Alumni and Friends Making an Impact
More Than a Party
For University of Dayton graduates, Reunion Weekend is the preeminent alumni event of the year. From catching up with classmates to exploring parts of campus added or renovated since graduation, there is little doubt that Flyers enjoy a walk down memory lane. But before reminiscing can begin, there is an entire team — including alumni — that has to plan.
Like other Flyers, life pulled Brian Kearney ’95 away from Dayton, and it wasn’t until Reunion Weekend 2015 that he returned. Kearney found the 20-year absence caused his heart to grow fonder of his Flyer roots, so he joined the planning committee for what would have been the Class of 1995’s silver anniversary in 2020.
“It was nice to have the University ask our group what was good,” said Kearney. “They asked what we thought worked well and what didn’t. What did we want to see, and did we have examples from other events that could be incorporated?”
Ultimately, Reunion Weekend 2020 was canceled because of the pandemic, but Kearney says it would have been a nice mix of new-school technology and traditional events, a blend experienced by those who returned in 2022.
“UD is a physical place, but it extends beyond that,” said Kearney. “It’s a mix of the people and the employees and the feel on campus.”
It’s a sentiment that Ummiya Chaudhary ’20 shares even though her class hasn’t celebrated a reunion yet. However, because the pandemic canceled graduation in 2020, the class held a celebration two years later. The festivities were similar to Reunion Weekend, and Chaudhary was part of the planning committee.
“You spend four years getting to know your classmates and you develop a deep bond,” said Chaudhary. “And it wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t come to UD.”
That’s part of why alumni like Kearney and Chaudhary get involved. Reunion Weekend is more than just a party. It is a way to reconnect to the feelings, memories and friends you have from that time of your life.
“When I see alums come back for Reunion Weekend, there is this excitement, especially among the Golden Flyers,” said Chaudhary. “Life brings other priorities to the forefront, so when you have this thing down the road it has importance.”
“Helping Dayton doesn’t just mean writing a check,” said Kearney. “You can make Dayton a little better for the incoming students and fellow alumni by giving your time, too.”