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Reunion Schedule 2019

Pick up a hardcopy program at the Alumni Center upon checking in.

  • 2 - 3PM
    New Light on Old Williams: West, Griffin and the Hopkins Observatory: Faculty Lecture with EJ Johnson '59, Amos Lawrence Professor of Art, emeritus
    MAINSTAGE, ’62 CENTER FOR THEATRE AND DANCE

    3:30 – 4:30PM 
    Faculty Lecture, TBD
    MAINSTAGE, ’62 CENTER FOR THEATRE AND DANCE

  • 6:00AM
    Sunrise Hike Up Pine Cobble with Director of the Williams Outing Club, Scott Lewis
    Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and a cup for hot drinks. Return to campus by 8:30AM
    PARESKY STEPS

    8:00 –  9:30AM
    Ephraim Williams Society Breakfast
    Join us as we honor alumni, parents, and friends who have established legacy gifts for Williams. RSVP to: Cheryl Brigley, 877-374-7526 or cbrigley@williams.edu
    WILLIAMS INN, 1090 Main Street

    10:00 – 11:00AM 
    50th Reunion Alumni Seminar: TBD

    11:30 – 2:30PM Free Ice Cream courtesy of The Ephraim Williams Society
    FRONT PORCH, PARESKY CENTER

    11:30 – 1:30PM 
    FestEPHal - Lunch & Day Party
    Members of the Williams Black Alumni Network (WBAN), Williams Latinx Alumni Network (WLAN), Williams Asian and Asian-American Alumni Network (WAAAAN), Williams Firsts Alumni Network (WFAN) and BiGLATA are welcome to enjoy a festive party lunch with the family while enjoying the ambiance of the newly renovated Log. This event will be hosted by the Director for Alumni Diversity & Inclusion, Sharifa Wright '03.
    THE LOG

    1:30 – 2:30PM 
    25th Alumni Seminar: TBD
    MAINSTAGE, ’62 CENTER FOR THEATRE AND DANCE

    2:45-3:45PM
    Alumni Seminar: TBD
    MAINSTAGE, ’62 CENTER FOR THEATRE AND DANCE

    4:00 – 5:00PM
    A Conversation with Williams President Maud S. Mandel
    Society of Alumni President, Tom Gardner '79, will engage in conversation with President Mandel.
    MAINSTAGE, ’62 CENTER FOR THEATRE AND DANCE

    5:30PM
    Shabbat Service followed by Kiddush
    JEWISH RELIGIOUS CENTER

    6:00PM
    Class Dinners and Festivities
    Refer to class specific schedules for locations and details.

  • 7AM
    Bird Walk with Hopkins Forest Manager Drew Jones
    Some binoculars provided. Coffee available!
    HOPKINS FOREST

    7AM
    Hike Through Hopkins Forest
    Join other reunion attendees for an early morning hike through Hopkins Forest. This 4.5 mile hike, traversing a large stretch of the Forest, begins with some stunning views from atop the crest, then descends the Birch Brook trail to the Loop trails, before finishing at the Rosenburg Center. Sturdy shoes recommended for the rolling terrain. If you'd like a ride to the trailhead, meet behind Chapin Hall in the parking lot for a van ride to Petersburg Pass on Rt2 at 7am. Vans will shuttle hikers back to campus from the Rosenburg Center at about 10AM.

    7AM
    Fun Run
    Join other reunion attendees for an early morning run in the Purple Valley (Gale Road loop).
    CHAPIN STEPS

    7AM
    Yoga
    GREYLOCK DANCE STUDIO, 2nd FLOOR, GREYLOCK HALL

    8:30AM*
    Create a Spectacle
    Dress up for the parade by making your own festive sunglasses, hats, and signs to carry and wear! Rain or shine.
    SAWYER QUAD TENT

    9:30AM*
    Parade of Classes
    The Class of 1969 will lead the way to Chandler Gym for the Society’s 196th Annual Meeting. Pre-parade music provided by the Eagles Band of Pittsfield. Find your classmates near class signs on Sawyer Quad. The Greylocks (post-50th Reunion classes) should gather outside of the Dodd House for the parade. ATTENTION: This year, the parade will be held on Sawyer Quad. See animation by Alexandra Scarangella '18 to preview the new route.
    SAWYER QUAD

    10:30AM - 12PM
    Annual Meeting, Society of Alumni
    The 197th annual meeting, led by Society of Alumni President Tom Gardner '79: trophies, cups, and medals recognizing alumni volunteers; election results; major gift announcements; and traditional Williams songs.
    CHANDLER GYM

    10:00AM - 2PM*
    Toddler and Preschool Playdate (Ages 2-4)
    Toddlers/preschoolers and their parents/caregivers are welcome at the Williams Children's Center to play with purple Play-Doh, run around the outdoor play spaces, and enjoy other activities.
    CHILDREN'S CENTER, WHITMAN STREET

    10:30AM - 12PM*
    Wheels! (Ages 2-4)
    After the parade, join other young families to explore a fire engine, police cruiser, ambulance, backhoe, front loader, mowers, and street sweeper! Rain or shine.
    WESTON GATE

