Taylor Lang, associate director of annual giving, led an effort by the Office of Advancement that included outreach to alumni, parents, and friends around the world and on-campus activities that engaged students, faculty, and staff.

On-campus activities included students competing for prizes as they tossed balls with lacrosse sticks鈥攁 nod to men’s and women’s lacrosse debuting at Lawrence this year鈥攁nd students, faculty, and staff writing messages of thanks on gratitude walls.

Amy Wilson, vice president of Advancement, called it a fantastic outpouring of support.

鈥淚t was my first Giving Day at Lawrence, and I was overwhelmed by the energy and generosity of our community,鈥� she said.

Wilson said there was a record response from donors serving as Game Changers鈥攑roviding matching funds that helped spur more gifts.

鈥淪o many people participated in this effort, from students, to staff and faculty, to the LUAA board members and other amazing alumni,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淚t was a great day for Lawrence, and we are truly grateful.鈥�

Kourtney Mercer, a senior biology major from Mazomanie, Wisconsin, was among the students participating in Giving Day.

“This event brings our community together to support the areas we love most about our college,鈥� she said.

Giving Day again drew attention to the myriad ways financial contributions support Lawrence students through the Lawrence Fund, from campus improvements and classroom and research innovations to study-abroad opportunities and arts and athletics opportunities.

Nico Manzanera, a junior business & entrepreneurship major and member of the men’s basketball team from Bogot谩, Colombia, spent the day getting his fellow students hyped about the gratitude behind Giving Day.

鈥淕iving Day to me, as a student, has always seemed like a great opportunity for me and my peers to thank the people who have been supporting our education and experience at Lawrence the most,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t isn’t something you necessarily think of before coming to college, but during Giving Day you realize how much people鈥檚 help has impacted your experience here.鈥�

鈥淲别 hope you鈥檒l enjoy the memories of shared experiences and the excitement of catching up with old friends,鈥� President Laurie A. Carter said in her Reunion Convocation address. 鈥淲别 also hope you鈥檒l use this weekend to look forward鈥攖o nurture your relationship with Lawrence and strengthen and deepen the bonds with a place that has played such a transformational role in your life.鈥�

Class gifts total $6.8 million

The Reunion Convocation included the annual presentation of class gifts. The Class of 1974 led the way, presenting a class gift in honor of their 50-year reunion鈥�$3.1 million, with $475,000 dedicated to a new fund to support Lawrence鈥檚 exploration of strategies and programs focused on teaching about the uses, possibilities, and ethics of artificial intelligence (AI).

In all, the classes presented $6.8 million in gifts to the university, most of it supporting the Lawrence Fund. In addition to the Class of 1974, gifts were presented by the Class of 2014 ($37,000); cluster Classes of 2003, 2004, and 2005 ($104,651), Class of 1999 ($81,000), Class of 1984 ($1 million), and cluster Classes of 1978, 1979, and 1980 ($2.48 million).听

Carter and Matt Murphy 鈥�06, president of the 糖心vlog Alumni Association (LUAA), thanked the classes for their gifts and the many ways they are supporting current and future Lawrentians.

鈥淥ne of the most rewarding aspects of my role is thanking Lawrentians for their investments in this university,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淵our time, talent, and resources truly make a difference. Lawrence thrives because of your leadership and support. On behalf of our entire community, thank you for your very generous class gifts.鈥�

Murphy said such gifts make Lawrence more affordable for students, enrich the academic experience, and support the university’s world-class faculty.

鈥淕reat things are happening at Lawrence,鈥� Murphy said, 鈥渁nd our investments are critical to the continued success and vitality of the college and our community.鈥�

Jane McGroaty Schneider 鈥�74 joined other co-chairs for the Class of 鈥�74 in presenting the gift. She noted that 48% of the class contributed. And 95 members of the class were in attendance. The class, she said, is excited to provide seed money to grow academic programming related to AI.

鈥淭o all of you, your energy, your leadership, and your focus on artificial intelligence will help Lawrence move into the future in a very pivotal way,鈥� McGroaty Schneider said.

Alumni College explores AI, crisis in journalism, more

The growth of AI technology was one topic in a series of Alumni College sessions that had alumni briefly returning to the classroom during Reunion.听A mix of alumni and faculty members led the sessions.

