Alumni Events
Homecoming Weekend October 7 & 8 Alumni Events Fall is in the air and excitement is building for Alumni Reunion Weekend, which has been moved from May to October this year to coincide with Homecoming Weekend and HawkFest activities! Transitioning to the fall allows returning alumni to see students on campus, attend home varsity athletic contests, mingle with other Hawken alumni and families who will be on campus, attend the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and so much more. We heard over the years that the month of May had too many conflicts with family weddings and graduations, and we listened to you. Read on to see what’s in store.
Reunion Kickoff Reception and Luncheon For the first time, we will open Reunion Weekend with a special kickoff reception and luncheon on Friday, October 7th for all reunion classes and other alumni who want to come back to campus. The reception is being sponsored by the Hawken School Alumni Board and will feature keynote talks from Shaquira Johnson ’94, President of the Alumni Board, and Andrea Hocevar ’01, Director of Alumni Engagement. We will also have a special presentation by current students enrolled in Hawken’s unique Entrepreneurial Studies Program that is directed by Doris Korda, Associate Head of School and Director of Entrepreneurial Studies. In just three years, this program has gained national acclaim, and many students say it’s the best course they take at Hawken.
Guided Tours of Stirn Hall Members of the Red Key Society and others will be available to provide guided tours through Stirn Hall, Hawken’s new magnificent academic building. Come see for yourself why the design of this building won its architects a national award three years ago, before it was even constructed. Explore the unique spaces, visualize the openness of its classrooms and the quirkiness of the utilization of the space. Find out why students, faculty, parents and guests are amazed by how Hawken continues to lead the way in innovation.
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Hawken’s third class of all-star athletes will be inducted into our Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 7th. The inductees are: Byron Davis ’88 (swimming), Anthony Cowsette ’93 (football and basketball), Damon Butler ’98 (soccer and track), Al Klauss ’66 (football, wrestling and track), Maurice Gray ’86 (basketball), Ginger Theis Daly ’92 (tennis, basketball and softball) and Jane Esselstyn ’83 (swimming). Come cheer on your fellow alumni as they are celebrated for their athletic accomplishments that led Hawken to numerous varsity victories over the decades.
Scott Looney Address to Reunion Classes Head of School Scott Looney will share his vision of education today and tomorrow and how Hawken must lead in changing the system. You’ve read his two essays in recent issues of the Hawken Review. Here is your chance to hear from him in person and ask probing questions as you ponder the future of Hawken.
Alumni Tailgate Party Back for the fifth year in a row, the Alumni Tailgate Party has become the must-attend event for all alumni. Mix and mingle with former classmates, Hall of Fame inductees and faculty. Enjoy hearty appetizers, beer, wine (21 and over) and soft drinks. Help identify other alumni in photos from our archives. Due to school policy restrictions, when alcohol is served no minor children are allowed to attend.
Hawken Varsity Football vs. Independence After the Alumni Tailgate Party, move on out to Walton Stadium at Humphrey Field to cheer on the Hawken Hawks against the Independence Blue Devils. A special half-time presentation will honor the Hall of Fame inductees as well as members of the 1965 football team, Hawken’s first ever undefeated varsity team — just four years after starting to compete in inter-scholastic varsity play.
Alumni Family Picnic On Saturday, October 8th, we will be hosting our traditional Alumni Family Picnic on the grounds of the newly renovated White House. This event is always well attended and brings out alumni of all ages and their families. Children’s activities will be available.
Varsity & JV Sports Sports include volleyball, field hockey and soccer. Start your morning out on the fields cheering on the Hawks or go after the Alumni Family Picnic.
Challenge Course Activities For all of you who are up to the challenge, go on out to the new challenge course and test your skills wall climbing, walking across a tight rope 30 feet in the air, free falling (tethered of course) from the top of a pole or maneuvering with a partner to the top of a rope net. Advanced registration is required, and not all activities are suitable for children under 10 years of age or 52 inches in height. Each participant will need to sign a waiver. Trained belayers will be on hand to assist participants. The new Schneider Family Challenge Course is located on the site of the old tennis courts.
Reunion Class Cocktails & Dinners Now the real fun begins on Saturday evening! Reunion classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 have reserved unique spaces within Stirn Hall and the White House to mingle with classmates, relive former days of glory and catch up on what’s been going on since they last saw each other. Come early — at 5:00 pm — to tour Stirn Hall. Beer, wine and soft drinks begin flowing at 6:00 pm. Sage, Hawken’s catering service, has planned a fabulous menu of appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts to satisfy any appetite. Rest up from your afternoon activities because these dinners lead up to the main event.
