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 7:

Food and Beverage: $65/person (no drink tokens)
Dietary Needs:
Five people have indicated that they are vegetarian. The buffet provides a vegetarian main course option.
James Booth ’73 – Gluten Free (Celiac)
Carol Johnston ’73 – Low fat, no dairy, soy, nuts, chocolate. Fish and chicken are fine.
Separate plates will be provided for James and Carol to accommodate their dietary needs. Their plates will have grilled chicken, broccolini and a starch that is free from all of the allergens mentioned. For the breakfast the following morning, the eggs, potato and fruit will all be gluten free and no dairy, soy, nuts.

Parkhurt Banquet Room Menu:
Dinner Buffet –
Harvest salad – preset on table
Chicken Marsala
Carved Beef
Cauliflower Steak
Broccolini
Rolls and Butter – preset on table
Dark chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle – preset on table
Vegan/gluten free dessert – coconut cake with brown sugar caramel drizzle
At the Bar: Beer, wine, water, lemonade, ice tea
Coffee will be served

Stone Room on Saturday, October 7:

Food and Beverage: $55/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens per person.
Dietary Needs:
No vegetarian needs for this reunion.
Thomas Johnston ’78 – Gluten and dairy free – The chef will be able to make him a custom taco with a corn tortilla that is dairy free.

Parkhurt Banquet Room Menu:
Action Station – Fajita Bar – Beef, Chicken or Plant Based Protein with Peppers and Onions on a Flour or Corn Tortilla. Toppings: Cheese, Sour Cream and Guacamole
Chips and Queso
Salsa
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Tortilla chips and Pita Crackers
Black and Bleu Crostini
Caprese Skewers
Dessert – Assorted Gourmet Small Bites
At the Bar: Beer, Wine, Bottled Soda
Station: Coffee and Water

Hornets Suite on Saturday, October 7:

Food and Beverage: $55/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens per person.
Slate Payment Page: Class of 1983 Slate Payment
Dietary Needs:
Nine people have indicated that they are vegetarian. The action station and appetizers provide vegetarian options.
Eve Peterson ’83 – Gluten free. Nightshade intolerant (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant). Whatever can be done is appreciated.
The chef will be able to make her a custom taco with a corn tortilla. There are no tomatoes in the fajitas and the peppers and onions will be separated so they can have fajitas w/o peppers. The spinach and artichoke dip will be fine for her to eat as well with the tortilla chips.

Parkhurt Banquet Room Menu:
Action Station – Fajita Bar – Beef, Chicken or Plant Based Protein with Peppers and Onions on a Flour or Corn Tortilla. Toppings: Cheese, Sour Cream and Guacamole
Chips and Queso
Salsa
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Tortilla chips and Pita Crackers
Black and Bleu Crostini
Caprese Skewers
Dessert – Assorted Gourmet Small Bites
At the Bar: Beer, Wine, Bottled Soda
Station: Coffee and Water

Olmsted Room on Saturday, October 7:

Food and Beverage: $50/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens
Class of 1988 Menu: Olmsted Room Catering Menu (BEO)
Slate Payment Page: Class of 1988 Slate Payment
Class of 1988 Dietary Needs:
Two people have indicated that they are vegetarian. There are plenty of vegetarian options at this reunion.
Beth Doerr ’88 – I need gluten free food – There are plenty of gluten free options and they will be labeled.

Light Fine Arts Lobby on Saturday, October 7:

Food and Beverage: $50/person – 3 complimentary drink tokens
Class of 1998 Menu: Light Fine Arts Lobby Catering Menu (BEO)
Slate Payment Page: Class of 1998 Slate Payment
Class of 1998 Dietary Needs:
Two people have indicated that they are vegetarian. There are plenty of vegetarian options at this reunion.
Scott Serio ’98 – Celiac Disease (strict non gluten) – There are plenty of gluten free options and they will be labeled.

Cosmo’s Cucina on Saturday, October 7:

Food and Beverage: Complimentary for guests from a classmate
Cosmo’s Menu: Appetizers upon arrival and order off of the menu
Dietary Needs:
Charles Holmes ’93 – I have celiac and must eat gluten free. Gluten free options will be available to order off of the menu. Appetizers will be labeled.

Note from Chef Stephen Cole-Wick: We’re looking forward to Saturday’s festivities with a guest count of 45. The appetizers that will be available upon your arrival are as follows… assorted veg and meat pizzas, roasted red pepper hummus, pita bread, fresh vegetable platter, and fresh fruit skewers with tzatziki sauce. Also for the guest with celiac we have multiple options on the menu that are gluten free.  

