Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 28

4:00 – 6:00 PM
On-Site Registration & Packet Pickup (Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby)
Come to the Ball Circle level of the Cedric Rucker University Center to check in and pick up your personal itinerary, name tag, tickets to Reunion events, and more. You’ll get an alumni tote bag or drawstring backpack and can choose fun Reunion-themed ribbons and buttons to add to your name tag lanyard. If you’re bringing kiddos with you, we’ll also have goody bags for them!

Friday, May 29

7:30 – 9:30 AM
Breakfast Buffet (Top of the CRUC, Cedric Rucker University Center, 4^th Floor)
Start your morning with a hearty breakfast and catch your first glimpse of friends and classmates.

7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
On-Site Registration & Packet Pickup (Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby)
See Thursday listing

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Simpson Library Open (Simpson Library, all levels)
Check out the stacks and revisit the alumni-favorite “treehouses.”

9:00 – 10:15 AM
ALUMNI COLLEGE SESSION 1

An Exploration of the City Cemetery (walking tour)
History and Relics of Farmer Hall (formerly Trinkle)
Full course descriptions available here

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Bookstore Open (Lee Hall)
Visit the University Bookstore on the main floor of Lee Hall. Show your Eagle spirit with alumni apparel and gifts for yourself, family, and friends. Peruse the collection of local history and faculty- and alumni-authored books. Alumni will receive a 10% discount off their purchase of regularly priced apparel and gifts.

10:00 – 11:00 AM
Campus Walking Tour with Current Students (Departs from Campus Walk, in front of Lee Hall)
Chat with current students, rediscover your favorite places on campus, and see what’s new.

10:00 – 11:00 AM
Campus Golf Cart Tour with Current Students (departing from Campus Walk, in front of Lee Hall)
Want a tour, but have mobility challenges? Hop on our golf cart tour instead! Advance registration highly recommended, as spaces are very limited.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
UMW Galleries Exhibit (Ridderhof Martin Gallery)
Mark and Method, various artists
Organized and curated by the students of Dr. Stonestreet’s Art Museum Studies Lab, this exhibition will celebrate and explore the range of techniques and expressive approaches in contemporary printmaking. All works on view were generously donated by Russell and Barbara Bowman ‘69, with a particular emphasis on realism and the contributions of artists working in and around Chicago from the late 1960s to early 2000s.

10:30 – 11:45 AM
ALUMNI COLLEGE SESSION 2

Campus Civil War Walk (walking tour)
Beyond Genius: A Journey Through the Characteristics and Legacies of Transformative Minds
Panel: Student Life at Mary Wash
Full course descriptions available here

10:45 AM
“What Matters Most” Podcast Recording (The Underground, Lee Hall)
Join us for a live recording of President Paino’s podcast, “What Matters Most.” Each episode uncovers the heart of a UMW education and the connections that stay with us. Note: In order to limit disruptions, audience members are asked to stay for the full recording.

Noon – 1:30 PM
Wine Pairing Lunch (Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom)
Treat yourself to a decadent three-course (small plate) lunch and wine pairing that is sure to wow you. This favorite event sells out quickly every year, so don’t wait!

Noon – 2:00 PM
Lunch Buffet (Top of the CRUC, Cedric Rucker University Center, 4^th Floor)
Get a taste of student life. Enjoy a casual lunch buffet in the dining hall.

1:30 – 2:45 PM
ALUMNI COLLEGE SESSION 3

Fifty Years on the Heights: The Lighter Side of My Half-Century at The Wash
First Year Seminars” Disneyland Meets Mary Washington
Silkscreen Workshop: Make a Souvenir Tote
Full course descriptions available here

2:30 – 3:30 PM
Campus Walking Tour with Current Students (Departs from Campus Walk, in front of Lee Hall)
Chat with current students, rediscover your favorite places on campus, and see what’s new.

2:30 – 3:30 PM
Campus Golf Cart Tour with Current Students (Departs from Campus Walk, in front of Lee Hall)
Want a tour, but have mobility challenges? Hop on our golf cart tour instead! Advance registration highly recommended, as spaces are very limited.

