MSU graduates from 1959 and before attended the annual Alumni Reunion Days event June 4 & 5, 2009. This annual event is hosted by Michigan State University Alumni Association. More than 345 people attended with 110 from the Class of 1959.
The reunion began with golf outings sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Varsity Alumni S Club. Both were well attended.
The annual Kedzie Luncheon and the Class of 1959 Induction into the Kedzie Reunion Society was held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday, June 4th. More than 230 MSU alumni attended, with 90 from the Class of 1959 honored and inducted into the Kedzie Society. Provost Kim Wilcox was the guest speaker and gave remarks on new exciting MSU initiatives. Bob Groves, the new vice president for University Advancement, also spoke and shared his views on the future of University Advancement. Provost Wilcox presented certificates to each new Kedzie Reunion Society inductee of the Class of 1959. Dave McCaffree, president of the ’59 Club also welcomed the group and shared his memories of MSU.
The Kedzie Cane Award was presented to Mrs. Beatrice O’Brien Richards, Class of 1932 and Mr. Dale B. Ball, Class of 1939 as the oldest alumna and alumnus attending the Kedzie Reunion Luncheon. Following the luncheon and induction ceremony, a group photo of the Class of 1959 was taken.
A bus tour of campus followed and was by conducted by students from the Student Alumni Foundation. Stops were made at the Stadium Tower and the Skandalaris Football Building.
The evening began with the of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Nursing and College of Veterinary Medicine holding dinners for their graduates.
To conclude the evening, a concert performed by the MSU Jazz Ensemble was held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. Alumni enjoyed the music, danced and caught up with fellow classmates. Sparty, the three time National Mascot winner, was in attendance and appeared decked out in a sharp black tuxedo.
On Friday, June 5, the day kicked off early with many colleges having breakfast events. The MSUAA also offered eight presentations conducted by MSU professors highlighting current topics of the day. They were:
“The Great Food and Fuel Debate” - Dr. Steve Pueppke and Dr. Chris Peterson “The Changing Face of the Michigan Economy” - MSU Prof. Dr. Charles Ballard “Online Communication & Social Networking” - MSU Prof. Dr. Charles Steinfield “Food Safety from Farm-to-Fork” - MSU Prof. Dr. Elliott Ryser “Facility of Rare Isotope Beams” (FRIB) - Associate Director Dr. Bradley Sherrill “The Economics of MSU Sports” - MSU Prof. Dr. Carl Liedholm “How MSU is Going Green” - Jennifer Sowa “Study Options for MSU Students” - Cindy Chalou, Vicki Shaver, and Kevin Schwemmin.
The Student Alumni Foundation also held a panel discussion with current MSU students on “College Life Today.” They answered questions posed by reunion participants and enjoyed hearing of college life in 1959 and before.
The reunion concluded with a luncheon and Ice Cream Social at Cowles House with President Lou Anna K. Simon as the guest speaker. Sparty was once again in attendance and entertained alumni as they enjoyed ice cream from the MSU Dairy Store.
Next year’s reunion is being held June 3 & 4, 2010. Look for details in coming months. We hope you are able to join us for another MSU homecoming.
We are seeking 1960 Graduates!
We are looking for graduates of the Class of 1960 to serve on the Alumni Reunion Advisory Committee. If you are interested, please call Regina Cross, reunion coordinator, at 888-697-2863. You need not live in the East Lansing area to serve. Click here for a list of committee duties.
