June 13, 2025

Once a Pard, always a Pard

By Jill Spotz

Warm weather, music, and plenty of maroon and leopard print were in full force June 6-8 on College Hill. This year’s Reunion brought the magic back as more than 600 alumni returned to reconnect and celebrate. From milestone classes ending in 0s and 5s to spirited first-time attendees from the Class of 2020, (who represented the largest class in attendance!) Pards of every generation came home to Lafayette to honor lifelong friendships.

The weekend featured more than 50 events, including a welcome toast with President Nicole Farmer Hurd, a happy hour with faculty and staff, information sessions, a picnic on the Quad, a Bicentennial exhibit in Skillman Library, time-honored traditions of the all-alumni parade and singing the alma mater on the steps of Pardee Hall, dancing under the Quad tent, and more. From campus favorites to new experiences, Reunion 2025 offered something for every Leopard.

Reunion Rally 

Reunion Rally from the view of backstage. Chair of the Board of Trustees is standing at the podium

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert E. Sell ’84, H’18 addresses the audience during the Reunion Rally event.

One of the many highlights of the weekend was the Reunion Rally. Now in its second year, the event took place at Colton Chapel on June 7. Alumni ended the parade route in Colton, where members of the Class of 1975 were celebrated for their 50th reunion to a standing ovation and the sound of “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen. Alumni had the opportunity to hear College updates from the chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert E. Sell ’84, H’18, Lafayette President Nicole Farmer Hurd, and Fran Della Badia ’91, president of the alumni association.

“Today we celebrate what Lafayette has meant to all of us, where the College is headed, and Lafayette’s 200 years of impact,” Sell said during his remarks. “That impact is felt by faculty, staff, students, and especially you—alumni who have gone on to positively impact our world. Lafayette alumni are people of consequence through whatever you chose to do and however you chose to use your education. For a small place, Lafayette has an outsized impact on our world, and that hasn’t changed.”

Alumni philanthropy and volunteerism were also celebrated at the Rally. Benjamin Landis, senior director of annual giving, unveiled final giving totals for each reunion class to rising cheers from the crowd. Collectively, all reunion classes contributed more than $14.3 million to support the College this fiscal year. 

In addition, John Mulcahy ’87, P’27, vice president of the alumni association board, presented awards to the following individuals who tirelessly volunteered their time and talents to support Lafayette:   

Megan Young ’13 – Clifton P. Mayfield ’09 Outstanding Young Alumni Award 

Wynn Whitman ’86 – George T. Woodring 1919 Service Award

Sammy Chavin-Grant ’16 – George T. Woodring 1919 Volunteer of the Year Award

Kathleen Squires ’88 – Alumni Association Special Commendation

Wendy Hill, director of the Daniel and Heidi ’91 Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education – Daniel L. Golden ’34 Faculty Service Award

Throughout Reunion weekend, the Lafayette spirit could be felt in every corner of campus. Whether it was the alumna who made the furthest journey (Emily Groves ’05 from Anchorage, Alaska), or those representing the most seasoned class in attendance (Edward Mentzer and Forrest “Lou” Schaffer from the Class of 1955), alumni left College Hill with renewed connections, and were inspired by what lies ahead for Lafayette.

But this weekend wasn’t just about reflecting—it was also about looking forward, a sentiment captured perfectly by President Hurd.

“I am excited about the moment we’re in for Lafayette. We have the upcoming Bicentennial, the strategic plan implementation, a completed campus master plan, and a campaign on the horizon. The alignment is powerful. It’s a time filled with promise—and I’m energized by all that’s ahead,” she said. 

