Signature Reunion Events are highlighted in green.
Early registration is recommended for all activities.
Thursday, May 19
12-1 P.m.
Program in Physical Therapy Tour
4444 Forest Park Avenue
50th Reunion Physical Therapy alumni are invited for a tour of the Program in Physical Therapy department. Meet in the lobby of the 4444 Building.
3-8:30 p.m.
50th Reunion Medallion Ceremony and Reception
50th Reunion Tent on Mudd Field and Graham Chapel
The Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 will don cap and gown for this momentous event led by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. Celebrants will proceed into Graham Chapel, participate in a beautiful ceremony, and receive a keepsake 50th Reunion medallion. Family members and guests are welcome to join in this special, not-to-be missed event for your 50th Reunion. A reception will follow the Medallion Ceremony. Business casual attire.
3 p.m. | Registration and robing
5 p.m. | Medallion Ceremony
6:15-8:30 p.m. | Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres reception
If you would like to receive the link to the livestream of the Medallion Ceremony, please click here fill out the registration form.
Friday, May 20
6:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
50th Reunion Breakfast, Robing, Commencement March, and Lunch
50th Reunion Tent on Mudd Field
Experience Commencement once again as you lead the procession into Francis Field! Commencement is an important and moving event in the lives of students, faculty, parents, and alumni. Many past 50th Reunion attendees fondly look back on this event as one of their favorite experiences during Reunion. Family members and guests are welcome to attend and will have special seating during the ceremony. Business casual attire and comfortable shoes are suggested.
6:30 a.m. | Breakfast and robing
8:30 a.m. | Commencement
11:30 a.m. | Lunch
1:30-3:30 P.m.
Tour & Presentation of the Cortex Innovation Community
Departure point: Mallinckrodt Center
Join fellow alumni on an exclusive tour and presentation of the Cortex Innovation Community. Cortex is a 200-acre urban hub of innovation and entrepreneurship located between the Central West End and Forest Park Southeast neighborhoods and surrounded by nationally ranked universities and the WashU medical centers. During this event, you will have an opportunity to tour the campus, learn about the history and mission of the community, as well as plans for expansion. The tour will be followed by a presentation with Natalie Self, the Senior Vice President of Equitable Economic Impact.
The tour will include light walking and be operated via shuttle bus.
2-3:30 p.m.
Greek Life Reception
Rettner Gallery, Wrighton Hall
Reconnect with your fellow fraternity or sorority members at the Greek Life Reception. Each chapter will have a dedicated seating area for members to celebrate and reminisce together. Light snacks will be provided.
3-4 P.m.
Faculty Presentation: Jonathan Losos
Room 234, Danforth University Center
Learn about the university’s efforts to conserve biodiversity and sustain life on earth from Jonathan Losos, the William H. Danforth Distinguished Professor and director of the Living Earth Collaborative. In January 2018, the Living Earth Collaborative formed as a unique partnership between a leading university, a top zoo, and a world-class botanical garden. Washington University, the St. Louis Zoo, and Missouri Botanical Garden are collaborating to advance research, conservation, and education about the animals, plants, and microbes that populate our shared planet.
3-4:30 P.m.
Explore the Founding Fathers Special Collection with Washington University Libraries
Room 142, Olin Library
Join Rare Books Curator, Cassie Brand, as she shares a brief history of Washington University’s copy of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson’s book collection, and other fascinating materials in our Special Collections related to the Founding Fathers. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and an opportunity to see and touch some of the materials discussed.
7-10 p.m.
50th Reunion Friday Night Reception
Gateway Arch, 11 North 4th Street
Join the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 for an evening at the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis! Enjoy cocktails and gourmet food stations while reminiscing with your classmates. Of course, no visit to the Arch is complete without a journey to the top! Don’t miss your opportunity to experience this breathtaking monument and appreciate the best view in St. Louis on a tram ride.
Valet parking at Gateway Arch or shuttle service from Washington University Danforth Campus is available.
$40 per person
Saturday, May 21
8:45-9:45 A.m.
East End Transformation Tour 1
Knight Hall and Bauer Hall Entrance (Campus Side)
Dedicated in 2019, the buildings of the East End and Tisch Park are the result of a sweeping campus planning, design and construction project known as the “East End Transformation.”
The project encompassed 18 acres of the Danforth Campus, adding five buildings, expanding the university’s world-class Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, relocating hundreds of surface parking spaces underground, and creating an expansive new park. The result is an inclusive and welcoming environment, and a unique infrastructure for learning, working and visiting campus.
Experience the East End with a walking tour led by associate vice chancellor and university architect Jamie Kolker, FAIA, LEED AP. In this role, Jamie was one of the visionaries behind the East End Transformation and is responsible for stewardship of the university’s campuses, leadership of campus planning, and for the design and development of all capital projects, renovation and new facilities, space management, and project planning and programming.
