This summer the President of the Union and I had the opportunity to participate in RPI’s Reunion Weekend. The weekend was marked with board meetings with the Rensselaer Alumni Association, celebrations with alumni, and receptions to honor dedicated members of the Rensselaer Alumni community. Having never attended an event like this, I was filled with apprehension and feared awkward moments with an older generation I thought I would have little in common with. To my great surprise, the alumni were not only comedic and interesting; they truly inspired me to continue to work to further improve our great institution.
While I had previously attended a board meeting with the Board of Trustees, I had yet to meet many of the RAA board members before Reunion Weekend. The first “meet and greet” set me at ease, and the next day’s board meeting proved to be beneficial for both myself and the board. I was able to give them insight from a student perspective and to create bonds with many members that will prove beneficial to student government and the student body in the future. One exciting idea discussed at the meeting was moving Reunion Weekend to the fall, thus improving the experience by allowing the alumni to interact with the current student body.
One of my favorite events of the weekend was the parade of classes. Each year lined up and marched from the CII breezeway to the Greene Building, where judges, including President Jackson, scored them on a variety of criteria. As the first class wheeled by in their golf cart, decked out in more red then I thought possible, I knew I was in for a treat. The classes each presented Jackson and the judges with bribes to sway the voting process. They also performed songs, chants, and a slide-rule salute, amongst other entertaining acts. This display of pride and excitement toward their alma mater was truly inspiring. Not only was it one of the hottest days of the year, some of these men and women graduated over 50 years ago—and still, they did all of this. I was incredibly impressed by their spirit and only wish this would carry over to the current student body.
By moving Reunion Weekend to the fall, the spirit displayed by the alumni may be able to do just that. While the fall will be hectic, the opportunity for students and alumni to interact with one another will be well worth it. The stories I heard over the weekend I dare not repeat in print. However, I am sure many students would love to sit down and talk with alumni. Personally, I know much more about my predecessors and their adventures than ever before and am still excited for my upcoming term of office because of their stimulating stories.
The Student Senate has been working beyond attending Reunion Weekend this summer. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about other Senate activities, please feel free to contact me at gm@rpi.edu. I wish everyone a happy and safe conclusion to his or her summer, and I look forward to seeing you all in the fall.
