plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico)—came home to the Hill for festivities, fun, and friendship. While there were advance concerns about the region’s air quality due to smoke from massive wildfires in Canada—prompting a few events early in the weekend to be canceled or moved indoors—conditions improved quickly. The remainder of the weekend featured typical weather for an Ithaca June, with periods of light rain giving way to balmy temperatures and beautiful skies. “C” is for ... cutie! The Class of 1983 set a new attendance record for a 40th Reunion, with 350 classmates returning. The Class of 2018 drew an impressive 744 members for its 5th; on the other end of the generational spectrum, the Class of ’48—whose members are in their mid-to-late-90s—welcomed five classmates for its 75th Reunion. The Class of ’48—whose members are in their mid-to-late-90s—welcomed five classmates for its 75th Reunion. Reunion fundraising totaled more than $112.6 million from undergraduate classes as the weekend got underway—and attendees consumed a whopping 278 gallons of Cornell Dairy ice cream. Highlights of the weekend’s 200 programs and events included the annual Olin Lecture, given by Ozan Varol ’03 (who was celebrating his own 20th Reunion), author of Think Like a Rocket Scientist and Awaken Your Genius. Tent parties on the Arts Quad. Stories You May Like Cornellian Crossword: ‘Back Home on the Hill’ Hearts on the Hill For her annual Reunion conversation, President Martha Pollack gave an update on University initiatives and hosted a panel discussion and Q&A with two brand-new Class of ’23 alums and one current undergrad. Cornelliana Night—returning to Bailey Hall for the first time since 2019—saw the traditional Big Red songs and more, including presentation of the William “Bill” Vanneman ’31 Outstanding Class Leader Award to Martha Mapes ’48, MS ’49, a longtime Ithaca resident and chair of her class’s 75th Reunion. In a relatively new tradition, the oldest attendees—members of the Classes of ’43, ’48, ’53, and ’58—gathered with the youngest (the Class of 2018) for a “Passing it Forward” ceremony. And a debut event that may become a regular offering was “Redstock,” a folk, rock, and jazz concert performed by alumni. Big Red threads!Walking tour of Cascadilla Gorge.50th Reunion smiles.Back by popular demand: goat yoga on the Ag Quad!Jamming with the Big Red Band.Tent party fun.Cornelliana Night was back in Bailey after a four-year hiatus.Our bear-y friendly mascot!Big Red spirit in the Straight Memorial Room.Dancing the night away.Selfies on Ho Plaza.Reunion spirit!Canoeing on Beebe Lake.Members of the Class of ’68.Olin Lecturer Ozan Varol ’03 signs books.View from the stage on Cornelliana Night.At the tent parties.Touchdown Mini-Me? Build-a-Bear workshop at the Cornell Store.An appreciative Bailey Hall crowd.Taking a rest outside Olin Library.Cornellian talent on display in Bailey.Taking in the Libe Slope view.Family photo in the Botanic Gardens.Making music at Redstock.Chilling on the Slope (with balloon animals).President Pollack leads a chat with young Cornellians.Swaying to Big Red tunes.Party central on the Arts Quad.Fun in the Sun was a home run!Big Red spirit on Cornelliana Night.Hanging out behind Uris Library.Boogying in the tents. Other time-honored favorites included canoeing on Beebe Lake, tunes by the Big Red Band, walking tours of Cascadilla Gorge, the Reunion 5K run at the Cornell Botanic Gardens, and, as always, tent parties on the Arts Quad. There was also at least one alumni proposal: Kate Kilbourne ’18 and Kyle Pellegrino ’18 got engaged, celebrating at sunset in Stewart Park against the backdrop of Cayuga Lake. Top: Celebrating at Cornelliana Night in Bailey Hall. All images in this story by Cornell University photographers Noël Heaney, Sreang Hok, Jason Koski, and Ryan Young. Published June 13, 2023 Did you come back to the Hill for Reunion ’23? Comments Michaline Bruyninckx, Class of 1979 16 Jun, 2023 I’m hoping to participate in my 45th reunion next summer. I haven’t been back to Ithaca since graduation in ‘79. Will there be activities for a nonambulatory person? I currently use a walker for short distances. Reply Mary Grainger, Class of 1979 18 Jun, 2023 Hi Michaline! I’m sorry that you had to ask the question again. When you wrote in May, some of us involved with the class did some research and asked Cornell staff. They pointed out this on the Reunion website for 2023. There will be 2024 information released next winter/spring before Reunion registration time. Accessibility Is Reunion an accessible event? We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including differently abled individuals, to engage fully. When registering for Reunion, guests may add notes on accommodations. You can also connect directly with your class or group registration chair to communicate any specific needs. For more information about accessible transportation and on-demand rides, visit our Arriving and Getting Around page. For those engaging with us virtually, we offer live-streamed programming with closed captioning. Reply Roger B. Jacobs, Class of 1973 19 Jun, 2023 Main reason I didn’t go was lack of clarity on being able to get around. RBJ. 1973 Reply Janet Helms 18 Jun, 2023 Reunion ’23 was Epic! So much fun replicating 4 years of college in 2 days. And added a few new experiences. Ag quit, goat yoga, dairy store, CTB, IB, Moosewood, the Tents, lectures, hikes, … Can NOT wait to get my Red and White Striped Blazer! Reply Susan Berger, Class of 1968 18 Jun, 2023 Had a wonderful time! Reply Brian Hanse 18 Jun, 2023 Great time of celebration. Most memorable for me were Cornelliana night and President Pollack’s message and her discussion of four current students at Bailey. Reply Eric Beane, Class of 1993 18 Jun, 2023 Great to be back for my 30th reunion. So much fun catching up with classmates and friends from other graduation years. It was my first reunion in 20 years. Will definitely be back for 35 in 2028. Reply Steve Unger, Class of 1968 19 Jun, 2023 There are many good reasons for coming back to Cornell every 5 years. The best is seeing old friends that I graduated with 55 years ago. Some I see much more frequently. Oldest friends are the best friends. Reply Pam Anderson, Class of 1988 19 Jun, 2023 I returned to Reunion for just a short time on Saturday of reunion weekend..Nice to be back in Ithaca and see a few familiar faces.Enjoyed our class concert by the Hangovers and hanging out in our Class sHQ. Fun to see the tent parties in full swing on Sat night under the stars. Reply Roger B. Jacobs, Class of 1973 19 Jun, 2023 For a variety of reasons I didn’t attend. One is mobility. The other is simply that my wife has passed and I just couldn’t tell how I’d feel about up By myself. Both kids are cornellians. Have beautiful memories out on the lake with Robin. Came up monthsxearliest. And was on the lake myself Got a little upset so I went beach. Packed up and left. Drive up to tramssburg to check on. The embassy. Place not there. No out door trace of the rongovvian embassy. Was always a favorite. Sad loss to The area. It was such a unique place going back to sixties look. Reply 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 Boo! Celebrating a Spooktacular Time of Year on the Hill Cornelliana Let’s Hit the Slope! 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