1. Introduction

The Office of College Advancement supports Kalamazoo College’s mission by connecting members of our greater community with current students. Consistent with K’s commitment to fostering an inclusive campus, we are committed to providing safe and respectful spaces for students to interact with external constituencies. Alumni and donors, like our students, reflect the College. Each engagement opportunity is a valuable chance for alumni and donors to develop meaningful connections with students, better understand the joys and challenges facing K students today, recognize how philanthropy makes an impact on their experience, and gain inspiration for investment of time and philanthropy that will benefit the College and its students. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for students to learn from and connect with those who have trodden a similar path before them. It will also serve as a great example of how they can stay engaged as alumni long after graduation!

2. Guiding principles

Mutual respect is foundational to building positive relationships and engaging interactions. This entails:

• Being open and curious.
• Respecting boundaries and privacy. 
• Valuing everyone’s time by being punctual (or communicating a delay when appropriate for the situation).

3. Inherent power dynamics between alumni/donors and students

Though not always obvious, there is an inherent power imbalance present in student interactions with donors and alumni—based on age, career status, experience, wealth and other factors. We are working with our students to ensure they are comfortable establishing boundaries and redirecting conversations that may be uncomfortable to them. Note that those boundaries may vary widely from student to student, as it will from alum to alum.

Being the recipient of a donor’s gift or an alum’s mentorship does not compel a student to share all of their personal life details. What may feel like enthusiasm and interest by an alum or donor may feel like prying to a student. Conversely, that student may feel obligated to divulge personal information they would not otherwise share because they feel it is “owed” to a donor or an alum.

4. Assumptions and Boundaries

Philanthropy in support of K’s mission and its students is a voluntary act. As an institution, we acknowledge and recognize the generosity of donors and volunteers, often requesting the participation of our students in this process. Student participation in the College’s gift stewardship efforts is likewise voluntary.   

Each of us has perspectives that have been formed by our families, community, individual personalities, culture(s), economic circumstances, etc. that can affect how we engage with others.  It’s important to be conscious of any assumptions we may hold, as our lifetime of experiences and beliefs may create preconceived notions about another’s background, identity, or experiences.

Students, alumni and donors are supported in setting boundaries based on their level of comfort, personal perspective, past experiences, cultural norms, and more.

We come from a diversity of experiences and backgrounds and that means we have different boundaries around how we choose to engage with each other. Because of our many differences, we cannot assume universal boundaries regarding how much people want to share about their lives, physical proximity and touch, and more.

5. Creating successful interactions with students

Life at K is always changing! Whether an alum graduated a few years ago or several decades ago, engaging with students is a great way to learn about current campus life, in addition to sharing stories with students about earlier times at K.

The following tips can help guide a successful interaction with students:

• Ask open-ended questions: Open-ended questions are a great way to dive into getting to know a student and learn about their experiences at K. It will also give a sense of what follow-up questions will keep the conversation flowing.
• Share common experiences: Alums and donors sharing their own experiences are also a great way to find common ground. Alums and donors sharing their motivation to give back of their time and resources are also a great way to break the ice.
• Follow their lead: Once a question is asked, if a student chooses not to answer or change the subject, do not press or ask again.

K students are amazingly mature, talented and driven. Have fun getting to know them!

Banquet Room on Saturday, October 19:
Guest Count: 95

Food and Beverage: $65/person (no drink tokens) – Complimentary beer/wine
Dietary Needs:
Six people have indicated that they are vegetarian. The buffet provides a vegetarian main course option.

Parkhurst Menu: Harvest Salad, Cherry smoked brisket, oven roasted turkey with cranberry glaze, vegan lentil stuffed zucchini boats, sour cream & chive smashed redskin potatoes, ratatouille with local vegetables. red/white wine, 2 beer options, sparkling water and soda. Water, iced tea and lemonade.

