“Cluster Reunions” Introduced at Houghton

Do you wish you could reconnect with Houghton College alumni from the class ahead or behind you, as well as your own class?

Quite a number of alumni have said, “Yes, I wish I could!”  The alumni office now has a plan in place to help you get reacquainted with your friends.  It’s called “Cluster Reunions.”

There will be two kinds of reunion groups invited.  First, significant reunion years are called “Landmark” reunions.  These will be the 10-year, 25-year, 40-year and 50-year reunions for any given class.  Those classes will be invited to campus as a single class to celebrate their reunion.

The second group of individuals will be “clusters” or multiple groups of classes.

►    The most recent five years of graduates will be invited to come back EVERY year for Alumni Weekend II.  For example, during the alumni weekends in July of 2003, we invited the classes of ’02, ’01, ’00, ’99 and ’98 to come back as a cluster.  In the summer of 2004, we will invite the classes of ’03, ’02, ’01, ’00 and ’99, and so on.

►    Classes at or near their 15^th, 20^th, 30^th, 35^th, and 45^th reunion years will be invited in three-year groups or “clusters”.  For example, during the summer of 2003 we invited the classes of ’57, ’58 and ’59; ’67, ’68, and ’69; and ’82, ’83, and ’84 to come in ‘clusters’.  The cluster you will be part of may be a year ahead of or a year after your specific reunion year, but the important thing is that you get a chance to reconnect with more than people from just your class.  Your 15^th cluster would be different from your 20^th cluster and your 30^th cluster would be different again.

►    We will invite all graduates beyond their 50^th reunion to return to campus every year as our Senior Alumni Cluster during alumni weekend I.  We would pay special attention to those who would be celebrating their 55^th, 60^th, 65^th and 70^th reunions.

Landmark Reunions are class reunions at the 10-year, 25-year, 40-year and 50-year celebrations of that class’s graduation.  These classes will be invited to the reunion weekends in the summer as a single class to renew friendship. 

Cluster Reunions are reunions of groups of classes coming together.  The most recent 5-years of classes will be invited every year as a “Young Alumni Cluster.”  The Senior Alumni, graduates of more than fifty years, will be invited every year as the “Senior Alumni Cluster.”  Other alumni will be invited in 3-year clusters at or near their 15^th, 20^th, 30^th, 35^th, and 45^th reunion year.  Each time you come in a cluster, it will be slightly different from the previous cluster you come in.

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Use the following links to find out “Who’s Coming When” and the answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” about Alumni Weekends.

Who’s Coming When?

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July 7-9, 2006 – AW I

Landmark Reunions for:

• ’56 and ‘66

Cluster Reunions for:

• ’60, ’61 and ‘62

• Senior Alumni Cluster (all grads prior to ’56 with emphasis on ’36, ’41, ’46 and ’51)

July 14-16, 2006 – AW II

Landmark Reunions for:

• ’81 and ‘96

Cluster Reunions for:

• Young Alumni Cluster (all grads in the most recent 5 graduating classes – ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04 and ’05)

• ’85, 86 and ‘87

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July 13-15, 2007 – AW I

Landmark Reunions for:

• ’57 and ‘67

Cluster Reunions for:

• ’71, ’72 and ‘73

• Senior Alumni Cluster (all grads prior to ’57 with emphasis on ’37, ’42, ’47 and ’52)

July 20-22, 2007 – AW II

Landmark Reunions for:

• ’82 and ‘97

Cluster Reunions for:

• Young Alumni Cluster (all grads in the most recent 5 graduating classes – ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05 and ’06)

• ’91, ’92, ’93

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July 11-13, 2008 – AW I

Landmark Reunions for:

• ’58 and ‘68

Cluster Reunions for:

• Senior Alumni Cluster (all grads prior to ’58 with emphasis on ’38, ’43, ’48 and ’53)

July 18-20, 2008 – AW II

Landmark Reunions for:

• ’83 and ‘98

Cluster Reunions for:

• Young Alumni Cluster (all grads in the most recent 5 graduating classes – ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06 and ’07)

• ’77, ’78 and ‘79

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Most Frequently Asked Questions About Reunion Weekend 2003

Q: When will we receive registration materials?

Q: What does the registration fee include?

Q: What type of lodging is available during reunion weekends?

Q: Where are my friends staying?

Q:  Will class newsletters be made available?

Q: Can I bring my children to my class reunion? What types of activities are available?

Q: Are pets allowed on campus?

Q: If I have special dietary requirements, will arrangements be made?

Q: What should I pack?

Q: When will we receive registration materials?

A: Registration forms and the tentative schedule of events will be mailed to you in the spring. Forms need to be returned to the Alumni Office by the date on the registration form.  We cannot guarantee housing for those registering late. You can save $5 per person off the registration fee by registering online at our Houghton College Alumni Online Community at www.houghton.onlinecommunity.com and clicking on "Event Registration."  If you're not a registered member, you can join by clicking on the "First Time User" option at the top.  You do not need to be a registered member to use the Event Registration option.

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Q: What happens during Alumni Weekends?

A: The weekends will include entertainment, receptions, campus tours, and lots of good food and fellowship!  Food and lodging options are all charged a' la carte.  Check the registration form for the costs.  There will be lots of free time to reconnect with friends and classmates.

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Q: What type of lodging is available during reunion weekends?

A: All reunion classes will be housed on campus. As much as possible, members of your class are housed together. Cluster reunions are housed as closely together as possible. Your class is assigned to college lodging based on the numbers that are returning for your class.  Some handicap access rooms are available. Please make note on your registration form if special housing arrangements are needed.  There are no RV hookups available.  If you are brining your RV and need hookups, contact Mariposa Campground, located on Centerville Rd. (585-567-4211).  Off campus lodging availability is limited. Arrangements are made by you.

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Q: Where are my friends staying?

A: Most reunion classes will be housed in the same location. Please make arrangements with one another if you would like to share a room. Both parties should indicate on the registration form that they would like to be rooming with each other.

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Q:  Will class newsletters be made available?

A:  Class newsletters will be written only for ‘landmark’ class reunions.

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Q: Can I bring my children to my class reunion? What types of activities are available?

A: A full program for children of alumni is offered during Alumni Weekend II.  Local and student volunteers will be available for childcare beyond the hours provided through the Kids’ Program.

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Q: Are pets allowed on campus?

A: We are sorry, but pets are not allowed on campus. Please make alternate arrangements.

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Q: If I have special dietary requirements, will arrangements be made?

A: Yes. Please indicate on your registration form if you have special dietary requirements. Dining and conference services will make the necessary arrangements.

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Q: What should I pack?

A: We recommend packing casual clothes with fancier apparel for the banquets. In case of rain or cold weather, bring slickers, sweaters, and umbrellas. A limited number of highchairs may be available in the dining hall. Families with young children that need cribs and playpens should make arrangements to bring them.  There will be a supervised ‘toddler’s corner’ in the campus center where parents can drop off their toddlers for several hours at a time to allow alumni to enjoy the company of friends.  Telephones are not available in residence hall rooms, but every residence hall has a pay phone. Bring your own clock if you need an alarm. Every guest will be provided linens, one blanket, one pillow, and a set of towels. You should pack necessary toiletries, hangers, and an iron.  A fan is a good item to bring, especially if we have a summer like we did last year!

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