Over the course of two days, more than 200 alumni returned to campus, buzzing with excitement as they reconnected with old friends, former professors, and new acquaintances for Reunion 2024. This year, we celebrated milestone reunions for years ending 4 and 9, including the Arete Circle who celebrated their 50th anniversary. This was also the first time Queens welcomed back alumni from the MFA program.
Queens also recognized alumni for their outstanding professional achievements and exceptional service to Queens during the Alumni Luncheon. Congratulations to the following award winners:
Jeffrey J. Brown ’03 Outsanding Alumnus Award
Stephanie Black ’85 Sed Ministrare Award
Tom McCrarry ’99 Alumnus Service Award
Adair Kennedy ’14 Young Alumna Award
Dr. Christine Allegretti Honorary Alumna Award
Jeffrey Brown ’03, Stephanie Black ’84, ChristineAllegrettiand Tom McCarry ’99
Special thanks to the reunion committee members for making this year’s Reunion Weekend a success! Classes ending in 5 and 0, it’s time to start thinking about your Reunion in 2025. Let us know if you’re interested in helping plan your Reunion or engaging your classmates in the year ahead by completing this quick form.
If you haven’t done so yet, we encourage you to make your Class Gift now. Your generosity will support the ambitious, determined students at Queens as they work toward achieving their dreams, just as you once did. There is still time to make your gift or make an additional gift.
Jeffrey Brown ’03 and President Dan Lugo
A Conversation Between Leaders
Jeffrey Brown ’03, Queens Board of Trustee Chair and president of Hendrick Automotive Group, was interviewed by President Dan Lugo during the alumni luncheon as part of Reunion Weekend. Brown remembers his time at Queens University as a transformative experience. Watch the full conversation.
DJ White ’18, Natalia Diez ’13, Taylor Wade ’14, Rosie Graham ’67
Royal Conversations
It’s no secret that a Queens experience can be transformative for many students. During Reunion 2024, Rosie Graham ’67, Natalia Diez ’13, Taylor Wade ’14, and DJ White ’18, joined student moderator, Taylor Andorfer ’24 for an inspiring panel discussion in the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for Queens’ inaugural Royal Conversations. You can experience this this event by watching this video.
Bridge to Paris 2024
Queens students are heading to France this summer to study and report on the economic, cultural, environmental and social effects of the impact of the Olympics in Paris. This once in a lifetime experience will allow students to observe the Olympics both behind the scenes and in the stands. Your generous gift will allow 29 Queens students to:
*Enhance skills outside of the classroom.
*Achieve a lifelong dream of an international adventure.
*Build intercultural awareness through this immersive assignment.
Countdown to Commencement 2024
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the Queens Community will unite to honor this year’s graduates and celebrate their bright futures ahead. Mayor Vi Lyles ‘73 will be the featured speaker for the 165th commencement ceremony.
During the week leading up to Commencement, Queens will host additional ceremonies to honor the contributions and achievements of students on campus. Check out the schedule of events for more information.
Student Entreprenuers Rise During Pitch Competition
Last month, Queens held it’s sixth annual pitch competion, an experience that gives students the opportunity to compete for up to $5,000 in prize money for their innovative business ideas. Throughout January and February, teams met with entrepreneurial experts to learn the foundations of how to build and deliver a successful pitch.
This year’s graduate school winner was MBA student Ingrid Collazos ‘24 who pitched the Ikigai Center, a mission-focused program aimed at enhancing student success through personalized mentoring and tutoring while fostering a sense of purpose and wellbeing. The undergraduate winner was Isaiah Dennis ’25 who pitched an idea to alleviate the affordable housing crisis called Green House Solutions LLC. Congratulations to everyone who participated. Learn more about this year’s Pitch Competition.
Queens Celebrates Two Years of Competing at the Division I Level
Join us in celebrating two years of competing at the Division One level with “One Day, One Roar” – a 24-hour giving challenge that begins at 10:00 pm on Thursday, May 9th and ends at 10:00 pm on Friday, May 10th. You have the opportunity to make a postive impact by supporting the entire Queens Athletic Department or the specific sport that you are most passionate about. We appreciate your generosity and thank you for your continued support.
Cherie Swarthout MSTOD ’18
Cherie Swarthout MSTOD ’18 came to Queens in 2006 as the sports information directoris. While at Queens, she has worked in everything from administration and facilities to fundraising and marketing. Today, she is the only female athletic director in the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). Read the full story.
Students Gain Exposure to the International Model Nato Conference and Queens Alumni in Washington, D.C.
Maggie M. Commins. Ph.D., Shelton Professor of Political Science recently led a group of 14 students to the International Model NATO conference at Howard University in Washington, D.C. A simulation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the event featured students from universities across the globe.
In addition to committee work, meetings with State Department officials, and embassy visits, students had dinner with Queens graduates, including Ann Brennan ’91, head of the Washington, D.C. alumni chapter. Queens alumni coordinated visits to Capitol Hill offices, including a tour led by alumni James Johnson ’12, legislative director for representative Frank Pallone, and a meeting with Steve Gonzalez ’09, deputy director for the House Committee on Veteran Affairs.
Upcoming Alumni Events
The Charleston Alumni Chapter invites you to join hosts Amy Gaffney ’91 and Betsy Clawson ’74 for a Kentucky Derby party!