Dietary Restrictions:

Marjorie Dobie: Allergic to beef, tomatoes, celery, shrimp, grapefruit, peanuts
Joan Sherman: Lactose intolerance & dairy allergy
Andrew Soria: Pescatarian, no dairy, no olive oil
Deborah DeBruyn: Gluten-free
Edith Sutterlin: Seafood, lemon and treenut allergies
Carol Thomason: Vegan
Poona Roonz: Vegan
6 vegetarians

Stone Room on Saturday, October 19:
Guest Count: 50

Food and Beverage: $60/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens per person.
Dietary Needs:
1 vegetarian
Parkhurst Menu: Harvest Salad, Cherry smoked brisket, oven roasted turkey with cranberry glaze, vegan lentil stuffed zucchini boats, sour cream & chive smashed redskin potatoes, ratatouille with local vegetables. Red and white wine, 2 beer options, sparkling water and soda. Water, iced tea and lemonade.

Hornets Suite on Saturday, October 19:
Guest Count: 35

Food and Beverage: $55/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens per person.
Millennium Catering Menu: Taco station, santa fe mushroom caps, tomato mozzarella cap, finger wrapped sandwiches dessert shooters. Red and white wine, Bell’s Amber & Stella. Non-alcoholic beverages.
Dietary Needs: None

Arcus on Saturday, October 19:
Guest Count: 55

Food and Beverage: $50/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens
Parkhurst Menu: Fajita actions station with beef fajita, chicken fajita, vegan chicken, peppers, onions and topping. Chips & queso, carmelized pear & mascarpone crostini & empanadas. Red and white wine, 2 beer options, sparkling water and soda. Water, iced tea and lemonade.
Dietary Needs: 6 vegetarians.

Togan Capozza – gluten free, vegetarian
Kieran Joshi – Dairy and Gluten Free
Elizabeth Ross – I’m vegetarian. The form won’t let me identify that. Allergic to tomatoes and egg.
Danielle Seabold – Vegetarian

Yehle Reading Room on Saturday, October 19:
Guest Count: 55

Food and Beverage: $50/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens
Parkhurst Menu: Buffet with beef fajita, chicken fajita, vegan chicken, peppers, onions and topping. Chips & queso, carmelized pear & mascarpone crostini & empanadas. Red and white wine, 2 beer options, sparkling water and soda. Water, iced tea and lemonade.
Dietary Needs: 4 vegetarians

Park Club on Saturday, October 19:

Food and Beverage: $55/person – Cash bar
A limited menu will be available: Rolls, salad, whitefish grenoble, beef tips, a vegetarian option for main and apple crisp for dessert.
Slate Payment Page: Class of 1959, 1964 and 1969

Dietary Needs:
Our smaller group (’59 & ’64) has one gluten-free guest (Michael Moore) and one who has a tree nut allergy (Bruce Timmons), and our larger group has one chili/capsaicin allergy (Robert Belair), one vegan and requests low oil (George Drake) and one vegetarian (Jim Cameron).

Martell’s on Saturday, October 19:

Food and Beverage:
2004, 2009, 2014 and 2009: $37/person plus one complimentary drink ticket (beer/wine) – Cash bar
1989: $55/person plus 3 drink tokens (any alcohol up to $15/drink). – Cash bar
Martell’s Menu: Click Here
Slate Payment Page: Class of 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 1989 Slate Payments
Credit Card Machine: Please connect with Tim Baker to go over how to use the credit card machine. It will be at the registration desk to pick up before you go to Martell’s. Don’t use the quick access on the machine. Always enter the 4 digit code (5729).
Dietary Needs:
There are a lot of vegetarian and vegan options for food. The food will be clearly labeled for people who are vegan/or vegetarian.

