Celebrating 50 Years of Our Griffin Journeys —
Still Soaring, Still Roaring, Still Together
Fifty years after our days at Mount Holyoke, our journeys have taken us in many directions — some expected, others unimaginable. Like the Griffin, with the keen vision of the eagle and the strength of the lion, we have navigated lives shaped by purpose, resilience, love, loss, adventure, and change. Each path is uniquely our own, yet together they tell a powerful shared story — one that began at Mount Holyoke, where curiosity was encouraged, courage was nurtured, and friendships began that have endured across decades and distance.
As we gather for our 50th Reunion, we celebrate not only where we have been, but the enduring Griffin spirit and the lifelong bonds that continue to connect us. Together once again, we come to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate one another.
Dear Classmates,
We are excited to share that our Class Board has formally adopted this theme to guide our 50th Reunion! It will serve as a touchstone as we shape the weekend’s events and experiences, helping us create opportunities to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate all that we’ve lived and become over the past 50 Years. You’ll see it woven throughout the Reunion, from programs and gatherings to the ways we share our stories with one another. Our hope is that it resonates with you and invites you to take part in whatever way feels meaningful.
As we look ahead, our Reunion planning is taking shape around three guiding arcs that reflect both our individual journeys and our shared experience as a class: Connection, Celebration, and Legacy. These arcs will guide the activities and experiences we create, offering opportunities to reconnect with one another in the months leading up to Reunion, to celebrate and make new memories together during our time on campus, and to honor and remember those who are no longer with us. You will begin to see these arcs reflected in upcoming activities. While more information will be coming soon, we will be introducing what we are calling “Griffin Gatherings”.
There are three key elements under the “Griffin Gatherings” umbrella:
- The first is to continue and expand the series of virtual offerings our class under Liz’s leadership, has been enjoying over the last few years, such as Book Club, and to create even more virtual gatherings on a broad range of topics of interest to our class. By the way, if anyone has an area of interest they’d like to share, we welcome you to volunteer to run a virtual session for our classmates. We will help you with the logistics and publicizing the virtual session. You bring your ideas and skills to the zoom!
- The second is to create more in-person gatherings of classmates, particularly in areas of the country where these have not generally been happening. For those who are not geographically close to other classmates, we also plan to offer special virtual opportunities to gather with others who may not be connected locally.
- The third is to find ways to connect classmates who are not planning to join us on campus for the four days of reunion, through virtual participation and specially planned activities, so that they can still feel part of the Reunion experience.
More details will be coming in the weeks ahead, and we hope this has piqued your interest and curiosity. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about Griffins and why the Class Board felt so connected to this theme, we’ve included a short, easy-to-read document below as a starting point.
Warmly,
50th Reunion Co-Chairs, Class of 1977
To learn more click here: The Griffin Within
