Milligan hosted the Vintage Buff Event, a social hour for alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, on Oct. 22 as part of its Homecoming celebrations.
The Thompson Center on Emmanuel Hill was filled with the happy chatting of old and new friends standing around or sitting on soft couches. They enjoyed sipping refreshing punch and snacking on a tasty assortment of finger foods as relaxing church hymns were played by a pianist in a corner of the Fife Fireside room.
President Bill Greer greeted the various alumni as the afternoon event went on. The alumni were free to come and go as they pleased during the event due to its laid back structure that allowed conversations to take place.
Assistant to the President, Drew Depler, also attended to the alumni during the event. “About ten percent of the alumni here are regulars because they live in the local area, while others made it this year because they have kids or grandkids currently attending Milligan,” said Depler.
Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Theresa Garbe, stated that there were 37 people registered for the event and they represented the graduating classes between 1954 and 1971. This year’s event celebrated the 50 year anniversary for the classes of 1970 and 1971 due to last year’s event being cancelled.
According to Mrs. Garbe, those from the older graduating classes generally attend homecoming events more often than younger graduates.
“It is my sense that they hold in high regard the people and places that were formative in shaping their adult lives and that coming back is a way to reconnect and pay homage to this important part of their past,” said Garbe.
Other events that allowed alumni to gather together and eat during homecoming weekend included an alumni dinner in Sutton Hall later that night and lunch in the tent on Mary Sword Commons Saturday Oct. 23.
Headline photo: The alumni gathered together to relax and reminisce in the warmth of the Fife Fireside room. Photo by Thomas Moore.