Dietary Restrictions:

1989

None

2004

Emily Briceno: No Dairy
7 vegetarians

2009

2 vegetarians

2014

Zoe Beaudry: Vegan

Evan Bontrager: Pescatarian

Kirk Schuelter: Fish allergy

Lydia Strini: Vegan

Laurel Wiinikka-Buesser: Gluten-free
8 vegetarians

2019

Hunter Wengersky: Soy allergy
2 vegetarians

• We have a full buyout of the restaurant at Martell’s for four classes to enjoy their reunions. Everyone is welcome to use the patio as well.
• Yard signs will be available to put out to direct guests from Parkview to Martell’s.
• Six poster size class signs and easels will be available to bring to Martell’s to help define each class space to meet each other. The signs and easels can then be removed if they get in the way.
  • Welcome Hornets – Lobby
  • Class of 2004 – One of the Wings – Back (left elbow) – 35 people
  • Class of 2009 – Bar – 26 people
  • Class of 2014 – Middle Section – 44 people
  • Class of 2019 – One of the Wings – Front (right elbow) – 30 people
  • Class of 1989 – Bar (far corner) – table of 6 people
• All of the food for all of the classes will be in one room and the classes are encouraged to move into different spaces including the patios.
• A wireless credit card machine (and a Slate payment page as a backup) will be available to use to take payments. We’ve confirmed that the wifi in the lobby at Martell’s is open and has a good signal. They also have a password protected option. The manager on-site will be able to assist you both.
• We’ve arranged for take away boxes to be available for people to take food with them at the end of the night.

1974 Reunion Celebration, Banquet Room, Hicks Center, 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Please arrive by 6:00 p.m. and connect with Kayleigh Morris.

•  Please have a microphone available on the podium for the President to address the class.
•   Please provide an auxiliary cord to plug into the sound system and a phone adapter to play music from an iPhone.
•  Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

1979 Reunion Celebration, Stone Room, Hicks Center, 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Please arrive by 6 p.m. and connect with Lindsay O’Donohue.

•  Please provide a microphone on a stand and amplifier for the President to address the class.
• Please provide the correct speakers and an auxiliary cord to plug into the sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class.
• There should be an easel in this space for their class of 1979 memorial sign.
• Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

1984 Reunion Celebration, Hornets Suite, Field House, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6:15 pm and connect with Sarah Kerry.

•  Please provide a microphone to be placed at the podium for the President to address the class.
• Please provide a laptop for music to be played from a Spotify (or other music streaming) account. Please make sure the laptop is connected to the sound system or has extra speakers to play music in the space.
•   Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

Waiting to hear back from Claire with my questions!

1994 Reunion Celebration, Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6 p.m. and connect with Alicia VanNocker and Laurel Palmer

• Please provide a cordless microphone for the President to address the class. There is a microphone in the space.
• Please provide an auxiliary cord to plug into a phone adapter to play music from an iPhone. We will need the correct speakers and sound system so music can be played. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class.
• Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

Waiting to hear back from Claire with my questions!

1999 Reunion Celebration, Yehle Reading Room, Upjohn Library Commons, 6:30 pm – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6:00 pm and connect with Andy Miller

• Please provide a microphone on a stand and an amplifier for the President to address the class.
• Please provide the correct speakers and an auxiliary cord to plug into the sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class.
• Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

Class Agent(s) or Reunion Committee Members – Laurel will provide a customized script to each class agent/reunion committee member!

I extend a warm welcome to our _____ classmates and guests. As we continue to share stories of our lives and celebrate our accomplishments over the years since we left K, I am grateful for those of you here this weekend and for this time to reconnect with each other on the campus we hold so dear. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to reflect on what Kalamazoo College means to us and how our alma mater is successfully engaging young minds.   

Thank you for being here this weekend. I would like to share a special thanks to the members of our class reunion committee: list reunion committee members, who helped create a wonderful weekend for us.  

I would also like to express gratitude for your philanthropy to Kalamazoo College. You’ve responded generously with your gifts to Kalamazoo College, honoring our past, but more importantly supporting brighter experiences that impact students’ lives locally, nationally and all around the world.  

During the last fiscal year (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023), XXX members of our class gave gifts to Kalamazoo College. Thank you! We appreciated your engagement during the Day of Gracious Giving last May and look forward to another successful day of giving this upcoming spring. Your gifts to K ensure that our alma mater is well positioned for the future. If you have not yet participated, thank you for considering a reunion gift this year to the Kalamazoo College Fund or special initiative.  

The best way to show your gifts in action is to talk with students. Tonight, we are pleased to introduce President’s Student Ambassadors who will share their Kalamazoo College stories.  

