Nearly 300 University of Maine alumni and guests from the graduating classes of 1951, 1956, 1966, and 1971 will return to Orono September 14-17 for class reunions.
The event will be extra-special for the Class of 1966, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its graduation commencement. Many members of that class have vivid memories from their sophomore year of learning about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which occurred just a month after his October 1963 speech at UMaine.
In addition, many members of Senior Alumni—UMaine graduates whose graduating class held its 50th reunion in previous years—will also be in Orono to take part in reunion events.
Attendees will gather on campus to reconnect, to revisit memorable landmarks, and to tour the many new additions and changes to campus that have occurred since their days as students. The individual classes will also hold class meetings and memorial services, honor recipients of alumni awards, attend a dinner and reception with UMaine President Susan J. Hunter, and meet with current students and faculty members. Many of the returning alumni will attend the September 17 performance of Capitol Steps taking place at UMaine’s Collins Center for the Arts as well as enjoy familiar and new foods and experiences offered by off-campus restaurants and event centers.
Other UMaine graduating classes will return to the UMaine campus on Oct. 14-16 for Homecoming 2016. Along with a number of events and activities, special programs and receptions will be held to celebrate the reunions of more recent graduating classes: those between 1976 and 2011 whose graduation year ends in a one or six.
Homecoming and class reunions are organized by the University of Maine Alumni Association, an independent 107,000-member organization which supports and advocates for UMaine and its alumni. More information is available at umainealumni.com.