Alumni Return To Campus for Class Reunions

The classes of 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002 returned to the Exeter campus last weekend for their reunions, which gave them a chance to reconnect with former classmates and teachers. The alumni weekend brought hundreds of Exeter graduates to various events over the three-day period: Assembly, Harkness classes, campus tours and more. Throughout the spring, Exeter will host a total of 15 alumni class reunions, with more than 1,200 alumni and guests attending.

“If somebody asked me if I were to do Exeter all over again, my answer would be absolutely.”

Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Ann Lockwood said that reunions give many alumni a time for self reflection and reconnection. “Reunions offer the opportunity to return to Exeter and reconnect with classmates and the school. We consistently hear from alumni that Exeter was a life changing experience for them,” she said. “Reunions are a time when alumni reflect on this gift and they leave with a renewed sense of what they gained personally from their experience here.”

While the weekends are fun and relaxing for alumni, Lockwood explained that reunion planning has always been difficult. “There are many logistics to manage to ensure a smooth event and we could not do it without the tremendous support by so many departments across campus, such as Security, Dining Services, Facilities—to name just a few,” she said.

Lockwood went on, saying that the hard work pays off every year. “Reunions are a highlight for our alumni and many of them begin talking about coming to their next reunion before the weekend is even over.”

Reza Niazi-Sai, a member of the class of ’97, confirmed Lockwood’s belief. “Not a moment passes where the way I lead my life, some way somehow, Exeter is always a part of it,” he said. “The way I look at things and interact with people, this place has a way of shaping you that you don’t even realize until later.” He also expressed his gratitude that Exeter, “helps you figure out how to challenge yourself at all times and how to be closer to the moment you’re in.”

Alumna Kendra Miller felt similarly. “There are so many awesome clubs, classes and sports here,” she said. “It’s great when you get to pick electives and really go deep into things that interest you. “It’s really good to be back and hear what everyone has been doing since they graduated.”

Toby Muresianu ’02 said that reunions were a great time for him to revisit life as a highschooler. “There’s so many details of Exeter life that you don’t remember until you see them and then the memories come flying back,” he said. “I was in class sitting in and somebody asked what my Reporter at Large paper was about, and I had not thought about that since I was here 15 years ago.”

Muresianu went on to describe the physical connection he had made with Exeter’s campus over the years. “Going to the old buildings just remembering all the things that happened like Frisbee golf—we’d be on one end of the campus and say the lighting pole outside the lighting center was the first hole and we’d throw our frisbees,” he said. “There are just some things you don’t think about until you come back here.”

Niazi-Sai reflected on how the campus has changed since his time at Exeter. “I think the most change has been physical; the spirit of the place is still the same,” he said. Roderick West ’97 agreed, saying, “It’s amazing seeing some of the changes on campus. When I was here, Webster was two separate dorms: Webster North and Webster South, and now it’s just one big dorm,” he said. “Everything was very old school when I was back here and seeing the new developments like the Bowld really impressed me.”

West also observed a shift in the culture on campus. “My time at Exeter, I think, was one of the most developmental phases in my life. The academic rigour offered here really made college easy because we focus so much on our academics here,” he said. “You don’t believe it until you actually see it for yourself. But I think it’s better now with a balance of life, clubs and activities and academics.”

Sojin Song ’92 agreed and expressed awe at the students that Exeter attract. “Kids here nowadays are so talented: there was a singer who composed his own piece and was conducting the concert choir,” he said. “I was amazed. The classes [themselves] were great and I was impressed by the depth of the discussions.”

Song also said that although each reunion provides him a chance to reconnect with old classmates, the later ones have proved more genuine and valuable. “As Exonians, we’re pretty driven and so people can be insecure about what they’ve achieved. On the 5th, it was centered on where you went to school. For the 15th, it was more so what you had been up to and your professional life,” he said. “And now on the 25th, it’s are you happy with your life, are you fulfilled. Nobody cares anymore about what you’re doing in the professional world, it’s more about your personal life and that’s cool. We’re not exchanging business cards looking to get ahead anymore.”

West, like many other alumni, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for Exeter. “If somebody asked me if I were to do Exeter all over again, my answer would be absolutely,” he said. “Yeah, winters here suck and the 333 is draining, but all in all, the positives and benefits of having gone to Exeter is incomparable. I love coming back and seeing all the old faces and memories.”