'75 Celebrates 50

Please join your 1975 classmates in Williamstown June 12–15, 2025! Each June, the 50th Reunion Class gathers in the Purple Valley to celebrate this milestone together – catching up with life-long friends and making new acquaintances.

For the past eight months, the 50th Reunion Planning Committee has been envisioning and organizing this milestone celebration. In partnership with the 50th Reunion office, this team is responsible for planning class seminars, meals and menus, special events and activities, entertainment and tent decorations.

1975 50th Reunion Weekend Co-Chairs: Joe Bonn & Martha Coakley

1975 50th Reunion Planning Committee: Andrea Axelrod, Julie Berens, Kathy Bogan, Robyn Geissler, Hank Haff, Peter Hillman, Connie Sheehy, Kurt Van Steemburg

1975 50th Reunion Attendance Outreach Ambassadors: Barbara Austell, Joe Bonn, Martha Coakley, Hardin Coleman, Clive K. Connor, Hope Coolidge, Fred Dittmann, Fred Geilfuss, Robyn Geissler, PEter Hillman, Joe Hutcheson, Nancy Reese Jones, Peter Keller, Peter Kiernan, Rick Mahoney, Melissa McGuire, Bob Morin, Jon Myers, Tom Parker, Rich Pickard, Gwen Rankin, Dave Reimann, Tim Reny, Frank Richards, Mike Rosten, Judy Serkin, Connie Sheehy, Paul Skudder, Michael Snyder

 

50th Reunion FAQs

  • What is the registration deadline?
    Online registration for the 50th Reunion opens on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and closes on Thursday, May 29, 2025. We strongly discourage walk-in registrations, and we cannot guarantee housing or class swag if you register in person when you arrive to campus. NOTE: Online registration can be paid by credit card only.

    If you would like to pay by check, please call the 50th Reunion Office at 413-597-4284 to make payment arrangements prior to completing registration.

    What if I'd like to attend reunion but am concerned about cost?
    We never want attendance costs to be a barrier for folks to come back for Reunion. As such, anyone who needs it is invited to request Reunion Financial Assistance from the College. All requests are confidential, fielded by Kate Hyde, Assistant Director of the 50th Reunion Program, and are not shared with the Reunion Planning Committee. You will have the option to submit a request as you fill out your registration. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Hyde, Assistant Director of the 50th Reunion Program, at [email protected].

    May I receive a refund if I have to cancel my plans to attend reunion?
    You can cancel online and a registration refund will be processed up through Thursday, May 29, 2025. After May 29, please contact Darlene Alderman in the 50th Reunion Program at 413-597-4284 or [email protected] with your information, and she will discuss with the reunion class co-chairs whether it can be approved. If the reunion co-chairs approve the refund, we will move forward with the cancellation request.

  • Where can I find out about the weekend schedule?
    Review the weekend programming of events at alumni.williams.edu/reunion/50th-reunion or alumni.williams.edu/reunionschedule

    Where do I check in when I arrive to campus?
    50th Reunion alumni should check in at 50th Reunion HQ in Horn Hall (54 Stetson Court) to pick up your name tags, welcome booklet and swag bag. Headquarters is also the site for informal gatherings and updated information about classmates and events, as well as on-campus housing for the 50th Reunion class. Those who registered for a dorm room will also receive their room number and room access code.

    What are 50th Reunion check-in hours?
    Thursday:  Noon – 6:30 pm
    Friday:  8:30 am – 5:30 pm
    Saturday:  If you plan to arrive on Saturday, please contact the 50th Program at [email protected] and we will make arrangements to get your name tag and reunion materials to you.

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

    Where can I park on campus?
    Park in campus lots during the weekend. There is a lot located behind 50th Reunion HQ at Horn Hall. Larger lots are near the '62 Center for Theatre & Dance parking garage, behind Brooks House, and near the Chapel and Sawyer Library. Accessible parking is available at various locations on campus.

    If parking in town lots or on town streets, please abide by posted rules as the local police will issue parking tickets.

    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, please make use the     Williams Switchboard to connect with other reunion attendees.

    What’s the dress code?
    Please come in casual, relaxed attire for Thursday’s BBQ. If you have any old college apparel or 70s garb, Friday’s reception and dinner with President Mandel is the night to show it off! Saturday’s final class dinner suggests festive dress, with jackets and ties optional for men and the equivalent attire for women. Weather permitting, the cocktail receptions for all three nights will be outside (the front lawn of the ’62 Center), so plan your footwear accordingly.

    Additional items to consider bringing include layers, given that the weather can fluctuate from day to day; slippers and a robe, if you are staying in dorm accommodations, as the bathrooms are shared; comfortable walking shoes; sunscreen and rain gear.

    What's the suggested attire for the Annual Alumni Parade?
    A long-standing tradition at the college is that members of the 50th Reunion Class wear some sort of unifying attire for the Alumni Parade, 50th Reunion class photo, and Annual Meeting of the Society of Alumni. For these events, please wear your 1975 50th Reunion Hawaiian Shirt (included in your welcome bags.)

    How do I sign up for golf at Taconic?
    All tee times for play at Taconic Golf Course will be managed through 1975 Golf Chair Connie Sheehy, once registration opens in late March. You will be able to sign up for golf on the 50th Reunion online registration. Tee times are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The deadline to sign up for golf is Thursday, May 1, 2025.

    If you have specific questions, please email Connie Sheehy by Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Taconic’s Pro Shop will refer calls to the golf chair, so save a step and contact her directly.) 

  • Classmates who have special needs, including but not limited to accessibility, housing, or dietary requirements, should let the college know when registering online. We will do our best to provide a maximum level of comfort to all returning alums and their guests. 

