Reunion Weekend Schedule
Explore the schedule of activities happening during 鶹Ƶ's Reunion Weekend including class gatherings, campus tours, specialized open houses and more!
Pre-Reunion Activities
Class of 1975 50th Reunion Social Gathering
Thursday, June 5 | 5-10 p.m.
Hosted by Bob and Jill Lautensack
Address provided upon Registration
Join us to kick off your 50th Reunion weekend at the home of Bob and Jill Lautensack! Enjoy great food and warm fellowship as you gear up for an unforgettable weekend of memories and celebration.
Friday, June 6
Time |
Event |
Location |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 a.m. | 50th Reunion Lunch, Opening Session and Afternoon Reception | Various Locations |
Members of the Class of 1975 are invited to join classmates for this special session to kick off their 50th Reunion. There is no formal program. After lunch, classmates will move to the Opening Session and enjoy an Afternoon Reception. 11:00 a.m.: Freshman Hall Dorm Gathering |
| Noon-1 p.m. 1-2 p.m. |
Campus Tours | Chambers Building (side facing Main St.) |
Since its founding in 1837, 鶹Ƶ has been growing in population, facilities, and tradition. Join one of our student tour guides for a tour of campus, highlighting just some of the ways 鶹Ƶ has recently changed. |
| Noon-1 p.m. | Tour of The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 210 Delburg St. | The Hurt Hub@鶹Ƶ is a dynamic coworking space, community gathering place, and hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides students with a collaborative environment to share ideas, prepare for pitch competitions, and connect with mentors. Emphasizing the values of freedom, integrity, and inclusion, the Hurt Hub fosters creativity, learning, and opportunity for students, alumni, and the broader community. |
| Noon-1 p.m. | Faculty and Staff-Led Classes | Location TBD |
Religious and Spiritual Life: Past, Present, and Future |
| 1:15-2:15 p.m. | Faculty and Staff-Led Classes | Location TBD | Persian Carpets Beyond Persia: Cross-Cultural Exchange and Luxury Textiles Lyla Halsted ’14, Assistant Professor of Art Persian carpets have long been collected across the globe as desirable luxury textiles. Often woven materials like silk and gold, and hand knotted with complex patterns, their popularity is nothing new. Even in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries when these carpets first emerged in Safavid Iran, they were avidly collected in both Europe and at the Ottoman court. Why did these carpets appeal to foreign audiences and how did their designs reflect engagement with consumers outside of Iran? This class will weave together these questions of cross-cultural encounter and reception to explore these textiles and their meanings. |
| 2-5 p.m. | The Hub @ 鶹Ƶ Open House | 210 Delburg St. |
Stop by the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship during our open house. Meet the team, explore innovative student projects, and discover how you can engage with our programs—whether through mentorship, collaboration or simply connecting with fellow Wildcats. Come see how we're fostering entrepreneurship and innovation on campus, in the 鶹Ƶ community and have fun doing the impossible. |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Faculty and Staff-Led Classes | Location TBD | Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Sustainability during a Time of AI Fuji Lozada, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty/Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is the knowledge and insights acquired through extensive observation of an area or a species, including knowledge passed down through oral tradition, rituals, or other means. TEK has predominantly been associated with indigenous groups and is often contrasted with universal, positivist “science.” In this class, we will explore how TEK is best seen as complementary to modern science, especially in helping local societies throughout the world combat the effects of climate change. |
| 2:30-4 p.m. | 鶹Ƶ Reunites the World (Dean Rusk; ISE; OEAA) | Atrium of Duke Building |
Did you spend a semester abroad or participate in a 鶹Ƶ-led Study Abroad Program? Are you an International Alum? Did you travel on a Dean Rusk Grant during your time at 鶹Ƶ? Join staff from the Dean Rusk International Studies Program, International Student Engagement, and Office of Education Abroad and Away. Connect with fellow alums and share memories about international experiences. Learn about what current students are doing to unite 鶹Ƶ and the world! Refreshments served. |
