'94 Celebrates 25

Class of 1994 20th Reunion – June 2014

Please join us in Williamstown June 6-9, 2019!

Get ready to reconnect with friends and classmates in the Purple Valley.  Whether you’ve come to every reunion or haven’t set foot on campus since graduation, we hope you’ll join us for a wonderful weekend.

We have lots of fun activities and events planned throughout the weekend. If you’re bringing your family with you, there’s a full day of activities for kids on Saturday. You’ll find details about the full reunion weekend and the kids’ program below. If you have any specific reunion questions not answered below, please email the 25th Reunion Program or see below to contact the committee chairs directly.

  • Reunion registration is open. We will be headquartered in Mission Park, and when you register for reunion, you will also be able to reserve dorm rooms for the weekend.  If you prefer to stay off-campus, there is a list of all hotel options in the area.

    Reunion weekend will be packed full of fun. Review the current reunion schedule to see the wide variety of activities for kids, families and alums planned throughout the weekend. We're still planning to add a few more class activities during the spring, so check back for updates over the next few months. You can also check out the entire weekend schedule for all reunion classes.

    Vikas's and Tibisay's welcome letter
    Additional Reunion Details

    Reunion Costs*

    '94 alum: $315
    Spouse/partner/adult guest (ages 18+): $265
    Child (ages 5-17): $80
    Child (ages 4 and under): Free
    Babysitter: Free

    Registration fees include dinner and drinks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, breakfast on Saturday morning, all-campus lunch on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, '94 class swag, children's activities, music on Friday and Saturday nights, Photo booth on Saturday night, rentals, decorations, and supplies.

    * We want everyone to attend and do not want the cost to be an impediment. Please contact Conny in the 25th Reunion Office at (413) 597-4208 or csi1@williams.edu if any of these costs pose a hardship or prevent you from attending. The office will find a way to make it happen, while keeping your inquiry in strict confidence.

    For answers to many questions about the 25th Reunion, check out our 25th FAQs below.

  • Friday evening is a casual BBQ for the whole family under the tent on Poker Flats with games and activities available on the lawn, weather permitting. (If rain forces us indoors to the Towne Field House, there will be organized activities there, too.)

    On Saturday there is a separate 25th kids dinner and activities (for kids ages 5+)** supervised by counselors at the Williamstown Youth Center (WYC), 66 School Street. This is included in your child's registration fees but it does require advance registration. To sign up, please complete the sign-up sheet and submit to the 25th Reunion Office when you register for reunion in the spring. Parents should plan to check-in their children at WYC at 5:30pm (as well as sign waivers and permission slips). Dinner starts at 5:30pm. Following dinner, kids will be divided into groups by age and interest. Several choices will be available:
    • Arts & crafts
    • Outdoor (weather permitting) playground and games like basketball, tetherball, Capture the Flag, etc.
    • Movies on large screen TV
    • Games like dodgeball in the indoor gym
    • Foosball, pool or ping pong
    • Quiet time in the Learning Center or the Computer Lab
    • Walk to Images Cinema on Spring Street for movies
    • Trip to Ramblewild for kids 11 and older
    WYC counselors will be in charge of each of the groups and a 25th staff person will be on hand at WYC. Groups leaving WYC will compile a list with the name of each child who is away from WYC. Parents are expected to pick up their child(ren) by 11:30pm.

    On Saturday evening after dinner, a group of kids (ages 11+) who have pre-registered will go to Ramblewild ropes course, 5:30-10:00pm. Parents of kids going to Ramblewild need to check-in their child(ren) by 4:45pm, so kids can eat and leave on the 5:30pm bus. The bus will not wait! To sign up for Ramblewild, when you register for reunion, please complete the waiver and submit both the waiver and $30 payment to the 25th Reunion Office.

    Teens who stay at WYC will be able to enjoy their own space in WYC. Following dinner, teens can choose from the range of activities above or play Xbox (for teens 12 and older) in the Teen room.

    ** For kids four and younger, the college offers Eph Kids Night Out childcare on Saturday evening for a fee to alums from all classes. If you are not bringing a babysitter and your child is four or younger, you may want to consider this option for Saturday night. For more information and to register for Eph Kids Night Out click here. Please note that Eph Kids Night Out does not provide dinner. Kids four and younger are welcome to join the 25th reunion kids' dinner (along with their caregivers) at WYC before you bring them to the Eph Kids Night Out program.

    To see the kinds of children's activities planned for reunion weekend, here's a link to the Children's Activities for Reunion 2019 for all reunion classes.

