Alums Weekend 2023
Welcome to Alums Weekend May 19-21, 2023!
We’re excited to welcome our alums and friends back to campus this spring! The weekend will be an opportunity to return to campus, reconnect with old friends (and make new ones!) and engage with students, faculty, and staff. While we hope that most will be able to join us for our on-campus events, we will offer some opportunities for alums to join us virtually as well, including the Annual Meeting and our panel sessions. We hope you will join us on May 19-21, 2023!
This year we are very excited to celebrate our milestone reunions for all classes ending in 3 and 8! We know that everyone is eager to reconnect and begin planning their off-campus reunion events and, as usual, we will rely on volunteers from each class to help organize their reunion activities. Please be on the lookout for communications from your Reunion Liaison with more information:
The Reunion Liaisons:
- 1943, 1948, 1953, 1963, & 1973: Ray Slater
- 1958: Ellen Urbanski
- 1968 & 1978: Courtnay Tyus
- 1983 & 1988: Kris Batley
- 1993 & 1998: Amanda Young
- 2003, 2008, 2013, & 2018: Bridget Cadden and Domi Waldron
For any immediate questions or concerns about Alums Weekend, please contact the Office of Alum Engagement.
As with all Westtown activities, we are diligent in our planning and use the school’s resources judiciously, allowing us to prioritize funds for our students and program. As you know, and as we continue to experience at Westtown, operational costs for food, staffing, and supplies continue to increase. After much discernment, including consultation with other schools and consideration of best practices, we have decided to charge a registration fee of $35 for all adult (18+) attendees of Alums Weekend. This charge will help us to defray the cost of this event and maintain our earnest stewardship of Westtown’s resources.
Schedule
Friday, May 19
Quaker Life at Westtown
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. // Welcome
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. // DEIJ and Quakerism Presentation
11:35 a.m. // Quaker Life at Westtown
12:20 p.m. // Lunch
1:15 p.m. //Quaker Life Committee Meet & Greet – How is Quaker Life preserved at Westtown?
2:00 p.m. // Art in Quakerism with Marta Willgoose Salo
2:00 p.m. // Children’s Meeting & How It Strengthens Quakerism at Westtown – Ginny Sutton
2:30 p.m. // Worship Sharing
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. // Donor Reception in the Science Center
Saturday, May 20
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. // Registration on the Theater Terrace
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. // Pop-Up Shop Opens
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. // Memorial Meeting for Worship in the Meeting House
10:00 a.m. // WAA Board Annual Meeting in the Barton-Test Theater
Welcome – Clerk
Shared Moment of Worship
Alma Mater
Roll Call of the Decades
Acknowledge Retiring Faculty and Staff
Presentation of 50th Class Gift
WAA Board of Managers Membership Renewal
State of School
Financial Update
Sustainability Update
Guest Speaker
Young Alum Changemaker Award
Alma Mater Performance
11:15 a.m. // Class Photos on the Theater Terrace
12:00 p.m. // Lunch*
4:00 p.m. // Back in ’Town Bash
6:00 p.m. // Class of 1973 50th Reunion at the Cabin
*Lunch Information
Classes of 1948-1973: Complementary lunch with Head of School Chris Benbow ’90
Classes of 1974-2022: Lunch is available for purchase from food trucks at East End Circle
Afternoon Activities – Saturday
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. // Campus Tours tours depart from Admissions
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. // Exploring Westtown’s History at the Esther Duke Archives
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. // Student Activities Fair on Raiford Field
12:00 p.m .- 3:00 p.m. // Kids Corner Activities on Raiford Field
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. // Tennis Courts Open
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. // Student Life Panel in the Meeting House
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. // DEIJ Panel in the Science Center Lecture Hall
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. // Canoeing at the Westtown Lake
1:00 p.m. // Westtown Alumni Association Board Reception in the South Room
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. // LGBTQ+ Meetup
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. // BIPOC Meetup
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. // Hayrides departing from the Belfry
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. // Leadership Q&A in the Barton-Test Theater
2:30 p.m. // Student Art Show Reception in the Art Gallery
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. // Cornhole Tournament
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. // CLA Tour
Sunday, May 21
9:00 a.m. // Alums Weekend Closing Breakfast in the Dining Room
10:30 a.m. // Meeting for Worship in the Meeting House
10:30 a.m. // 50th Meeting for Worship
10:30 a.m. // 60th Meeting for Worship
Accommodations
For your convenience, Westtown School has reserved a room block at a reduced rate at a local hotel. Availability is limited so be sure to book your room as soon as possible. Please contact the hotel directly with any questions about rates or availability.
Holiday Inn Express – West Chester (1310 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382)
Group Name: Westtown School Alums Weekend 2023
Block Closes: 4/19/2023
Room Rates:
King Room – $179.00/night
Double Queen Room – $179.00/night
How To Book: Reservations can be made by calling 610-399-4600 or 1-800-HOLIDAY(800 465 4329). Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group at the time the reservation is made in order to receive the special group rate.
Q: When can I register for Alums Weekend?
A: Registration is now open! Click here to register for Alums Weekend, or click here to register for your 50th Reunion.
Q: Where can I stay during Alums Weekend?
A: Westtown School has reserved room blocks at the Holiday Inn Express West Chester. Rooms in the block are limited so be sure to make your reservations early.
Q: Who is invited back to campus?
A: Everyone! We are welcoming alums of all class years back to campus, including family and friends. In addition, classes ending in 3 and 8 will have the opportunity to celebrate their milestone reunions during their off-campus gatherings.
Q: Is this a family-friendly event?
A: Yes! There will be activities for all ages, including a Kids Corner and lawn games.
Q: What kind of dining options will be available?
A: A variety of food options will be available on campus Saturday afternoon. Lunch will be available for purchase from food trucks from 12-4pm. Heavy appetizers will be complimentary from 4-6 p.m. at the Back in ‘Town Bash. Additional details to come.
Q: Is there a cost to attend Alums Weekend?
A: Yes. A registration fee of $35 will be required for all adult (18+) attendees of Alums Weekend. Please see communications from your class about any additional costs for attending class-specific events that are hosted off-campus.
Q: Why is there a general registration fee for Alums Weekend this year?
A: As with all Westtown activities, we are diligent in our planning and use the school’s resources judiciously, allowing us to prioritize funds for our students and program. As you know, and as we continue to experience at Westtown, operational costs for food, staffing, and supplies continue to increase. After much discernment, including consultation with other schools and consideration of best practices, we have decided to charge a registration fee for all adult attendees to defray the cost of the event and maintain our earnest stewardship of Westtown’s resources.
Q: Do I need to pay the general registration fee if I'm only attending one event?
A: Yes, all adult attendees are asked to pay the general registration fee for Alums Weekend. Many factors beyond food and event supplies go into making every event throughout the weekend possible. Hours of facilities, security, dining, and event planning staff time are dedicated to preparing campus for the weekend and hosting guests. If you are only attending one event, thank you for thinking of the efforts that go into making all portions of Alums Weekend possible.
Q. If I attend Alums Weekend virtually, do I need to register and pay the registration fee?
A. Memorial Meeting for Worship, The Annual Meeting, the Leadership Q&A, the Student Life panel, the DEIJ panel, the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC meetups, and Meeting for Worship are all free virtual events. You don’t need to register. The links for these events will be available on the Alums Weekend website on May 19th.
