The Alumni office seems to think it’s our 35th reunion, which I don’t understand, given that we’re still in our 40’s. They are quite firm on this point so I’ve given up trying to convince them otherwise—bear with me. Also, let’s talk grammar for a sec. It’s been a long time since I took an English class. I plan to send this letter to some Great Con nerds for proofing later so blame them and not me. (I was in Ellingson too so I get to say “nerd.”).
Can you believe that it was 35 (again, disputing the number), years ago this May, that we headed down to the football field to graduate, ready to take on the world? (Although little did I know it would take 4 more years for me to figure out how I fit into the world, at least from an employment perspective!). Eight hundred of us started at Olaf in August of 1986, 613 graduated in 1990, and another 44 in 1991.
So much has happened since then, but I hope memories of our days together have stuck with you and brought you some joy—nachos and concerts at the Pause with friends; those crisp fall afternoons walking across campus to get to the Caf or to meet friends or to hang out back at the dorm; Arb-stock, (can we count it if it happened at Carleton?); the excitement of meeting new people and having long conversations; or dancing at the Rueb (to be honest I only did that once). Those were the days of Madonna, Guns ‘n Roses, The Cure, U2, Prince, REM and Bon Jovi. The Twins won the World Series and the Berlin Wall came down.
Not all experiences brought joy; I remember late nights at the library that could be fun with friends or could be a total disaster when the campus-wide “main frame” (computer) would crash, and a chorus of agony would erupt across the library basement, reverberating around campus like a modern-day stadium “wave.” Documents didn’t save automatically on your floppy disc and I had to learn that a few times. And who can forget the momentary fear one felt upon realizing that when the Northfield Liquor Store said they would deliver to the edge of campus (because of course you had no car), they meant directly in front of Mel George’s house. (And of course they had your name because you wrote them a check), or maybe that was just me.
I am especially grateful that we didn’t have screens in our hands and had the chance to be weird and take chances and grow lifelong connections and play all kinds of jokes on each other, (btw- how did I not know this- Hoyme freshmen took apart a JC’s car and put it back together again in a Hoyme lounge?!)
We are thrilled to invite you back to St. Olaf for our 35th Reunion, Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1, 2025! It’s time to relive those unforgettable years, reconnect with old friends, attend a class, and rediscover the place we once called home. Plus we will all get to stay in the same dorm together and alcohol is allowed now! (Old habits die hard- in my head I am saying that alcohol part in a whisper. Shhhh…..)
I am really, really, really hoping that you will decide to come back. Because me going back to St. Olaf by myself is only about 10% fun. The other 90% of the fun is when the people I went to St. Olaf with are there with me. You guys are my St. Olaf.
There are more details about the weekend from the Alumni Office below. Don’t make me call you! See you on “the Hill!”
Ann Sherburne Trench and the Class of 1990 Reunion Committee, Cal Husmann, Leslie Pitt, Michelle Potter and Jeff Ruhr
Kick off the weekend on Friday night with a social complete with the full dining experience of Buntrock Commons (sorry, no ziti bake!). Saturday’s packed with open houses, faculty lightning talks, and campus tours before we cap the day off with our Class of 1990 dinner, silent disco, and lots of relaxed time for hanging out and catching up.
You can register for individual days, or you can stay the whole weekend on campus in one of the dorms. Head over to the Reunion Weekend page, where you can register for the weekend, check on the full lineup of events, and even see who else has signed up so far.
More details on events and accommodations will be coming soon Don’t see someone on the who’s coming list that you’re hoping to see? Call ‘em, text ‘em, message ‘em, and let ‘em know it’s time to register. The more, the merrier… but make those calls soon. Registration closes on May 15!
We’ll also be doing some check-ins via text and email, so make sure you update your contact information with the college HERE.
We hope to see you on Reunion Weekend, Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1. Might as well jump on it and register today!