  • REGISTRATION INFO:

    What is the registration deadline?
    Online registration for reunion opens March 18, 2019 and closes on May 29, 2019. If you miss the online registration, you are still welcome and encouraged to attend reunion, but please register in person when you arrive to campus at the 25th Reunion Headquarters in Mission Park. To ensure you will have the correct size '94 swag for reunion, alums need to register by Monday, May 20th. After that we cannot guarantee we will have enough of the correct sizes. For those who register after May 20th, we may have to mail t-shirts to you after reunion.

    Where do I check in when I arrive to campus?
    25th Reunion alums should check in at Mission Park to pick up a schedule, class mementos, and dorm room keys.

    What are 25th Reunion check-in hours?
    Thursday:     noon-11 p.m.
    Friday: 9 a.m.- 11 p.m.
    Saturday: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

    If you registered for College housing but arrive after check-in closes for the night, visit Security (Hopkins Hall, lower level) for access to your dorm room.

    May I receive a registration refund if I have to cancel my plans to attend reunion?
    If you need to cancel your registration and would like to receive a refund, email Conny Isby in the 25th Reunion Program at csi1@williams.edu with your information, and depending on timing, status of '94 class account, and number of total cancellations, we'll determine whether or not a refund (full or partial) may be granted.

    LOGISTICS:

    Where can I find out information about the reunion program?
    Review the ’94 schedule of events and the overall 2019 reunion schedule to get a sense for the kinds of activities that are planned.

    Where can I park on campus?
    Parking on campus can be a challenge during reunion, so we suggest you park in the lot behind Thompson (the old Infirmary), in front of Poker Flats. If you are staying in the dorm, unload in the spaces along the north side of Mission and then move your car to the Thompson lot. If you do park elsewhere on campus, please pay attention to posted signs and time restrictions. Williamstown police will ticket violators.

    I’m interested in sharing a ride. Where do I find fellow carpoolers?
    If you’re looking for a ride to town, or willing to offer one, you can connect with classmates via the '94 Facebook page or use the Williams Switchboard to connect with other reunion attendees. We are looking into other alternatives for '94 alums and families, so if these don't work with your travel plans and you are interested in other options, please email 25th Reunion Program so we can get a sense of the numbers.

    What’s the dress code?
    Bring comfortable, casual clothes for the weekend. The Saturday evening reception and dinner are a bit dressier - think smart casual - but ties are not required. Remember that Williamstown in June could be boiling hot or cold and windy – there is even the occasional downpour. It would be wise to check the forecast before you come! Our dinners will be on grass under a tent, so keep that in mind when selecting footwear.

    How do I sign up for golf at Taconic?
    All tee times for play at Taconic must be reserved through classmate Rob Bice, '94 golf chair, starting in March 2019. Tee times are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Rob at rbice@oakmtnadvisors.com or (630)291-7781 by May 1st if you would like to play during the weekend (Taconic’s Pro Shop will refer calls to Rob, so save a step and contact him directly). He’s trying to set up some friendly competition, so tee it up.

    COLLEGE HOUSING:

    What is the cost to stay in on campus housing?
    The cost is $80 per bed for the entire weekend.     You can reserve a room through the online reunion registration or on the reunion registration form in your packet. Rooms contain one single bed, but you may bring sleeping bags and an air mattress for a child or children to share your room at no additional cost. Babysitters attending reunion with your family are housed in the dorm at no cost. If you prefer to stay in a nearby hotel, here is a list of local hotels.

    Can I be housed with my friends?
    We automatically house families together. If you’d like to be housed near friends, when you register for housing, please list the friends you’d like to be near and we will do our best to room you together in a suite or on the same floor.

    Will sheets and towels be provided in the college rooms?
    Yes. No need to bring your own linens if you are staying in college housing, although some classmates bring their own linens and towels for comfort. You will be provided basic sheets, 1 blanket, 1 pillow and 1 towel per bed registration.

    Can I find out where I am housed on campus before I come to town for Reunion?
    Housing is finalized just before reunion so unfortunately we cannot let people know in advance of Reunion weekend where they are housed. However, if you know you will be arriving on campus after 25th Reunion Check-in has closed, please let the 25th Reunion Program know and we can get you your room information just before you arrive to campus.

    Can my pet stay with me in on-campus housing?
    No, pets are not allowed in college housing. Pets are allowed on the campus grounds, but not in campus buildings unless you have a medical need. Please look for local kennels, or speak to local hotels/rentals about pet accommodations.

    Are the rooms air conditioned? Do they have private bathrooms?
    The rooms are not air conditioned. Dorm rooms do NOT have private bathrooms. They are the same dormitories that you remember from your years as students, communal bathrooms and all!

