Salve Regina to host virtual Reunion Weekend, a lineup of events for alumni

The Office of Alumni, Parent and Family Programs is hosting its annual Reunion Weekend on Friday, June 4 through Sunday, June 6. From virtual trivia nights to champagne toasts, Salve Regina alumni can look forward to an exciting and unique party within their homes to commemorate their reunion. To register for the online Reunion Weekend events, go here.

“Reunion Weekend has always been about reconnecting with fellow classmates,” said Gerry Willis, director of the Office of Alumni, Parent and Family Programs. “For many, it’s the only time of the year that they get to see their classmates. There’s also a significant networking opportunity for alumni — particularly for younger alumni.”

This year, there was also an opportunity to relive college days with gifts from Newport. The Office of Alumni, Parent and Family Programs created a celebration kit full of Newport and Salve Regina-themed swag for Reunion Weekend. Kits, which were sent out this week to participants, included Salve Regina cups, coasters and corkscrews along with Del’s lemonade, sunglasses and more

“We tried to create as much of a connection to Salve – and Newport – as possible,” said Willis. “We felt that including items that our alumni could actually possess – such as our signature bottle opener and cup – and Newport events like an O’Brien’s Pub car magnet and quart packet of Del’s lemonade, would help create a sense of Salve Regina and Newport.”

Reunion Weekend has been a tradition at Salve Regina for decades. Back in the 1950s there were two groups of current students’ parents, Ladies Guild and the Father’s Club, that helped organize programs, activities and dances for students. Eventually, as Salve Regina graduated more and more students, these graduates joined the ranks of the Ladies Guild, which developed into Salve Regina’s original alumni association.

During the 1960s, the Ladies Guild continued to be very active with programming events for students, and it eventually produced the first campus events for alumni – including the first alumni weekends. These later on became known as Reunion Weekends.

“Of note was an interesting event the Ladies Guild put on in the late 1950s – a book signing in Ochre Court for a new author who had just written a book called ‘Profiles in Courage,’ ” said Willis. “The author was John F. Kennedy.”

To register for the virtual Reunion Weekend events, go here.

Featured photo is from Reunion Weekend in 2019.