Centennial All Star Band Concert & Dance Back by popular demand, this band of Hawken alumni from the 60s is coming together from around the country to play another gig at the White House, the venue where most started playing forever ago. Those of you who attended our Party of the Century at Cleveland’s Convention Center in May 2015 will remember this group, as they rocked the house all evening. Reservations are required. This event is for all alumni and their guests, not just those celebrating their reunions. This will be The Party of the
Second Century!
Reunion Kickoff Reception and Luncheon For the first time, we will open Reunion Weekend with a special kickoff reception and luncheon on Friday, October 7th for all reunion classes and other alumni who want to come back to campus. The reception is being sponsored by the Hawken School Alumni Board and will feature keynote talks from Shaquira Johnson ’94, President of the Alumni Board, and Andrea Hocevar ’01, Director of Alumni Engagement. We will also have a special presentation by current students enrolled in Hawken’s unique Entrepreneurial Studies Program that is directed by Doris Korda, Associate Head of School and Director of Entrepreneurial Studies. In just three years, this program has gained national acclaim, and many students say it’s the best course they take at Hawken.
Guided Tours of Stirn Hall Members of the Red Key Society and others will be available to provide guided tours through Stirn Hall, Hawken’s new magnificent academic building. Come see for yourself why the design of this building won its architects a national award three years ago, before it was even constructed. Explore the unique spaces, visualize the openness of its classrooms and the quirkiness of the utilization of the space. Find out why students, faculty, parents and guests are amazed by how Hawken continues to lead the way in innovation.
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Hawken’s third class of all-star athletes will be inducted into our Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 7th. The inductees are: Byron Davis ’88 (swimming), Anthony Cowsette ’93 (football and basketball), Damon Butler ’98 (soccer and track), Al Klauss ’66 (football, wrestling and track), Maurice Gray ’86 (basketball), Ginger Theis Daly ’92 (tennis, basketball and softball) and Jane Esselstyn ’83 (swimming). Come cheer on your fellow alumni as they are celebrated for their athletic accomplishments that led Hawken to numerous varsity victories over the decades.
Scott Looney Address to Reunion Classes Head of School Scott Looney will share his vision of education today and tomorrow and how Hawken must lead in changing the system. You’ve read his two essays in recent issues of the Hawken Review. Here is your chance to hear from him in person and ask probing questions as you ponder the future of Hawken.
Alumni Tailgate Party Back for the fifth year in a row, the Alumni Tailgate Party has become the must-attend event for all alumni. Mix and mingle with former classmates, Hall of Fame inductees and faculty. Enjoy hearty appetizers, beer, wine (21 and over) and soft drinks. Help identify other alumni in photos from our archives. Due to school policy restrictions, when alcohol is served no minor children are allowed to attend.
Hawken Varsity Football vs. Independence After the Alumni Tailgate Party, move on out to Walton Stadium at Humphrey Field to cheer on the Hawken Hawks against the Independence Blue Devils. A special half-time presentation will honor the Hall of Fame inductees as well as members of the 1965 football team, Hawken’s first ever undefeated varsity team — just four years after starting to compete in inter-scholastic varsity play.
Alumni Family Picnic On Saturday, October 8th, we will be hosting our traditional Alumni Family Picnic on the grounds of the newly renovated White House. This event is always well attended and brings out alumni of all ages and their families. Children’s activities will be available.
Varsity & JV Sports Sports include volleyball, field hockey and soccer. Start your morning out on the fields cheering on the Hawks or go after the Alumni Family Picnic.
Challenge Course Activities For all of you who are up to the challenge, go on out to the new challenge course and test your skills wall climbing, walking across a tight rope 30 feet in the air, free falling (tethered of course) from the top of a pole or maneuvering with a partner to the top of a rope net. Advanced registration is required, and not all activities are suitable for children under 10 years of age or 52 inches in height. Each participant will need to sign a waiver. Trained belayers will be on hand to assist participants. The new Schneider Family Challenge Course is located on the site of the old tennis courts.
Reunion Class Cocktails & Dinners Now the real fun begins on Saturday evening! Reunion classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 have reserved unique spaces within Stirn Hall and the White House to mingle with classmates, relive former days of glory and catch up on what’s been going on since they last saw each other. Come early — at 5:00 pm — to tour Stirn Hall. Beer, wine and soft drinks begin flowing at 6:00 pm. Sage, Hawken’s catering service, has planned a fabulous menu of appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts to satisfy any appetite. Rest up from your afternoon activities because these dinners lead up to the main event.
Centennial All Star Band Concert & Dance Back by popular demand, this band of Hawken alumni from the 60s is coming together from around the country to play another gig at the White House, the venue where most started playing forever ago. Those of you who attended our Party of the Century at Cleveland’s Convention Center in May 2015 will remember this group, as they rocked the house all evening. Reservations are required. This event is for all alumni and their guests, not just those celebrating their reunions. This will be The Party of the
Second Century!
