What's going to be happening at our reunion? Here's a partial list of events, still subject to change. This is the April 12 revision. If you'd like to download a .pdf copy that you can print out, click the symbol at the right.

Often you'll have a choice of events taking place at the same time. The icon below links to additional details about a particular event. A green dollar sign $ denotes an event with an extra charge. A red asterisk * denotes an event specifically for the Class of 1969 50th Reunion group.

In May, the college will print the complete schedule in a handy "Red Book" and make it available as an app.

 

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UNOFFICIAL PRE-REUNION EVENTS
Note: These events are not scheduled or managed by Oberlin College. Classmate volunteers have organized them for us all to begin celebrating a few days earlier!  All are optional, and details are on this page.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22:

.Wed.   Afternoon  
*|Arrive in Cleveland
.Wed.   6:00 PM  
*|Dinner
Please let Carol know if you're planning to attend.

THURSDAY, MAY 23:

.Thu.   Day  
*|Various Events
Museums, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, etc.
.Thu.   Evening  
*|More Options
Baseball game, Cleveland Orchestra, or ?

FRIDAY, MAY 24:

.Fri.   Morning  
*|Onward to the Campus!
Pre-Reunion breakfast at hotel and travel to Oberlin

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COMMENCEMENT / REUNION WEEKEND
Reunion headquarters for the Class of 1969 is Kahn Hall, 169 North Professor Street. The Kahn Hall lounge is available for informal visiting throughout the weekend. Several events will be held at First Church, 106 North Main Street.

FRIDAY, MAY 24:

.Fri.   10 AM - 7 PM  
*|Welcome Refreshments at Class Headquarters
    Kahn Hall, First Floor Lounge
(First official Oberlin reunion event)

.Fri.   10 AM - Noon and 1:00 - 4:30 PM  
•|Archives Exhibition for Classes of '69 and '94
    Mudd Center, Goodrich Room 410
(See also Sunday afternoon)

.Fri.   1:00 - 3:00 PM  
*|Class of 1969 Service Project
    Oberlin Public Library

.Fri.   3:00 - 4:30 PM  
*|Class of 1969 50th Reunion Kickoff Reception
    Conservatory, Stull Recital Hall
Come join all the 69ers in attendance for a kickoff meet-and-greet reception. We'll go through all of what's happening throughout the weekend, have light refreshments as we schmooze with each other, and hope to have a Welcome Back from a special guest! (The room is open until 6:00 for those who don't go to the next two events.)

.Fri.   4:30 - 6:00 PM  
•|Leadership Donor Reception hosted by President Ambar
    The Hotel at Oberlin, Ballroom
This event is by invitation only. Alumni who donated $1,833 or more during the current fiscal year or are members of the Charles Martin Hall Society will be invited to a gathering that recognizes their generosity toward Oberlin and its students.The event will be hosted by President Carmen Twillie Ambar and will end promptly at 6:00.

.Fri.   5:00 - 6:00 PM  
•|Reunion Choral Sing Rehearsal
    Conservatory, Rehearsal Room C25
Rehearsal for the All-Class Reunion Choral Sing (performance on Saturday).  The Brahms German Requiem will be sung in memory of Robert Fountain and the losses to our Obie class families.  All reunion attendees, parents, and friends are invited to attend or join in singing.

.Fri.   6:30 PM  
•|Champagne Social for Alumni and Graduating Seniors $
    Wilder Bowl, Big Top
Enjoy plenty of food under the Big Top in an interactive and intergenerational setting, toast the Class of 2019 as you welcome them into the Alumni Association, celebrate the alumni community, and join the fun by playing Oberlin Bingo for your chance to win a prize. Sign language interpretation will be included. Reserved seating has been arranged for members of the Class of 1969 in the Big Top tent.

.Fri.   8:30 PM  
•|The Grand Piano Extravaganza $
    Conservatory, Warner Concert Hall

.Fri.   9:00 PM  
*|Class Gathering in Headquarters
    Kahn Hall, First Floor Lounge
Join us for an informal gathering of friends in the Kahn Hall Lounge for catching up with classmates or performances by musicians in the class (jazz, folk, etc.) and a sing-along. Light refreshments will be provided for the evening.

