Gathering to celebrate and reflect
The campus was full of good cheer and conversation April 6–8 as alumni returned to campus for “Reflection and Renewal: Remembering Our Past, Shaping Our Future, A Celebration of Our Alumni of Color.” Co-chairs Oneda Horne ’07, director of college prep and postsecondary services at Tenacity, and Associate Provost Shawn Christian led the activities in partnership with the Office of the President, which sponsored the event, and the Alumni Relations Office and director Courtney Shurtleff. Marcela Aguilar ’94, Zachariah Hicks ’07 and Alumni Trustee Tony Laing ’96, along with Wheaton staff members, were also part of the steering committee. Alumni from varied class years—1977 to 2017—participated in the weekend. On Saturday, President Dennis M. Hanno and steering committee members presented remarks to start the day, which was capped off by an evening celebration dinner. Four were honored at the dinner for their service to Wheaton: Elaine Meryl Brown ’77, director of Savannah Film Studios at New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study; Guy Foster ’94, associate professor of English at Bowdoin College; former staff member Claudia Bell Mathis; and Christian. A Sunday brunch and discussion about future plans wrapped up the weekend.