common good

One Swarthmore

Alumni, families, and friends returned to campus after a two-year break
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ollowing a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, alumni, families, and friends returned to campus May 26-29 for Alumni Weekend 2022. This year’s gathering was a joyful celebration of “One Swarthmore,” inviting back all alumni to join those celebrating milestone reunions or who missed their on-campus celebrations in 2020 and 2021. More than 1,400 guests accepted the College’s invitation, and members of the classes of 1947 through 2018 marched in the Parade of Classes.

On Friday night, Bob Putnam ’63 H’90 hosted a discussion, “Swarthmore in the Sixties: Comparing Memories,” based on his prize-winning 2020 book, The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again.

Guests seated at round tables in folding chairs under a white tent with white Christmas lights.
Rev. Paula Lawrence-Wehmiller sits before a microphone wearing a colorful shirt
President Valerie Smith holds a cup and wears a maroon dress.
photos by laurence kesterson
More than 1,400 guests accepted the College’s invitation to attend Alumni Weekend 2022, and members of the classes of 1947 through 2018 marched in the Parade of Classes. Alumni share dinner and conversation under lights in the tent (top). The Rev. Paula Lawrence-Wehmiller ’67 addresses alumni at Collection (bottom left). President Valerie Smith enjoys a chat with alumni (bottom right).
During Saturday’s Alumni Collection, Alumni Council President BoHee Yoon ’01 began with a moment of silence to mark and remember the lives lost to COVID-19 before awarding this year’s alumni service awards. The Rev. Paula Lawrence-Wehmiller ’67 gave this year’s Collection address, “Parable: The Language of the Heart.” Despite a surprise rainstorm and COVID-19 restrictions, the Chester Children’s Chorus put on a lively performance for attendees on Saturday afternoon.

Class reunion committees hosted activities throughout the weekend, including lectures, campus tours, pickleball, wine and saké tastings, memorials, singalongs, and performances by alumni bands.

Affinity groups, including the Swarthmore Black Alumni Network and LGBTQ+ Alumnx Network, organized events for alumni to connect with these growing organizations, such as a Drag Queen Story Hour with Lil Miss Hot Mess ’06.

A special thank you to all our reunion committee members this year and over the past two years who worked hard to find safe, accessible, and fun ways for classes to reconnect and reunite!

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