This weekend, hundreds of Bowdoin alumni and current students will come together and participate in a variety of events to celebrate Homecoming Weekend.
According to Associate Director of Alumni Relations Peter Wagner, "The major focus is young alumni and getting them back for the weekend."
To encourage this, there is a Young Alumni Party on Saturday afternoon. Members of the past five graduating classes along with the current senior class are invited to this event. There is also a half-year reunion for members of the Class of 2006.
Another important event is the Athletic Hall of Honor Induction, which Wagner calls "one of the big focal points of the weekend."
This year, 10 of Bowdoin's former athletes and coaches will be inducted on Saturday morning at Thorne Dining Hall. Though Thorne will be closed for brunch, all members of the Bowdoin community are welcome to attend the induction.
"It's a love fest," said Wagner.
"It's a really great way to kick off Saturday," he said.
There will also be three special reunions this weekend, for alumni of Miscellania, men's rugby, and women's rugby.
According to Wellesley Wilson '08, a current member of Miscellania, Bowdoin's oldest female a capella group, this is the first reunion the group has had in three years.
"We plan on singing 'Song for Earth's Children,'" said Wilson, a song that was written by a member of Miscellania and is one of the first songs that every member learns.
Alumni will also be able to view and listen to video and audio recordings of Miscellania performing over the past few years.
The highlight of the men's and women's rugby reunions are the alumni games, in which former and current members of the rugby teams will play each other.
Bowdoin Women's Rugby Coach MaryBeth Mathews said, "Around 50 women's rugby alumni are coming back, some from the early '80s, so we're really excited."
Each team will also play host to a banquet on Saturday evening for the alumni.
"Our purpose as a team right now is to remind the alumni that they are still a part of the Bowdoin women's rugby club, and that the feeling of camaraderie and friendship has remained strong throughout the years," said Mathews.
Other weekend events include a 5k run sponsored by the Nordic ski team, various athletic competitions, a coffeehouse on Friday night, and the annual Bowdoin Bonfire on Saturday, which will include the College House chair-building competition and a performance by the Spins.
Although it is impossible to say, because many events do not require registration, Wagner estimates that at least 1,500 alumni return for Homecoming Weekend.