Schedule of Events

Reunion Headquarters and Residence Halls Open at 4 p.m. CT. Please check in there first to receive your namebadge and schedule of events, as well as residence hall key, if staying on campus.

By Invitation Only / Free to Attend / Registration Required

Alumni awards honor individuals for their service to Lawrence, their service to society, and their professional achievements. Lawrence University is pleased to kick off Reunion 2023 with this celebration dinner honoring some of our most distinguished alumni. 

$42/ Registration Required / Cash Only Beer & Wine Bar

All are welcome to attend. 

Breakfast is $7/person, all-you-can-eat hot breakfast buffet. No registration required. Cashless - Credit & Debit Card Only accepted at the door.

NATO Expansion:  Should Finland and Sweden Join?

Shortly after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, both Finland and Sweden formally applied for NATO membership.  This move signals a long-standing shift from their previous policies of neutrality in international affairs.  While some welcome NATO’s expansion as a way to secure a free and prosperous Europe, others fear it as a possibly worsening the regional balance of power. Drawing on her recent sabbatical in Helsinki, Finland, Prof. Skran will share her insights on this important topic. 

Claudena Skran is Professor of Government, and the Edwin and Ruth West Professor of Economics and Social Science.  

Lawrence and Jazz in Wisconsin: A Love Affair

Since the early 1970s, when John Harmon ’57 took over the previously student-run jazz program at Lawrence, jazz has been a vital part of Lawrence culture. Harmon and a group of his students formed the band Matrix in 1974, and Lawrence jazz really took off. Fred Sturm ’73 returned to Lawrence in 1977 to develop a nationally recognized program that has produced important jazz musicians ever since, including current LU faculty. Dietrich will pack as much of this history into 45 minutes as possible.

Kurt Dietrich ’73, professor of music emeritus, Ripon College

Our Milwaukee Marie Curie: Elda Anderson’s Forgotten Legacy

Elda Emma Anderson (1899-1961) was a well-known, beloved figure in physics during the first half of the 20th Century. A Wisconsin native and alumna of Ripon College and UW Madison, Dr. Anderson’s early career was a testament to her passion for teaching: from her creation of the Division of Sciences at Estherville Junior College (and becoming its first dean) at the age of 25 to her nearly two decades-long tenure at Milwaukee-Downer College, where she became the first woman to earn tenure in—and chair—the physics department. An accomplished experimentalist, she joined the Manhattan Project during WWII, one of the few women who worked at the Los Alamos Lab as a scientist. Her work—she produced the first pure Uranium-235 sample--was critical to the success of the project and the end of the war. After the war, in response to the horror of atomic war, she helped found the Health Physics Society, where she worked exhaustively on radiation safety and the biological effects of radiation. Each year following her death in 1961, the Elda Anderson Award in Health Physics is given in her honor.  Despite her significance, Dr. Anderson remains largely unknown at Lawrence—the only tribute the name of one of the campus computer servers. In this class, I will be discussing Dr. Anderson’s legacy, and the plans we have for amplifying and celebrating this amazing woman, scientist, and teacher.

 Megan Pickett  Associate Professor of Physics, Lawrence University

Keep the Learning Lights, Burning

Join Peter and Connie Roop as they share their writing journey in the creation of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, a Feature Reading Rainbow book.  Having published over 100 children’s books, the Roops continue to use their Lawrence education to research and write books.

Connie '73 and Peter Roop '73 have written 100 children's books ranging from historical to nonfiction.

Lights, Cameras, Sex, and Bioluminescent Ostracods: When Science and Media Collide

We will explore the interface between science and science communication in multiple media formats. Avenues for sharing science have expanded exponentially with shifting media outlets and social change. Dr. Gretchen Gerrish '98 will use illuminating case studies from her marine and freshwater work to facilitate discussion regarding the values, ethics, challenges, and responsibilities for sharing work beyond the academic ivory tower. 

Dr, Gretchen Gerrish '98 Director of Trout Lake Station Center for Limnology UW-Madison 

The social construction of race and racism in US Society

Dr. Smith will take us through the social construction of race in US society and the impact of racism on various groups. This class will explore the role of racism in law, religion and politics as well as the role of race in categorizing different human groups.

Jesus Smith, Ph.D.  Assistant Professor in Ethnic Studies
Lawrence University 

$40/Registration Required

All Alumni of Color are invited to join President Laurie A. Carter for lunch and a facilitated discussion with senior campus leaders.

Lunch is $11/person, all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No registration required. Cashless - Credit & Debit Card Only accepted at the door.

The Spit Is It!

Genealogy & Family History in the Age of Commercial Genetic Testing Services.