    10:30AM - 12PM*
    Soccer Clinic (Ages 5-12)
    Join a soccer session for all levels. We'll work on development and refinement, and end with small-sided games. Rain or shine.
    LOWER COLE FIELD

    10:30AM - 12PM*
    Ultimate Frisbee Clinic (Ages 10+)
    Come and learn this team sport, led by members of the Williams Ultimate Frisbee Organization. Rain or shine.
    UPPER COLE FIELD

    NOON*
    All Campus Lunch!
    Rain or shine! Enjoy a meal sourced locally and sustainably, highlighting the great food and farms within the Berkshire community.
    CHAPIN LAWN/PARESKY

    NOON
    Joseph’s Coat Luncheon
    For The Greylocks (post-50th alumni)
    LASELL GYM

    1 - 5PM*
    Visit the Treetops of the Canopy Walkway (Ages 12+)
    The walkway is a pair of tree platforms set 70 ft. above the ground and originally used for research. Participants are harnessed to safety cables, and aided by guides. No children under 12. (Shuttles leave from the intersection of Chapin and Mission Park Drive at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00. Shuttles return from the Forest at 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, and 5:15.)
    HOPKINS FOREST

    1 - 5PM*
    Plenty of Purple Projects (All Ages)
    Get your creative juices flowing and make decoupage frames, boxes, jewelry, stationery, painted cow bells, and more. Materials in Williams' colors, of course!
    SCHOW ATRIUM, SCIENCE QUAD

    1 - 5PM*
    Paint the Purple Cow (Ages 5+)
    Paint your own version of the college's beloved mascot, the Purple Cow. Each session will consist of a 1-hour instructed painting, where each child (age 5 and up) will be able to leave with a completed version of their very own acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Progressive Palette will provide all the supplies needed to create and complete the painting.Their qualified staff will be instructing, inspiring and helping each and every child as needed. Cost: $10 (accept cash, check or credit)
    READING ROOM, PARESKY SECOND LEVEL

    1 - 5PM
    Davis Center & MINCO Open House
    New Staff Members from the Davis Center (formerly The Multi-Cultural Center) will be on hand from 1-3PM to share information about their work from this past academic year.
    HARDY HOUSE, MORLEY CIRCLE

    1 - 5PM
    Library Special Collections Open House
    Staff of the Chapin Library and the College Archives will be on hand to introduce exhibits and collections featuring rare books, manuscripts, yearbooks and other artifacts of college history.
    CHAPIN LIBRARY, SAWYER LIBRARY

    1 - 5PM
    Open House at WCMA Museum Shop
    Stop in to see and shop the newly reinvented store
    WCMA

    1 – 2PM
    Student-Led Admission Tour
    Families with children beginning to think about college are encouraged to participate.
    PARESKY FRONT STEPS

    1 – 2PM
    Tour of the new South Building of the Science Center Renewal Project
    SCHOW ATRIUM

    1 – 2PM*
    Puppet Show (All Ages)
    The Puppet Brigade presents "The Storybook" with giant puppets. Fun for the whole family!
    PARESKY AUDITORIUM

    1 – 2PM*
    Forest Critter Exploration (Ages 5-12)
    Come run and play in Hopkins Forest while looking for forest critters.
    HOPKINS FOREST

    2:15 - 3:15PM
    Dwelling of the Gallant: Women of Williams
    June 2015 marked the 40th anniversary of the graduation of the first fully coed class of Williams College. We take this time to acknowledge the women in the class of 1979, the women who came before them as transfer students and partners, as well as the faculty and staff who supported them. This is also the time for the college to recognize and celebrate the over 13,000 Williams Alumnae (including the class of 2019) who have and continue to have an impact on Williams and the world. Join us for a short ceremony of celebration that includes four Eph women, one per decade, telling their stories as a Woman of Williams.
    MAINSTAGE, '62 CENTER

    2:15 - 3:15PM
    WCMA Highlights Tour
    Curators will be on hand to share highlights and answer questions about new exhibitions and current projects. See the recently acquired Rockwell Kent painting of the Berkshire Hills, paired with WCMA’s iconic “Morning in the City” by Edward Hopper; experience the new installation of Sam Gilliam's grand and lyrical drape work that defies conventional definitions of painting; and explore the representation of animals in art and artifacts across time and across the globe in RAWR! A WCMA Bestiary.
    WCMA

    2:15 - 3:15PM
    Campus Tour
    If you haven’t been to campus in a while, this tour is for you. A reunion ranger will show you the Paresky Center, ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance, Hollander and Schapiro Halls, Sawyer Library, Weston Field, and The Class of 1966 Environmental Center.
    PARESKY FRONT PORCH

    2:15 – 3:15PM*
    The Williams Admission Picture
    Families with children beginning to think about college are encouraged to attend this informal, interactive session with Williams admission officers.
    WESTON HALL

    2:15 – 3:15PM* 
    Community Drum Circle (All Ages)
    In this musical environment, learn rhythms, playful games, and songs from Africa, South America, and Asia. All instruments provided!
    PARESKY FRONT STEPS

