Former students returned to the College this past weekend for the 2005 Homecoming celebrations at which current students mingled with alumni dating back decades, despite a weekend-long downpour.
"We spent four of the most formative years of our lives on campus, so it's always comforting to come back into such an environment," said Nick Walker '04.
Alumni found a full schedule of events open to them throughout the weekend. On Friday, old students sat in on classes to relive the Bowdoin experience. Current students and alumni attended Common Hour with jazz writer and essayist Stanley Crouch, a musician, poet, and critic who spoke on African- American culture.
Alumni were also invited to attend a short Shabbat service given by Hillel students, an inner tube water polo game, and tours of Bowdoin to see how the campus has changed physically over the years. Friday evening, former Bowdoin students went to the coffeehouse and were treated to music played by current student musicians while others gathered for the traditional chair burning bonfire at Hyde Plaza.
Some of the bonfire's excitement was robbed by the excessive rain experienced throughout the entire weekend.
"The most disappointing part was by far the weather," Walker said.
Despite two days of solid rain, the homecoming festivities continued as planned. On Saturday morning, five new members were inducted into Bowdoin's Athletic Hall of Honor at a special brunch in Thorne Dining Hall. Alumni later met on Whittier Field for a picnic, where child-specific events were offered. The early festivities were followed by a slew of sports games, including football, rugby, soccer, and field hockey.
After the victorious football game (see related story, page 1), many recent students attended the Young Alumni Party sponsored by the Young Alumni Leadership Program (YALP) in Smith Union. This reunion for Classes 2001 to 2006 was among the highlights for the younger returning students and current seniors.
"I definitely enjoyed the YALP reception in Smith Union Saturday night?free booze is always good," Walker said.
Another large-scale reunion took place Saturday night as former members of the Bowdoin fraternity Theta Delta Chi returned to their former home?Macmillan House?for an evening of fine dining and nostalgia.
"There were about 50 people in attendance, from current house residents to recent alumni all the way back to as early as the Class of '62," Macmillan House President Zach Roberts '08 said.
The older alumni shared their experiences with recent students and current residents about living in what is now Macmillan House. Following dinner, each attendee said a few words about their time in the house and what it meant to them, starting with the oldest alumni and working up to current residents.
"It was really interesting to see the chronological progression. Despite the age differences, all these people had a common bond?the house," said Roberts.
The old fraternity members commented on the drastic changes the house had gone through, but in the end, felt it was a largely positive transformation.
"The alumni seemed satisfied in knowing that the more things change, the more they stay the same," Roberts said.
Despite the weather, returning students agreed on one thing.
"Hands down, the best part [of Bowdoin] has to be the people. It's a great way to see people you've lost touch with," Walker said.