Generous donors and enthusiastic volunteers energized the 2s and 7s in 2016–2017. Together, the thirteen reunion classes contributed $83.2 million during the fiscal year, which helps support the university’s core priorities of financial aid, teaching, and research.
Two classes set all-time records—the Class of 1987, which raised $70.2 million, and the Class of 1967 with $170.3 million. And six classes moved into top ten spots for their respective reunions: 1952, 1982, 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012.
Classmates come together to support the university
The success of reunion fundraising reflected both hard work and class spirit: in total, 315 volunteers reached out to 2,727 classmates.
David Ryan ’92, 25th Reunion Gift Committee co-chair, spoke about the special connection he and his classmates share with Yale: “Most of my closest friends are teammates and classmates from my time at Yale,” said Ryan. “As these friendships have strengthened in the years since graduation, my love and appreciation for Yale have also grown. Serving as co-chair of the reunion gift committee provided an opportunity to further connect with my teammates and classmates, while also giving back to the university which has given so much to all of us.”
Margaret Greenberg ’12 was grateful to everyone who took part in the class gift. “Our 5th Reunion was our first real opportunity to come together as a class and pay it forward meaningfully for current students,” she said. “I was impressed and delighted by the collective generosity of my classmates and look forward to the immediate impact our class gift will have on the university!”
A chance to reconnect with classmates and campus
During reunion weekends in late May and early June, alumni returned to campus in record-setting numbers to reconnect with classmates and friends. Including alumni, family members, and guests, attendance a reached a record-high total of 7,182; in all, a record-breaking 4,606 alumni returned to Yale for one of the two reunion weekends.
In addition to overall attendance, several other reunion records were set this year. The Class of 1952 welcomed 190 total guests including 93 classmates—both records. For their 40th Reunion 335 Class of 1977 alums returned to New Haven, breaking a record held by the Class of 1950. And the younger classes were not to be outdone: the Class of 2012 brought 805 total guests to campus, a new high and the first time a 5th Reunion broke 800 total attendees.