Welcoming the Class of 2028

Incoming students from the greater Washington, D.C., area had the opportunity to meet fellow families at an area Welcome Event in August.

By Jill Spotz

Nearly 400 incoming family members and students attended this summer’s Welcome Events held throughout the U.S. The gatherings offered a glimpse into the Lafayette College experience as future Leopards met fellow classmates and alumni prior to their arrival on campus. 

Fourteen events were held in locations as distant as Southern California and Boston to as close as the Lehigh Valley in July and August. Not only do welcome events offer incoming students the opportunity to form bonds with classmates before they arrive on campus, but families are also able to connect with each other to learn more about living and learning on College Hill.

“My husband, Bob Young ’77, P’13, and daughter, Megan Young ’13, are alums of Lafayette. I am the outlier but have felt welcomed to the Lafayette family for the last 34 years!” says Helen Young P’13, who hosted an event in New Jersey along with her husband and daughter. “Our annual Welcome Event is a highlight of our year. The new students and their families have an opportunity to meet each other so they have comfort in their new venture and also have some faces they will recognize when they are on campus. Each year has a different feel, but each one is special. We have had other alumni and current students attend. How great is that?”

Fellow parents Emily P’27 and Anthony P’27 Dragun thoroughly enjoyed the Welcome Event they hosted this summer along with their daughter, Anna Dragun ’27. 

“What a wonderful experience it was for everyone,” says Emily. “We enjoyed a barbecue lunch with incoming and current students and their parents, alumni, and staff. By the end of the party, the incoming students had made new friends, and their parents had many questions answered. The Welcome Events offer warmth and reassurance to students as they end their summer and prepare to join this special community.”

“Our family thoroughly enjoyed hosting the greater Philadelphia area Welcome Event at Huntingdon Valley Country Club in August. A rainy start did not hamper the evening; in fact, the room was buzzing with great conversation, students building connections, parents gaining confidence in knowledge, and lots of laughter,” says Deb Gates P’25 ’27

The events set the stage for the Class of 2028, transforming a summer of anticipation into a summer of connections and excitement. Special thanks to the following families for their incredible hospitality and dedication to welcoming the newest members of the Lafayette family:

Scott ’91, P’25’27 and Deb P’25’27 Gates, Carter Gates ’25, and Nate Gates ’27 – Philadelphia area 

Robert ’77, P’13 and Helen P’13 Young and Megan Young ’13 – New Jersey (northern shore)   

Adam ’14 and Amanda ’13  Grey– Lehigh Valley, Pa.

David ’84 and Anita Tesher P’16’19, Taylor Teshner ’16, and Haley Tesher ’19 – Long Island

Paul ’90 and Christine Doherty P’19, and Hannah Doherty ’19 – New Jersey (north)

Alex ’04 and Leslie Karapetian – New Jersey (central)

Barbara ’88 and Todd ’87 Shegog P’25, and George Shegog ’25 – Boston

Jane Kirby ’19 and Barry Bregman ’77 – New York City 

Erin and Philip Boeckman P’25 and Olivia Boeckman ’25 – Connecticut

Loretta and Mark Phillips P’26 and Lucas Phillips ’26 – Southern California

Andy ’93, P’22’26 and Becky Harobin ’92, P’22’26, Tate Harobin ’22, and Lucy Harobin ’26 – New Jersey (southern shore)

Jim Benjamin ’84 and Karen Giles – Atlanta 

Nuala O’Connor P’27, Peter Bass P’27, and Nora Kelly ’27 – Greater Washington, D.C., area