Rensselaer’s largest alumni tradition takes place Oct. 9-12, as a crowd of over 3,000 alumni and guests is expected to take part in Reunion & Homecoming festivities. Below is a list of some of this year’s program highlights.
Alumni also will enjoy a selection of classes to attend as part of the Back to Class program; several departments will host programs, tours, and open houses; and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Centennial Celebration will take place with a series of weekend events.
“Please be on the lookout for our alumni guests over the weekend, and do whatever you can to help us make their Reunion & Homecoming experience a good one,” said Jeff Schanz, assistant vice president for alumni relations.
Anyone who needs assistance may find help at Registration at the Heffner Alumni House, which is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, or call (518) 276-6205.
Rensselaer staff volunteers are still needed, especially during Registration on Friday and Saturday. Training will be provided; all you need is a smile and a willingness to help. If you would like to get involved, contact Lulleen Lamar at lamarl@rpi.edu or 276-3664.
Some of this year’s Reunion & Homecoming program highlights include:
George M. Low Gallery Presentation: The Visionary NASA Legend and RPI President
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2–3 p.m.
George M. Low Gallery, Low Center for Industrial Innovation, 4th Floor
Enjoy a brief presentation by Rensselaer Alumni Association President and Delta Phi fraternity brother Roger Mike ’70 on the extraordinary life of George Low ’48, and then view the unique, irreplaceable memorabilia from Low’s careers at both NASA and Rensselaer.
FanFest
Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
East Campus Athletic Village Terrace
Enjoy the FanFest carnival midway for a selection of fair-type foods available from a variety of vendors, as well as free ice cream from Snowman! Rensselaer’s student groups will be taking to the performance stage throughout the day and additional music will be provided by DJ Kevy K.
An Out-of-This-World Conversation With Astronaut Reid Wiseman ’97—Live from the International Space Station
Friday, Oct. 10, 3-4:30 p.m.
Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, Concert Hall
Unless he is spacewalking that day, astronaut Reid Wiseman ’97 will take part in Reunion & Homecoming directly from low Earth orbit, with a live conversation from the International Space Station.
The Auto Show—Presented by Rensselaer Motorsport
Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Harkness Field
See classic and modern collector cars, and enjoy a demonstration of one of Rensselaer Motorsport’s built Formula SAE cars.
An Evening of A Cappella with VoicePlay and Rensselaer’s Student Groups
Saturday, Oct. 11, 8-10 p.m.
Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, Concert Hall
VoicePlay is unlike any theatrical experience available today, recreating the orchestrated sound of an entire musical production with nothing but the human voice. The evening of entertainment also will feature all four of Rensselaer’s student a cappella groups—Duly Noted, Partial Credit, Rensselyrics, and Rusty Pipes. Tickets are on sale now at the EMPAC Box Office.