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Reception with Retired Faculty and Staff (Jepson Alumni Executive Center, Mayo Courtyard)
Reconnect with faculty and staff who helped shape your Mary Washington experience. Retired faculty expected to attend include (but are not limited to) the following:

Ernest Ackermann, professor emeritus of computer science
Becky Bezdan, former Student Activities & Engagement staff
Judith Crissman, professor emerita of chemistry
Leigh Frackelton, professor emeritus of business law and taxation
Richard (Dick) Hansen, distinguished professor emeritus of English
Elizabeth Larus, professor emerita of political science
Sammy Merrill, distinguished professor emeritus of German
Margaret Mi, professor emerita of marketing
Denis Nissim-Sabat, professor emeritus of psychology
Steve Watkins, professor emeritus of English

5:00 – 6:30 PM
President’s Welcome Reception (Brompton lawn)
President Troy Paino and his wife, Kelly, invite all attendees to celebrate Reunion Weekend 2026 on the lawn of their home, Brompton. Enjoy refreshments, live music, and great conversation. The first floor of Brompton will be open for tours. Rain location will be the Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom.

6:30 – 8:30 PM
1908 Society Dinner (Classes of 1975 and earlier) (Shuttle departs from Brompton)
Take the trolley to the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Belmont, for a cocktail hour in the gardens followed by a seated dinner in the Studio.

6:30 – 8:30 PM
Class of 1976 50^th Reunion Dinner (Jepson Alumni Executive Center, Rappahannock Ballroom)
Join us at the elegant alumni center for a memorable experience and three-course meal celebrating your milestone reunion.

7:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday Night Class Gatherings (various locations, see here)
Some classes choose to renew acquaintances at a favorite spot designated specifically for their class. Gatherings include heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

7:00 – 10:00 PM
Reunion Bites & Sites (Beginning at George Washington Hall)
Enjoy a tasty tour of iconic places on campus in a reinvented combined class gathering. For this progressive dinner, stations will be set up in various spaces on campus, with each featuring hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks. The party ends with dessert around The Fountain at Palmieri Plaza/Monroe Hall. Note: The Classes of 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 have chosen this event in place of their class gathering, but alumni of all classes are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Saturday, May 30

7:30 AM
Fun Run/Walk (meet at the fountain at Palmieri Plaza, in front of Monroe Hall)
Get your steps in early as we traverse the beautiful campus for a morning walk/run. Go at your own pace and reminisce about the times you had to run to make it to class on time!

7:30 – 10:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet (Cedric Rucker University Center, 4^th Floor)
See Friday listing

7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
On-Site Registration and Packet Pickup (Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby)
See Thursday listing

8:00 AM – Noon
Simpson Library Open (Simpson Library, all levels)
See Friday listing

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
College of Business Alumni Awards Presentation and Breakfast (Woodard Hall, Red Room)
Join COB faculty and the Advisory Board as they announce and recognize the newest College of Business honorees.

9:00 – 10:00 AM
Student Journalists Gathering (Lee Hall, Room 412)
If you worked on any iteration of the student newspaper or magazine at Mary Wash, you are invited to this special reunion. Start with light breakfast foods as you reconnect with other journalism alumni and faculty advisers. Steve Watkins, professor emeritus of English and former adviser to The Bullet, will be in attendance. We then will hear from Susha Subramanian, associate professor and faculty adviser to The Weekly Ringer, who will discuss “Why College Newspapers Matter.” The United States spends billions of dollars on higher education each year, but because of limited newsroom budgets, the number of higher education reporters in this country is dwindling. College journalists have stepped into this void, exposing issues from mishandling of campus crimes to mistreatment of athletes. But these journalists, in many cases, don’t have the same protections as professionals. Professor Subramanian will argue for the need to block censorship of student journalists and offer them higher First Amendment protections.

9:00 – 10:15 AM
ALUMNI COLLEGE SESSION 4

An Exploration of the City Cemetery
Silkscreen Workshop: Make a Souvenir Tote
Campus Civil War Walk (walking tour)
Human Skills in an AI World
Full course descriptions available here

9:00 – 11:00 AM
Alumni Authors Meet and Greet (Cedric Rucker University Center, Lobby)
View an extensive collection of alumni-authored books, and mix and mingle with some of their authors.

9:00 – 11:30 AM
Special Collections and University Archives Open House (Simpson Library, Room 217)
Stop in during this open house to learn from Special Collections & University Archives staff. Tour the treasures in the Special Collections, from early versions of UMW beanies (you will be surprised by the color!) to 17^th-century vellum-bound atlases. View items from over a century of Mary Washington history, including yearbooks, newspapers, memorabilia, and more. During this time, if you have items that you would like to contribute to the collection, staff will be available to discuss the process.

