Tuesday, Jun 14, 2016
Generations of Rider alumni reunited on June 10 and 11
by Adam Grybowski
Rider broke out its red, white and blue to celebrate the election year and its own Bronc Nation for Reunions on June 10 and 11, 2016. Thirty events made up one of the biggest, and most fun, annual occasions at Rider.
Jason Thompson ’08, the first Rider alumnus to play in the NBA, was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony that also welcomed Kevin Connolly ’75, baseball; Don Fisch ’08, wrestling; Sarah Artale-Hayek ’03, women’s soccer; and James McKeown ’81, men’s soccer. The 1994 Volleyball team received the Clair Bee Outstanding Team Achievement Award and Chuck Rednor '78 received the Herbert R. Young '50 Award.
Many classes reunited for significant reunions, including the Class of 2006 for its 10-year reunion and the Class of 2011 for its five-year reunion. DAARSTOC celebrated its 40th anniversary and The Rebovich Institute gathered for its 15th anniversary.
This year, a special event this year was held for the Class of 1966, which celebrated its 50th anniversary and was inducted into the Olde Guarde Society with an exclusive reception at Betta House with President Gregory G. Dell’Omo and his wife, Polly.
As always, Reunions kicked off with the 5K Walk/Run for Women’s Athletics. The event, which benefits Rider’s 10 NCAA Division I women’s varsity sports, includes races for all skill levels. Other athletic events like a yoga session and the 5th Annual Broncs Tennis Classic allowed alumni to get their hearts pumping while back on campus.
Of course, food and drink brought old friends together. This year Reunions featured an all-American grill at the Stars & Stripes Lunch, a Weyerbacher beer tasting and a Western-themed BBQ at the Bronc Nation Dinner.
Over 151 years, Rider University has only had seven presidents, and three of them were in attendance at The Rose Garden Party. Rider’s current president, Gregory G. Dell’Omo, and past presidents Mordechai Rozanski and Bart Luedeke had the chance to catch up with friendly faces, new and old, at Reunions.
As the sun began to set on a bright, hot day, a Silent Disco started on Cranberry’s patio. Once it set, a “Movie Under the Stars” played on the Campus Green — one that many generations of alumni could enjoy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
