Affinity Networks Schedule 2023

Please check in at Alumni House to receive your name tag, schedule and special gift!
Alumni House will close at 5 p.m.

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

The Mead Art Museum holds the art collection of Amherst College—more than 20,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of global culture, which are used for teaching and research across academic disciplines and available for the pleasure and understanding of a diverse public. Admission is always free. The fall exhibitions (on view until January 7) are: Boundless, a multi-media, cross-disciplinary show of Native American art and literature curated by Heid E. Erdrich; and Seeping In: Elizabeth James-Perry, which focuses on the celebrated artist's deep engagement with ethnobotany, traditional Aquinnah Wampanoag practices, and contemporary art.

Museum closes at 5 p.m.

Mead Art Museum

Mead Art Museum

Visit professors and students in the classroom. A list of classes open to visitors is available online and at Alumni House. 

Various Locations

The newly restored Homestead was the birthplace and home of poet Emily Dickinson. The Evergreens, built for the poet’s brother Austin and sister-in-law Susan, is temporarily closed for preservation improvements. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online. Adult admission ranges from $13 to $16. There is no charge for current students, faculty or staff of Amherst College, or youth 17 and under. For more information, call the museum at (413) 542–8161 or visit emilydickinsonmuseum.org. 

Museum closes at 5 p.m.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Drop into the Bangs Community Center in town to see the Civil War Tablets and Ancestral Bridges exhibit!

The exhibit features historic photographs of the first Black and Afro-Indigenous families who lived and worked in Amherst through the centuries. Some of whom served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War; including Christopher Thompson, one of the brave who traveled to Texas and carried out the military acts that ended slavery in America on June 19, 1865, the day we now celebrate as Juneteenth. 

Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002

Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002

The Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall, hosts several student and visiting artist exhibitions throughout the academic year.  On view from October 23–December 15, 2023: Felandus Thames, Oops Up Side Your Head.

Museum closes at 4 p.m.

Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall

Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall

The Beneski Museum of Natural History houses outstanding collections and exhibits that include vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals, and other geologic specimens. Our specimens have been collected since 1825 from local areas and around the world. Some displays illustrate the evolution and ecology of major groups of animals, and others describe the geological processes that have formed the earth and local structures. Particularly noteworthy is the world-famous dinosaur track collection from the sedimentary rocks of the Connecticut River Valley. This collection continues to be one of the largest and most studied fossil track collections in the world.

Museum closes at 4 p.m.

Beneski Earth Sciences Building

Beneski Earth Sciences Building

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision against race-conscious practices in college admissions, the College will convene a community-wide half-day of learning. Join expert guest panelists and community members for an essential conversation about the past, present and future of affirmative action—and the implications of the recent ruling for higher education and beyond. Registration for this event is encouraged. Please find more information here.

12:45–1:40 — History

A conversation with Paul Smith ’76, H’15, P’09, vice president for Litigation and Strategy at the Campaign Legal Center, and Pat Fitzgerald ’82, H’07 about the history, the debates around and the impact of affirmative action and race-conscious admissions, and how affirmative action has impacted considerations of sex, gender and other identities. The conversation will be moderated by Sheree Ohen, chief equity and inclusion officer. An audience Q&A to follow the panel discussion.

1:45–2:45 p.m. — Practice

A conversation with Michael A. Elliott '92, president of Amherst College, and Matthew McGann, dean of admission and financial aid, about the College’s approach to admissions, staff and faculty hiring, athletics and student life. The conversation will be moderated by Rhonda Cobham-Sander, the Emily C. Jordan Folger professor of Black Studies and English. An audience Q&A to follow the panel discussion.

2:50–3:45 p.m. — People

A conversation on diversity through the generations with alums Nadia Biassou ’88, Chris Gillyard ’08, Joon Kim ’18 and Andrew Kim ’18, along with current students reflecting on what Amherst College was like in previous eras and the similarities and differences today. This is an opportunity to learn from the past to guide the future. An audience Q&A to follow the panel discussion. 

Eighmy Powerhouse

Eighmy Powerhouse

Join us as we celebrate the naming of Williams Lounge in Seeley Mudd (room 208) in honor of John I. Williams, Jr. ’75. John's generous support for Amherst, his many years of dedicated service as a Trustee, and his commitment to the College and its Black community have made a meaningful and lasting impact at Amherst. Refreshments will be served. Please register for this celebration.