9:00 – 4:00 PM
Bookstore Open (Lee Hall)
See Friday listing

9:30 – 10:30 AM
Campus Walking Tour with Current Students (Departs from Campus Walk in front of Lee Hall)
See Friday listing

9:30 -11:30 AM
Academic Department Open Houses
Meet faculty and tour the facilities where today’s students prepare for tomorrow. Participating departments are below (the list likely will expand as we get closer to the event):

Athletics – Goolrick Hall, Room 106
College of Education – Seacobeck Hall, College Avenue entrance, Forum area
Computer Science – Farmer Hall (formerly Trinkle), Room 022
English and Linguistics – Combs Hall, 3^rd Floor Lobby
Historic Preservation – Combs Hall, 2^nd Floor Preservation suite
Modern Languages and Literatures – Combs Hall, Room 211 (Language Lab)
Psychological Sciences – Mercer Hall
School of Science (multiple departments) – Jepson Science Center, lobby
Studio Art – Mercer Hall, 2^nd Floor
Theatre and Dance – duPont Hall, lobby

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
UMW Galleries Exhibit (Ridderhof Martin Gallery)
See Friday listing

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Campus Buildings Open House
Explore campus and step inside many academic and residence halls. Specific buildings will be noted in the Reunion app and at the On-Site Registration area of the Cedric Rucker University Center.

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Esports Lounge Open (Cedric Rucker University Center, 3^rd Floor)
Traveling with tweens or teens? UMW’s Esports Lounge is a fun space for kids ages 12 & up to hang out and play video games while you enjoy other activities. Children under 12 also are welcome, with your supervision.

10:30 – 11:45 AM
University Update and Alumni Awards Presentation with President Paino (Seacobeck Hall, Weatherly Wing)
Join President Troy D. Paino for a University update. Be there to congratulate the 2026 Alumni Award recipients.

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Children’s Playtime (Ball Circle)
Bring your kids to enjoy activities on Ball Circle. The fun includes an inflatable moon bounce and slide, face painting, lawn games, and more.

Noon – 2:00 PM
Reunion Picnic (Ball Circle)
Enjoy cookout/picnic fare, draft beer, and non-alcoholic drinks on Ball Circle as you reminisce with other alumni. There will be plenty of shaded seating under tents designated for each decade of alumni. Vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Class photos will be taken during this time on the steps of Lee Hall, alongside the picnic.

Noon – 2:05 PM
Class Photos (Location: Lee Hall steps)
Meet (promptly!) at your designated time for a group photo with all attendees from your class year. Photo times for each class are listed in the reunion brochure, in the app, and also in the registration form. Times also will be posted on signage at the Reunion Picnic.

2:00 – 4:30 PM
Carl’s Frozen Custard Shuttle (Trolley departs every half-hour from the circle between Monroe and Lee Halls)
Enjoy a trolley ride to Carl’s for a nostalgic bite of that one-of-a-kind treat. Trolleys depart on the half-hour. No cash? No problem! Carl’s now accepts cards.

2:15 -3:45 PM
In Depth: New Theatre & Future Plans for Music & Art (Seacobeck Hall, Weatherly Wing)
Construction is underway! We are on the cusp of some exciting changes for our Theatre & Dance, Music, and Art departments. Join Gregg Stull, director of the School of the Arts, to hear more about how these projects will transform the landscape of the arts at UMW.

2:30 – 4:30 PM
Family Matinee Movie: Dreamworks’ “Home” (Combs Hall, Room 139)
Stay to watch with your kids, or drop them off to enjoy time on your own. Supervision will be provided by UMW students and staff. This event coincides with the Virginia Wine, Beer, & Cider Tasting (just outside in Jefferson Square), so parents can enjoy that event while having an activity for their children as well.

2:30 – 4:30 PM
Virginia Wine, Beer, & Cider Tasting (Jefferson Square)
Enjoy unlimited samples of wines and craft brews from about a dozen Virginia wineries and breweries. Mix and mingle with other alumni and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres. All attendees will receive a commemorative wine glass. A non-drinking ticket also is available for designated drivers and others who want only non-alcoholic options.

6:00 – 11:00 PM
All-Class Party (Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom)
Put on your festive attire and let the good times roll at this all-inclusive reunion gathering. Enjoy a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, carving station, and full bar downstairs with a fantastic live band and dancing, or head upstairs to enjoy the same food and drinks but in a quieter space. Either way, it will be a party to remember!

Sunday, May 31

9:00 – 11:00 AM
Farewell Brunch (Jepson Alumni Executive Center, Ballroom)
Enjoy made-to-order omelet and Belgian waffle stations along with a scrumptious buffet of other breakfast foods, and say your farewells before heading home.

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
UMW Galleries Exhibit (Ridderhof Martin Gallery)
See Friday listing

Schedule of Events