| 3:00 p.m. | Beer Hiking Virginia, North Carolina, and DC: The Mountains, Beaches, and Breweries from the Blue Ridge to the Outer Banks | King Canary 121 Depot St B |
English Knowles ’90 and Jim Knowles ’93 are siblings, hikers and craft beer enthusiasts. Last year they teamed up on a project combining their interests, a guidebook of favorite hikes in North Carolina and Virginia, each hike concluding at a microbrewery. Beer Hiking Virginia, North Carolina and DC: The Mountains, Beaches and Breweries from the Blue Ridge to the Outer Banks, was published in 2025 by Helvetiq Press, and features 42 hikes ending at 42 craft breweries, complete with geography lessons, quirky local history, beer facts, and tasting notes. Jim and English will be at King Canary Brewery in 鶹Ƶ on Friday June 6, at 3pm, to talk about their project, sign books, and taste beer! |
| 3-4:30 p.m. | Networking Reception for Science & Health Alums and Students | Patio in front of E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center (side that faces the library) |
Interact with science and pre-health students who are on campus doing research this summer. |
| 3:45-4:45 p.m. | Faculty and Staff-Led Classes | Location TBD | From Static to Dynamic: How Chemistry is Reinventing Plastics Bassil El-Zaatari, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Thermosetting plastics have long been prized for their mechanical integrity and durability—but once synthesized, they become inherently unrecyclable. What if we could redesign these materials to be just as tough, yet capable of repairing themselves or being reshaped and reused? In this lecture, we’ll explore how chemists are using dynamic covalent bonds to create plastics that break the mold (literally). You’ll learn how dynamic chemistry is opening the door to a more sustainable future for materials. |
| 5-6 p.m. | A Celebration of Giving (Invitation Only) | Michael and Alison Hall Mauzé Terrace, E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center |
Members of the Ne Ultra Society honoring leadership giving and the Maxwell Chambers Society honoring planned giving are invited to attend this special reception. Invitations will be sent to members of these giving societies. |
| 6-9 p.m. | 55th and 60th Reunion Class Dinners | Various Locations |
The class dinner is the highlight of Reunion Weekend. Come ready to reminisce, participate in the class photo, and enjoy a special evening with classmates. Beer and Wine included.
|
| 6:30-9:30 p.m. | 10th, 15th, 30th, 40th Reunion Class Dinners | Various Locations |
The class dinner is the highlight of Reunion Weekend. Come ready to reminisce, participate in the class photo and enjoy a special evening with classmates. Beer and wine included.
|
| 6:30-9:30 p.m. | 5th, 20th, 25th, 35th, 45th, 50th Reunion Welcome Back Party |
Tent on Chambers Lawn Rain Location: Baker Sports Complex, Knobloch Tennis Courts |
Join other reunion classes to enjoy a southwestern dinner buffet, open beer and wine bar and live music at this casual celebration. Find classmates near your class banner! |
| 9-11 p.m. | Alumni of Color Reception |
Michael and Alison Hall Mauzé Terrace E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center Rain Location: E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center |
Join the 鶹Ƶ Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander Alumni Network, 鶹Ƶ Black Alumni Network and Latinx Alumni Network of 鶹Ƶ as we come together to celebrate our vibrant alumni community! Enjoy great company, meaningful connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Light refreshments and adult beverages will be served. All are welcome! |
| 9:30-11 p.m. | Class of 1995 30th Reunion Late-Night Meetup | Brickhouse Tavern |
After Friday’s Class Dinner, head to Brickhouse to continue catching up with old friends. |
Saturday, June 7
Time |
Event |
Location |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45 a.m. | Alumni Cake Race |
Harry L. Vance Athletic Center, Baker Sports Complex Rain Location: Canceled |
Join in this family-friendly tradition for a 1.6-mile run around campus. Cakes will be awarded to the top runners! |
| 8:30 a.m. | Remembering 鶹Ƶians Lost While in Service to Country |
Flagpole and War Memorials, Chambers Lawn Rain Location: Lobby, Chambers Building |
Join us as we honor alum Veterans no longer with us. Taps will be played just after 8:30 a.m., followed by time for private reflection. |
| 9-10:30 a.m. | Various Class Gatherings | Various Locations |
Several classes have activities planned by their reunion committees. Refer to your class-specific schedule for more information.
