It’s a rite of passage for all University of Dayton graduates. From Golden Flyers and beyond, to those celebrating their five-year milestone, Reunion Weekend has the magical ability to make any alum feel like a student again.

Reunion Weekend 2023 was held June 9-11, and this year, nearly 3,000 Flyers returned. Of those, 145 were members of the Class of 1973 and inducted into the Golden Flyers, UD’s group of alumni who graduated from the University 50 years ago or more.

“We could not have asked for a better weekend for our alumni and guests to reminisce, reconnect and create new memories,” said Amanda Rupp ’10, assistant director of reunion and affinity programs at the University of Dayton. “It was a wonderful Flyer-filled weekend!”

Among those having fun were the mother-daughter duo of Gina Gagel Kurtz ’93 and her daughter, Morgan Kurtz ’18.

Neither remembers when they realized they were not only bonded as family and Flyers but also by the same Reunion Weekend schedule. But eventually, they realized the coincidence meant they would turn back the clock every five years together.

“The stars aligned. It wasn’t planned that way,” said Gina. “Morgan and I would have gone to our reunions no matter what, but yeah, I joke with my husband that no boys are allowed. It’s just us two girls getting together with our friends.”

Gina’s Flyer friends were always around as Morgan grew up, and later, watched with Gina as Morgan found her place at UD.

“She would laugh at me as a kid but now she knows it’s the happiest place on earth,” said Gina. “It’s a special place and that’s not me being sentimental or corny or cheesy. There’s just something about UD.”

Reunion Weekend provides both women the chance to reconnect with friends and hang out together. After attending their individual class parties Friday night, Gina and Morgan reunited at the Porch Party Saturday night. That’s where they connected with another member of their extended family. Alison Sanders Bush is sister-in-law to Gina’s brother. A graduate of the Class of 2003, Bush shares the same Reunion Weekend schedule as Gina and Morgan.

“Everybody has a life and everything, so getting together doesn’t always happen outside of every five years,” said Gina. “But even with those classmates we see only every five years, you pick up right where you left off.”

“Even with those classmates we see only every five years, you pick up right where you left off,” said Gina Gagel Kurtz ’93.

But for the Kurtz women, Reunion Weekend isn’t only about leaning into the friendships — current and former — that helped make them the women they are today. It’s also about reconnecting with the experiences that they hold dear.

“The RecPlex was open and that was a special place for me. One of my friends and I went swimming every Saturday morning when we were students,” said Morgan. “So we got up before all of our friends, snuck out of VWK where we were staying during Reunion Weekend, and had an hour to kick it in the pool.”

The women also made time to experience new offerings at Reunion Weekend 2023. Pat McGann ’98 hosted a comedy show Friday night, and on Saturday afternoon, hundreds of alumni attended the Flyer Food Truck Rally on Central Mall. The University also offered tours of current, new and future landmarks of UD’s campus like the Roger Glass Center for the Arts. Despite being a season ticket holder, Gina was most excited to see UD Arena.

“It was everything I wanted it to be,” said Gina. “I am so glad we did that, and it was something that she and I could do together.”

“I'm excited to be able to tour something again, and just see the continued progress,” added Morgan. “I think the University is doing a good job of staying true to its core while also modernizing and growing.”

Plans are already underway for Reunion Weekend 2024, which will be held the weekend of June 7-9, 2024. That means alumni in a graduation year ending in four or nine will be celebrating with us on campus. Spots are available to help plan your class party, too.

“It’s a lot of smiles, full heart, kind of weekend,” said Morgan. “Leaving Sunday, it started to rain which I thought was very fitting.”