Reunion 2024 Schedule

Stop by for registration, schedules of class activities, messages, information on the Amherst area and light refreshments. Telephone: (413) 542–2065.

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

Explore the home where Amherst's greatest poet penned her near 1800 poems. A knowledgeable tour guide shares Dickinson's journey as a poet and the daily life that was a wellspring of inspiration. Advance sign-up is required for all participants, including guests of alumni. Advance sign-up will begin on May 1. Space is limited to 12 participants.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Stop by for registration, schedules of class activities, messages, information on the Amherst area and light refreshments. Telephone: (413) 542–2065.

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

Tour the former U.S. Strategic Air Command (Northeast Command) nuclear communications bunker and learn of its history, led by Aaron Hayden, the College’s Capital Projects Manager and the unofficial authority on the history of the Bunker. The Bunker has served as the Amherst College Book Depository since its purchase by the College in 1992. Each tour is limited to 30 people. Please sign up in advance online or by phone at 413-542-2313. If space is available, you may sign up on-site at the Alumni House Reception Center (75 Churchill Street). Please note: You will need to provide your own transportation to and from the Bunker.

Amherst Bunker, 100 Military Drive, off Route 116 in the Holyoke Range

Lecture by Olufemi O. Vaughan, Alfred Sargent Lee '41 and Mary Farley Ames Lee Professor of Black Studies; Chair of Black Studies

Location and details to be announced

Join Fred Venne, museum educator and Student Docents, for a walk through the Beneski Museum of Natural History, which houses outstanding collections and exhibits that include vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals and other geologic specimens collected locally and from around the world since 1825. Particularly noteworthy is the world-famous dinosaur track collection. Bring your cameras. 

Beneski Museum of Natural History

Lecture by Amelie Hastie, Nancy and Douglas D. Abbey '71 Professor of English in Film and Media Studies

Location and details to be announced

Lecture by Michael Cohen, Assistant Professor of Psychology

Location and details to be announced

With a knowledgeable guide, explore the home of the poet's brother and sister-in-law, Austin and Susan Dickinson. The lives of the Dickinson families at the Homestead and The Evergreens were closely linked, both in their daily conduct and in the private lives that unfolded in the houses. These connections had a profound impact on Emily Dickinson’s poetry and, later, on the posthumous publication of her verse and the preservation of her legacy. Advance sign-up is required for all participants, including guests of alumni. Advance sign-up will begin on May 1. Space is limited to 10 participants.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Stop by for registration, schedules of class activities, messages, information on the Amherst area and light refreshments. Telephone: (413) 542–2065.

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

Join Jane and Robert Keiter Family Executive Director Jane Wald for a walking exploration of the newly re-opened Evergreens, home to Austin and Susan Dickinson. The Evergreens reopened in March 2024 after major preservation and stabilization efforts. The Italianate house and the family there were part of the poet's daily life and inspiration, and today the house remains a fly in the amber—virtually untouched since the family's last redecorating campaign in the 1890s. Advance sign-up is required for all participants, including guests of alumni. Advance sign-up will begin on May 1. Space is limited to 10 participants per tour.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

Locations and details to be announced

Amherst owns and runs a working farm, Book & Plow Farm. It grows all manner of produce and supplies Valentine Dining Hall. And the produce is local: the farm is just a 15-minute walk from campus. There we’ll meet Farm Manager Kaylee Brow for a tour of the Core Site and a (kid-friendly) farm activity, from 9 to 11 a.m. We’ll go rain or shine, but cancel for thunder and lightning. Maps to the farm will be available at the Alumni House Reception Center, and parking is available for people who prefer to drive. You are also welcome to visit the farm at any point during the weekend to enjoy the view!

Book & Plow Farm Greenhouse on Tuttle Hill, 425 South East Street, Amherst

Join Jane and Robert Keiter Family Executive Director Jane Wald for a walking exploration of the newly re-opened Evergreens, home to Austin and Susan Dickinson. The Evergreens reopened in March 2024 after major preservation and stabilization efforts. The Italianate house and the family there were part of the poet's daily life and inspiration, and today the house remains a fly in the amber—virtually untouched since the family's last redecorating campaign in the 1890s. Advance sign-up is required for all participants, including guests of alumni. Advance sign-up will begin on May 1. Space is limited to 10 participants per tour.

Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street

The Wellbeing Makerspace is a new space where students can explore their creativity, connect, and de-stress. Located on the first floor of Keefe Campus Center, the Wellbeing Makerspace is an initiative of Student Affairs and is managed by Residential Engagement & Wellbeing. Participants can use a variety of art and craft supplies to experiment with various mediums and projects, learn from and collaborate with peers, and access healthy outlets to manage stress and adversity. Alumni and guests are invited to stop into the Wellbeing Makerspace to explore the various materials, health and wellbeing resources, and learn more about how this space helps students to center their wellbeing through creative expression and exploration. Open hours end at 5 p.m.

First Floor, Keefe Campus Center

Locations and details to be announced

This session will take a look at Amherst’s sustainability efforts and path forward. The College recently relaunched an Office of Sustainability to help infuse sustainability across its curriculum, co-curriculum and operations. Concurrently, it has begun a massive effort to decarbonize the campus’ energy system, transitioning from a fossil fuel-based steam distribution system to a new low-temperature hot water system that will be paired with a geothermal well field and run on renewable electricity. Join Wes Dripps '92, the Director for Sustainability, to learn more about these exciting new initiatives.