    AMENITIES:

    What childcare is available during reunion?
    Friday night: The 25th Reunion Program will have Reunion Rangers organizing games and activities for '94 kids during the family dinner at Poker Flats.

    Saturday: There is an extensive family activities program on Saturday during the day.

    Saturday night: The 25th Reunion Program provides a separate kids dinner and activities (for kids 5+)** supervised by counselors at the Williamstown Youth Center from 5:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m. This is included in your kids' reunion fees but does require advance registration. Parents should plan to drop their kids off at 5:30 p.m. (as well as sign waivers and permission slips). Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. Following dinner, kids will be divided into groups by age and interest. Many choices will be available including but not limited to: arts & crafts, outdoor games (basketball, tetherball, Capture the Flag), dodgeball, foosball, ping pong, quiet time in the Learning Center or Computer Lab, excursions to Images Cinema for a movie, and video games. Teens (11+) will also have the opportunity to go to local high ropes course Ramblewild. Pre-registration for Ramblewild is required (cost $30). You will have the opportunity to sign up for both programs when reunion registration opens in March 2019. Please contact the 25th Reunion Program if you have any questions.

    ** For kids four and younger, the college offers Eph Kids Night Out childcare on Saturday evening for a fee to alums from all classes. If you are not bringing a babysitter and your child is four or younger, you may want to consider this option for Saturday night. For more information and to register for Eph Kids Night Out click here. Please note that Eph Kids Night Out does not provide dinner. Kids four and younger are welcome to join the 25th reunion kids' dinner (along with their caregivers) at WYC before you bring them to the Eph Kids Night Out program.

    Will I have cell-phone service in Williamstown?
    Yes

    How can I access the campus wireless network?
    We’ll provide you with directions on how to connect to our network upon arrival to campus.

    Will the pool be open?
    Samuelson and Muir swimming pool will be open Thursday-Friday afternoon from 2- 5pm and Saturday 1-4pm.

    Where can I find driving directions, travel information, hotel information, etc?
    Check out the Visitor’s Guide: http://www.williams.edu/home/visitors/

    STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
    Contact the 25th Reunion Program at 25th.reunion@williams.edu or 413-597-4208. 

  • Communication and Reconnection Committee

    This group reconnects and networks with classmates, uses social media tools to remind and encourage record-breaking turnout by 1994ers! We need more classmates to help reach all our scattered geographies and affiliations (frosh entries, teams and clubs, etc.), so please contact the 25th Reunion Program or the Co-Chairs below if you are interested in helping.

    The Reconnect Committee is planning a number of gatherings around the country beginning in December, so keep an eye on your emails and watch for an invite. Tentative locations include Boston, NYC, Chicago, DC, Seattle, and San Francisco.

    Find our class on Facebook
    See what's new for the 25th Reunion on Instagram at: Williams25thReunion
    Tag '94 photos with our 25th Reunion hashtag: #94Ephscelebrate25

    Reconnect Committee

    Co-Chairs: Paul Held and Genny Mann Morris
    Maria Bianchini
    Leigh Frost
    Josh Hollander
    Amy Minnick
    Heather Morse Hall
    Hillary Twining

    Reconnect Ambassadors
    Kate Becher de Mul
    Kara Berklich Weber
    David Bilik
    Laurel Blatchford
    Matt Bliwise
    Hanna Bruno
    Adam Carroll
    Greg Catanzano
    Carlos Cecchi
    Janet Chen
    Ashwini Chhabra
    Lizzette Colón
    Tobie Cornejo
    Thomas Day
    John Finnerty
    Josh Frechette
    Leigh Frost
    Star Hampton
    Cheryl Herman
    Dalmar James
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Bernie Kluger
    Cynthia Llamas
    Alison McCloskey Marakovic
    Amy Minnick
    Gina Munoz
    Matt Nelson
    Elise Newhall Everett
    Bo Peabody
    Tatiana Rubio
    Adam Scheer
    Matthew Shaw
    Jordan Silvergleid
    Kendra Stearns Drozd
    Anim Steel
    Michael Strauss
    Amanda Turner
    Hillary Twining
    Agatha Walker
    Eric Wilmes

    Reconnect Event Organizers
    Rob Bice
    Erin Caddell
    Sarah Davidson Richmond
    Peggy Drucker Headstrom
    John Finnerty
    Jill Galvani Finnerty
    Cheryl Herman
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Tibisay Salerno

  • Congratulations to Tibisay Salerno '94 for designing the winning 25th Reunion logo. From printed materials to 1994 swag, the '94 class logo will be featured on many reunion items.

