Alumni reconnect with Rensselaer at Reunion 2001

Reunion 2001 brought back 1,167 alumni and their family and guests to visit campus and reunite with former classmates the weekend of June 7 to 10. Members of Reunion class years ending in 1 and 6 and the 50 Year Club were joined by information technology professionals and Lally Graduate School alumni, who were also holding reunions.

The Class of ’51, celebrating its 50th Reunion, broke attendance records with 158 alumni attending. A large and dedicated committee of graduates from the class had planned their events over several years and the resulting reunion was special.

“The Class of 1951’s 50th Reunion was the largest, the best, the most enjoyable reunion that any class ever had,” said Al Harrison ’51. “Every event went so smoothly that having fun was everywhere.”

The weekend’s events included campus tours, bus tours of historic Troy and the Rensselaer Technology Park, an all-class dinner cruise, academic presentations, and the annual class parade and picnic.

The Parade of Classes, following a new route this year, was led across the pedestrian bridge over 15th Street and into the picnic site in the Alumni Sports and Recreation Center (Armory) by Izzy Warshaw ’23, the oldest alumnus in attendance and one of the most spry: He danced a jig while waiting for the parade to set off.

Warshaw then took a place among the parade judges as they greeted each class and accepted the usual bribes. The judges declared the Class of ’51 “Top Gun,” remarking on their “unbelievable participation!”

President Jackson presented the State of the Institute address to an overflowing crowd in the Darrin Communications Center, detailing the progress of the Rensselaer Plan, which she said had been jump-started by the $360 million gift from an anonymous donor.

“Dr. Jackson’s presentation of the vision and future of RPI was exciting and electrifying,” said Art Castro ’56. “Made me wish I was 17 again and had a chance to re-up!”

For those interested in professional networking, David Goodman ’60, a noted expert in the field of wireless communications, gave a keynote address titled “Wireless Internet: Opportunity and Challenges.”

All classes enjoyed their individual class dinners, where classmates had an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and revel, from those who’d been away for decades to the most recent graduates.

“Reunion was a blast!” said Hank Carbone ’96. “It was a great opportunity to visit with friends and see the changes on campus.”