Reflections From Four College Reunions
Between the two of us, we attended four college reunions this year. Yes, four. And we have some thoughts.
We both enjoyed some absolutely wonderful, heartwarming moments. And we were frustrated by others.
Below are a few of our ideas on how you can level up the experience for your attendees as your team plans alumni weekend—or other large-scale gatherings—in years to come.
Have a Single Source of Truth for Attendees
If you’re asking your attendees to download an app or referring them to an informational site with all the resources they need, make sure it’s always up-to-date and does what it needs to do.
One of us frequently witnessed guests toggling between an app and multiple websites to find accurate attendee information, a map of campus, and the program of events on the app.
Your tech solution needs to be a seamless gateway that lets alumni know what’s next, where they need to go, and who’s going to be there; it should not stand in the way of enjoying precious time on campus with other alumni.
Embrace Capital Project Signage
A large percentage of your attendees may not have returned to campus in decades. They may have guests who have never been there at all. This is the time to make your culture of philanthropy more visible.
Install signs that provide context behind any major capital projects that are underway or have already reshaped the campus. Be sure to recognize donors who made significant gifts, and highlight the lasting impact the projects have made.
Go All In On Your Parade of Classes
If you have a parade of classes, make it one of the main attractions and schedule it so everyone can be there. Make it big, make it loud, make it joyous. Live music helps!
Don’t Overprogram
You don’t want your attendees to feel disappointed that they missed out on several things they didn’t have time for.
Less can be more here, and it also allows your attendees some freedom to wander the campus and rediscover it on their own.
Make Space for Mixed Emotions
We all know that revisiting the past can bring up a range of emotions. One of us was repeatedly reminded of this while attending a reunion this year. Several old friends shared that this was the first time they had visited campus in decades and reflected on how complicated it was to be back.
Reunion programs tend to (and should) foreground joy, but they should also make space for a range of other emotions. That doesn’t need to happen in the official program, but it can help to have a dedicated quiet or meditation space for people who need to get away from the action. Not overprogramming definitely helps release pressure here as well.
Think of the Children!
If your institution can partner with a provider to offer full-service childcare, it will be a game-changer for those with kids in tow.
A friend with an infant told us that being able to access $25 all-day childcare at her reunion was one of the most affordable ways to have a good time she had encountered as a young mother.