As I approach a year of planning for my 30-year reunion at Carleton, I find myself reflecting on why I love Reunion and when that relationship actually started.
I loved my time at Carleton but as a student never really considered what life after college would look like or how much contact I would have with the school. That is, until I volunteered at Reunion the week after my graduation and was a student host for the class of 1935 celebrating their 60th Reunion. They had ~20-30 people show up for that weekend and they were a fantastic group, including a very memorable “Pistol” Pete, who was the campus supplier of moonshine during Prohibition. The class enjoyed being back on campus but relished their time with each other even more. As host, we were tasked with getting the class to various engagements on time (dinner at Nutting House, anyone?) but they were always late because they insisted on a cocktail hour together first. Witnessing their love for Carleton, and more importantly, for each other and their shared experience was the first time I realized what graduating from Carleton could mean to me.
Since then, I have been to almost every one of my own Reunions, as well as several of my husband’s (class of ’96). I have become connected with old friends over and over again. Additionally, I have made new connections and friends out of people I never knew that well while at Carleton.
I keep going to Reunion and volunteering for the school not only because I believe in its mission, but also because Carleton students and graduates are interesting. They lead engaged lives and have passion for the world around them. And above all, they are fun! Who wouldn’t want to spend time with people like that?
Susi Vortuba ’95
It’s been a year since my 5-year reunion. A year later, I have deepened my involvement with Carleton and remain just as excited about the school as I was when I left 6 years ago.
Going into the weekend, I didn’t know what to expect. The general rhythms of reunion were new to me. It was weird to be back on campus without the routines of a trimester, class, and homework. There were numerous changes on campus: the old music center was demolished and there was a new science center. However, one thing remained strikingly consistent wherever I went on reunion weekend—the people.
Fellow alumni reminded me of what I love about Carleton. Everyone was friendly, low-key, wearing Birkenstocks, and excited to share their stories. People were eager to catch up and enjoy the quirky, curious, and nerdy conversations that drove every other dinner conversation in college.
Alumni can help current Carls in dozens of ways. The Alumni Annual Fund remains a vital source to enable the Carleton experience. Every AAF dollar donated goes immediately to the school’s operating budget and supports student financial aid, career resources, and emergency needs for students. These unrestricted funds are some of the highest impact sources the College has to help its students. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Andrew Ruvkun ’18
To learn more about the different ways you can contribute to Carleton, there is plenty more information on the AAF’s website here: https://www.carleton.edu/giving/annual/philanthropyed/.