In addition to a session on AI that drew an overflow crowd of more than 110, topics included researching maternal mortality rates, examining the future of remote work, exploring the state of journalism, celebrating the legacy of scientist and former Milwaukee-Downer professor Elda Anderson, understanding the ongoing need for ethnic studies, exploring what it means to be a classical singer in a post-pandemic world, and embracing the art and science of craft beer.

Led by a panel of alumni from the Class of 1974 and joined by Constance Kassor, associate professor of religious studies and special assistant to the president, the AI session explored how AI has quickly changed the landscape in everything from academia to music to law.

鈥淭his is an amazing, shape-shifting topic,鈥� said Mark T. Nelson 鈥�74, CEO and president of Microscopy Innovations in Marshfield.

He said he and the other panelists from the class鈥擳homas M. Baer ’74, executive director of the Stanford University Photonics Research Center (retired) and adjunct professor in the Department of Applied Physics at Stanford; Gail J. Sonnemann ’74, a career librarian who served as an information systems specialist (retired) with the U.S. Copyright Office; and Joseph J. Bruce ’74, a retired Illinois 17th Circuit Court judge鈥攕tarted talking about AI over Zoom calls during the pandemic.

鈥淭he more we talked the more we realized this was a big thing that wasn鈥檛 going away,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淚t will affect all of us, our beloved alma mater, and all the students who graduate from here. So, we set out trying to learn more.鈥�

The desire to raise money for a gift focused on AI technologies grew from those initial conversations.

鈥淲别 are eager to see Lawrence maintain its reputation as an innovator in undergraduate liberal arts education, to be a place where students will learn to use AI tools with skill and discernment and to graduate fully equipped to navigate an AI-enabled world with proclivity, critical thinking, and ethical responsibilities,鈥� Nelson said.

In another Alumni College session, veteran journalist Jill Manuel 鈥�84 detailed the shifting landscape in news consumption, noting that a growing percentage of Gen Z鈥攁ges 18 to 29鈥攏ow consider TikTok their primary platform for news. More and more, it is celebrities and social media influencers delivering the news while the influence of mainstream legacy media continues to wane.

It鈥檚 imperative, Manuel said, for those traditional news organizations to find innovative ways to connect with young consumers.

Over the past four decades, Manuel has been a newsroom leader in markets from Cleveland to Chicago to Sacramento. A year ago, she launched her own TikTok channel called Jill the News Lady. With an assist from her 22-year-old daughter, Manuel set out to build trust with young news consumers through credible, engaging content.

鈥淭his is about how we engage the next generation, because this, I think, is a critical, critical piece of the puzzle for the future of democracy,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t the end of the day, there鈥檚 a lot of work to do for people who work in legacy media organizations in crafting their products and their presentations to really engage this younger demographic.鈥�

Back on campus 75 years after graduating

Amid the various dinners, receptions, beer gardens, and other gatherings, Reunion weekend featured numerous traditions, including the Vikings Athletics鈥� annual golf outing, an alumni music recital, the Coach Gene Davis Memorial Fun Run/Walk, the Parade of Classes leading into the Reunion Convocation, an all-reunion cookout, and a day trip to Bj枚rklunden.

The Parade of Classes鈥攈eld outside of Shattuck Hall鈥攕howcased the enthusiasm from generations of Lawrentians. That included Mary Hartzell 鈥�49 leading the parade as she marked her 75th year since graduating from Lawrence, and Chuck Merry 鈥�57, celebrating his 67th.

Hartzell returned to campus from her home in Belleville, Wisconsin. She has made periodic returns for Reunion and said she did not want to miss her 75th.

鈥淚 graduated this month 75 years ago, and I got married two weeks later,鈥� she said.

Hartzell went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University and a doctorate from the University of Illinois.

鈥淚 think here at Lawrence I learned to love learning,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been with me all my life.鈥�

Nine alumni receive 2024 Alumni Awards

Nine alumni were presented Alumni Awards at Reunion Convocation courtesy of LUAA: Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award to Cynthia Estlund 鈥�78; Marshall B. Hulbert 鈥�26 Outstanding Service Award to Adam Locke 鈥�03; Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp M鈥怐鈥�18 Outstanding Service Award to Rick Davis 鈥�80, Jill Manuel 鈥�84, Bonnie Maas McClellan M-D鈥�62, and Eileen Paulson Johnson M-D鈥�66; Nathan M. Pusey Distinguished Achievement Award to Jacob George Allen 鈥�03; and George B. Walter 鈥�36 Service to Society Award to Christina Balch 鈥�03 and the late Donald Brunnquell 鈥�74.