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SATURDAY, MAY 25:

.Sat.   7:00 AM  
•|Breakfast Snacks, Coffee & Tea Available
In addition to the coffee, tea, and light refreshments in Kahn Hall, First Floor Lounge, alumni and their guests with official nametags are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast in the Carnegie Building, Root Room (the former library reading room).

.Sat.   8:00 - 9:30 AM  
* Get to Know Each Other Again — or for The First Time
    First Church, Fellowship Hall
The format will be a Samoan Circle.

.Sat.   10:00 - 11:30 AM  
*|Concurent sessions on various topics suggested and led by classmates
    First Church, various rooms
One topic is titled "Progressive Activism: What Can We Do Now?"

.Sat.   12:00 - 1:30 PM  
•|Half-Century Club Luncheon $
    The Hotel at Oberlin, Ballroom
Special event for alumni who have celebrated their 50th reunion. The Class of 1969 will be welcomed into the Half-Century Club. Register for this event early, as it usually sells out quickly!

.Sat.   1:30 - 3:00 PM  
*|Get to Know Each Other Again — or for The First Time! (continued)
    First Church, Fellowship Hall
You can move from table to table, each with a topic being discussed.

.Sat.   1:30 - 3:00 PM  
*|Concurent sessions on various topics suggested and led by classmates
    First Church, various rooms
Issues include caring for family members, climate change, and racism.

.Sat.   3:30 - 4:45 PM  
•|Reunion Choral Sing
    Conservatory, Warner Concert Hall
All reunion attendees, parents, and friends are invited to attend or join in singing the Brahms German Requiem. We sing in fond memory of our departed classmates and faculty, and to honor Dean Robert Fountain's tremendous musical influence on generations of Oberlin students, faculty, Musical Union townies, and world community via College Choir tours and recordings.  (NOTE: Singers warm up on stage at 3:15 PM.)

.Sat.   4:00 PM  
•|Conservatory Reception
    Conservatory, Stull Recital Hall
A celebratory reception congratulating the Class of 2019 and recognizing families and alumni of the Conservatory and College music degree programs. Hosted by the Dean of the Conservatory and conservatory faculty.

.Sat.   5:00 PM  
*|1969 Class Photo
    Severance Hall, Front Steps

.Sat.   6:00 PM  
*|Class of 1969 Soiree $
    Carnegie Building, Root Room (former library reading room)
Heavy hors d'oeuvres and buffet with beer and time to mingle with classmates.

.Sat.   8:00 PM   
•|Commencement Recital Part I
    Finney Chapel
Outstanding conservatory seniors will perform.  Free admission.

.Sat.   8:00 PM  
*|Class of 1969 Talent/Variety Show
    Conservatory, Kulas Recital Hall
Classmates present an Entertainment Extravaganza. Come One, Come All!

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SUNDAY, MAY 26:

.Sun.   7:00 AM  
•|Breakfast Snacks, Coffee & Tea Available
In addition to the coffee, tea, and light refreshments in Kahn Hall, First Floor Lounge, alumni and their guests with official nametags are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast in the Carnegie Building, Root Room.

.Sun.   8:00 AM  
•|Oberlin Shansi Breakfast $
    Stevenson Dining Hall, Longman Commons

.Sun.   8:00 - 10:00 AM  
* Women's Breakfast
    Asia House, Library 

.Sun.   8:00 - 10:00 AM  
* Men's Breakfast
    Asia House, Shipherd Lounge 

.Sun.   8:00 AM  
•|Heisman 5K Fun Run
    Tappan Square

.Sun.   10:30 AM  
•|Crimson and Gold Convocation and Presidential Address
    Finney Chapel
A special Commencement/Reunion Weekend convocation featuring President Carmen Twillie Ambar's state-of-the-college address, the announcment of reunion class gift totals, the presentation of three Alumni Association awards, a celebration of the Class of 2019, and an organ recital.

.Sun.   12:00 - 1:30 PM  
*|Box Lunches and Ice Cream Social $
    Kahn Hall, Front Lawn (rain location: Stevenson Hall, Biggs Commons)
The ice cream social will feature novelties from Cowhaus Creamery, owned and operated by Josef Bomback '76.

