Fox Cities News

Nearly 800 Lawrence University alumni are set to return to campus for Reunion 2024, beginning June 13 and continuing through June 16. The weekend will include multiple Alumni College presentations, a panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI), an all-reunion cookout, and the annual parade of classes, among other activities.

“Reunion is a celebration of the people, places, and programs that make us uniquely Lawrence,” said Matt Baumler, associate vice president of alumni and community engagement. “We’re expecting nearly 800 alumni and friends to return home this weekend; home to a place where they were a student for four or five years and home to a place they will always be connected. Reunion truly celebrates what it means to be Forever a Lawrentian.”

The following classes and clusters will be celebrated:

- 10th Reunion: Class of 2014

- 20th Reunion: Classes of 2003, 2004, 2005

- 25th Reunion: Class of 1999

- 40th Reunion: Class of 1984

- 45th Reunion: Classes of 1978, 1979, 1980

- 50th Reunion: Class of 1974

- Milwaukee-Downer Golden: Classes of 1973 and older

The Lawrence University Alumni Association (LUAA) will present nine Alumni Awards during the Reunion Convocation on June 15. The recipients include:

- Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award: Cynthia Estlund ’78;

- Marshall B. Hulbert ’26 Outstanding Service Award: Adam Locke ’03;

- Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp M‐D’18 Outstanding Service Award: Rick Davis ’80, Jill Manuel ’84, Bonnie Maas McClellan M-D’62, and Eileen Paulson Johnson M-D’66;

- Nathan M. Pusey Distinguished Achievement Award: Jacob George Allen ’03;

- George B. Walter ’36 Service to Society Award: Christina Balch ’03 and the late Donald Brunnquell ’74.

A Milwaukee-Downer and Golden Reunion luncheon on June 15 will mark the anniversary of the merger between Milwaukee-Downer College and Lawrence College in1964. Downer traditions such as class colors are embraced at Lawrence University today.

In addition to the luncheon, two Downer alumni are among this year’s recipients of Alumni Awards—Bonnie Maas McClellan M-D '62 and Eileen Paulson Johnson M-D '66.

Milwaukee-Downer was formed in1895 with the consolidation of two women's colleges—Milwaukee College and Downer College—and merged with Lawrence in1964 when its campus was sold to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Alumni will have the opportunity to attend sessions presented by Lawrence faculty and alumni on June14. Among them will be a panel discussion titled “Navigating New Applications of AI in Academia and Industry: Efficacy, Ethics, and Inclusivity.” Panelists include Thomas M. Baer '74; Gail J. Sonnemann '74; Mark T. Nelson '74; Joseph J. Bruce '74; Constance Kassor.

Seven other Alumni College sessions will cover topics including maternal mortality rates; remote work's future; journalism in crisis; Elda Anderson's legacy; ethnic studies' necessity; classical singing post-pandemic; craft beer art/science.

Reunion weekend features numerous traditions including dinners,receptions,golf outing,music recital,and Coach Gene Davis Memorial Fun Run/Walk.The event concludes with an address from President Laurie A.Carter at Memorial Chapel.