Class of 1999 Newsletter

July 2024

To all who came to campus last month, thank you! To those who weren’t able to make it, we missed you!

We hope you had a fabulous time reconnecting and reliving our time together in the 90’s. Now we have new memories to resurrect, like a dance party in the pouring rain. Yes, that happened this June. Some of you have the most impressive dance moves for 47 year olds!  Thank you, Luke Ball, for keeping your name tag on even after tearing off your shirt to Madonna. We needed those name tags all weekend. Check below for a link to Spotify reunion playlists.

We were also able to catch up on the news of peoples’ lives from the last 25 years and hear what people are up to now, both in short conversations like the ones to and from the airport (thank you ride-share!) and during the storytelling event on Friday. Some of our classmates told stories of wit, failure, humor, and personal growth and learning – the humanity that ties us together. Bravo!  I heard from many people that this was their favorite part of the weekend.

If you came to Reunion, I hope you felt rejuvenated and learned more about yourself and others.  If you didn’t come, we’d love to see you another year.

Here are some quotes from folks who came to reunion:

• “I once thought college would be a finite period in my life. This weekend was a reminder that my Carleton experience is one that keeps unfolding, continuing to make my world bigger and more meaningful.”
• My favorite part of the weekend was “catching up with friends” and “my kids experiencing Carleton.”
• This provided me with “numerous ways to be together with classmates in active, educational, and passive settings.”
• I loved the “impromptu Luke Ball dance party in front of Burton from midnight to 3 am Saturday night.”

Maybe you have suggestions for our next gathering.  If so, take a minute to complete the Post-Reunion Survey.

Um, people, where are your nametags?

Feedback form:
If you made it to Reunion, please complete this Post-Reunion Survey.  We would love to hear what you thought and we’re listening to any great ideas you have that would make our next reunion even greater.  It should just take a minute.

And if you haven’t had a chance…
Look through the Bio Book.  You can revisit the bio book and reread or read-anew what people have shared about their lives.

Our lovely Kelly Pierce (and her spouse Ben ’98) put together playlists from 1995-1999; these were the songs playing outside of Burton all weekend. For those of you wanting to replay those songs again, the playlists – 12 in all! – are on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/user/grandmasterbennyben?si=5f983c82280d4487.

Who traveled the farthest to get to Reunion?

a) Ken Tape
b) Julia Gartner
c) Luke Lara
d) David Link

Quiz Answer:

D, all the way from Norway! 

Join our Carleton Class of 1999 Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Visit the Class of 1999 Reunion web page to peruse our Zoobook, find a classmate’s contact info, and keep your own details up to date in the Alumni Directory.

laughs provided by Dave Infanger

Craziest thing – when I was at Reunion I met an alumnus from ’94 who had an irrational fear of buffets.  Poor guy couldn’t help himself.

Missing Minnesota? Ease your post-Reunion withdrawal with a drink inspired by the local, seasonal flavors of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb.

For the strawberry-rhubarb syrup:

• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. chopped strawberries
• 1c. peeled, chopped rhubarb

For the cocktail:

• 6 oz. ginger beer or ginger ale
  
• 1-2 oz. strawberry-rhubarb syrup
• 2 oz. vodka (leave out for a mocktail)

To make the syrup: Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over low-medium heat and stir until dissolved. Add the fruit and let simmer for at least 20 minutes. Let cool. Strain into a mason jar and refrigerate for up to a week. The strained fruit makes a yummy ice cream topping!

To make the drink: Fill a copper mug with ice cubes. Add all ingredients and stir. Garnish with a fresh strawberry or a lime wedge.