At the Reunion Signature Luncheon and Alumni Awards on June 6, 51șÚÁÏÍű Alumni Association (SGAA) Board President Dave Miller â90 reflected on the enduring value of alumni connections.
âIn a world where genuine connection can sometimes feel increasingly rare,â he said, âcommunities like Geneseo remind us of the importance of continuing to invest in the people and places that shape us.â
That spirit of connection was evident throughout Reunion weekend. Festivities kicked off Friday evening at the Big Tree Inn, where alumni gathered to reconnect with friends and classmates. Notable was a strong contingent of Delta Kappa Tau brothers celebrating the fraternityâs 155th anniversary. Other organizations marking milestone anniversaries included Phi Kappa Chi (70th), Alpha Delta Epsilon (140th), Delta Phi Epsilon (40th), and Sigma Delta Tau (35th).
Saturday morningâs rain did little to dampen enthusiasm. Alumni participated in the Geneseo Knights Fun Run/Walk or enjoyed a historic village walking tour. Others explored campus through open houses and tours. Many visitors experienced Milne Library for the first time since its 2025 reopening following extensive renovations. A virtual tour of Sturges Hall offered a preview of the buildingâs ongoing transformation ahead of its planned reopening in the 2027â28 academic year.
The luncheon also celebrated outstanding members of the Geneseo community through SGAA awards. Kate Rebben, recently retired director of student association programs, received honorary SGAA membership in recognition of nearly 30 years of service to the college and her contributions to the association. Andrea Tuwiner Vavonese â91 earned the Professional Achievement Award for her distinguished career as an attorney and corporate counsel, currently serving as general counsel at Rolls-Royce North America & Defence. Jack â76 and Carol Patterson â76 Kramer received the Distinguished Service Award for their exceptional leadership and volunteer service to both the SGAA and The Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors. The couple, who met as students at Geneseo, celebrated their 50th reunion this year.
Among the weekendâs many reunions was that of Karen Davis and Gerry Wilson, members of the Class of 1966 who met as first-year students and dorm mates in Monroe Hall. During a campus golf cart tour, they reflected on more than six decades of friendship and shared Geneseo memories.
âI like seeing the way itâs changed,â said Karen.
âAnd how much it has grown,â Gerry added.
Their Geneseo years were marked by historic moments, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the blizzard of 1966, which delayed the spring semester by a week. Though campus life has evolved over the decades, they agreed that Geneseoâs strong sense of community and academic rigor remain unchanged. Both went on to spend more than 30 years as public school teachers and continue to support the College as loyal donors.
âIt makes you feel good when you’ve been a student here to know that you can help somebody to better themselves as they go along and learn,â Gerry said.
President Melinda Treadwell captured the essence of the weekend in her luncheon remarks: âThat kind of connection doesnât happen by accident. It reflects a community where people are known, challenged, supported, and truly seen.â
Reunion 2027 will take place June 4â5. Save the date.