    Please check in with 50th Reunion staff at Horn Hall if you need assistance during the weekend in getting to or from any Reunion events. Two golf cart shuttles will be available for most activities on campus (including the Parade of Classes), with a sign-up sheet at 50th HQ Welcome Desk. There will also be shuttle service offered Friday and Saturday afternoon to help people navigate the campus. Please note that golf carts cannot go off campus.

    Accessible parking or areas for drop off are available at most event locations.

    Please inform us of special needs as far in advance as possible, as such arrangements may require time to coordinate. Every reasonable attempt will be made to meet the requests, and we will inform you if a particular request cannot be accommodated.

    If you need a mobility device, we recommend you bring it with you. Mobility aides and other medical equipment is available for rent from Surgimed in North Adams, MA. You can call ahead to reserve items for reunion weekend.

    NOTE: As previously stated, most residence halls and some classroom buildings are not accessible to everyone. Guests in wheelchairs, those who use electric scooters, crutches, walkers or who have trouble climbing stairs may not be able to comfortably stay in or visit all buildings on campus.

    Accessibility features for our major campus venues:

    Alumni Center/Faculty House

    • Elevator
    • Wheelchair ramp entrance

    ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance

    • Elevator
    • Wheelchair ramp entrance
    • Wheelchair accessible seating in MainStage

    Chapin Hall/Brooks Rogers Auditorium

    • Elevator
    • Wheelchair ramp entrance
    • Wheelchair accessible seating

    If you have accommodation questions or requests you’d like to talk to a staff person about, please contact Assistant Director of Alumni Events Veronica Bosley at vbosley​​@williams​​.edu or 413-597-4152.

    REMINDER: Student workers, staff, and campus security officers are not personal care attendants. Anyone needing special personal assistance should make plans to bring a care provider with them.

  • What is the cost to stay in on-campus housing?
    Horn Hall dorm rooms are available for $80 per bed for the entire three-night stay. All rooms have a single bed, with four communal bathrooms on each floor. Basic linens (sheets, blankets, and towels) are provided. If demand for dorm rooms exceeds capacity in Horn Hall, we’ll utilize additional dorms on campus. You will learn your housing assignment when you come to campus to check-in.

    If you choose to stay in a dorm room, please indicate this in the appropriate section of the registration form. Horn Hall is not air-conditioned, and the rooms DO NOT have fans, irons, hairdryers or toiletries. 

    If you'd prefer to stay in a nearby hotel, here is a list of local accommodations.

    Can I be housed with my friends?
    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.

    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.

    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 – same as the ones that you remember from your years as students, communal bathrooms and all!

  • 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 athletic facilities be open?
    2025 hours will be updated closer to Reunion Weekend.

    2024 Hours
    Monday – Friday: 6 am – 7 pm
    Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
    Sunday, June 9: CLOSED

    Samuelson and Muir swimming pool:
    Friday 2 – 4 pm
    Saturday 2– 4 pm

    Where can I find driving directions, travel information, hotel information, etc.?
    Check out the Visitor’s Guide.

    Are there AA or NA meetings available during Reunion Weekend?
    Visit this site for a list of AA meetings or NA meetings in Williamstown and the surrounding areas.

  • Williams College believes our community should be truly open for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, ethnicity, race, or religion.

    This code of conduct outlines our expectations for participant behavior as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior while on campus.

    We invite all staff, volunteers, attendees, local community members, and other participants to help us realize a safe and positive Reunion for everyone.

    Expected behavior
    Be considerate and respectful of all people and property while on Williams’ campus.
    Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech. Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert Williams staff or event organizers if you notice a concerning situation and if you feel there is an emergency, contact Campus Safety and Security at 413-597-4444Unacceptable behavior

    Unacceptable behaviors include intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct by any attendees of Williams Reunion and related events.

    Harassment may include: offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, age, religion, disability; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides), inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

    Other unacceptable behaviors include deliberate intimidation, stalking, photographing or recording an individual against their wishes, and disruption of talks or other events.

    Consequences of unacceptable behavior

    Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated whether by other attendees, organizers, staff, volunteers, sponsors, or other campus community members.

    Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.

    If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, Williams staff and administration may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from Williams Reunion without warning or refund.

    What to do if you witness or are subject to unacceptable behavior

    If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify the Reunion staff team by contacting 413-597-4455. If you are witness to or involved directly in an emergency situation, please contact 911 or campus safety and security at 413-597-4444.

    Scope

    We expect all Reunion participants (volunteers, staff, student rangers, speakers, attendees, and other guests) to abide by this code of conduct at all campus venues and Reunion-related events.

    Drugs and alcohol

    Williams College expects responsible use of alcohol and respect for everyone attending Reunion.

    Since Reunion is designed to be a family friendly event, the Reunion alcohol policy is as follows:

    • Alcohol may be served and consumed by those of legal drinking age on College property between 2pm and midnight each day during the Reunion Weekend.

    • Everyone is expected to consume responsibly and at all times to respect college property, staff and all event participants.

    • Alcohol paid for by class accounts must be served in compliance with the college’s alcohol service standards by TIPS trained servers who carry the required insurance.

    • No person may purchase or provide alcohol to any attendee under the age of 21.

    • No attendee under the age of 21 may consume alcohol at any time during the Reunion.

    In accordance with federal law, the use or possession of marijuana, or any other illicit substances is not permitted on campus.

    Williams College is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in College buildings, including student rooms or within 25 feet of a College building.

    Safety and health

    Weapons of any description, fireworks, and any other incendiaries are not permitted on campus.

     

Have additional questions? Simply contact the 50th Reunion Program at [email protected] or 413-597-4284.

For further class updates, please visit the Class of 1975's 50th Reunion websites at williams75.com and 75creates.com.