Carter called the presentation of the Alumni Awards one of the true joys of Reunion weekend.

鈥淭he career accomplishments of these brilliant alumni are worthy of celebration,鈥� she said.

Brunnquell鈥檚 wife, Sally Scoggin 鈥�74, received a standing ovation as she accepted the award in honor of her husband, who passed away in late December.

鈥淭his posthumous honor celebrates a brilliant career and a life well lived,鈥� Carter said in presenting the award, highlighting Brunnquell鈥檚 professional contributions to pediatric psychology and bioethics at Children鈥檚 Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and in classrooms at the University of Minnesota.

Milwaukee-Downer celebrated on 60-year anniversary of merger

Two of the Alumni Award recipients were former students of Milwaukee-Downer College, which merged with Lawrence College in 1964.

Recipients Bonnie Maas McClellan M-D 鈥�62 and Eileen Paulson Johnson M-D 鈥�66 were among the Downer alums in attendance for a luncheon that celebrated Downer鈥檚 lasting influence on Lawrence over the past 60 years. They also joined other Alumni Award recipients at an awards dinner.

Carter praised both McClellan and Johnson for their years of commitment to Milwaukee-Downer and Lawrence.

“Your love and support for Milwaukee-Downer has remained resolute,” she said.

The influences of Milwaukee-Downer continue to be seen and felt at Lawrence. Downer traditions such as class colors are embraced, and items of historical and sentimental value such as the Teakwood Room in Chapman Hall and the sundial from Merrill Hall that is now on the south side of Main Hall remain important pieces of the Lawrence campus.

“We are celebrating the 60-year anniversary of the merger and the myriad ways that the Downer legacy remains embedded in all we do,” Carter said.

鈥淕iving Day this year was an amazing celebration of all things Lawrence,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淲别 raised an incredible amount of money from more than 2,500 donors, and we had fun engaging with more than 200 students at campus events and more than 300 LU community members on social media.听Thank you so much to everyone who participated to make the 10th annual Giving Day such a success.鈥�

. It brings together all Lawrentians on a united mission to build and sustain student opportunities. The Lawrence Fund is used to support internships, athletics, arts, academic innovations, study abroad, daily campus maintenance, and much more.

Alumni who signed up as 鈥淕ame Changers鈥� matched donated funds as part of various 鈥淕ame Changer Challenges鈥� on campus and on social media throughout the day. All gifts were matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact. Also, every donation from the Classes of 2007 to 2027 was matched with $500.听

The generosity of the day wasn鈥檛 lost on students, who benefit directly and indirectly in academic and athletic opportunities and in a wide range of enhanced student experiences.

鈥淕iving Day is one of the Lawrence traditions that reminds us how much of a tight-knit community we are,鈥� said Kenneth Pe帽aherrera Quiroz, a senior from Quito, Ecuador, majoring in neuroscience. 鈥淔ostering a generosity culture that creates opportunities for all students regardless of their background is amazing.鈥�

Pe帽aherrera Quiroz was helping staff some of the on-campus fun during Giving Day, including the Spin the Wheel and Philanthropy Pong games, all built around a feeling of togetherness. It鈥檚 an overwhelming experience, he said, a reminder of the bonds that connect today鈥檚 students with those of previous generations.

鈥淎ll of the previous and current student body get together to make our Lawrence better for those who are here now and those who will be here after us,鈥� he said. 鈥淕iving Day is one of the, if not the biggest, event that captures the essence of what being a Forever Lawrentian looks like.”

Kayla Jarppi, a sophomore from Hudson, Wisconsin, majoring in gender studies and psychology, spent parts of Giving Day working the Spin the Wheel game and giving free rides on a golf cart to build excitement on campus. Knowing the funds raised will go to such things as research opportunities, study abroad possibilities, and daily life on campus brings a sense of community.

鈥淚t gives me a chance to be directly involved in connecting my fellow students to philanthropy on campus,鈥� Jarppi said of taking part in Giving Day. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting time of the year where we get to see all members of the campus community鈥攆aculty, staff, alumni, and students鈥攃oming together to support Lawrence.鈥�

These are the days Lawrentians should never take for granted, Jarppi said. There should always be an appreciation for the bonds that keep Lawrentians connected.