• We have the upstairs space reserved for a 6:30 p.m. start time. Guests may begin to arrive a little early so all of the appetizers should be set out by 6:15 p.m. Appetizers should be labeled for dietary needs/preferences.
• The group will order their drinks through a server.
• Everyone will need to find a seat at 7:15 p.m. and there will be an announcement by Cosmo’s staff with assistance from our College host, Andy Miller, that the group should be prepared to order by 7:30 p.m.
• If the group wants to stay later into the evening (after 10 p.m.) they may be asked to continue the festivities downstairs where the bar will be open until 11 p.m. (please announce a last call) and everyone will be expected to exit by midnight.
• Everything will be put on one tab. The guest paying is Brad O’Neill and our staff will connect you with him.
• We will provide a list of allergies on Friday, September 29 as well as a guest count and will update you if there are any changes.

Martell’s on Saturday, October 7:

Food and Beverage: $37/person – Cash bar
Martell’s Menu: Catering Menu (BEO)
Slate Payment Page: Class of 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 Slate Payments
Credit Card Machine: Please connect with Tim Baker to go get the credit card machine and to go over how to use it. Don’t use the quick access on the machine. Always enter the 4 digit code.
iPad: Password 1200
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.

Monisha Berkowski ’08 – Shellfish allergy – No shellfish is in the food.
Martin Bergstrom ’13 – Sesame allergy – No sesame is in the food.
Tammer Boutros ’13 – Allergic to peanuts – There are nuts on the charcuterie board, but not peanuts.
Caleb Kline ’13 – Dairy-free, no milk or cheese – We have vegan food options.
Christen Manville ’08 and Brian Nickerson – Both attendees are on gluten-free diet (Celiac). One attendee is intolerant to tapioca/cassava (a common GF ingredient substitute). – THIS PERSON CANCELED AND WAS REFUNDED ON 10-5-23.
Charlie Nork ’08 – Non dairy – We have vegan food options.
Jesyca Salden ’13 – 1 person with vegan diet – We have vegan food options.

• 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.
• Five 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 2003 – Bar
  • Class of 2008 – One of the Wings – Back
  • Class of 2013 – Middle Section
  • Class of 2018 – One of the Wings – Front
• 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 with our iPad) 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.

1973 Reunion Celebration, Banquet Room, Hicks Center, 6:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Please arrive by 5:30 p.m. and connect with Lindsay O’Donohue.

•  Please have a microphone available on the podium for the President to address the class. 
• Please provide a screen, projectors and laptop for this reunion. The screen will need to be down. 
• Please provide the correct speakers and sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class. Media Services is providing an auxiliary cord in the Banquet Room to plug into the 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.

1978 Reunion Celebration, Stone Room, Hicks Center, 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6 p.m. and connect with Julie Kerins.

• Please provide a microphone and amplifier for the President to address the class.
• Please provide the correct speakers and sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class. Media Services is providing an auxiliary cord in the Stone Room to plug into the 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.
• An easel was requested for this reunion and it was on the Media request to be dropped off on Friday, October 6.

1983 Reunion Celebration, Hornets Suite, Field House, 7 – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6:15 p.m. and connect with Sarah Kerry.

• Please provide a microphone to be placed at the podium for the President to address the class.
• Please provide the correct speakers and sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class. Media Services is providing a laptop in the Hornets Suite for music to be played from a Spotify (or another music streaming) account.
• Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

1988 Reunion Celebration, Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall, 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6 p.m. and connect with Amanda Bidinger.

• Please provide a microphone to be placed at the podium for the President to address the class.
• Please provide the correct speakers and sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class. Media Services is providing a laptop in the Olmsted Room for music to be played from a Spotify (or another music streaming) account.
• Please make sure a media person is there to make sure everything is working properly before they leave this location.

1998 Reunion Celebration, Lobby, Light Fine Arts Building, 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Please arrive by 6 p.m. and connect with Laurel Palmer.

• Please provide a microphone on a stand and an amplifier for the President to address the class.
• Please provide the correct speakers and sound system so music can be played from a phone in this space. I will provide an iPhone adapter dongle for each class. Media Services is providing an auxiliary cord in the LFA lobby to plug into the 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.

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 geographical areas. 
• 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. 
• 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 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.