'98 Celebrates 25


Please join us in Williamstown
June 8-11, 2023!! Check out the Reunion Schedule!

Each June the 25th Reunion Class gathers in the Purple Valley to celebrate, renew acquaintances, and make new friends. Get involved in the planning and connect with classmates throughout the year leading up to reunion!  See below for the many ways you can get involved.  Contact the 25th Reunion program for more information or to volunteer.

’98 25th Reunion Matching Gifts (updated as of 6/5/23)

Over the last couple of weeks, a small group of ’98 classmates have joined forces to provide an amazing opportunity in honor of our 25th Reunion fundraising efforts. Together they are contributing $1 million in matching funds for any gift made to the Alumni Fund or our ’98 Scholarship Fund. Every gift or pledge made to these funds will be matched dollar for dollar – so a gift of $500 becomes $1000, a gift of $2500 becomes $5000, and so on. Your pledge could be paid over the next five years and still count towards our reunion goals and be matched!

Since the announcement of the amazing $1,000,000 ’98 matching funds, we’ve made some incredible progress to our $1 million goal for the ’98 Scholarship Fund, the level at which the class will support two students on financial aid, every year in perpetuity. Thank you to our generous matching fund donors and thank you to our classmates who have joined this effort in honor of our 25th Reunion. If you have not yet made a gift that will be matched, you can do it now on the ’98 25th Reunion Giving Page!

  • This team will be planning the big weekend at Williams. In partnership with the 25th Reunion staff, this committee is responsible for activities, menus, special beverages, entertainment/music, tent decor and speakers. This group also includes a Golf Chair to organize golf rounds at the beautiful Taconic Golf Club.

    Reunion registration will open in early April 2023. When you register for reunion next spring, you will also be able to reserve dorm rooms for the weekend.  If you prefer to stay off-campus, please take a look at this list of hotel options in the area.

  • Friday evening is a casual BBQ for the whole family under the tent on Poker Flats with games and activities available on the lawn, weather permitting.

    On Saturday there is a separate 25th kids dinner and activities (for kids ages 6+)** supervised by counselors at the Williamstown Youth Center (WYC), 66 School Street. This is included in your child's registration fees but it does require advance registration. To sign up, please complete the sign-up sheet and submit to the 25th Reunion Office when you register for reunion in the spring. Parents should plan to check-in their children at WYC 5:30-6:00pm (as well as sign waivers and permission slips). Dinner starts at 5:30pm. Following dinner, kids will be divided into groups by age and interest. Several choices will be available:
    • Arts & crafts
    • Outdoor (weather permitting) playground and games like basketball, tetherball, Capture the Flag, etc.
    • Movies on large screen TV
    • Games like dodgeball in the indoor gym
    • Foosball, pool or ping pong
    • Quiet time in the Learning Center or the Computer Lab
    • Trip to Ramblewild for kids 10 and older (see below for more info)
    WYC counselors will be in charge of each of the groups and a 25th staff person will be on hand at WYC. Parents are expected to pick up their child(ren) by 11:30pm.

    On Saturday evening after dinner, a group of kids (ages 10+) who have pre-registered will go to Ramblewild ropes course, 5:00-9:30pm. Parents of kids going to Ramblewild need to check-in their child(ren) by 4:30pm, so kids can leave on the 5:00pm bus. The bus will not wait! They will have a pizza dinner at Ramblewild and snacks will be available at WYC when they return. To sign up for Ramblewild, when you register for reunion in April 2023, please complete the waiver and submit both the waiver and payment ($35) to the 25th Reunion Office.

    Teens who stay at WYC will be able to enjoy their own space in WYC. Following dinner, teens can choose from the range of activities above or play Xbox (for teens 12 and older) in the Teen room.

    ** For kids five and younger, the college is not able to offer care for kids five and younger so you may want to bring a babysitter with you (babysitters attend reunion at no charge). Kids five and younger are welcome to join the 25th Reunion Kids Dinner (along with their caregivers) at WYC but due to child care licensing at WYC they cannot stay for the activities and programming after dinner.

     

  • REGISTRATION INFO:

    What is the registration deadline?
    Online registration for reunion will open in early April 2023. If you miss the online registration, you are still welcome and encouraged to attend reunion, but please register in person when you arrive to campus at the 25th Reunion Headquarters.

    Where do I check in when I arrive to campus?
    25th Reunion alums should check in at 25th Reunion Headquarters in Mission to pick up a schedule, class mementos, and dorm room keys.

    What are 25th Reunion check-in hours?
    Thursday    : noon-11 p.m.
    Friday: 9 a.m.- 11 p.m.
    Saturday: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

    If you registered for College housing but arrive after check-in closes for the night, visit Security (Hopkins Hall, lower level) for access to your dorm room.