The advent of services such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA have changed the landscape in which family historians and casual information-seekers learn about their past--and their present. In this session, Angela Bier, ‘98,  will examine what information these services do and do not provide. We will consider how results, both expected and unexpected, can enhance one’s family history research and open new areas of inquiry, discovery, and complexity. 

Angie is a former pediatrician, mother, Wisconsinite from birth, and an accomplished amateur genealogist.  She brings these sensibilities to her writing, which can be found most recently in Evening Street Review and An Accidental Archivist, her genealogical mystery memoir published in July of 2022.   She is a student of All Writers Workplace & Workshop and lives between Franklin and Gills Rock, Wisconsin.

The Beatles…Four Lads Who Shook the World

Do You Want to Know a Secret? The Beatles are still Here, There, and Everywhere…even after breaking up in 1970! The Beatles '1' album, released in 2000, is the biggest-selling album of any artist in the first decade of the 21st century and The Beatles are the only artists to sell more than a million units every year since 1990! That's really Something! Current students at Lawrence have the opportunity to study the exciting '60s through the sounds of The Beatles, and you can relive it too! The Word is love and All You Need Is Love to attend this exciting presentation by a true Beatleholic. It Won't Be Long before Reunion Weekend is here; June is not such a Long, Long, Long way off. Take this Magical Mystery Tour of The Long and Winding Road paved by The Beatles. Turn off your mind…relax…and float downstream..it's just A Day in the Life. Help is on the way! The End. 

Carl Rath ’75, Conservatory of Music instructor, Lawrence University

Inside the Sausage Factory of U.S. Foreign Policy-Making  

An oft-cited Washington adage compares U.S. Foreign Policy to sausage making- two things you're better off not seeing how it's made. The White House, State Department, NSC, CIA, Congress, lobbyists, ambassadors (both foreign ambassadors in Washington and our Ambassadors overseas), and many others play roles, helpful or otherwise. Shaun Donnelly ('68) survived 36 years as a State Department Foreign Service Officer (FSO) and, ultimately, an Ambassador. Bob Suettinger ('68) had a 24-year career as a China analyst and policy-maker at the CIA, State Department, and NSC, then another 8 years as a contractor, aka "Beltway Bandit." The LU classmates will share experiences, war stories, opinions, and a few lingering frustrations from inside the Washington sausage factory.  

Shaun Donnelly '68 Senior Advisor at the United States Council for International Business

Robert Suettinger '68 a former U.S. Intelligence officer and a scholar on East Asia.

Why Music, Creativity, and the New Business Major are a Perfect Lawrence Match

What does business have to do with music?  What does music have to do with business? 

More than people can possibly imagine—people who aren’t Lawrentians, anyway!  At Lawrence, we see music, creativity, and business creating mutually beneficial relationships that give our students the superpowers they will need to overcome the challenges and maximize the opportunities of our rapidly changing world.  In this high energy, hands-on class, we will get right down to business through creativity and music. .. and your imagination.

Brian Pertl ‘86 Dean of the Conservatory of Music
Lawrence University

Going First---Leading Through A Pandemic 

Who knew in 1983 that a biology major from Lawrence University would one day be in a position to provide leadership in a pandemic---much less, lead the response to the first known U.S. case. From the initial phone call he received that Washington State was sending a sample to test for the novel coronavirus, to the co-announcement with CDC identifying the first confirmed case, to the first deadly outbreak of the virus in a nursing home in Kirkland, WA, Dr. Wiesman’s work as Secretary of Health for the state of Washington during the start of the pandemic was the ultimate leadership challenge. Join him to learn more about an insider’s view of that experience and the personal and professional lessons he learned about crisis leadership.

Dr. John Wiesman '83 DrPH, MPH

Local Craft Beer – Art and Science in a Pint Glass!

Wisconsin’s rich history of beer and brewing is alive and well in Appleton, and Lawrence has a seat at this Craft Beer Table! Join me, Allison McCoy Fleshman, Associate Professor of Chemistry and co-owner of McFleshman’s Brewing Co., on a tour of the brewery my husband and I built, which specializes in German Lagers and British Ales. We will sample the rich history of German and British beer styles, and explore the art of fermentation science. I’ll share the importance of the beer glass, what cask-conditioning is all about, and how we use science to make the perfect pint. Cheers!

A campus shuttle will be available for those who would like a ride downtown for this event.

Allison Fleshman, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Lawrence University

Ghana: From the abyss to relative prosperity

Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African (SSA) country to gain its independence, with Kwame Nkrumah as its first Prime Minister in 1957 and then as President in 1960.  The country was generally viewed as the Black Star of the continent. Nkrumah undertook a very ambitious program toward industrialization under Pan-Africanism, with the government as the main agent of change. However, many of the implemented projects were quite inefficient and unsustainable.  He was deposed in a military coup d’état in 1966 when the economy floundered badly. This was followed by additional coups and counter coups. By 1982, the country was a basket case. The subsequent economic reforms undertaken, followed by democratic reforms in 1992, seem to have succeeded in resuscitating the economy. Today, Ghana can be counted among the top SSA countries in economic and institutional performance. 