Members of the Class of 1975 climb the stairs near the statue of Marquis de Lafayette at Colton Chapel
The alumni parade ended in Colton Chapel for the Reunion Rally event.
A member of the Class of 1975 is holding a sign that reads 1975.
Members of the Class of 1975 were greeted by a cheering crowd.
Board of Trustees, Robert E. Sell ’84, H’18 is standing at a podium. Leopard balloons are in the background.
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert E. Sell ’84, H’18 addresses the crowd.
President Nicole Farmer Hurd is on a stage with President of the Alumni Association Fran Della Badia '91. They are having a conversation and both are holding microphones.
President Nicole Farmer Hurd and President of the Alumni Association Board Fran Della Badia '91 shared College updates during the event.
John Mulcahy ’87, P’27, vice president of the alumni association board, stands at a podium.
John Mulcahy ’87, P’27, vice president of the alumni association board, presented the volunteer awards.
Fran Della Badia '91, Megan Young '13, and Nicole Farmer Hurd are standing arm in arm and smiling at the camera.
Megan Young ’13 received the Clifton P. Mayfield ’09 Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Fran Della Badia '91, Kathleen Squires '88, and Nicole Farmer Hurd are standing arm in arm and smiling at the camera.
Kathleen Squires ’88 received the Alumni Association Special Commendation.
John Mulcahy ’87, P’27, vice president of the alumni association board, presents an award to Wynn Whitman '86. President Nicole Hurd looks on and claps.
Wynn Whitman ’86 received the George T. Woodring 1919 Service Award.
Wendy Hill, director of the Daniel and Heidi '91 Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education smiles from the audience
Wendy Hill, director of the Daniel and Heidi '91 Hanson Center for Inclusive STEM Education received the Daniel L. Golden ’34 Faculty Service Award.
Benjamin Landis, senior director of annual giving is standing a a podium. Leopard balloons are in the background.
Benjamin Landis, senior director of annual giving, shared final giving totals for each Reunion class. In total more than $14.3 was contributed through Reunion giving to support Lafayette this fiscal year.
A close up of an alumna wearing a maroon flower lei is smiling.
An alumna smiles from the crowd.

View additional photos from the Reunion Rally event on Flickr. 

Scenes from Reunion 2025 

An alumnus is holding a candle and singing.
Trustee Laneta Dorflinger '75 stands at a podium and is smiling.
A woman stands and is clapping.
Members of the Class of 2020 are holding banners that read 2020 at the parade.
Members of the Class of 1985 hold a banner that reads 1985 at the parade.
The Lafayette Leopard mascot holds a 50-plus sign.
Members of the Class of 1975 hold a banner that reads 1975 as they walk in the parade.
Two alumni are standing on the Quad. They are both wearing maroon.
A group of alumni are sitting in chairs and standing on the Quad
A couple are standing with their child near an ice cream truck on the Quad.
Two alumnae walk across the Quad. A sign that reads
A group of four alumni are on the Quad. They are standing together and smiling at the camera.
Samantha Comas and Josh Parr stand in the LaFarm tent at Reunion
A close up photo of a red and white sock that reads
A father and daughter dance under the Quad tent.
A group of nine alumni are smiling at the camera
A group of alumni pose for their Class picture in front of Marquis Hall.
A large group of alumni stand at the goal post at Fisher Field.
Alumni are dancing under the Reunion tent
A group of four alumnae are standing by a firepit and smiling.
The band New Normal performs during Reunion

View additional photos from Reunion on Flickr. 

To learn more about alumni events planned in your area, visit LeopardLink.

Quoted on the Quad

What is your favorite Lafayette memory?

“Looking back, I would say 1,000 Nights and 100 Nights—just because they are so much like bookends. It’s the beginning and the end, and all the growth happens in the middle. And then coming back as an alumna ties everything together."
Elina Stelman ’10
“As a former lacrosse player, one of my favorite memories is spending time in the weight room with Steve Plunkett, director of strength and conditioning. He always brought great energy to our team,” McDonald says. “For me, it was all about the moments in the training room before practice,” Young adds.
Katie McDonald ’20 and Kylie Young ’20
“Winning the intramural wrestling championship and then being recruited to play football,” Geiger says. “That next season, we played at Franklin Field and nearly beat Lehigh—it was unforgettable.” White shares, “Fraternity life brought us together. We’d haul furniture to the old gym for dances with big bands."
Jay Geiger ’62 and Bob White ’64, P’98
“Pulling an all-nighter during a junior-year geotech design project. We were in different classrooms—secretly testing our designs so other teams couldn’t see. We stayed up experimenting, modeling results, cutting paper, and watching the sunrise before grabbing breakfast together."
Daniella Colón-London '10 and Mosi London ’10
“Definitely the friendships! We’re still incredibly close with our roommates and the friends we made here. We even met each other at Lafayette. This year marks our 10-year wedding anniversary, and 15 years after graduation, we’re still connected to that same group."
Jason '10 and Meghan Gray Garman ’10
I used to get my hair cut on Cattell Street—same place, same barber. But when I came back for Reunion in 1980, I thought, let me see if the barber is still there. It said ‘haircuts by appointment only,’ so I was about to leave—but then he came out and said he could take me. Same barber! That was really something.”
John Tolleris ’75
“It was all about the traditions—those are what made Lafayette so special. Things like College Day, football games, especially Lafayette-Lehigh, really brought everyone together. We had some great classes too, but it was that balance of academics and long-standing traditions that created such a memorable experience."
Amy Friedland Fisher ’90, Jadine Marks Finch ’90, Susana Espirito Baird ’90, and Claudine Lilien ’90
Categorized in: Alumni, Alumni Profiles, Featured News, News and Features

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