September 19 - 21, 50th and post-50th reunion classes are invited to the Purple Valley for a series of mini reunions. The weekend will include faculty lectures, class dinners, sporting events, and a tailgate lunch on Weston Field before Saturday's football game against Bates.
September 19-21, 2025
Registration is not yet open
WHO'S COMING?
We don't know yet! But you can review the 2024 Attendee List.
LODGING
Check out the Visitor's Guide for local accommodations and travel information.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE (from last year, 2024)
Noon – 5 p.m.
Event Check-in
Pick up your name tags, schedules and buttons for the weekend.
Main Lobby, '62 Center for Theatre & Dance
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Serfdom and Slavery: Insights from Economic History
Steve Nafziger, Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. '41 Professor of Economics
In recent years, economists and other social scientists have made important advances in our understanding of coercive labor systems in the past, studying how their reform or abolition shaped later economic and political developments. This talk discusses recent research on Imperial Russia, the United States after the Civil War, and other regions to illustrate how historical work using social science methods can help clarify the legacies of these systems that we see today.
Mainstage, '62 Center for Theatre & Dance
3:45 – 5 p.m.
New WCMA: A Milestone Moment
Join the Williams College Museum of Art’s Class of 1956 Director Pamela Franks and Museum Project Director Devon Nowlin as they present exciting highlights of the design and nascent construction phase for the new WCMA. Gain an insider’s perspective into this active and dynamic campus building project.
Mainstage, '62 Center for Theatre & Dance
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Multi-Class Reception & Buffet Dinner
Reconnect and kick off the weekend with camaraderie, drinks, and a hearty dinner reception from 5 - 7:30 p.m. at the cozy and welcoming Faculty House/Alumni Center.
Faculty House/Alumni Center, 968 Main Street
8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Event Check-In
Pick up your name tags, schedules and class buttons.
Main Lobby, '62 Center for Theatre & Dance
9 - 10:15 a.m.
Faculty in Focus: The Rice Center for Teaching
Join us for an insightful presentation by Matt Carter, Director of the Rice Center for Teaching and Associate Professor of Biology at Williams College. Professor Carter will share the Rice Center’s progress, exciting programming, and the valuable services and funding opportunities available to faculty. The Center’s initiatives, such as addressing timely topics like AI’s role in education and the complexities of politics in the classroom, highlight the nuanced conversations shaping today’s academic landscape. This is a unique opportunity to understand how Williams fosters innovative teaching and supports its faculty's professional growth.
MainStage, '62 Center for Theatre & Dance
9 - 10:15 a.m.
Athletics & Wellbeing Program Study: Learn and Share
The college is undertaking a comprehensive study with our consulting partner, Perkins&Will, as we seek to build upon our strengths through new facilities that both sustain our high-caliber athletics program and more intentionally connect it to our health and wellness initiatives. Learn about new initiatives like the Multipurpose Recreation Center (MRC) and how we’re shaping spaces to support health and connection for all students. Share your insights and help contribute to the next chapter of athletics and wellbeing at Williams. You can find more info on the project's website.
Lisa Melendy, Director of Athletics and Assistant Professor in Physical Education; Mina Amundsen, Associate Vice President for Campus Planning and Operations; Andrew Grote ’94, Perkins&Will Principal, Operations Director
Faculty House Lounge (lower level)
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
A Conversation with President Maud S. Mandel and Tom Balderston '78
Hear updates from campus and learn more about the college's strategic priorities in this engaging moderated conversation featuring President Mandel and Tom Balderston '78, former Williams Trustee.
MainStage, '62 Center for Theatre & Dance
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Tailgate Lunch
Mini Reunion Tent, Weston Athletic Complex
1:00 p.m.
Football Kick Off, Williams vs. Bates
Farley-Lamb Field, Weston Athletic Complex
4:30 p.m.
Public Post-Game Reception (cash bar)
The Log by Ramunto's, 78 Spring Street
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*CLASS DINNERS ORGANIZED BY CLASS LEADERSHIP OR CLASSMATES ARE FREE TO MAKE THEIR OWN PLANS*
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6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Class of 1974 & 1975 Pass-the-Baton Reception & Dinner with President Maud S. Mandel
Faculty House/Alumni Center, 968 Main Street
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
50th Farewell Breakfast
Ballroom, The Williams Inn, 101 Spring Street, Williamstown
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Post-50th Farewell Breakfast & Presentation
Ballroom, The Williams Inn, 101 Spring Street, Williamstown
10 – 11 a.m.
