Alumni from the Classes of 1951 through 2026, their families, and friends gathered on campus for Alumni Weekend 2026, May 28–31. For the more than 1,400 attendees, it was a joyful celebration of milestone reunions and our community’s enduring bonds. They picked up old conversations, reflected on shared experiences, celebrated updates and achievements, danced and sang beneath a dramatic full moon, and even sparked new friendships.
The weekend’s theme, “You Are Here,” encouraged attendees to reflect on how their personal Swarthmore experiences remain a foundational part of the College, even as campus continues to transform and adapt to sustain future generations of students.
For Jameson Lisak ’15, being on campus brought back a rush of memories. Jameson, a volunteer with the Young Alumni Ambassador Program, came back to see a friend from the Class of 2016 who was celebrating his 10th reunion.
“You see how much things have changed, and you recognize all the things that have stayed the same … and then you go and see Sharples and you think, ‘this is such an incredible, incredible difference,” said Jameson.
“At the same time, it's great to know that you'll always have this place to come back to.”
Dorothy Pam ’61, who was celebrating her 65th reunion, describes Swarthmore as “an absolutely essential part of my development.”
“I wanted to come back and experience the magic of this place,” she said. “The campus is more beautiful than ever.”
Dorothy planned to pay a visit to her favorite campus spots during the weekend: Clothier Memorial Hall and the amphitheater.
“Those are special places where we had moments of joy and reflection.”
Despite not recognizing every new building, Dorothy said, “I do feel at home here. So that's really wonderful.”
For many alumni, this year’s gathering was a meaningful opportunity to make up for lost time, as their last reunion was held virtually in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The joy and relief of finally being back together in the same place was evident during the annual Parade of Classes.
“Because of Covid, we got scattered and scrambled. We didn’t get that picture-perfect ending,” said TJ Thomas ’21. “I've seen a number of my classmates in different small settings throughout the last few years, but I knew Alumni Weekend would be a reason for everyone to just show up in one space again. And so I knew I needed to be here.”
Friday kicked off with tours, open houses, and gatherings across campus. Later that evening, attendees packed Pearson-Hall Theatre in the Lang Performing Arts Center for an in-person SwatTalk. Eva McKend ’11, former CNN national politics correspondent; Mattathias Schwartz ’01, legal affairs correspondent for The New York Times; and Jason Zengerle ’96, staff writer for The New Yorker, discussed the current state of political journalism, sharing challenges, accomplishments, and anecdotes from their time in the field. Alumni Council President Jim Sailer ’90 moderated a lively discussion among the panelists, and over 100 additional alumni joined the conversation virtually from around the world.
During Saturday's Alumni Collection, Jim welcomed alumni back to Swarthmore and gave a special greeting to the Class of 2021 before presenting this year’s alumni awards. Alan Symonette ’76 gave this year’s Collection Address, “Rooted: Reflections on Community While at and After Swarthmore.” Setting a powerful and meaningful tone for the weekend, Alan reflected on the deep relationships that have taken root at Swarthmore — connections formed through hard work, discipline, shared inquiry, challenge, and care — and how they have continued to shape his life and the lives of fellow alumni. To cap off the event, Sixteen Feet took to the stage to sing the Alma Mater.
Class reunion committees and volunteers planned a wide range of activities throughout the weekend, working tirelessly to ensure their classmates had every opportunity to reconnect.
“I have some really good friends and roommates that came — we took a road trip here together,” said Robin Bennefield '91, who volunteered with her 35th reunion committee to plan their class activities.
“It was really fun to be a part of the planning committee and reconnect with fellow classmates to organize our gathering here this year.”
Activities included discussions, tours, receptions, musical performances, singalongs, memorials, exhibitions, lawn games, and parties. Volunteers from the classes of 1971, 1966, 1961, and 1956 also hosted hybrid virtual and in-person events, welcoming classmates who were not able to make the trip back to campus.
The Swarthmore Black Alumni Network (SBAN), LGBTQ+ Alumni Network, and Young Alumni Ambassadors Program (YAAP) each organized events for affinity alumni to reconnect, including the SBAN Town Hall, SBAN Jazz Brunch, Lavender Table Talk, and the YAAP Wellness Fair. Additionally, John Alston led his final Chester Children’s Chorus performance before his August retirement.
Alumni of all ages, along with their families, partners, and friends, enjoyed a memorable weekend. They shared countless stories, celebrated lifelong friendships, made new connections, and rediscovered that unique spark of inspiration found only at Swarthmore.
“One thing that happens, and always amazes me, is you meet new people,” said Dave Scheiber '76, reflecting on his 50th reunion as he stood in the amphitheater after Collection. “It happens every reunion, and I say to myself, ‘how did I not know these people back then? Why wasn't I friends with them?”
“The really great part of coming to reunion is not only meeting and reconnecting with old friends, but making new ones that you should have known back then,” said Dave.
We are deeply grateful to this year’s reunion committee members, whose tireless dedication, creativity, and care made it possible for classmates to reconnect authentically and joyfully.
Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2027, May 27–30, in celebration of milestone reunions for class years ending in 2 and 7.
