Save the date for Garnet Weekend 2024! Nov. 1–2
Despite a rainy forecast and unpredictable weather, nearly 800 alumni, families, and friends came back to campus to celebrate Garnet Weekend 2023, Oct. 6–7. Visitors enjoyed a full schedule of events — including open houses, tours, panels, affinity events, and lectures. Perennial favorites such as the Garnet Tailgate and the President’s Reception rounded out a joyful homecoming and family weekend.
Kicking off the weekend’s festivities, the tenth Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame Class was inducted on Friday evening. For inductee Octavius “Tave” Holland, a long-time athletic trainer and equipment room manager who dedicated over 50 years of service to the Swarthmore Athletic community, the celebration continued into Saturday with a reception in his honor. Also on Saturday, Swarthmore Women’s Field Hockey defeated Gettysburg 3-1 in their Centennial Conference matchup.
Friday evening also featured the Cooper Series event “Hip Hop is 50,” organized in collaboration with Lincoln University to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. Hip Hop culture legends Chuck D, KRS-One, and Wise Intelligent discussed cultural sustainability and political resistance, then performed with renowned Hip Hop dance company Urban Artistry.
The weekend included outstanding lectures from faculty, staff, and notable experts. Director of Sustainability Elizabeth Drake gave this year’s McCabe Lecture, “The Climate Crisis and the Power of Possibility.” During her lecture, Drake honored the legacy of Rosamund “Roz” Zander ’64. Drake touched upon Zander’s two books, “The Art of Possibility” (co-written with her former husband, Ben Zander) and “Pathways to Possibility,” based on Zander’s experiences as a family therapist and executive coach. Drake forged a meaningful connection with Zander in their short time together, and connected her own approach to sustainability work with Zander’s writings.
Krista K. Thomason, associate professor of philosophy, gave this year’s faculty lecture, titled "Dancing with the Devil: Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good.” During her lecture, Thomason explored how philosophy can help us learn to live well and learn from negative feelings — despite the commonly held belief that one should try their best to not feel so-called bad feelings.
