It was a record-breaking year for the Wharton MBA Reunion Weekend. Nearly 1,700 alumni, family and friends returned to campus in mid-May, surpassing all previous attendance benchmarks for Wharton’s biggest annual alumni event.
For three days, and from West Philadelphia to Chester County, the 2010 Reunion attendees reconnected with old friends, listened to and learned from Wharton’s esteemed faculty, made valuable business connections and, to put it simply, had a wonderful time reliving their days at Wharton.As anyone who has returned for Reunion can attest, the event is well worth the trip. Here, in a photographic look back at our most recent Reunion event, we’ll show you what makes the weekend so special—and why you should consider coming back for your next reunion.—T.H.
ACCESS YOUR NETWORK
With so many accomplished Wharton alumni from so many different fields all back on campus at one time, Reunion Weekend provides a tremendous networking opportunity—an opportunity that alumni are encouraged to seize. As Wharton Alumni Association Chairman Craig Enenstein, G’95, WG’95, joked at the start of this year’s event: “It is a business school, after all.”
LEARN SOMETHING
The Reunion Weekend experience is enriched by presentations from some of Wharton’s most popular and respected professors. This year, alumni packed the Annenberg Center’s Zellerbach Theater to hear Jeremy Siegel, the esteemed Russell E. Palmer Professor of Finance, offer his thoughts on the future of the world economy. And yes, Siegel (author of Stocks for the Long Run) still believes stocks are the answer.
GO PLAY
Reunion Weekend is not just for grown-ups—future Wharton grads have their fun, too. From family picnics to entertainment just for the kids, the event is more family-friendly than ever. Besides, it’s never too early to introduce your kids to Wharton, right?
RECONNECT & REUNITE
It’s ultimately what Reunion Weekend is all about—seeing dear friends, reuniting with classmates, rekindling old relationships. “Reunion is always a great opportunity,” says, Marie Williams G’95, WG’95, who served as a Class Ambassador for her class. “With those you knew well, you just pick up where you left off. And with those you didn’t, you get to know them better.”
EXPLORE PHILADELPHIA
Reunion Weekend may be all about Wharton. But its events most certainly aren’t limited to campus. In 2010, events and parties were held not only across the city (the all-alumni mixer was held at the beautiful National Constitution Center) but as far afield as bucolic Chester County, as well, as the Class of 1990 held their event at the farm of Edward Cook, WG’90.
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Bottom Line
For three days each spring, Wharton welcomes its alumni and their families back to campus for MBA Reunion Weekend. This year, graduates from around the world returned to campus to meet up with former classmates, learn about the latest business research from top professors, hear about the School’s exciting new programs and initiatives, enjoy family-friendly activities and, of course, to have a party or two—Wharton-style. In this edition of the Bottom Line, we take a look at Reunion Weekend 2010.
10: “official” parties, including the 2005 MBA Pub, the all-alumni mixer, seven reunion class dinners, and . . . the WG’90 Barn Bash
276: registrants from the Class of 2005—tops among all classes.
1,618: total attendees
1: visit from Philadelphia’s own “Ben Franklin” at each of Saturday’s five Family Picnics
1: “State of the School” address by Wharton Dean Thomas Robertson and one “State of the University” address by Penn President Amy Gutmann.
12: events offered on Friday; 31 events across campus and in Philadelphia on Saturday; and three events, including Commencement, on Sunday.
3: family-friendly, exclusively Philly excursions: Franklin Institute Tour, Mural Arts Trolley Tour and Please Touch Museum visit.
14.75: hours of professional education workshops and presentations led by top Wharton faculty, staff, and alumni, including: Professors Mike Useem, Olivia Mitchell, Raffi Amit, Jeremy Siegel and Peter Fader; on such topics as leadership, retirement, private equity, personal wealth management, interactive media and career development