President’s Student Ambassadors: They will briefly share their K stories and a message of gratitude.  

Class Agent(s) or Reunion Committee Members: Thank you President’s Student Ambassadors’ Names for sharing your K stories. (The ambassadors may depart to celebrate Homecoming with the student body.) I am pleased to introduce AAEB host(s) name(s) representing the Alumni Association Engagement Board.  

AAEB host(s): Share a message from the Alumni Association.  

• Welcome Home! We are glad you are here.
• Hi, my name is “_____________” and I am on the AAEB – Alumni Association Engagement Board. I represent K alumni as a liaison to the College. AAEB members represent many class years and
• AAEB seeks to deepen connections between alumni and the College through the five points of engagement which you will learn more about from President Gonzalez this evening.
• Your engagement with the College helps to enhance the K student experience through meaningful opportunities to interface with alumni.
• There are so many ways you can engage with and support K. Please consider:
• Helping the College to identify and recruit prospective students
  • Supporting students’ career preparation through mentorship, networking and job connections.
  • Participating in alumni events, lifelong learning and social activities.
  • Serving as an alumni volunteer.
  • Making a charitable contribution to K.
• This fall you also have an amazing opportunity to participate in the National Alumni Career Mobility (NACM) survey. This survey tracks alumni career mobility beyond your first job, post Commencement.
• The results from the survey will include interactive dashboards that will be used to highlight success stories for recruiting, alumni engagement and marketing initiatives.
• These results will also provide comparisons and national benchmarking information, allowing K to continuously improve our high-impact career practices.
• Why complete the National Alumni Career Mobility survey?
  • Support Future Hornets: By participating in NACM, you help raise the profile of K grads and enable the College to better guide both current students and alumni in their career journeys, preparing future graduates for even greater success. 
  • Share Your Journey: This is your chance to share how your K experiences have shaped your career, your success, and your community engagement. Your story helps us understand the diverse paths alumni take after graduation. 
  • Strengthen the K Story: Your feedback will help the College tell a more compelling narrative about the impact of a K education and improve how we prepare students for their professional lives. 
  • Advance Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Efforts: By contributing to the survey, you’ll support the College in gathering critical salary and career data across demographics, helping track and improve equity in career outcomes. 
  • Survey Timeline: The College’s NACM survey opened on October 15 and will run through December 15, 2024. Please take a few minutes to complete it and make your voice heard. 
  • You will find a framed placard with a QR code at our reunion tonight!
  • Survey information will be provided to K during the first half of 2025.
• I will be here throughout the evening to answer any questions you may have. I also encourage you to visit the alumni engagement website to learn more about Hornet Happy hours and alumni events and how you can engage with K students and the College.
• Thank you again for coming to celebrate your reunion. Enjoy the evening!

Saturday evening reunions typically last around 3 hours. We ask our campus caterers to give a last call at around 9:30 p.m. if the reunion starts at 6:30 p.m. Off campus venues where we have a full buyout typically serve drinks until closing (which can vary depending on the venue).

Talk to food service first and see if there are extra tables and chairs available for them to set out as well as table coverings. If it isn’t resolved, please call Christy right away!

Ask the bartender if there is more beer/wine available to set out for the class and call Christy right away if it isn’t resolved. It is imperative that we accommodate our guests up until the very end of the reunion.

Alcohol is not permitted outside of the reunion spaces on campus. Guests cannot leave the Banquet Room or the Stone Room with alcohol and signs provided by OAE should be posted. Spaces with patios like the Light Fine Arts Building, Arcus, Balch Playhouse Lobby and the Hornets Suite serve as an extension of the reunion space. We ask that signs provided by OAE are posted for guests to stay within the patio space.

Talk to food service about this issue, see if there is more food to set out (especially for the classes with heavy appetizers) and call Christy right away if it isn’t resolved.

Please call media services at 269-337-7138. If it isn’t resolved, please call Christy right away.

Call 911 right away and then call Campus Safety at 269-337-7321. If an accident doesn’t warrant a call to 911 you still need to call Campus Safety and they will determine if an accident report should be filled out and filed with the College. You should then call Christy to help with this process.