鈥淚t鈥檚 meaningful to see this kind of generosity in support of students on Giving Day because it reminds me of the caring, compassionate community here at Lawrence鈥攊t鈥檚 a time where faculty, staff, alumni, and students all come together to both celebrate Lawrence but also contribute to its future progress,鈥� Jarppi said. 鈥淚鈥檓 personally grateful for this community generosity as donor funds have helped fund scholarships that help me attend Lawrence and provide me the opportunity to study abroad without financial stress.鈥�

While Giving Day is over, .

This year鈥檚 Giving Day also provided a jump-start to .

鈥淲ith so many reasons for Lawrentians to celebrate, it鈥檚 time to don the blue and white and join us on campus,鈥� said Matt Baumler, associate vice president of Alumni and Constituency Engagement.

will be anchored on Saturday by a Vikings Tailgate (11 a.m.) and football game (1 p.m. vs. Beloit College) at Banta Bowl, and the Boston Brass will perform with the 糖心vlog Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band in Memorial Chapel (7:30 p.m.). Wrapped into the weekend will be a kickoff celebration, classroom visits, campus tours, the Viking Hall of Fame dinner, a talent show, and a party in the Viking Room on Friday; and on Saturday, in addition to the tailgate party, football game, and concert, look for a breakfast with Cabinet, a first-gen meet-up, alumni competitions in softball and swim and dive, and a homecoming dance, among other activities.

The weekend is a chance for parents, supporters, and alumni to gather with Lawrence students, faculty, and staff鈥攁nd the mascot Blu鈥攊n celebration of Lawrence鈥檚 brilliant past and bright future. That includes getting an up-close look at major construction projects that are expanding Lawrence鈥檚 footprint in Appleton鈥檚 downtown while pushing the university鈥檚 academic mission forward. In addition, those returning to campus will get a look at the nearly completed track and field facilities at Whiting Field and the new locker room complex being built at Banta Bowl.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a celebration of our future as a community,鈥� Baumler said.

The festivities will be launched with Giving Day, a 10-year tradition that is vital to the health of the Lawrence Fund鈥攖he fund that supports students, faculty, and facilities in the day-to-day operation of campus. Last year鈥檚 Giving Day brought in nearly $1.84 million from 2,694 donors, helping to fund critical needs in everything from student scholarships to Athletics to facilities upkeep.

鈥淥n this day we celebrate all things Lawrence and raise funds to support current and future generations of Lawrentians,鈥� said Amber Nelson, director of Alumni-Development communications.

All gifts on Giving Day will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact. Also, for every donation from the Classes of 2007 to 2027, there will be a match of $500. .听

Giving Day is one of the university鈥檚 biggest community events that celebrates Lawrence, bringing together all Lawrentians on a united mission to bolster opportunities for current and future students. The Lawrence Fund is used to support everything from internships, athletics, arts, academic innovations, and study abroad assistance to daily campus maintenance.

Senior Ashley Tang was among the Philanthropy Engagement Center students and Alumni-Development interns who worked to raise awareness during Giving Day.听

鈥淒uring the Spin the Wheel Giving Day event, I found that many of my peers were surprised by both the number of alumni who donate and exactly how the donations impact them,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he trivia question about the percentage of students who receive scholarships surprised them. I really appreciated how the Spin the Wheel activity made it fun and engaging for us to learn about the importance and impact of philanthropy on our lives as Lawrence students and beyond.鈥�

First-year student Den Boakye said he was thrilled to see the excitement for the day across campus.

鈥淕iving day, so far, has been the most exciting and wonderful day of my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot only because I drove a golf cart for the first time, but I also got the chance to interact with almost half of the students on campus in a day, which has never happened since I came to Lawrence. Through this fabulous event, I have gotten closer to students and staff I never knew before.鈥�

Alumni who signed up as 鈥淕ame Changers鈥� matched donated funds as part of various 鈥淕ame Changer Challenges鈥� on campus and on social media throughout the day.

Nelson said all the social challenges were met, unlocking $50,000 of Game Changer funds.听

鈥淚t was our first year doing the Faculty and Staff Giving Day Ambassadors and there was definitely some additional engagement due to this,鈥� Nelson said.听

The Board of Trustees, meanwhile, took time from their fall meetings to don Giving Day T-shirts and provide support from Bjorklunden.