    May I receive a registration refund if I have to cancel my plans to attend reunion?
    If you need to cancel your registration and would like to receive a refund, email Conny Isby in the 25th Reunion Program at [email protected] with your information, and depending on timing, status of '98 class account, and number of total cancellations, we'll determine whether or not a refund (full or partial) may be granted.

    LOGISTICS:

    Where can I park on campus?
    Parking on campus can be a challenge during reunion, so we suggest you park in the lot behind Thompson (the old Infirmary), in front of Poker Flats. If you are staying in the dorm, unload in the spaces along the north side of Mission and then move your car to the Thompson lot. If you do park elsewhere on campus, please pay attention to posted signs and time restrictions. Williamstown police will ticket violators.

    I’m interested in sharing a ride. Where do I find fellow carpoolers?
    If you’re looking for a ride to town, or willing to offer one, you can connect with classmates via the '98 Facebook page, or use the Williams Switchboard to connect with other reunion attendees.

    What’s the dress code?
    Bring comfortable, casual clothes for the weekend. The Saturday evening reception and dinner are a bit dressier - think smart casual - but ties are not required. Remember that Williamstown in June could be boiling hot or cold and windy – there is even the occasional downpour. It would be wise to check the forecast before you come! Our dinners will be on grass under a tent, so keep that in mind when selecting footwear.

    How do I sign up for golf at Taconic?
    All tee times for play at Taconic must be reserved through the '98 golf chair Pete Robinson starting in April 2023. Tee times are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Pete at [email protected] or (617) 331-7101 by May 1st if you would like to play during the weekend (Taconic’s Pro Shop will refer calls to the golf chair, so save a step and contact him directly). We're trying to set up some friendly competition, so tee it up.

    COLLEGE HOUSING:

    What is the cost to stay in on campus housing?
    The cost is $80 per bed for the entire weekend.     You can reserve a room through the online reunion registration or on the reunion registration form in your packet. Dorm rooms are first come, first served. If you plan to stay in the dorms, please register as early as possible. Rooms contain one single bed, but you may bring sleeping bags and an air mattress for a child or children to share your room at no additional cost. Babysitters attending reunion with your family are housed in the dorm at no cost. If you prefer to stay in a nearby hotel, here is a list of local hotels.

    Can I be housed with my friends?
    We automatically house families together. If you’d like to be housed near friends, when you register for housing, please list the friends you’d like to be near and we will do our best to room you together in a suite or on the same floor.

    Will sheets and towels be provided in the college rooms?
    Yes. No need to bring your own linens if you are staying in college housing, although some classmates bring their own linens and towels for comfort. You will be provided basic sheets, 1 blanket, 1 pillow and 1 towel per bed registration.

    Can I find out where I am housed on campus before I come to town for Reunion?
    Housing is finalized just before reunion so unfortunately we cannot let people know in advance of Reunion weekend where they are housed. However, if you know you will be arriving on campus after 25th Reunion Check-in has closed, please let the 25th Reunion Program know and we can get you your room information just before you arrive to campus.

    Can my pet stay with me in on-campus housing?
    No, pets are not allowed in college housing. Pets are allowed on the campus grounds, but not in campus buildings unless you have a medical need. Please look for local kennels, or speak to local hotels/rentals about pet accommodations.

    Are the rooms air conditioned? Do they have private bathrooms?
    The rooms are not air conditioned. Dorm rooms do NOT have private bathrooms. They are the same dormitories that you remember from your years as students, communal bathrooms and all!

    AMENITIES:

    What childcare is available during reunion?
    Friday night: The 25th Reunion Program will have Reunion Rangers organizing games and activities for '98 kids during the family dinner at Poker Flats.

    Saturday: There is an extensive  Family Activities Program during the day on Saturday.

    Saturday night: The 25th Reunion Program provides a separate kids dinner and activities (for kids 6+)** supervised by counselors at the Williamstown Youth Center from 5:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m. This is included in your kids' reunion fees but does require advance registration. Parents should plan to drop their kids off 5:30-6:00 p.m. (as well as sign waivers and permission slips). Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. Following dinner, kids will be divided into groups by age and interest. Many choices will be available including but not limited to: arts & crafts, outdoor games (basketball, tetherball, Capture the Flag), dodgeball, foosball, ping pong, quiet time in the Learning Center or Computer Lab, and video games. Teens (10+) will also have the opportunity to go to the local high ropes course Ramblewild. Pre-registration for Ramblewild is required (cost $35). You will have the opportunity to sign up for both programs when reunion registration opens in spring 2023. Please contact the 25th Reunion Program if you have any questions.

    ** For kids five and younger, the college is not able to offer care for kids five and younger so you may want to bring a babysitter with you (babysitters attend reunion at no charge). Kids five and younger are welcome to join the 25th Reunion Kids Dinner (along with their caregivers) at WYC but due to child care licensing at WYC they cannot stay for the activities and programming after dinner.

