That's a Wrap! Alumni Weekend 2025

Thank you to the hundreds of alumni — including those who celebrated a milestone reunion this year — and their guests for joining us May 2-4 for Alumni Weekend 2025! For those of you who could not attend, we hope you will join us next year. In the meantime, enjoy the recap from the incredible weekend below.

Alumni Weekend 2025 Recap

Thunderstorms could not deter the Gilman faithful from gathering across campus for another thrilling Alumni Weekend! More than 600 friends of the School — alumni and their guests, as well as current and former faculty and staff members — attended 27 events that took place Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4. Mother Nature made her presence felt on Friday afternoon and Saturday night. Otherwise, a sunsplashed and temperate backdrop set the stage for a fun-filled weekend of reconnection, reminiscing, and revelry.

FRIDAY, MAY 2

Eighth Annual Gilman Forever Luncheon

Gilman’s alumni drove the celebration from start to finish, beginning with the Eighth Annual Gilman Forever Luncheon. Alumni from 1950 through 1974 met in Centennial Hall — formerly known as A Study Hall — for this ever-popular program. A lengthy period of mingling gave way to a rousing performance from the Traveling Men, who, immediately after performing, joined a table for lunch to provide alumni and retired faculty and staff with a first-hand glimpse into current happenings on Roland Avenue.

A more comprehensive school update was delivered by Head of School Henry Smyth PP, P’26, who stepped to the podium midway through lunch to lead a series of remarks. The program culminated in the presentation of the Richard E. Evans ’60 Memorial Alumni Spirit Award to Lifetime Trustee George B. Hess, Jr. ’55. Mr. Hess gave thanks to Gilman, recognizing the School’s transformative impact in nurturing lifelong friendships, building character, and instilling skills and habits for a successful personal and professional life.

See more photos FROM GILMAN FOREVER

Class of 1975 - Third Grade Pen Pals Meet Up

Meanwhile, across campus in Callard Hall, 21 members of the Class of 1975 were busy swapping stories with their third grade pen pals in the Class of 2034. The young Hounds shared insights into the Gilman of today, while the alumni told them stories of the Gilman of yore. A grand time was had by all. Mike McCarthy ’75, said of the experience, “What a wonderful hour and a half spent with a very precocious and outgoing Gilman third grade class! I was amazed at how interesting and thoughtful their questions were. Gilman is in good hands with these up and coming students!”

See more photos from the Third Grade Pen Pals Meet Up

“What a wonderful hour and a half spent with a very precocious and outgoing Gilman third grade class! I was amazed at how interesting and thoughtful their questions were. Gilman is in good hands with these up and coming students!” - Mike McCarthy '75

Varsity Lacrosse Game and Championship Lacrosse Team Halftime Ceremony

A massive crowd formed around Chandlee Field later Friday afternoon to witness a clash between the Greyhounds and the visiting Lakers of Boys’ Latin. At halftime, three championship teams from reunion years — 1970, 1995, and 2000 — were honored in a ceremony. After the game, the champs were treated to a special cocktail hour.

See more photos from the Championship Lacrosse Ceremony

Class of 1975 Cocktail Reception and Gilman Black Alumni Society (GBAS) Happy Hour

Overlapping with the Lacrosse Happy Hour were cocktail parties for two other alumni groups: the Class of 1975 and the GBAS. The Class of ’75’s reception in the Legg Reading Room was a lively affair and the first occasion for which some members of the class had returned to campus in 50 years; spirits were high! It was the perfect kickoff to a weekend of special events for the class. Meanwhile, members of the GBAS convened in the Edward R. Fenimore Jr. Memorial Library. The theme of Friday evening’s happy hour was camaraderie. The library was full of laughter and celebration as twenty graduates came together to celebrate their time at Gilman. Joined by Head of School Henry Smyth and his wife Elizabeth, the group shared their love for their alma mater and joy at being back on campus together.

