Dear Mount Holyoke College Class of 1974,
Why come to our 50th Reunion?
Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a memorable experience. We predict that this will be the largest gathering of 1974 classmates ever…and a chance to catch up with them on a beautiful 4-day spring weekend, on a glorious campus surrounded by alums from all over the world, breathing excitement and energy into the very air.
And our class has this once–only opportunity to compare and contrast our MHC experience…50 years later… with the entire graduating 2024 class…to whom we are now connected for life.
We’ll revisit college traditions, enjoy engaging class and college-wide activities, laugh and perhaps cry together…and make new connections with people and places.
Please plan to return to campus on Thursday, May 16th. Here’s an overview of what’s in store for this four–day extravaganza, for your planning purposes.
THURSDAY, May 16
Thursday noon, check-in begins, and we’ll meet in our main dorm (TBD) in the early afternoon and process over to Chapin for the ritual of ‘Scarfing’ the Class members of 2024, welcoming them into the MHC Alum group.The Class of 1974 presents the scarves to the Connections Class of 2024 and all alums are welcome at the ceremony.
Then, we’ll gather outside Chapin for a reception with our Connection Classmates (with regional tables to enhance geographical connections) andour Time Capsule ceremony, where we’ll get a glimpse into the actual capsule and its contents of 25-30 significant MHC Class of 1974 items.
Following dinner, there’s an Author Night at the Odyssey with a local author and then, of course, Libations and Cookies back at the main dorm.
FRIDAY, May 17
Start the day with your own idea of a wake-up ritual…walk the campus, join a yoga class, catch up with friends…
Then enjoy the morning workshops which will (literally) shake things up.
1. Chuck or Cherish-Decisions in Downsizing. Jody Rosenbloom, MA, will offer a toolbox of logistics for de-cluttering our spaces and lives, addressingthe physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of this journey.
2. And then belly dance aficionados Cynthia Polk-Allen and LaVida Dowdell will teach Egyptian Belly Dancing Basics for better health, vitality and fun!This provides a full body massage, while getting a cardio workout and it will prepare us to wear our parade costumes (red belly dance scarves) more authentically in the Saturday parade.
After lunch, check out the amazing Fimbel Maker and Innovation Lab which is attached to Prospect dorm…and wander at will.
The college offers Back to Class options to hear from MHC faculty and fellow alums about topics of interest.
The evening begins with a reception hosted by President Holley followed by a class dinner in Willits-Hallowell hosted by the Development Office and the Alumnae Association. The evening will round out with a rousing game of “Super Jeopardy Bowl LXXIV” hosted by classmates Saunders & Saunders, for which you’ll need to dig deep into your memory banks, back to the early 70s at MHC.
SATURDAY, May 18
This is our 12th reunion parade experience…always a pleasure. This reunion is special because the graduating class, our Connections Class, 2024, will be leading the way…and it’s followed by the Alumnae Association Annual Meeting in Chapin where the 1974 and 2024 ‘class histories’ will comment on the evolution of MHC and the world over the last 50 years.
A community cookout follows the Annual meeting, then our Class Photoand our own Class meeting will complete the scheduled afternoon activities.At the class meeting, we’ll formally vote in the next team of Class Leaders(see the 2024-2029 Proposed Slate of Officers in my year-end letter, on our Class of 1974 website), and acknowledge those who have served so well through these tumultuous past five years. The meeting will wrap up with a moving ceremony in honor of our deceased classmates.
The remainder of the afternoon is designed for you to relax, wander, check out the greenhouse or art museum, adventure with friends or go wherever your imagination calls.
The college offers the Department-at-homes and Cultural Center open houses as well.
But don’t wander too far, as Saturday night, we are among the VIPs on campus. Our special events start with a cocktail hour on the Lab Theatre patio, then we’ll gather in Chapin Hall for a gala catered dinner. After dessert, there will be a series of performances by 1974 classmates on the Chapin stage. Wondering what they’ll be? No spoilers…might be song, dance, poetry or other readings…it’s all in the works.
SUNDAY, May 19
Take the morning to do whatever you didn’t get around to, or enjoy college-sponsored programs, take a last walk around campus, a short trip to Atkins Farms or other nearby sentimental spots, and bid goodbye to long-term and newly formed friendships.
That’s the WHO/WHAT/WHY part of the reunion schedule.
Gail LaRocca, our Reunion Chair, will take all your questions and comments and spell out the WHEN/WHERE/HOW details in her Reunion Letter next month and at our Tuesday, March 19th Zoomtails at 7pm EST. Don’t miss it!
In the meantime, please visit mtholyoke.edu/alums/reunion for details and updates.
Here are some of Gail’s planning specifics that you need to know NOW:
• The Reunion registration form will arrive in your email inbox on Monday, March 18. There will be a link to view all the planned activities for the weekend. Do not delay in securing your reservation. The reservation deadline, to avoid a late payment, is April 15th !
• Not a fan of dorm single beds and communal bathrooms? If you are looking for off– campus housing it may be difficult now. Try a google search of “Hotels near Mount Holyoke College” and do a further search on Hotels.com, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Airbnb and VRBO. Be willing to travel more than 20 minutes to campus.
• When the registration period begins, you will be able to see who is coming to reunion and perhaps organize your own rideshare, directly or through our Facebook page.
• Don’t forget to pack white clothes for the parade!
Here are some of Gail’s planning specifics that you need to know NOW:
And let’s not forget that this is also a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to support Mount Holyoke in a BIG way…in hopes that it “forever shall be”. We do that by getting in action during the March4MHC campaign, answering the call when your class agent reaches out to you.
This campaign will launch on Monday, March 4th and run through Friday, March 8th. In addition to making a gift for this fiscal year, you can also pledge forward for 5 years and pledges through June 2028 count toward our Reunion gift totals.
You recently received a postcard about the campaign and can refresh your memory here. Jane Zimmy, Debby Hall, Leslie Bowen, LaVida Dowdell and all of their Class Agent colleagues are working hard to create the momentum that will fulfill this goal. Please add your gift, of whatever size, to the momentum.
And my last request, of course, is to please join us at our 50th. Gail and all of her reunion sub-committees are well-organized and working diligently to pull together every last detail of a memorable event. Your participation will be the crowning touch.
Many thanks for joining me on this journey…it’s been an honor to work with the capable, energetic and productive committee members and project volunteers who give their time and energy to the remarkable Class of 1974!
With great anticipation to see many of you at our 5oth Reunion,
Melissa L. Thornton
President, MHC Class of 1974