    Will I have cell-phone service in Williamstown?
    Yes

    How can I access the campus wireless network?
    We’ll provide you with directions on how to connect to our network upon arrival to campus.

    Will the pool be open?
    The Samuelson and Muir swimming pool will not be open during reunion weekend.

    Where can I find driving directions, travel information, hotel information, etc.?
    Check out the Visitor’s Guide: http://www.williams.edu/home/visitors/

    STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
    Contact the 25th Reunion Program at 25th[email protected] or 413-597-4208.

  • Each 25th reunion class produces a reunion book featuring autobiographical essays from its members. The book is conceived and edited by the Class Book Committee (in partnership with the 25th Reunion Office) and often includes historical photos, comments from the president, and essays written by members of the class. We do two versions of the reunion book, a digital online version and a printed version with additional materials (given to all members of the class in June 2023 regardless of whether you attend reunion or not).

    The richness of the resulting book is directly related to what you contribute. As you’ll see in these samples from previous books, alumni have used this opportunity to share a broad variety of life experiences and to pay tribute to enduring Ephriendships.

    We mailed everyone examples of submissions from previous class books in fall 2022 and also gave you access to the Williams Class of 1996 25th reunion online book for some inspiration. Personalized links to the Class of '98 online book went out to everyone in the class who had an email registered with the college in early October, so please look in your inbox for that email, click on the link and add your page to the book! (If you didn't receive the email, please send a message to [email protected] to request a link.) And if you have some extra time, pull out your old Williams photos from the '90s and upload them to the photo gallery in the online book! Please note that the deadline for personal submissions to be included in the printed book has now passed. You can still add your page to the online book (or make changes), but changes and additions will not be reflected in the printed version.

    The printed book will also include a special In Memory section of tributes to classmates who have passed away – Sean Bowler, Jonathan Burstein, Brian Dineen, Mary Hart Gwozdz, Lauren Interess, Alan Kingsley, and David Lustig. To give you some ideas for what you might want to include in the In Memory tributes, you can see examples from prior 25th Reunion classes here. The deadline for submitting remembrances (and in memory photos) is January 2, 2023. Please send them to [email protected]. 

     

  • Leadership Giving Committee and '98 25th Reunion Class Gift

    The Leadership Giving Committee partners with and builds on the great work of the Alumni Fund agent team to lead the class towards making its largest gift to Williams to date. The 25th Reunion is the first of two times (the second is the 50th Reunion) when a class has the opportunity to come together to fund an endowed class gift designated to a particular purpose at Williams. Recent 25th class gifts have ranged from $2 million to $10 million. These gifts have helped support faculty, provide scholarships, fund tutorials, and finance new construction and building renovations. The magnitude of individual gifts varies, based on each donor’s financial capacity and their inclination to give to Williams. Nonetheless, most class members who participate in the 25th Reunion Fund stretch to make the largest commitment they have ever considered to Williams. In November 2022, we conducted a class-wide poll about the Class of 1998 25th Reunion gift purpose, and financial aid was selected by over 50% of classmates who responded to the survey. We are thrilled to announce the creation of the Class of '98 Scholarship Fund, which will support generations of future Williams students. You can learn more about the '98 Scholarship Fund in the class gift brochure. All gifts and pledges to the Class of 1998 Scholarship Fund will count towards the total 25th Reunion gift.

    Alumni Fund

    In addition to the Class of 1998 Scholarship Fund, the class will also be supporting the Alumni Fund, with the help of the Alumni Fund team led by Laura Davis Stahl and Robin Sanders (and a great group of Class Agents). As you may know, the Alumni Fund provides Williams with unrestricted financial support that is critical in helping cover the college’s most pressing needs. This year the class is aiming for record participation for the 25th Reunion, 60% participation in the Alumni Fund. All gifts and pledges to the Alumni Fund will count toward the 25th Reunion Fund total.

    What counts and how does crediting work?

    View a history of 25th Reunion Fund.

    Leadership Giving Committee

    Danielle Bahr Eason
    Tony Barnes
    Rik Dugan
    Sarah Leung
    Tammy Neuhaus
    Rich Relyea
    Mindy Thompson

    Alumni Fund Agent Team

    Co-Head Agents: Laura Davis Stahl and Robin Sanders

     

  • The Reconnect Committee reconnects and networks with classmates, uses social media tools to reconnect with classmates. We will be looking for creative ways to engage with each other throughout the coming year. We need more classmates to help reach all our scattered geographies and affiliations (frosh entries, teams and clubs, etc.), so please contact the 25th Reunion Program if you are interested in helping.

    Find the class on Facebook