9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Chancellor’s Brunch
Knight Hall and Bauer Hall
Enjoy a brunch hosted by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin in Knight and Bauer Hall. During the brunch Chancellor Martin will provide a university update and toast to all Reunion celebrants. Business casual attire is suggested.
$30 per person
12:30–1:30 p.m.
East End Transformation Tour 2
East End, Danforth Campus
Dedicated in 2019, the buildings of the East End and Tisch Park are the result of a sweeping campus planning, design and construction project known as the “East End Transformation.”
The project encompassed 18 acres of the Danforth Campus, adding five buildings, expanding the university’s world-class Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, relocating hundreds of surface parking spaces underground, and creating an expansive new park. The result is an inclusive and welcoming environment, and a unique infrastructure for learning, working and visiting campus.
Experience the East End with a walking tour led by associate vice chancellor and university architect Jamie Kolker, FAIA, LEED AP. In this role, Jamie was one of the visionaries behind the East End Transformation and is responsible for stewardship of the university’s campuses, leadership of campus planning, and for the design and development of all capital projects, renovation and new facilities, space management, and project planning and programming.
12:30–1:30 p.m.
WashU Medical Spotlight: Health Information and Data Science – Faster research, more cures, healthier communities
McGinnis Classroom, Knight Hall and Bauer Hall
Hear from Philip R.O. Payne, PhD, FACMI, FAMIA, FAIMBE, FIAHSI, the founding director of the Institute for Informatics (I2) at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Payne also serves as the Janet and Bernard Becker Professor and Professor of Computer Science and Engineering. Previously, Dr. Payne was Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics at The Ohio State University.
1–4 p.m.
Movements: Then and Now
Emerson Auditorium, Knight Hall and Bauer Hall
All reunion celebrants are invited to join the class of 1970 for a series of discussions on movements of 50+ years ago, what others learned from their experience and how these experiences impacted them in the following years. There will be three one-hour panels; come for one or all.
1-2 p.m. | Panel 1 : Our WU Movements of 1970 – and Lessons We Learned: Featuring Terry Koch, an active member of SDS and anti-war activities at WU, and Kayla Vaughan, who was active in anti-war and feminist issues.
2-3 p.m. | Panel 2: The Story of Howard Mechanic and Other Tales of Government Repression in St. Louis: Featuring Howard Mechanic, who was convicted of anti-war activity and was in hiding before being pardoned by President Bill Clinton and Nina Gilden Seavey, who is a Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and research professor at George Washington University.
3-4 p.m. | Panel 3: The Vietnam Era Revisited: Featuring Jim Mallios, a trial lawyer who was expelled from WashU for anti-war speeches and Harold Karabell who participated in the McDonnell-Douglas Project, the overnight occupation of Olin Library in 1972.
This panel discussion has been organized by a group of volunteers from the Class of 1970. The panelists will join in for the discussion in a hybrid format of livestream/zoom and in-person.
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Kemper Art Museum Tour
Kemper Art Museum
Tour the Kemper Art Museum with a student educator for an in-depth exploration of several works from the Museum’s renowned permanent collection. View highlights in twentieth-century abstraction in a range of mediums and recent acquisitions by contemporary artists. Participants will engage with one another in group discussions throughout the tour and are encouraged to stick around afterwards to explore the special exhibitions on their own.
6:30–10:00 p.m.
50th Reunion Class Party – Class of 1970
Saint Louis Club – 16th Floor, 7701 Forsyth Boulevard
Spend the last few hours of this exciting Reunion weekend reminiscing with your classmates at the Class of 1970 50th Reunion Party at the Saint Louis Club, complete with cocktails, seated dinner, and live music. This will be a night to remember with friends you will never forget. Cocktail attire is suggested.
Complimentary parking will be available in the garage.
$70 per person
6:30–10:00 p.m.
50th Reunion Class Party – Class of 1971
Racquet Club Ladue, 1600 Log Cabin Lane
Spend the last few hours of this exciting Reunion weekend reminiscing with your classmates at the Class of 1971 50th Reunion Party at the Racquet Club Ladue, complete with cocktails, seated dinner, and live music. This will be a night to remember with friends you will never forget. Cocktail attire is suggested.
Complimentary parking will be available.
$70 per person
6:30–10:00 p.m.
50th Reunion Class Party – Class of 1972
Saint Louis Club – 15th Floor, 7701 Forsyth Boulevard
Spend the last few hours of this exciting Reunion weekend reminiscing with your classmates at the Class of 1972 50th Reunion Party at the Saint Louis Club, complete with cocktails, seated dinner, and live music. This will be a night to remember with friends you will never forget. Cocktail attire is suggested.
Complimentary parking is available in the garage.
$70 per person