The week before graduation is always a vibrant time on a university campus as seniors look forward to the momentous occasion in their academic careers and faculty and staff take time to relax and enjoy the fruits of a successful year. Adding alumni returning to Mega Reunion to that mix will inject another shot of enthusiasm and energy into an already special time.
“The dream is to bring alumni back while campus is still in full swing,” said President W. Taylor Reveley IV. “If you could put your finger on a calendar to one weekend that we’d want alumni to be back at Longwood, with all their natural enthusiasm and spirit, it would be this one. This year we’re excited to welcome back several hundred Lancers for three days of celebrating friendships, rekindling a connection with this great and historic place, and welcoming the newest members of the alumni ranks into the fold.”
This year we’re excited to welcome back several hundred Lancers for three days of celebrating friendships, rekindling a connection with this great and historic place, and welcoming the newest members of the alumni ranks into the fold.
President W. Taylor Reveley IV Tweet This
For the first time, seniors will be invited to participate in Mega Reunion, the major alumni event on campus for all alumni, with special events planned for individual decades of graduates. While the programming will still focus on a great experience for alumni to reconnect and enjoy time back at their alma mater, seniors will be included in the festivities. Organizers hope the mix of seniors and alumni will strengthen bonds between alumni and campus, and keep seniors engaged as they start the next chapter of their lives.
“We are creating a kind of special sauce on campus where our graduates not only kick off senior week with a unique and meaningful experience in which they get a taste of life as an alum, but also where our existing community of alumni can remember what it’s like to be a graduating senior,” said Nicole Perkins ’05, director of alumni engagement. “We’re going to celebrate with the hundreds of alumni who are returning to campus as we always have, but with a palpable new sense of energy and purpose as we integrate seniors into the festivities.”
Longwood’s Mega Reunion will be held on campus from Friday, May 11, to Sunday, May 13. The weekend will include decade receptions and parties held at various locations; live entertainment; food and drinks; discussions and panels led by faculty, staff and community members; campus tours; and downtown Farmville tours.
There’s a real momentum in Farmville that we want alumni to feel a part of.
Nicole Perkins ’05, director of alumni engagement Tweet This
“This year I think alumni will be very interested in the downtown tours to see how much our town has changed in the past year,” said Perkins. “In addition to new dining options like One19, the taco and tequila restaurant right on Main Street, the new Weyanoke Hotel will be open with its three new restaurants and stunning rooftop bar. There’s a real momentum in Farmville that we want alumni to feel a part of.”
The Saturday afternoon centerpiece, the traditional class parade, will bring together alumni of all ages to process from Stubbs Lawn to Wheeler Mall, where those wishing to participate will engage in an alumni version of Color Wars, the longtime Longwood tradition.
As in previous years, many alumni will stay in on-campus residence halls, further re-creating the college feel that brings memories flooding back.
For seniors, Mega Reunion is a landmark event to kick off senior week, the buildup to commencement and a last hurrah at their alma mater.
“I participated in Mega Reunion last year,” said senior class president Praise Nyambiya ’18, “and I spent most of my time talking with alumni and making connections that I never would have been able to make before. I thought at the time how great it would be for other students to have the same opportunity—and that’s what’s been created here. It’s a great way to start off senior week, which is such a special time for everyone who is graduating.”
For a full schedule of events or to register, go to go.longwood.edu/megaschedule.
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