Reunited with purpose

By Margaret Wilson

Jillian Turkmany Žalys ’20 (far right) and Nyla Durdin ’20 (far left) are pictured at Reunion with classmates. As members of the Class of 2020 Reunion Planning Committee, they helped achieve the highest representation of a single class at Reunion and worked together to raise more than $12,000 in support for the Lafayette College Fund.

Nyla Durdin ’20 was in an African American studies class when she heard Lafayette would be pausing classes for about two weeks. 

As the pandemic drastically altered the course of everyone’s lives, Durdin and the rest of the Class of 2020 celebrated their accomplishments, including Commencement, virtually.

Despite that disappointment, Durdin is still committed to Lafayette. Durdin, along with her former roommate, Jillian Turkmany Žalys ’20, are now members of the Class of 2020 Reunion Planning Committee, who were tasked with planning the class’s fifth reunion. During the weekend, their class achieved the highest representation of a single class and worked together to raise more than $12,000 in support for the Lafayette College Fund, which enhances many aspects of the Lafayette experience including financial aid, academic programs, student-faculty research, and more. Their class gift amount more than doubled the original fundraising goal.

“There’s been such a hole in our hearts,” Durdin says. “I feel like our class is so passionate about the love we have for the school, it felt like a no-brainer to get involved and rally people for Reunion.” 

“It’s been fun to be engaged with the school again,” Žalys says, who currently lives in California with her husband, Paulius Žalys ’19, whom she met at Lafayette. “Lafayette has given me so much, and I’m so excited to be back with everyone.”

From the beginning of the pandemic, the Class of 2020 was committed to staying connected against all odds. That included socially distanced reunions on the Quad during move-out, networking with each other as they entered their careers, and coming together for their in-person graduation put on by the College in 2022. 

“I wanted to encourage classmates to attend [the 2022 graduation] because I felt like it would be really special if we all went,” Durdin says. “I worked with the school to get a bus from New York City for any Lafayette students who wanted to attend, and the bus was full on the way there and the way back.”

“[The College] made it feel like a normal graduation,” Žalys says. “It felt like some sort of closure, so I’m glad they ended up doing that.” 

Jillian Turkmany Žalys ’20 and Nyla Durdin ’20

Their drive to return to Lafayette and reminisce about their time there are fueled primarily by the good memories that Durdin, Žalys, and their classmates have of their years at the College. 

Durdin, who is originally from California, came to Lafayette without knowing anyone. She was able to find her place on campus quickly. 

“As a college student, it’s so scary to try something new and do things without your friends,” she says. “Lafayette always encouraged me to get involved, making it accessible and easy to do things on my own. We were able to make so many different friends through all of our extracurriculars and various activities, and I never felt afraid to be independent within the school.” 

“The community of people was amazing,” Žalys says. “The professors were incredibly supportive, always there when you needed them. I’ve stayed close with an amazing group of people—I met some of my best friends at Lafayette and my husband. It gave me so much more than just an education.” 

Nyla Durdin ’20 (left) and Jillian Turkmany Žalys ’20 (center) are pictured with classmates at Jillian’s wedding.

Both Durdin and Žalys come from a background of volunteerism, which has encouraged them to get involved in the committee. During their time at Lafayette, both volunteered in downtown Easton and were active in sorority life. Durdin was an orientation leader, Conversation PARDner, and participated in the 2020 Senior Class Gift Committee, now staying in touch with Alumni and Family Engagement to continue her efforts. 

Žalys currently works as a development and special events manager with Mychal’s Learning Place, and has lent her talents to Reunion planning. 

From Reunion and beyond, Durdin, Žalys, and the rest of the Class of 2020 are leading with gratitude. Another member of their class recently pointed out to Durdin how, in retrospect, their time at Lafayette was unparalleled. By giving back to the College in such a significant way, the members of the Class of 2020 are ensuring a positive experience for future students. 

“She said, ‘I just can’t believe that was our lives. We were so lucky to be with each other every day, sleep in the dorms, and wake up and go to Marquis. I can’t believe we did that every day for four years,’” Durdin says.

“I think about being on the Quad with people and enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful campus. Everything was so positive,” Žalys says. “It was a happy place.”

Reunion is an opportune time for alumni to support the programs and initiatives that helped contribute to their success. These gifts are a powerful way to honor the impact Lafayette has had on their lives while ensuring current and future students benefit from the same transformative experiences. Collectively, Reunion giving surpassed $14 million this fiscal year—a remarkable show of loyalty and generosity. 

“We are deeply grateful to all who gave back in celebration of their milestone year, especially members of the Class of 2020,” says Durdin. “Class giving supports the initiatives and programs that we enjoyed as students and provides the opportunity to pay it forward.”