Seeley Mudd, Main Atrium and Room 208

Join Marc Edwards, Assistant Professor of Biology, for an up-close look at the many features of the Science Center. The tour will begin at the Science Center Cafe.

Science Center

LeFrak Gymnasium

LeFrak Gymnasium

Alumni are invited to gather for a formal dinner with the Amherst Society of Black Alumni, featuring Nadia Biassou '88, Will Turner '94, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Sheree Ohen and President Michael A. Elliott. 

Ford Hall Event Space

Join us off campus for an informal reception hosted by ASBA, which includes a meet-and-greet with the College’s new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. 

Amherst Coffee + Bar, 28 Amity St, Amherst, MA 01002

Please check in at Alumni House to receive your name tag, schedule and special gift!

Alumni House will close at 12:30 p.m.

Alumni House, 75 Churchill St

Alumni House

The Mead Art Museum holds the art collection of Amherst College—more than 20,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of global culture, which are used for teaching and research across academic disciplines and available for the pleasure and understanding of a diverse public. Admission is always free. The fall exhibitions (on view until January 7) are: Boundless, a multi-media, cross-disciplinary show of Native American art and literature curated by Heid E. Erdrich; and Seeping In: Elizabeth James-Perry, which focuses on the celebrated artist's deep engagement with ethnobotany, traditional Aquinnah Wampanoag practices, and contemporary art.

Museum closes at 5 p.m.

Mead Art Museum

Start your morning with leaders from the Amherst Society of Black Alumni (ASBA). Share your ideas and learn what's new with ASBA.

ASBA works to create connection and programming for Amherst College alumni of African descent. The Society is an organization for Black Amherst College alumni to engage in mutual professional development, interpersonal support, and the cultivation of Black graduates both present and future. Learn more

Webster 217

Webster 217

Join President Michael A. Elliott ’92 in conversation with Andrew J. Nussbaum ’85, Chair of the Board of Trustees, as they discuss observations and reflections from campus.

Johnson Chapel

Johnson Chapel

The Beneski Museum of Natural History houses outstanding collections and exhibits that include vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals, and other geologic specimens. Our specimens have been collected since 1825 from local areas and around the world. Some displays illustrate the evolution and ecology of major groups of animals, and others describe the geological processes that have formed the earth and local structures. Particularly noteworthy is the world-famous dinosaur track collection from the sedimentary rocks of the Connecticut River Valley. This collection continues to be one of the largest and most studied fossil track collections in the world.

Museum closes at 5 p.m.

Beneski Earth Sciences Building

The newly restored Homestead was the birthplace and home of poet Emily Dickinson. The Evergreens, built for the poet’s brother Austin and sister-in-law Susan, is temporarily closed for preservation improvements. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online. Adult admission ranges from $13 to $16. There is no charge for current students, faculty or staff of Amherst College, or youth 17 and under. For more information, call the museum at (413) 542–8161 or visit emilydickinsonmuseum.org. 

The museum closes at 5 p.m.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Bring your Amherst gear and your game face to the BAW Tailgate! Come mix and mingle at the west end of the field before the football game begins. Look for the “Black Alumni Weekend” sign! 

Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium

Please join us at Pratt Field for the Homecoming football game! A light lunch and refreshments will be served on the west end of the field, and beer and wine will be available in the concession stand for guests 21+ through the end of halftime. Please be prepared to show a valid ID.

Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium

Museum Educator Alfred Venne and student docents will take guests on a journey that looks at some of the amazing stories behind our wonderful collection of dinosaur bones, tracks and traces and magnificent mammals. Learn how faculty, students and alumni have made the Beneski Museum possible. The tour will last about 45 minutes. Bring your cameras!

Beneski Museum of Natural History

Come hear from a selection of Black faculty members for a discussion of their work. Panelists include Brittney Bailey, Assistant Professor of Statistics; Stefan Bradley, Professor of Black Studies and History; Dwight Carey, Assistant Professor of Art and the History of Art; and Jallicia Jolly, Assistant Professor of American Studies and Black Studies. This panel will be moderated by Marc Edwards, Assistant Professor of Biology.  

