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Alumni Weekend 2024: A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

A special thank you to members of the Classes of 2019, 2014, 2009, 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1969, 1964, and 1959, and to all alumni across the generations who joined in the celebration April 19-April 21, 2024!

Please enjoy a recap of the weekend's festivities, including event photos, below. If you were not able to be with us, we missed you and hope to see you next time.

 

 

Alumni Weekend 2024 Recap

More than 600 alumni and guests descended upon Roland Park to celebrate Gilman’s 2024 edition of Alumni Weekend (most at 5407 Roland Avenue and some just up the street at the Elkridge Club). Spirits were high as alumni from classes ending in -4 and -9 celebrated milestone reunions, and many more graduates and friends swung through campus for other exciting programs and events.

Friday, April 19
Gilman Forever Luncheon

Friday’s schedule kicked off with a large showing — more than 100 attendees — at the Seventh Annual Gilman Forever Luncheon. Alumni from the classes of 1948 through 1972 joined some former Gilman faculty in Centennial Hall to reconnect with old friends and learn more about the Gilman of today. The Traveling Men sang two songs — “Gilman, oh Gilman” and “Sh-Boom” by The Chords  —  to set the tone for a fun and friendly lunchtime atmosphere.

Head of School Henry P.A. Smyth then shared his remarks, painting for those in the room a portrait of Gilman in 2024, highlighting the dazzling array of curricular and co-curricular offerings, and shedding light on the impressive outcomes on the college front. Mr. Smyth’s introduction preceded the presentation of the Richard E. Evans ‘60 Memorial Alumni Spirit Award.

Tim Holley ’77 presented the award to his friend and former coaching colleague Dennis “Denny” Malone ’68. Denny thanked Gilman for providing him with a life-changing education and connecting him with individuals who would support him and offer pathways to his success in college and beyond.

The program culminated in the classic group photo, which was quite an accomplishment with such a large group of attendees!

See more photos: Gilman Forever Luncheon →

Third-Grade Pen Pals Meetup with the Class of 1974

While Denny Malone '68 was sharing his appreciation for his alma mater at the Gilman Forever Luncheon, 20 members of the Class of 1974 were linking up with their pen pals in the Class of 2033. The session allowed the “more seasoned” Greyhounds to meet their assigned pen pals from the third grade to talk about the letters they have been exchanging since this past March and compare notes on their Gilman experiences. Jim Lynn ’74 reflected quite positively on the event, saying:

"The Pen Pal event was the highlight of a great weekend. I so enjoyed meeting Bradley, Ford, and Grady. They are great kids — very mature, poised, and friendly. All my classmates raved about the time spent with the class."See more photos: Third-Grade Pen Pals Meetup →

Gilman Black Alumni Society (GBAS) Happy Hour

Friday evening featured a robust slate of programs. In the late afternoon, more than 30 alumni attended the first-ever GBAS Happy Hour in the Fenimore Library. Friends reconnected over drinks and hors d'oeuvres, reminiscing and laughing as they took in a slideshow of students and teachers from bygone eras.

Seeing retired teacher and administrator Johnnie Foreman was a highlight for many attendees, as was the opportunity to hear a few yarns spun by Tim Holley ’77. Brandon Croxton ’96, a member of the GBAS Leadership Council, provided an update on the group’s efforts this school year and gave a snapshot of the plans for 2024-2025.

See more photos: GBAS Happy Hour →

Class of 1974 Welcome COCKTAIL HOUR

Just across campus, in the Legg Reading Room, nearly 50 members of the great Class of 1974 and their spouses were raising glasses to toast the occasion of their “golden anniversary:” their 50th reunion. Classmates reunited after many years apart, in some cases a full 50! Warm embraces and hearty laughter ensued, with guests lingering well past the scheduled timetable.