.Sun.   1:00 - 4:00 PM  
•|Archives Open House & Exhibition for Classes of '69 and '94
    Mudd Center, Goodrich Room 410
(See also Friday)

.Sun.   1:30 PM  
•|Multifaith Baccalaureate Celebration
    Finney Chapel
A multifaith celebration with blessings and reflections in honor of the Class of 2019, alumni, families, and friends, including musical tributes by Conservatory musicians. Spnsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Office of the President.

.Sun.   1:30 - 3:00 PM  
* Westwood Cemetery Walking Tour 
    Westwood Cemetery

.Sun.   1:30 - 3:00 PM  
*|Class of 1969 Storytelling Event
    Conservatory, Kulas Recital Hall
Come hear stories from your classmates --- of all different types, from all kinds of sources, about all kinds of subjects. Although the allotted time has essentially been filled with classmates' stories, you are most welcome to join in as a listener. Sharing is a conversation. Both ends are important!

.Sun.   1:30 - 3:00 PM  
*|Possible concurent sessions on various topics suggested and led by classmates
    First Church, various rooms

.Sun.   3:15 - 4:30 PM  
*|Class of 1969 Memorial Service
    First Church, Meeting House
This service of music, readings, quiet time, and the naming of our deceased classmates will provide an opportunity to remember and reflect on the friends we have lost.

.Sun.   4:45 - 5:45 PM  
*|Art Museum Tour
    Allen Memorial Art Museum
Private tour for the Class of 1969.

.Sun.   6:00 PM  
*|Class of 1969 Dinner $ 
    The Hotel at Oberlin, Ballroom
Guest speakers for our Class Dinner will be Brian Alegant, professor of music theory, and Cynthia Frantz, professor of psychology and environmental studies.

.Sun.   7:00 - 10:00 PM   
•|Social on the Square
    Tappan Square (rain location starting at 8:00 PM in Wilder Bowl, under the Big Top tent)
This old-fashioned ice cream social has become a mainstay of Illumination night. 

.Sun.   8:00 PM   
•|Commencement Recital Part II
    Finney Chapel
Outstanding conservatory seniors will perform.  Free admission.

.Sun.   9:30 PM   
•|Campus Illumination and Commencement Concert
    Tappan Square, Finney Chapel Plaza (rain location in Wilder Bowl, under the Big Top tent)
Tappan Square at its most beautiful, with hundreds of colored Japanese lanterns strung across the green. An Oberlin jazz ensemble will begin performing at 9:30 PM. Immediately following the jazz performance, Oberlin Steel will perform on the steps of Finney Chapel in the tradition of great steel bands of Trinidad with arrangments of salsa, calypso, and jazz tunes, as well as original compositions and arrangements by band members.

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MONDAY, MAY 27: 

.Mon.   7:00 AM  
•|Coffee and Tea
    Kahn Hall, First Floor Lounge
(No continental breakfast available in the Root Room)

.Mon.   9:30 AM   
•|Academic Procession and Commencement Exercises 
    Tappan Square (or watch on TV at Warner Concert Hall)
Our classmate Robert Krulwich will receive an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. The Commencement speaker will be Lisa Jackson, who was the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama; now she oversees environmental policy and social initiatives for Apple.

..Mon.   12:30 PM  
*|Farewell Buffet Brunch for the Class of 1969 $
    Kendal at Oberlin, Fox & Fell Dining Room
Kendal is a must-see retirement living community less than a mile north of Kahn Hall. Transportation will be available starting at 11:30 AM in front of Kahn. (If you've been staying in the dorm, check out of your room before you board the shuttle, because checkout time is 1:00 PM.) A return shuttle will be available at 2:00 PM. Please note that the shuttle will make multiple trips to accommodate everyone.

You also have the option of strolling around the grounds, because Kendal's four-day Spring Open House continues until 4:30 that afternoon. Check out the art galleries and tour cottages, apartments, and community spaces. You'll meet many friendly residents, quite a number of whom are Oberlin alums.