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Reunions

Anniversary photo of the Classes of 1969 and 1994 outside of the Main Building at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Members of the Classes of 1969 and 1994 gather for their reunion in May 2019.

25 Year and 50 Year Reunions: Classes of 1995, 1996, 1970, and 1971

Virtual Experience  |  Thursday, May 6, through Friday, May 14, 2021

The Garrett-Evangelical 25 Year Reunion for the Classes of 1995 and 1996 and the 50 Year Reunion for the Classes of 1970 and 1971 will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You are invited to join us online for live events and self-guided activities beginning Thursday, May 6 through Friday, May 14, 2021. For a complete description of events, please see the slider below.

In addition to this year's virtual reunion, all members of the Classes of 1995, 1996, 1970, and 1971 will be invited to return to campus for an in-person reunion experience once it is safe to do so, most likely in Spring 2022.

If you have additional questions or needs related to the 25 and 50 Year Reunions, please contact alum.relations@garrett.edu.
 

Register Now

Events and Activities Schedule

The following events will be held via Zoom and all times are CDT.

 

Garrett-Evangelical Today | Thursday, May 6 at 12:00-1:00pm (CDT)

The field of theological education and the landscape of the church are changing rapidly. Come learn from our President, Faculty, and Staff how the seminary is adapting to deliver our core mission in new ways as we prepare bold faith leaders for a wide range of ministry settings.

Social Hour | Monday, May 10 at 11:00am-12:00pm (CDT) for 50 year and 2:00-3:00pm (CDT) for 25 year

A casual time of reconnecting with your classmates (and hopefully your former professors, too!) to share life updates and seminary memories. Bring your own refreshments and enjoy hearing from one another in whole-group and breakout conversations.

Fortune and Faith in Old Chicago | Wednesday, May 12 at 1:00-1:45pm (CDT)

Grow your understanding of Methodist history in Chicago with an interactive presentation by the seminary's very own Dr. Charles Cosgrove, based on his recent publication: Fortune and Faith in Old Chicago: A Dual Biography of Mayor Augustus Garrett and Seminary Founder Eliza Garrett.

Senior Chapel | Thursday, May 13 at 7:00pm (CDT)

Worship with our seminary community in a chapel service led by our graduating students. Though we will be gathering virtually, we will uphold our tradition of having our 50 Year Alums bless our graduates as they become the newest members of our alum family.

Commencement Ceremony | Friday, May 14 at 10:00am (CDT)

Celebrate the accomplishments of our newest graduates as you remember the culmination of your own seminary journey. During the ceremony, we will honor Distinguished Alums Bishop Bruce Ough (GETS 1978) and Rev. Sue Laurie (GETS 1995) and hear an address from Bishop William J. Barber II.

 

The following events are all online and available for you to explore at your own pace.

 

Memory Book
Take some time to reflect on your seminary days and ministry by submitting a profile for your class Memory Book. Digital copies will be available during the reunion, with hard copies sent out afterwards to those who would like one.

Virtual Campus Tour

Explore today's campus from the comfort of your own home! Take a Google 360' virtual tour of our sacred spaces, classrooms, offices, and library to see what's changed and what hasn't since your last time on campus.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Thanks to the fabulous staff at The Styberg Library, you can peruse digital archives and photo collections from your time in seminary. (Yes, you too, ETS grads!) Our librarians will also be curating a collection of must-have-for-ministry titles with recommendations from you!

Class Reunion Endowed Scholarship

The celebration of your reunion marks a time to share and give thanks for the many gifts of the life of ministry. We invite you to mark this milestone with a gift to the Class Reunion Endowed Scholarship, which supports the formation of future Garrett-Evangelical students in their calls to ministry.

You may make your gift now by credit or debit card, mail a check to the seminary, or ask for more information on planned gifts when you register for reunion events. Be sure to indicate 'Class Reunion Scholarship' when making your gift.

To learn more about the scholarship and ways to make a special gift, contact Emma Trevor, Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alum Relations, at emma.trevor@garrett.edu or 847-866-3988.

 

25 Year Reunion Planning Group

  • Cerna Castro Rand (G-ETS 1995 and 1998)
  • David Aslesen (G-ETS 1996)
  • Melissa Warren (G-ETS 1996)
  

50 Year Reunion Planning Group

  • Craig Miller (GTS 1971)
  • Lynn Pries (ETS 1971, GETS 1986)
  • Doug Vernon (GTS 1970)

 

25 and 50 Year Memory Books

Share seminary memories and reflections on ministry with your classmates by completing a submission for your class Memory Book. Digital copies will be available during the reunion, with hard copies sent out afterwards to those who would like one.

25 Year Memory Book Submission

50 Year Memory Book Submission