    Congrats also to John Dean, son of Jennifer Wingate '94 and Steven Dean '94 for designing the "Reading Cow" featured in the 25th Reunion Edition of the '94 What's What facebook.

    Download Logo Contest Instructions

    See samples of recent class logos

  • Thank you to all 202 '94 alums who participated in our 25th Reunion Class Book!! Class books will be mailed to every '94 alum in early May. It's a fabulous keepsake - be prepared to spend hours pouring over the many heartfelt submissions and lively photos from back-in-the day!

    Each 25th reunion class produces a book featuring autobiographical essays from its members. The book is conceived and edited by the Class Book Committee and often includes historical photos, comments from the president, and essays written by members of the class. This keepsake is sent in the spring, prior to Reunion Weekend, to all members of the class, regardless of whether they plan to attend reunion. The 25th Reunion Office oversees and guides this project to completion.

    We mailed everyone examples of submissions from previous class books in September 2018, so be thinking about your submission and taking fun photos of you and your family and friends to share in the book. And if you have some extra time, pull out your old Williams photos from the '90s - we want those too!

    If you have any questions about your written submissions or photos, please contact the 25th Reunion Program or the Class Book Co-Chairs below.

    We are not accepting personal submissions for 1994's Class Book any longer.

    Class Book Committee

    Co-Chairs:  Matt Bliwise, Liz Randolph Rappaport and Susan Vaill
    Lizzette Colón
    Chris Jones (CJ)
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Li-Shiau Leu
    Ellie Linen Low
    Jessica Perrotti Mott
    Liz Rosan Kirkwood

  • This year, spearheaded by the ’94 Leadership Committee and the Alumni Fund agent team, the Class of  ’94 will seek continued support for the Alumni Fund and will also be supporting the Class of 1994 Fund for Career Exploration, a gift to Williams from the Class of '94 that will be your legacy for years to come. You can learn more from the 1994 25th Class Gift brochure.

    The 25th Reunion is the first of two times (the second is the 50th Reunion) when a class will have the opportunity to come together to fund an endowed class gift at Williams. The Leadership Committee, headed up by Upacala Mapatuna and Brad Kroh, was tasked with creating possible options for the Class Gift. These ideas were reviewed in depth by a broad range of volunteers from the class who made it to Williamstown to participate in the 25th Reunion Planning Meeting this past April. That group selected three top options based on several criteria, including the importance of the initiative relative to the college’s priorities, the magnitude of impact the class can have on an area of the college, and the level of broad appeal to a range of alums across the class.

    In order to choose which of these three options would be the 25th Reunion endowed Class Gift, we asked for input from the class through survey over the summer. Nearly 50% of the class participated, choosing the '68 Center for Career Exploration as the purpose of the '94 Class Gift.

    As you may have guessed, today’s Center for Career Exploration (CCE) is not what you remember from 25 years ago. Career exploration for today’s students starts during their very first weeks on campus and takes advantage of all Williams’ connections and communities. Over their time at Williams students go through a process of self-discovery from a wide array of career and industry options. The CCE ensures students leave Williams prepared to take the next steps – whether by continuing their education or entering the working world through internships and jobs.

    The '94 Fund for Career Exploration will fund programming at the CCE that is primarily focused on building connections between alumni and students, including things like: EphLink, a new online mentoring program; Career Treks, a series of trips for small groups of students to meet with Ephs in various industries; funding for summer internships for students receiving financial aid; and the Career Access Fund, a fund to level the playing field for aided students that provides money for things like interview attire, travel to interviews, and fees for graduate schools tests.

    In addition to the Class Gift, please note that during the 25th Reunion, the class will also be supporting the Alumni Fund, led by Susie Wood Waesco and Jon Aborn (and a great group of Class Agents). As you may know, the Alumni Fund provides Williams with unrestricted financial support that is critical in helping cover the college’s most pressing needs.

    Over the years, recent 25th classes have made gifts to the college ranging from $2 million to $10 million that have helped to fund initiatives such as faculty endowment, scholarships, new construction and building renovations.

    Gifts and pledges to the Class of 1994 Fund for Career Exploration and to the Alumni Fund will count toward the 25th Reunion Fund total. The magnitude of individual gifts varies, based on each donor’s financial capacity and his or her inclination to give to Williams. Nonetheless, most class members who participate in the 25th Reunion Fund stretch to make the largest commitment they have ever considered to Williams.

    What counts and how does crediting work?

    View a history of 25th Reunion Fund.