    2:15 – 3:15PM*
    Lee F. Jackson '79 Memorial Track Meet and Family Games (Ages 5-12)
    Participate in races, water games, and more. Ribbons for all participants.
    LEE TRACK, WESTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX (Rain Location: Towne Field House)

    2:15 - 3:15PM
    Physics and Astronomy Reception
    The Department of Physics and the Department of Astronomy invite alumni and friends for iced tea and cookies in the new Science building.
    SOUTH SCIENCE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR ENTRY OFF OF MORLEY CIRCLE

    3:30PM
    Eph Meet-Up @ Reunion
    This casual networking reception features industry-specific chat areas where you can meet other Ephs who do what you do - or would like to do someday! Career shifters and other Ephs in professional transition are welcome, as are non-Eph spouses and guests. Come as you are, business cards optional!
    BAXTER HALL, PARESKY CENTER

    3:30PM
    Williams Rocks
    A walking tour of campus, from bedrock to building stones, and the stories they tell with Bud Wobus, Edna McConnell Clark Professor of Geology.
    CLARK HALL, ROOM 105

    3:30PM
    The American Theatre: An Insider's Perspective with Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director of Williamstown Theatre Festival
    Greenfield will preview the Festival's 2019 season, discuss the American theatrical landscape and the process of creating world premiere work for the stage in Williamstown, for off-Broadway, on Broadway and beyond!
    SCHAPIRO 129

    3:30PM
    PREVIEW “BUILDING 6 PORTRAIT INTERIOR” with artist Barbara Ernst Prey ’79.
    MASS MoCA commissioned celebrated artist Barbara Prey to paint the largest watercolor in the world for the opening of their new building. Come see the painting and hear Barbara discusses the monumental commission.
    BUILDING 6, MASS MoCA, 1040 MASS MoCA WAY, NORTH ADAMS

    3:30PM*
    Take Me to the River  (Ages 10+)
    A guided hike on Hopkins Forest's Hoosic River Trail with David Dethier, Edward Brust Professor of Geology and Mineralogy
    HOPKINS FOREST

    3:30PM*
    Family Yoga
    Infants, toddlers, kids of all ages are welcome to practice yoga with Amy Sosne '05, owner of Smalltown Yoga on Spring Street! Games, silliness, zen, and movement with your loved ones - what could be better?
    SAWYER QUAD (Rain Location: Goodrich Hall)

    3:30PM*
    Drawing Class (Ages 5-12)
    Enjoy an outdoor drawing session. No experience necessary; come to learn or practice what you already know. Supplies provided.
    PARK STREET ENTRANCE TO ALUMNI CENTER

    3:30PM*
    Ultimate Frisbee Games (Ages 10+)
    Practice the skills you learned in the morning clinic! Led by WUFO members. Rain or shine.
    UPPER COLE FIELD

    3:30PM 
    Math-Stats Faculty, Students, Alumni Get-Together
    Say hi to the old profs, meet some new ones, see some students, and enjoy one of our famous “Teas.”
    SEMINAR ROOM IN BASCOM

    6PM
    Class Dinners and Festivities
    Refer to class specific schedules for locations and details.

    6PM-10pm*
    Open Board Games at Purple Dragon Games (Ages 10+)
    Owner Niko White '04 will be on hand to teach new games, too.
    PURPLE DRAGON GAMES, 40 SPRING STREET

    7PM*
    Movie at Images: TBD
    IMAGES CINEMA, SPRING STREET

    7PM - 9PM* 
    Climbing Wall (Ages 10+)
    Liability waiver must be signed in order to use climbing wall.
    TOWNE FIELD HOUSE

    7:30PM*
    Capture the Flag (Ages 10+)
    You're never too old for this one. Join Reunion Rangers for this classic summer game.
    FARLEY-LAMB FIELD, WESTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX

    7:30PM*
    Drawing Class (Ages 5-12)
    Explore your creative side with pastels and paper. No experience necessary; supplies provided.
    PARK STREET ENTRANCE TO ALUMNI CENTER

    8:30PM*
    The Zeiss Planetarium Sky
    Experience the wonders of our universe at the Milham Planetarium, located inside the Old Hopkins Observatory. Indoor show. Rain or shine. Enter from the south side, facing the Berkshire Quad.
    MILHAM PLANETARIUM, HOPKINS OBSERVATORY, BERKSHIRE QUAD

    9PM*
    Movie at Images: TBD
    IMAGES CINEMA, SPRING STREET

    9PM
    Williams Reunion Jazz Band Concert
    TAVERN AT THE WILLIAMS INN

    9:30 – 10:30PM
    “HERE COMES THE SUN...”
    Celebrate the 70’s with a delightful hour of music, laughter, and Trivia Time featuring the 70’s & 80’s Ephlats and The Williams Cabaret and a Tribute to the Class of ’79! All classes invited.
    THE LOG

  • 9:30AM
    Reunion Service of Gratitude and Remembrance
    A multi-faith service to honor the passing of beloved classmates and celebrate the blessings of relationship to the Williams community. Led by Williams chaplains and alumni clergy.
    THOMPSON CHAPEL

    NOON
    Dorm Checkout Deadline
    Leave your dorm key on the dresser in your room

*Family Activities Programming