Prof. Augustin K. FOSU, PhD
Professor, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana;
Distinguished Visiting Professor, College of Business and Economics
University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa;
Extraordinary Professor, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and
Research Associate, Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE)
University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. 

Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership 

Just as a conductor's preparatory "upbeat" gesture at the beginning of a performance influences the way an ensemble plays, we too get to choose our "upbeat" -- our thoughts and attitudes -- at the start of each day, at work, and in our interactions with family, friends, and colleagues. Dr. Matthew Arau '97 will share how, no matter the difficulty of the situation, we can choose our personal upbeat and develop habits of thought and action that can transform our personal and professional life to optimize our personal physical, mental, and emotional health so that we can be at our best to make a difference. 

Mathew Aura '97 Associate Professor of Music Education and Associate Director of Bands 
Lawrence University 

What's the buzz on carbon markets?

Don´t believe that capitalism is sustainable for the environment? Want to learn about why playing the numbers game and putting a price on carbon can protect forests? Curious about how to make forest management and conservation attractive for money driven players? Want to get your hands dirty talking about outcomes, morality, planting trees and money?

Come learn the basics about the Carbon Market, how it has been shaping in the Americas and what hopes we should have about our future. Debates, criticisms, and opinions are welcome.

Topics: Climate Change, deforestation, compliant and voluntary carbon markets, blue carbon, news scandals, collaboration, Latin America, North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), investors, oil and gas, CO2, emissions, mitigation, adaptation, Climate Action Reserve, Gold Standard, Verra, communities, Ejidos, public policy, NDCs, Paris Agreement, and social, political, cultural and economic impacts.

Regina Cornish Morales '17 is the Climate Change Director at Pronatura Mexico, an NGO leading in the conservation of natural resources.

Free to Attend/No Registration Required

$15/Registration Required

Parents, let the kids play while you have your own fun! We will have activities and food for children from the ages of 5 to 12. Please make sure each child is registered for this event.

$50/Registration Required

Hosted Beer/Wine Bar

$45 / Registration Required

Cash Only Beer/Wine Bar

All alumni are invited to attend a recital featuring talented alumni musicians from all decades.

Breakfast is $7/person, all-you-can-eat hot breakfast buffet. No registration required. Cashless - Credit & Debit Card Only accepted at the door.

Join the traditional 5k fun run/walk for all ages, named in memorial for Coach Gene Davis.

Gather at the Wriston Art Center Auditorium to hear stories from some of Lawrence's Indigenous
alumni. The Class of 1973, which has created the Special Fund for Student
Success to support Native American and other Indigenous students, is sponsoring
this event and encourages all alumni to attend.

Join your classmates in the march to the Memorial Chapel for Reunion Convocation.

Celebrate Reunion with President Laurie Carter at this annual all-Reunion event that recognizes the special contributions made by Lawrentians and Downerites. The program features the presentation of alumni awards and Reunion class gifts, music by the Alumni Choir, and President Carter’s Convocation address.

$10 / Registration Required

$30 / Registration Required

A special event for our Milwaukee-Downer alumnae and alumni celebrating Golden Reunions.

 "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks

Academic departments and programs will host open houses in their buildings. Reconnect with your favorite faculty members and staff and meet new ones.

$15/Registration Required

Parents, let the kids play while you have your own fun! We will have activities and food for children from the ages of 5 to 12. Please make sure each child is registered for this event.

$45 / Registration Required

Cash Only Beer/Wine Bar

$45 / Registration Required

Cash Beer/Wine Bar

$45 / Registration Required

Cash Beer/Wine Bar

$50/Registration Required

Hosted Beer/Wine Bar

$45 / Registration Required

Cash Beer/Wine Bar

$45 / Registration Required

Cash Beer/Wine Bar

$35 / Registration Required

Cash Beer/Wine Bar

Breakfast is $7/person, all-you-can-eat hot breakfast buffet. No registration required. Cashless - Credit & Debit Card Only accepted at the door.

Discover or revisit Lawrence’s beautiful northern campus located on Lake Michigan in picturesque Door County. Spend the day touring the historical chapel, hiking the many nature trails, or relaxing on the lakeside decks.

Motorcoach bus transportation and lunch will be provided. Luggage may be stored in the motorcoach. If you prefer to drive yourself, you may select the $15 no-transportation-needed rate when registering for this event.

Meet at the Wriston turnaround on Lawe Street at 7:45 a.m. Advance registration is required for this event, which has an additional fee. We are unable to accept walk-up registration.