Class of 1974 – 1979 Guided Tour of MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA, 1044 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams
*Pre-registration is required. Limited capacity. Go to online registration for further details.
11 a.m.
Alumni Mountain Day Hike
Join the Berkshire Regional Association to celebrate Mountain Day. We'll gather at 11 a.m. to enjoy some cider donuts and apple cider, then do a 2-mile loop. It's a flat trail, but it has amazing mountain views. Meet in the parking lot to the right after the main entrance to the Spruces. Registration required. Click here to register.
Questions? Contact Rob Swann '90 at [email protected]
The Spruces Park, 60 Main Street, Williamstown
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Lansing Chapman Rink parking lot: Located across the street from the Weston Athletic Complex off Latham Street. Handicap spots available.
Spring Street public parking lot: Located at the end of Spring Street, and in walking distance of the athletic complex.
Weston Athletic Complex parking lot: Located at 75 Meacham Street and shared with the Taconic Golf Club. Handicap spots available.
See parking map below.
Refer to the campus map for additional parking locations.
Tailgating is available on the grass next to Farley-Lamb Field (see map below.)
- First come, first serve basis. No reservations.
- Propane grills may be used on campus provided that they are at least 25 feet away from all structures. Open flames (i.e. fire pits) and charcoal grills are prohibited.
- Attendees prohibited from bringing alcohol into Weston Field Athletic Complex.
- Unsealed plastic or paper containers checked with a passive alcohol detector.
- No cans, no glass.
- No RV's or similar large vehicles.
- Tailgaters are responsible for the disposal of trash and debris in appropriate trash receptacles following the conclusion of each tailgate.
- Unruly behavior will not be tolerated, and is subject to College policies and local/state/federal law. All visitors are expected to respect and adhere to College policies while on campus and adjacent properties. Visitors are expected to be respectful of all those associated with the event, including participants, coaches, officials, administrators, and other fans. Racial, sexist, homophobic or other derogatory comments, including profanity, or other intimidating actions will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition.
- Indoor facilities are not available for tailgating.
For football games, the entry gates to Weston Athletic Complex open at 10:00 a.m.
Weston Athletic Complex Layout & Parking
For a full schedule of sporting events taking place on campus over Mini Reunion Weekend, please visit the Eph Sports calendar.
VENUE ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
We do our best to fulfill special accommodations for event attendees, including those with accessibility needs. If you have accommodation requests you'd like to talk to a staff person about, please contact Assistant Director of Alumni Events Veronica Bosley at [email protected] or 413-597-4152.
Follow the link for an interactive campus map outlining accessible parking spots on campus.
Parking: Accessible spots can be found on this campus map. Both the Lansing Rink parking lot (across from the Weston entrance off Latham Street) and the Weston Athletic Complex parking lot (75 Meacham Street) will have limited parking with several accessible parking spaces.
Drop-off: There will be a spot outside of the Gargoyle Gate (Weston Athletic Complex main entry) off Latham Street where people with accessibility needs may be dropped off while others in their party find parking.
Venue access: The route to Farley Lamb field is mostly flat, but will require some walking. If you park in the Weston Athletic parking lot there will be a slight hill with a sidewalk to navigate to get to the football field.
Seating: There is seating in the grandstands, which would require climbing some stairs, if seating isn't available on the ground level. People can bring lawn chairs to the field if they'd like to sit on the sidelines.
Parking: Accessible spots can be found on this campus map. The Parking Garage located behind the '62 Center has many accessible spots. There is a flat walk from the garage to the back entrance of the venue.
Drop-off: There are two drop-off spots for this venue. One is to the left as you pull down Adams Memorial Theater Drive. Attendees are allowed to pull over briefly by the stone patio and drop off members of their party while they go find parking. Another spot is located behind the '62 Center in the circle between the back entrance and the parking garage.
Venue access: If entering through the front, attendees will need to navigate 3-4 stairs with a railing. If entering from the side, there is a walk up a slight incline to reach the MainStage lobby. If entering from the back, there is a set of stairs to navigate, or there is an elevator on the ground floor, down the hall to the right as you enter.
Seating: There are accessible seating options in the venue and the staff greeting people can help attendees locate it. Some seats are only accessible by small sets of stairs.