Reunion 2014!

Hopkins' 2014 Reunion took place on June 13–14, with more than 400 alumni/ae and guests returning to campus. Alumni/ae attended a luncheon in Heath Commons to hear from Distinguished Alumnus Linc Caplan '68 HGS, attended special programs led by fellow alumni/ae and Hopkins students, many played in the Alumni Lacrosse game, and the culminating point of Reunion: dinner under the Big Tent with a rocking musical backdrop provided by Jim Lawson and the Reunion Band!

Reunion began on Friday, June 13 with class-organized parties at local restaurants and homes. School-sponsored events began on Saturdaymorning with a 50th Reunion breakfast and tour, as well as a Run/Walk in honor of retired faculty, Clay Hall. In addition to a cookout, alumni/ae athletic games (although most were cancelled due to the very wet conditions), campus tours and children’s activities, there were lots of opportunities to get to know the Hopkins of today.

In the morning, alumni/ae gathered in Thompson Hall for a panel discussion which spanned the History of the Girls' Schools of New Haven to Hopkins today, pairing former faculty Betty Bradley Benedict '40 DAY and current Hopkins faculty Donna Fasano '68 DPH, with three Hopkins students. The dialogue and unique format covered remembrances of the Girls' Schools: The Day School, Prospect Hill, and Day Prospect Hill Schools, to questions to the current students about their work load, extracurricular activities and their impressions of the diversity in their classes. It proved to be an interesting discussion.

The annual alumni/ae luncheon in Heath Commons followed, where 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Linc Caplan '68 HGS, spoke about why financial aid and diversity at Hopkins really matter. Please watch this informative and engaging talk in the attached video. To read more about Linc Caplan and the Distinguished Alumnus Award, please read this article from October 2013.

Afternoon events included a chamber concert in remembrance of renowned oboist, Bill Bennett '74, a lecture on medical errors by Dr. Fred Southwick '64 HGS, as well as a networking gathering for professionals in technology fields.

While some of our alumni/ae games were cancelled due to soggy fields, the Alumni Lacrosse game went ahead on the turf field in the pit to the excitement of the players who returned for the game. Coach Sandy MacMullen reports: "The Alumni Lacrosse game continued its string of strong attendance with over forty players from graduation years 1983-2014 represented. Older players mingled with younger ones and friendships were renewed or created, especially among the seven attendees who also went to Tufts University. In a spirited contest in which there was not a single penalty called, the Evens prevailed over the Odds 15-14 with a score just at the final buzzer. Next year will mark the 35th occurrence of this annual game and we hope to have a large turnout for that event."

As the daytime activities came to a close, more Reunion alumni/ae arrived on campus for the evening's cocktail hour and dinner under the tent. The Harmonaires made a special appearance and invited former members to the stage to join them for a song. The main musical event was Jim Lawson and the Reunion Band, who rocked the tent with classics from the decades. Band members included Hopkins' own Jim Lawson, Ian Melchinger '88, Nyah Macklin '12, Gerry Giaimo '87, and John & Bill Macchia. See a few of their tunes in the attached video!

It was a successful and joyful Reunion for the hundreds of alumni/ae who returned to Hopkins, to reconnect with one another and catch up with life on the Hill.

Reunion 2014 Facts & Figures

Highest attendance at Reunion:
By number: 2009 with 58 people
By percentage: 2009 with 40% of the class in attendance