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, including a panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI), an all-reunion cookout, and the annual parade of classes, among many 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 in 1964. Downer traditions such as class colors are embraced at Lawrence University today. Historical items like the Teakwood Room in Chapman Hall remain important pieces on campus.

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

Milwaukee-Downer was formed in 1895 with the consolidation of two women's colleges in Wisconsin. In its merger with Lawrence in 1964, students and faculty members transitioned from Downer's east side Milwaukee campus to Lawrence's Appleton location.

Alumni College sessions presented by Lawrence faculty and alumni will commence on June 14. Among them is a panel discussion titled “Navigating New Applications of AI in Academia and Industry.” Panelists include Thomas M. Baer '74 from Stanford University Photonics Research Center (retired), Gail J. Sonnemann '74 formerly with the U.S. Copyright Office (retired), Mark T. Nelson '74 CEO at Microscopy Innovations, Joseph J. Bruce '74 retired Illinois Circuit Court judge; along with Constance Kassor from Lawrence University's Department of Religious Studies.

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

Reunion weekend features various traditions including Vikings Athletics’ golf outing, an alumni music recital, Coach Gene Davis Memorial Fun Run/Walk Parade leading into Convocation cookout day trip to Björklunden.

In addition to presenting awards during Convocation held at Memorial Chapel class gifts music by Alumni Choir address from President Laurie A Carter.