Lipton Lecture Hall (E110), Science Center

Join Fred Venne, museum educator and Student Docents, for a walk through the Beneski Museum of Natural History, which houses outstanding collections and exhibits that include vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals and other geologic specimens collected locally and from around the world since 1825. Particularly noteworthy is the world-famous dinosaur track collection. Bring your cameras.

Beneski Museum of Natural History

Drop in to learn more about the Multicultural Resource Center, Queer Resource Center, Women’s & Gender Center, Center for International Student Engagement, Class & Access Resource Center and Center for Religious & Spiritual Life and connect with some of the OICR staff. Drop-in session ends at 4 p.m.

Atrium, Keefe Campus Center

At Amherst, sustainability is a core value. The campus is home to many sustainable features that foster academic experiences, have earned national and regional recognition, reduce our campus footprint, and support and inspire the campus community. From buildings and grounds to academics to campus wellbeing, we aspire to integrate sustainability into every part of campus life. Join Wes Dripps ’92, the Director of Sustainability, for a guided walking tour of the college’s sustainability features, programs and plans.

Meet in Living Room (Main Lobby), Science Center

Tour the former U.S. Strategic Air Command (Northeast Command) nuclear communications bunker and learn of its history, led by Aaron Hayden, the College’s Capital Projects Manager and the unofficial authority on the history of the Bunker. The Bunker has served as the Amherst College Book Depository since its purchase by the College in 1992. Each tour is limited to 30 people. Please sign up in advance online or by phone at 413-542-2313. If space is available, you may sign up on-site at the Alumni House Reception Center (75 Churchill Street). Please note: You will need to provide your own transportation to and from the Bunker.

Amherst Bunker, 100 Military Drive, off Route 116 in the Holyoke Range

Come and join us for an LGBTQ+ alumni reception. This informal gathering will be a chance for LGBTQ+ alumni and their families to come together in community and celebration during Reunion weekend. Join us to share, celebrate and uplift the experiences of Amherst's queer and trans alumni. All are welcome!

Queer Resource Center, Keefe Campus Center

Join President Michael A. Elliott and others from the College for conversation and celebration. All are welcome. Reception ends at 6:30 p.m.

Living Room, Science Center

Stop by for registration, schedules of class activities, messages, information on the Amherst area and light refreshments. Telephone: (413) 542–2065.

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

Locations and details to be announced

The Amherst men’s and women’s soccer teams will sponsor a game between odd- and even-class soccer alumni. Bring your black shorts, cleats and shin guards; we’ll supply shirts and socks. RSVP to Coach Alex Ortega (aortega@amherst.edu) so we have a headcount and spread the word to your classmates and teammates! Plan to go right to Gooding Field to get your shirt and socks prior to the match!

Gooding Turf Field

Join us for an entertaining and fun magic show with the amazing Ed Popielarczyk, a professional magician, balloon sculptor, flea circus ringmaster and storyteller. Ed will keep kids enthralled and adults smiling during this comedy magic show with lots of audience participation.

Main Quadrangle

Hats, animals, airplanes, cartoon characters, flowers, motorcycles—Ed can sculpt hundreds of things with balloons! Stop by until 1:30 p.m. and make a request!

Main Quadrangle

Johnson Chapel

Join us for a complimentary luncheon under the tent on the Valentine Quad. Look for your classmates under the decade signs!

Valentine Quad

Locations and details to be announced

If you peered between the trees along the riverbank and were startled to see a rowing shell gliding across the face of the water, the urge to jump into the boat would be difficult to extinguish. How satisfying would it be to lean on the rudder again and holler at individuals who are not your children, or press your weight against the foot stretcher to leverage the shell forward? The experience would fill the hollowness that has ensued since the last time you sat in a boat. Please join us for an afternoon on the river at our annual Reunion gathering at the boathouse. Coach Bill Stekl will also give an update on the progress and success of the students on the Amherst College rowing team, who move boats faster than any of us.

Amherst College Boathouse (Sportsman’s Marina, Route 9 at Coolidge Bridge)

Come visit old friends and hear about what is going on in ACF. Drop by anytime between 3–4 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Hosted by Anthony Spina ’17, ACF Advisor and InterVarsity Affiliate.

Pemberton Lounge (formerly Chapin Lounge), Chapin Hall

Apocalypse is a Party for People Who Don't Like Parties, hosted by Planworld. Come and meet a diverse group of interesting people who all read the program and decided to sneak away for a few minutes. The conversation will be fueled by Black Sheep cake, among other delights.  We will continue until everyone stops talking.

Second Floor Lounge, Nicholls Biondi Hall, Greenway Residence Halls

The Zumbyes welcome all Zum-alums, Amherst alums, friends, fans and anyone else to celebrate the 74th year of the group with a free concert of new songs, classic songs and, of course, our beloved College songs.

Buckley Recital Hall, Arms Music Center

Alumni House, 75 Churchill Street

Please join us for an ecumenical service to remember the lives of those alumni we have lost this year.

War Memorial, Memorial Hill