See more photos from the Class of 1975 Cocktail Reception See more photos from the GBAS Happy Hour

Alumni Crab Feast

Friday night’s return of the Alumni Crab Feast was a highlight of the weekend. More than 200 attendees filled the Lumen Center Dining Hall to crack open crustaceans and wash them down with cold drinks. Guests commented on the unifying nature of the exercise: alumni and their guests sat down alongside current faculty and staff members and made quick and easy conversation over piles of steaming, seasoned crabs. A sizable collection of the revelers from the Class of 1975 cocktail party continued reconnecting downstairs in a convenient transition to a hearty meal. Consensus was clear: The crab feast is back and here to stay!

See more photos from the Crab Feast

SATURDAY, MAY 3

Class of 1975 Memorial Service and Lunch at the Head of School's House

Saturday morning gave way to more special events for the 50th reunion crew. They gathered in the Fisher Reading Room of the Fenimore Library to engage in a heartfelt and moving memorial service to honor deceased classmates led by Chaplain Selwyn Ray ’75. After the service, the class walked over to House A, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Smyth, for brunch with the Head of School. The group was treated to a robust presentation on Gilman de jour, followed by Q&A, as well as delicious food and drink.

See more photos from Lunch at the Head of School's House

Spring Musical Open Rehearsal, Varsity Baseball Game, Alumni Authors Book Talks, and the State of the School Address

The early afternoon offered multiple programming options for guests. Theater aficionados visited the Alumni Auditorium to catch a sneak peek of this year’s Upper School Spring Musical, “Merrily We Roll Along.” Others trekked down to Barrett Field to watch the baseball Hounds square off against the visiting Cardinals of Calvert Hall. Later in the afternoon, the Lumen Center Lecture Hall hosted the Alumni Authors Talk, featuring the works of Paul Bierman ’80, Joe Hooper ’75, and Gerry Brewster ’75, immediately followed by a State of the School Address with the Head of School. Many audience members stayed after the author talks to take in Mr. Smyth’s presentation, making for several hours of interesting lectures and discussion.

See more photos from the Varsity Baseball Game See more photos from the Book Talks

All-Reunion Class Alumni Cocktail Reception

Finally, the stage was set for the weekend’s marquee event — the time-tested, beloved combination of the All-Reunion Class Cocktail Reception and the class-specific reunion dinners. Revelers congregated in the Lumen Center Dining Hall for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while the Upper School’s jazz band set the mood with a lively soundtrack. The hour’s perfect weather conditions inspired attendees to flow out onto the Harris Terrace, and joyful conversation carried on even as the clouds darkened and distant thunder began to rumble.

See more photos from the All-Reunion Class Cocktail Reception

Individual Reunion Class Dinners

Alumni and guests were ushered to their party locations where a continuation of cocktail hour eventually led to dinner from a robust buffet. Favorite teachers from yesteryear, including Mr. Kumar, Mr. Siwinski, Mr. Foreman, and others, held court, and the cherished memories quickly resurfaced with clarity. The laughter persisted for hours, until the night’s longest running celebrants — hearty folk from the classes of 2015 and 2020 — headed for the front doors of Carey Hall.

Click on the GROUP SHOT TAKEN AT your Reunion Class Dinner to see photos from the event.

'55, '60, '65, and '70

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

SUNDAY, MAY 4

Class of 1975 Farewell Brunch

The closing act of the weekend was a farewell brunch for the Class of ’75. They met in the Stevens Room of Callard Hall to visit with beloved former teachers Bill Greene, Jack Thompson, and Cary Woodward ’53, review the weekend’s highlights, and make plans for future adventures, soaking up the nostalgia and cracking jokes before parting ways. Gerry Brewster ’75 was grateful in reflecting on his Alumni Weekend experience, saying, “I attended all of the events, from the tour on Friday to the farewell brunch on Sunday, and everything was truly wonderful, extremely meaningful, and much appreciated by us all.”

Thank you to all of our alumni, whether or not you were celebrating a milestone year, for making this another successful iteration of the best Alumni Weekend in Baltimore!