See more photos: Class of 1974 Welcome Cocktail Hour →

Burgers, Beers, and Bands

The capstone gathering in Friday’s schedule was the first-ever Burgers, Beers, and Bands event in the Old Gym. This new concept was built to highlight Gilman’s wealth of alumni musicians — a robust and diverse collection of artists covering various instruments and genres. Mitch Ford ’82 brought his skills on the drums and his buddies from the Rush cover band Words of the Prophets. An amazing light show transformed the gym into an unbelievable concert venue. Notes and lyrics from classic Rush tunes like “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight” echoed to the rafters while guests chowed down on personally tailored burgers from Kooper’s.

See more photos: Burgers, Beers, and Bands →

Saturday, April 20

Sunny skies and a gentle breeze greeted the Blue and Gray faithful on Saturday. A beautiful weather day was the perfect backdrop for a busy slate of programming.

Class of 1974 Memorial Service and Luncheon with the Head of School

Greyhounds from the Class of 1974 came together for several events to start the day. The Rev. Kevin Matthews ’74 organized and led a sincere and moving memorial service in the Edward R. Fenimore Jr. Memorial Library, featuring a series of thought-provoking readings and recollections from class members. Afterward, the gents strolled over to the Head of School’s House, where Henry and Elizabeth Smyth hosted a lively brunch under a front-yard tent.

See more photos: Class of 1974 Luncheon with the Head of School →

Gilman Baseball and Lacrosse Events

Meanwhile, on the Culver Overlook, alumni from Gilman’s proud baseball and lacrosse traditions joined forces to enjoy a BBQ tailgate lunch. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and nostalgia as old teammates swapped stories of the glory days and caught up on life’s adventures. Down on Chandlee Field, Gilman’s varsity lacrosse team was locked in a back-and-forth battle with the Crusaders from St. Paul’s. It was a one-goal game at halftime when Greyhound teams of 1994 and 2009 proceeded onto the field to celebrate the anniversaries of their MIAA championship seasons. The proud victors, decked out in custom hats to commemorate the occasion, beamed as Director of Athletics Russell Wrenn ’96 read summaries of their on-field exploits 15 and 30 years ago. Surrounded by old teammates and soaking in the game action on the field, Matt Wise ’94 reflected,

"It was a timely reminder that we are all part of something larger than ourselves. That’s why I played and loved sports in the first place."

See more photos: Baseball and Lacrosse Events →

 

ALUMNI AUTHOR BOOK TALK WITH JOCK WHITTLESEY '74

As the dust settled on the lacrosse and baseball fields, the daytime’s final event ramped up in the Lumen Center. Jock Whittlesey ’74 took the podium in a large classroom to share with a crowd of more than 30 guests his process for writing “Under The Keel - A Guidebook to the North Atlantic.” Listeners learned of Jock’s research to better understand all things oceanographic, maritime, historical, and nautical related to transatlantic travel, which he and his wife Monique Wong experienced in May 2022 as passengers on the ocean liner Queen Mary 2.

See more photos: Alumni Author Book Talk →

ALL-REUNION CLASSES COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Finally, the time came for the weekend’s main event. Nearly 300 alumni and guests filed into the Lumen Center Dining Hall for the All-Reunion Classes Alumni Cocktail Reception. Gilman’s Upper School Jazz Band provided background music for a cheerful atmosphere of much-anticipated reconnection, with a full bar and hors d'oeuvres adding to the pleasantries of the event.

See more photos: All-Reunion Classes Cocktail Reception →

Individual Reunion Class Parties

From there, reunion class members broke away to attend their class dinners. Parties were sited across the central campus footprint, with many well-trodden areas welcoming alumni back to their old haunts. After delicious meals and much discussion, the last guests trickled out of campus by 11 p.m., either to return home or, in some cases, to continue the festivities elsewhere.  

Click on your class photo below to see more photos from your individual class party. 

So ended another installment of Gilman’s beloved Alumni Weekend!

Special thanks to the nearly 450 alumni who reconvened for the occasion!

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REUNION CLASSES IN SPRING 2024

Click your class photo below to see photos and read The Gilman News, AND Bulletin from your gilman days!