Wednesday, Jun 8, 2016
5 reasons the 2016 Rider Reunions promise to be a blast
by Adam Grybowski
Rider is breaking out its red, white and blue to celebrate this election year and its own Bronc Nation for Reunions on June 10 and 11. Thirty events are jam packed into one of the biggest, and most fun, annual events at Rider. Of the many reasons alumni should return for Reunions, the following five may be the most exciting.
Hang with an NBA player
He is the first Rider alumnus to play in the NBA, his retired jersey hangs in Alumni Gym and, now, the court in Rider’s brand-new athletics practice facility bears his name. Jason Thompson ‘08 is a legend in Lawrenceville, and the 6’11’’ inch power forward/center for the Toronto Raptors will be back on campus on June 11 when he is inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Bring a step stool if you plan to ask him for a selfie!
The Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony begins on June 11 at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a 6 p.m. reception. $60 per person. In addition to Thompson, other inductees include Kevin Connolly ’75, baseball; Don Fisch ’08, wrestling; Sarah Artale-Hayek ’03, women’s soccer; James McKeown ’81, men’s soccer. Receiving the Clair Bee Outstanding Team Achievement Award will be the 1994 Volleyball team. The Herbert R. Young '50 Award will be given to Chuck Rednor '78.
Discover the glories of silent disco
If you tend to march to the beat of your own drum, a silent disco might be the perfect party opportunity for you. In lieu of a typical dance party, with speakers blasting music for everyone to hear, a silent disco allows each partygoer to don headphones and listen to music of their choice without anyone else hearing what they're listening to. If that sounds too strange for you to participate, consider attending for the people watching alone.
The Silent Disco takes place on June 11 from 8 to 11 p.m. on Cranberry’s patio. Also taking place during this time is a “Movie Under the Stars,” with a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on the Campus Green. Both events are free.
Catch up with classmates
You haven’t seen your classmates enough since graduation, and even if you have, you haven’t seen them all together back on campus! In addition to activities like yoga, a beer tasting and Wiffle Ball, there are several specific reunions taking place on June 11 that will allow alumni to catch up with and forge new memories with old friends. These include the Department of Communication and Journalism Reunion; the 10-year reunion for the Class of 2006 and the five-year reunion for the Class of 2011; the 40th-anniversary celebration of DAARSTOC; and the 15th anniversary of the Rebovich Institute. A special event this year will be held for the Class of 1966, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and will be inducted into the Olde Guarde Society with an exclusive reception at Betta House with President Gregory G. Dell’Omo and his wife, Polly.
For details on these events, please see the full Rider Reunions schedule.
Exercise, and then eat!
2016 marks the 10th year in a row Reunions will kick 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. Afterwards, indulge in an all-American grill at the Stars & Stripes Lunch, a Weyerbacher beer tasting and a Western-themed BBQ at the Bronc Nation Dinner.
10th Annual 5K Walk/Run for Women’s Athletics takes place from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on June 11. $30, $25 ages 12 and under. The Stars & Stripes Lunch takes place June 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10. A Taste of Weyerbacher Beer takes place June 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. Free. Bronc Nation Dinner takes place June 11 5:30 to 8 p.m. $15.
Rub elbows with three Rider presidents
Over 151 years, Rider University has only had seven presidents. Three of them will be in attendance at The Rose Garden Party on June 11. Rider’s current president, Gregory G. Dell’Omo, and past presidents Mordechai Rozanski and Bart Luedeke are eager to catch up with alumni at Reunions. And if you haven't had the chance to meet President Dell’Omo yet, this is a great opportunity. A few conversation starters: He almost played baseball at Rider as an undergraduate; he grew up stocking shelves and sweeping floors in his father’s pharmacy in Fair Haven; and he loves Bruce Springsteen and first saw him live in the early 1970s.
The Rose Garden Party on the Plaza takes place on the Kaplan Plaza on June 11 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Free.