It’s a chance to reunite with fellow Society members and catch up with former classmates, all while reflecting on legacy and simply relaxing in the company of Poets.
This year, more than 1,500 people attended the four-day event. The weekend’s packed schedule featured the Purple & Gold Hall of Fame induction ceremony, President Kristine Dillon ’73’s installation ceremony, the Poet Musicale, Poet Fest on the Upper Quad, sports, the Poet Bash party at A.J. Villalobos Hall, reunions, meet-ups, and more.
Shuaib Beveridge ’95 from Plano, Texas, came to celebrate the Lancer Society’s 90th anniversary. In addition to the Lancers, the Metaphonians commemorated their centennial, while the Athenians, Thalians, and Orthogonians recognized 95 years, and the Penns turned 90.
He enjoyed attending the Society’s brunch, Professor Mike McBride’s last lecture, and other festivities. Yet his favorite part was walking around the College reminiscing.
“It's interesting to be away for 30 years, but then when you're there, it transports you back to your 20-year-old self,” Beveridge said.
That nostalgia and camaraderie were important for Danikka Giarratani Moses ’94, too. The Thalian traveled from Boston to witness a hopeful and passionate spirit among Poets.
“There's a new fervor that's happening on the campus, and I wanted to be a part of that and show my support,” Giarratani Moses said. “And when I heard football was coming back, that made me really excited. I’m hoping to add that part once again into my Homecoming experience in the future.”
Homecoming is a time to look ahead as well as back. Friday’s installation of President Dillon saw her share how the evening’s theme — Ignite. Connect. Renew. — encapsulated why Poets gathered to celebrate.
“Ignite. Connect. Renew. is a call to rekindle our sense of purpose, deepen our connections, and renew our commitment to the values that make Whittier unique,” Dillon said.
Those connections should extend beyond campus, she said.
“I ask you to remain engaged, not only in the life of Whittier College but also in deepening our connections with our surrounding communities,” Dillon said. “Whittier’s tradition of embracing diverse perspectives with a fundamental respect for the individual is an excellent formula to address today’s societal challenges. Ignite. Connect. Renew. becomes a theme to guide Whittier’s development of the leaders needed in our challenging world, today and for generations to come.”
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