Reunions With A Twist Catching up with old friends and visiting old haunts through reunions is perhaps one of the most valuable opportunities an alumni program can offer its constituents. In past years, however, the typical class reunion hasn’t always proven successful in terms of attracting lots of alumni back to campus. So the Alumni Program is modifying the traditional reunion structure to focus on specific groups of former students who spent many of their days at Old Dominion together. “It’s the people they hung out with or lived with or studied with that alumni want to come back to see,” said Claire Geiger Ackiss ’99, interim director of alumni relations. As a student you didn’t know most of the people in your graduating class, but you did know the people who were in your major, lived in your dorm or joined the same organizations.” The Alumni Association tested this theory in April when WODU, Old Dominion’s campus radio station, brought more than 70 former station members back to campus for a reunion and celebration of its 30th anniversary. The reunion provided a full day of activities, including a campus tour, luncheon, dinner reception and after-hours party, as well as opportunities for alumni to relive their WODU disc jockey days by doing guest spots on the radio. “Our goal was to invite back all our alumni so they could see how the station has grown since they left and tell them about plans for the future of the station, including renovations to the existing studio space and expanding our coverage, but I think the reunion accomplished much more than that,” said James Toscano ’02, reunion chairman and WODU general manager in 2000-02. “The reunion brought people with a common bond back together.” He added that plans are under way to charter a WODU alumni chapter, as well as to hold another reunion in 2007. “Not only did these alumni enjoy coming back to campus and seeing each other again, but they now have found a firm way to reconnect with their alma mater and to become active alumni,” said Ackiss. “We hope that our new reunion program will produce similar scenarios with other groups.” The newly designed reunion program will sponsor four get-togethers in 2003: a black alumni reunion April 4-6; a Mace & Crown reunion April 12; a physical therapy reunion April 25-26; and a cheerleaders and pep band reunion prior to a basketball game this winter (date to be determined). Additionally, an all-Greek reunion will be held in spring 2004, and 25- and 50-year reunions are in the works for 2005 in conjunction with the university’s 75th anniversary. For more information call the Office of Alumni Relations at 683-3097 or 888-ODU-3435 (toll-free). –Sylvia Corneliussen ’01