|
| 9-10:30 a.m. | Avant Garde Check-in and Morning Session (Includes Classes of 1970 and 1965) | Location TBD | Members of the Avant Garde (those celebrating their 55th Reunion and beyond) are encouraged to join this special session. Attendees will have the chance to grab coffee and pastries, mix and mingle, and join conversations around topics of interest. |
| 9-10 a.m. | Class of 2000 Stroll & Chat with Classmate Angie Dewberry '00 | Meet at front of Chambers Building (the side facing Main St.) |
Walk with Classmate Angie, Registrar & Director of Advising. Hear how campus life has changed—and what has stayed the same! |
| 9-10 a.m. | Campus Tour |
Chambers Building (the side facing Main St.) |
Since its founding in 1837, 鶹Ƶ has been growing in population, facilities, and tradition. Join one of our student tour guides for a tour of campus, highlighting just some of the ways 鶹Ƶ has recently changed. |
| 9-10 a.m. | Tour of The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 210 Delburg St. | The Hurt Hub@鶹Ƶ is a dynamic coworking space, community gathering place, and hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides students with a collaborative environment to share ideas, prepare for pitch competitions, and connect with mentors. Emphasizing the values of freedom, integrity, and inclusion, the Hurt Hub fosters creativity, learning, and opportunity for students, alumni, and the broader community. |
| 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Academic Building Visits | Various Locations |
Tour the open academic buildings. Chambers Building, E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center, E.H. Little Library, Watson Life Sciences (Baker-Watt Science Complex), and Sloan Music Center (formerly the College Union and library) will be open to explore. Please note that some of the classrooms will be locked due to set-up for academic summer camps and safety rules. |
| 11 a.m.-Noon | A Conversation with President Doug Hicks | Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center | Join us to hear from Doug Hicks about key college initiatives and updates. A time for Q&A will follow his remarks. |
| 12:15-2 p.m. | Avant Garde Lunch and Induction Ceremony (Includes Classes of 1970 and 1965) | Location TBD | Those celebrating their 55th Reunion and beyond are invited for a lunch and induction ceremony for new members of the Avant Garde with remarks from guest speaker, Lisa Forrest, Leland M. Park Director of the 鶹Ƶ Library. |
| Noon-2 p.m. | Picnic and Lawn Party |
Chambers Lawn Rain Location: Vail Commons |
Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of food and fun on the lawn. You can purchase lunch through reunion registration or bring your own. Check out the activities, including bounce houses, snow cone machines, and games. Look for your class reunion banner! |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Class of 1980 Gathering |
Location TBD (Chambers Classroom) |
|
| 2-3:30 p.m. | Various Class Gatherings | Various Locations |
Several classes have activities planned by their reunion committees.
|
| 3:30-6 p.m. | Class of 1980 Gathering | Classmate's Home | |
| 3:30-5 p.m. | 鶹Ƶ LGBTQ+ Alumni Network (DLAN) Reception | Spencer-Weinstein Center for Community and Justice, Patterson Court (formerly the Multicultural House) |
Join 鶹Ƶ LGBTQ+ Alumni Network and other members of the campus community as we come together to fellowship and build connections. Light refreshments and adult beverages will be served. |
| 4-6:30 p.m. | Class of 1995 Gathering |
King Canary |
|
| 6-9 p.m. | 55th Reunion Dinner Reception at Homewood Suites | 125 Harbour Place Dr. 鶹Ƶ, N.C. 28036 | Please join us as we continue to celebrate and reminisce at a dinner reception at the Homewood Suites in 鶹Ƶ. |
| 6:30-9:30 p.m. | 5th, 20th, 25th, 35th, 45th, 50th Reunion Class Dinners |
The class dinner is the highlight of Reunion Weekend. Come ready to reminisce, participate in the class photo, and enjoy a special evening with classmates. Open beer and wine bar included.
|
|
| 6:30-9:30 p.m. | 10th, 15th, 30th, 40th, 55th, 60th, Avant Garde Reunion Cheers to the Years: Reunion Bash |
Tent on Chambers Lawn Rain Location: Baker Sports Complex, Knobloch Tennis Courts |
Join other reunion classes to enjoy southern BBQ, open beer and wine bar, and live music at this casual celebration. Find classmates near your class banner! |
| 9:30 p.m.-Midnight | All-Alumni Late-Night Party |
Brown Atrium, Alvarez College Union Rain Location: Baker Sports Complex |
The party is just getting started! Continue celebrating at this festive event featuring music and dancing while further reminiscing with your classmates. Includes open beer and wine bar. |
Sunday, June 8
Time |
Event |
Location |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m.-Noon | Farewell Brunch | Vail Commons |
Visit Vail Commons to finish your weekend with a traditional Sunday brunch. |
| 10 a.m. | Worship Services | 鶹Ƶ Presbyterian Church | |
| Noon | On-Campus Housing Check-Out Deadline | Various Locations |
Residents must be out of their rooms and have returned their keys and CatCards through the drop boxes in their residence hall lounges, at the Blackwell Alumni House, or in Vail Commons. |