April 2, 2008

Alumni to reconnect, relax at annual Gala Weekend

Marty Burns, senior director of alumni activities at the Purdue Alumni Association, said Gala Weekend gives alumni who may not have traveled to campus in many years the chance to reconnect with the university and former classmates.

"Gala Weekend goes back to the early part of the last century," Burns said. "It was a traditional time for alumni to come back to campus. They look forward to seeing all the changes on campus and to renewing old friendships."

In addition, Gala Weekend will once again run in conjunction with Spring Fest, which this year will be Saturday and Sunday (April 12and 13). Burns said holding the two celebrations concurrently gives alumni a variety of entertainment and activities from which to choose.

Gala Weekend this year will honor the Class of 1958.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (April 12), alumni can tour the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center at 403 W. Wood St. All alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago will be treated to a free box lunch compliments of the Purdue Alumni Association.

The Class of 1958 will be honored at a 50th reunion reception and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Shively Stadium Club at Ross-Ade Pavilion. Tickets are $50 a person. Reservations are required.

"The 50th reunion dinner used to be a very formal affair, but the classes decided to change it to casual black and gold," Burns said. "People seem to enjoy being able to talk and relax in a less rigid environment."

Sunday will feature the class parade, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. Alumni will assemble by class year between Stewart Center and the Purdue Memorial Union. A member of each class holds a flag signifying their class's graduating year for the march to John Purdue's grave, where Purdue President Emeritus Steven C. Beering will lead a brief memorial service.

"The parade is always popular because we bring out the Boilermaker Special, Purdue Pete and some of the band," Burns said. "It has all those elements that turn back the clock for people."

At 11:30 a.m. Sunday (April 13), the Loyalty Luncheon in the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom will honor the classes of 1958, 1953, 1948, 1943, 1938 and 1933. All alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago are invited and will be presented with Forever Medallions in a special ceremony. Tickets are $25 a person, and reservations are required.

"We have many alumni who come back for their 50-year reunion who haven't been to campus since they graduated," she said. "It seems to be a keystone reunion for many of them. It's a good opportunity to see Purdue again. They get to remember what it was like when they were here and marvel at what has changed."

A complete listing of Gala Weekend events and information on how to register can be found on the Purdue Alumni Association Web site at https://www.purduealum.org/gala.

Writer: Valerie O'Brien, (765) 494-9573, vobrien@purdue.edu

Source: Marty Burns, (765) 494-5181, mjburns@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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