    Leadership Giving

    Co-Chairs: Upacala Mapatuna and Brad Kroh
    Elizabeth Burnett
    Blair Jacobson
    Stuart McLaughlin
    Matt Nelson
    Dan Neuwirth
    Amanda Oberg
    Eric Wilmes
    Christy Williams Wyskiel
    Jon Aborn (Class Agent)
    Susan Wood Waesco (Class Agent)

    Alumni Fund Agent Team

    Co-Head Agents: Jon Aborn and Susan Wood Waesco

    Kate Becher de Mul
    Tobie Cornejo
    Sarah Davidson Richmond
    Peggy Drucker Headstrom
    John Finnerty
    Star Hampton
    Matt Harris
    Bernie Kluger
    Gina LaVersa-Zeitlin
    Peggy Maher
    Ted Mason
    Jason Poling
    Keith Roberts
    Allison Seed
    Jordan Silvergleid
    Mike Strauss
    Agatha Walker
    Andreas Zapf

  • Class Officers

    President:               Vikas Lunia
    Vice President:       Amy Minnick
    Secretary:               Genny Mann Morris
    Treasurer:              Alli Burkett

    25th Reunion Committees

     Weekend Planning 

    Co-Chairs:  Vikas Lunia and Tibisay Salerno
    Rob Bice (Golf Chair) 
    Erin Caddell
    Leigh Frost
    Star Hampton
    Cheryl Herman
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Peggy Maher
    Amy Minnick
    Heather Roberts
    Adam Scheer
    Hiliary Twining
    Rich Whitcomb

    Communication and Reconnection

    Co-Chairs: Paul Held and Genny Mann Morris
    Maria Bianchini
    Leigh Frost
    Josh Hollander
    Amy Minnick
    Heather Morse Hall
    Hillary Twining

    Reconnect Ambassadors
    Kate Becher de Mul
    Kara Berklich Weber
    David Bilik
    Laurel Blatchford
    Matt Bliwise
    Hanna Bruno
    Adam Carroll
    Greg Catanzano
    Carlos Cecchi
    Janet Chen
    Ashwini Chhabra
    Lizzette Colón
    Tobie Cornejo
    Thomas Day
    John Finnerty
    Josh Frechette
    Leigh Frost
    Star Hampton
    Cheryl Herman
    Dalmar James
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Bernie Kluger
    Cynthia Llamas
    Alison McCloskey Marakovic
    Amy Minnick
    Gina Munoz
    Matt Nelson
    Elise Newhall Everett
    Bo Peabody
    Tatiana Rubio
    Adam Scheer
    Matthew Shaw
    Jordan Silvergleid
    Kendra Stearns Drozd
    Anim Steel
    Michael Strauss
    Amanda Turner
    Hillary Twining
    Agatha Walker
    Eric Wilmes

    Reconnect Event Organizers
    Rob Bice
    Erin Caddell
    Sarah Davidson Richmond
    Peggy Drucker Headstrom
    John Finnerty
    Jill Galvani Finnerty
    Cheryl Herman
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Tibisay Salerno

    Class Book

    Co-Chairs:  Matt Bliwise, Liz Randolph Rappaport and Susan Vaill
    Lizzette Colón
    Chris Jones (CJ)
    Grace Kim Caddell
    Li-Shiau Leu
    Ellie Linen Low
    Jessica Perrotti
    Liz Rosan Kirkwood

    Leadership Giving

    Co-Chairs: Upacala Mapatuna and Brad Kroh
    Elizabeth Burnett
    Blair Jacobsen
    Stuart McLaughlin
    Matt Nelson
    Dan Neuwirth
    Amanda Oberg
    Eric Wilmes
    Christy Williams Wyskiel

    Alumni Fund Agent Team

    Co-Head Agents: Jon Aborn and Susan Wood Waesco
    Kate Becher de Mul
    Tobie Cornejo
    Sarah Davidson Richmond
    Peggy Drucker Headstrom
    John Finnerty
    Star Hampton
    Matt Harris
    Bernie Kluger
    Gina LaVersa-Zeitlin
    Peggy Maher
    Ted Mason
    Jason Poling
    Keith Roberts
    Allison Seed
    Jordan Silvergleid
    Mike Strauss
    Agatha Walker
    Andreas Zapf

    ***If you’d like to join any of the committees, please contact the 25th Reunion Program at 25th.reunion@williams.edu or feel free to reach out to the committee chairs directly.***

  • Staff

    Beth Reynolds '95, Director, 25th Reunion Program
    (413) 597-4652

    Conny Isby, 25th Reunion Program Coordinator
    (413) 597-4208

    Wendy Skavlem, Alumni Fund Development Officer
    (413) 597-4685

    Erin Breen, Alumni Fund Program Coordinator
    (413) 597-4432