Last weekend, SUNY Geneseo welcomed over 900 alums and friends back to campus for two days of events.
Class years ending in "4" and "9" gathered to celebrate milestone anniversaries, including the 50-Year Club (all classes from 1973 and earlier), the Class of 1974's 50th reunion, the Class of 1979's 45th, and so on through the Class of 2019's 5th reunion.
Affinity reunions for Greek organizations, including the 130th anniversary of Arethusa Sorority, the 60th anniversary of Phi Lamb Sorority, and the 35th anniversaries of Sigma Kappa Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity were well attended. The weekend also featured special gatherings for Greeks from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, along with a celebration of the former Uncle Waldo's establishment on Main Street for alums from 1978 to 1983.
"Reunion 2024 marks one of our top three largest reunions in recent history, a testament to how special Geneseo alums truly are," says Amanda McCarthy, director of alumni relations. "Their enduring connections to one another and to the college continue to make our community extraordinary."
Watch: Reunion 2024 Recap
Additional Highlights
Screenings of award-winning films by Geneseo alumni:
Tom Ingrassia '74 presented his documentary "One Door Closes: Korey's Courage," adapted from his 2013 book about overcoming adversity. Steve Hilfiker '88, a film producer, cardiac sarcoidosis survivor, and heart transplant recipient, showcased three inspirational short documentaries about organ donation and sarcoidosis: "Daniel, My Brother," detailing Hilfiker's emotional journey to meet his heart donor's family, "Remembering Brantley," about a family's newfound hope after a tragic loss, and "WARRIORS: The Bernie Mac Disease," which explores the impact of sarcoidosis on the late comedian's life.
The popular exhibit Live On Stage at SUNY Geneseo returned this year, featuring memorable concert posters, over 7,000 performer contracts from 1966 to 2021, and personal recollections from Tom Matthews, associate dean of leadership and service emeritus, and collector of many items on display.
Among the most-attended events for alumni were the outdoor kickoff event at the Village Park and the block party on Center Street.
View: Slideshow From the Weekend
Awardees
During the Reunion Signature Lunch on Saturday, Marissa Lewis Jardas '10, vice president of the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association, and President Denise Battles presented awards to four distinguished alums.
Kellie Burns '89 and Stephanie Nelson Dickman '89 each received the Professional Achievement Award, given to Geneseo graduates who have achieved distinction in their chosen profession.
Burns earned degrees in communication and political science and has been anchoring the news desk at WBBH-NBC2 in Fort Myers-Naples, Florida, for over 31 years. Her distinguished career has seen her cover major international events and guide her community through significant challenges such as Hurricane Ian. Her accolades include the prestigious Silver Circle Award, multiple regional Edward R. Murrow awards, and two Emmy nominations.
Dickman earned a degree in applied physics at Geneseo and went on to earn a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia. She held significant leadership roles in the defense and aerospace industry at companies like GE Aerospace, Eastman Kodak, ITT Corporation, Harris Corporation, and L3Harris Technologies. Currently a consultant in the space satellite industry, Stephanie also serves as chair of the Rochester Museum & Science Center Board of Trustees.
Denise M. Reed Lamoreaux '84 and Douglas Dickman '89 each received the Distinguished Service Award, given to alums who make exceptional contributions to the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association.
Lamoreaux earned a degree in English and secondary education and has since spent her career in human resources and leadership development, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has worked with renowned companies such as Zillow, Microsoft, Atos, and Hewlett-Packard. As the inaugural president of the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association, Lamoreaux was key in launching the organization and building a strong foundation. Her long-standing contributions include mentoring students, speaking at various events, and supporting Geneseo students through a scholarship in the English department.
Dickman earned a business management degree from Geneseo and later earned a master's in Information systems from Clarkson University. He has worked in Information Technology at companies like Eastman Kodak, ITT Geospatial Systems, and ITT Exelis. Dickman served on the SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association Board from 2017 to 2022, including two terms as vice president, contributing significantly to the transition and launch of the new association. Dickman is a passionate advocate for Geneseo, volunteering with the Rochester Alumni Regional Committee and the Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership (GOLD) program.