A lifetime of Flyer pride

The University of Dayton’s oldest alumna made a special appearance at the 2026 Reunion Weekend Philanthropy Brunch. Ann Fitzgerald Wourms ’46 celebrated her 80th anniversary as a UD graduate, joined by two of her sons, Richard Wourms and Thomas Wourms ’81.

Wourms has been coming back to Reunion Weekend almost every year since the Golden Flyers were first established in 1994. 

“I just enjoy it — seeing what goes on and how they are advancing and changing,” she said. 

For more than a decade, Wourms helped prepare meals and decorations for the ceremony and at her own Golden Flyers induction ceremony in 1996, Wourms met Irene George Gilleland ’53, who has remained one of her closest friends.

Her favorite part of Reunion Weekend is the Philanthropy Brunch. While it was originally created for volunteers who helped reconnect alumni groups, it has since expanded to include all graduates.

As Wourms strolled around campus and reminisced, she said the campus’ changes are endless — but she still loves it all. She put it simply, “All of it looks great.”

When reflecting on her long tenure as a Flyer, she shared what she is most proud of: “The education and the friends.” 

Her sons sat beside her at the brunch. Thomas Wourms shared how his mother’s experience shaped his decision to attend UD.

Having earned his first degree elsewhere, he said, “It didn’t do me any good, so I came back here and got a … masters.” 

He noted that his mothers’ love of UD played a major role. 

“It made a difference in going here over other schools,” he said.

Throughout the brunch, a steady stream of alumni, staff and friends stopped to hug Wourms, share a memory or simply say hello. The line never seemed to shorten, offering a quiet reminder that after 80 years, her greatest legacy at Dayton may be the countless friendships she has inspired.

Photograph by Sylvia Stahl '18.