Lipton Lecture Hall, Science Center E110

Lipton Lecture Hall E110, Science Center

Barbershop and Books is a community building initiative organized by CJ Mitchell (AC ’25) & Prof. Frank Leon Roberts (English). This weekly barbershop experience is rooted in the rich cultural tradition of black barbershops as sites of community dialogue. Best for those seeking low cuts/afrostyles but always open to ALL. Don't need a haircut? Still drop-in for pizza, books, and conversation! All alumni, faculty, staff and students welcome! 

Room 004, Johnson Chapel

We welcome the stars of the short documentary Team Dream, a film starring close friends and swimmers Ann Smith and Madeline Murphy Rabb as they prepare for the 2022 National Senior Games. As the training narrative unfolds, they share about their lives growing up amid segregation and stigma before breaking boundaries in their adopted hometown Chicago. The event will feature a screening of the 17 minute documentary followed by a panel with the stars, their coach Derrick Q. Milligan and Free Rabb '26, Madeline Murphy Rabb's grandson. The discussion will be moderated by Robert Hayashi, Professor of American Studies, with additional commentary by Kevin Dawson, Associate Professor of History at University of California Merced.

Lipton Lecture Hall, Science Center E110

Lipton Lecture Hall E110, Science Center

Join the Charles Drew Memorial Culture House as we pay homage to the Black homecoming experience and bring some of our favorite traditions to campus. Round out your afternoon with music, dinner and performances by DASAC, Kiiren and the Brooklyn United Drumline. 

Charles Drew House Lawn

Join Melissa Alexis ’97 for sunrise yoga. Remember to bring your yoga mat or practice in a chair and learn everyday poses to use in your life and work. 

Alumni House

Please find a breakfast ticket in your registration packet that can be redeemed at Valentine Dining Hall.

Valentine Dining Hall

The Mead Art Museum holds the art collection of Amherst College—more than 20,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of global culture, which are used for teaching and research across academic disciplines and available for the pleasure and understanding of a diverse public. Admission is always free. The fall exhibitions (on view until January 7) are: Boundless, a multi-media, cross-disciplinary show of Native American art and literature curated by Heid E. Erdrich; and Seeping In: Elizabeth James-Perry, which focuses on the celebrated artist's deep engagement with ethnobotany, traditional Aquinnah Wampanoag practices, and contemporary art.

The museum closes at 5 p.m.

Mead Art Museum

We invite Black alumni to reflect on their memories of Gerald Penny and the racial history of Amherst. The event will feature remarks by Professor of Black Studies and History Stefan Bradley as host and emcee, President Michael A. Elliott, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Sheree Ohen, and Senior Associate Dean of Students Charri Boykin-East. Gerald’s friends and contemporaries will also share memories and personal reflections. Music by vocalist Vanessa Ford.

You can find more information on Gerald Penny here. 

The Gerald Penny ’77 Black Cultural Center, The Octagon

The Gerald Penny ’77 Black Cultural Center, The Octagon

The newly restored Homestead was the birthplace and home of poet Emily Dickinson. The Evergreens, built for the poet’s brother Austin and sister-in-law Susan, is temporarily closed for preservation improvements. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online. Adult admission ranges from $13 to $16. There is no charge for current students, faculty or staff of Amherst College, or youth 17 and under. For more information, call the museum at (413) 542–8161 or visit emilydickinsonmuseum.org. 

The museum closes at 5 p.m.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Join us for Bi-Semester Christian Worship Service on Sunday, November 12 at 11:15 in Chapin Chapel. 

The Bi-Semester Worship Series is designed for and by students to provide an on-campus Christian worship experience which affirms African-American religious traditions. Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Adkins-Jones will be on hand to provide the sermon. The service will also will feature Assistant Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and Christian Chaplain Rev. Shannon Farrand-Bernardin, and organist Dr. Ruth Bass Green. All are welcome.

Chapin Chapel, Chapin Hall 

The Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall, hosts several student and visiting artist exhibitions throughout the academic year. On view from October 23–December 15, 2023: Felandus Thames, Oops Up Side Your Head.

The museum closes at 4 p.m.

Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall

Enjoy lunch while reconnecting with students and alumni you met over the course of the weekend.

Lewis-Sebring Commons, Valentine Dining Hall