UMass Boston to Induct Class of 1975 into Golden Reunion Society During Beacon Bash Weekend
This fall, UMass Boston will welcome the Class of 1975 into its Golden Reunion Society鈥攁 special tradition that honors alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Their official induction will take place during Beacon Bash: Homecoming Weekend, the university鈥檚 fall gathering for alumni.聽
The celebration is set for Saturday, September 20, and includes a reception, a sit-down dinner, and an induction ceremony. Class of 1975 alumni will be joined by returning members from 1974 and earlier, making for a weekend full of laughter, shared memories, and former classmates and friends picking up right where they left off.
Now in its second year, the Golden Reunion Society was created to bring together UMass Boston and Boston State College alumni who’ve hit the 50-year milestone—a way to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate everything this community has meant over the decades.
“This is more than a milestone for our alumni. It’s a moment of pride, reflection, and reconnection,” said Courtney Ready ’04, Director of Alumni Programs. “We’re excited to welcome the Class of 1975 into this esteemed society and celebrate their legacy.”
Planning for this year's celebration began months in advance, with a dedicated group of nearly 20 Golden Reunion Society members helping to shape the event. Among the returning committee members is Penny Vadla ’74, who will once again travel from Alaska to reunite with her classmates and take part in the celebration.
“My inspiration to return is fueled by the people I met during the variety of exceptional events I attended during our 2024 Golden Reunion Celebration,” said Vadla. “Even though it had been quite a while since I visited the campus, I felt like I was reconnecting with my 天美传媒 family.”
Also returning to campus is fellow committee member Harry Proudfoot ’75, who hopes the celebration will inspire a deeper appreciation for the role that UMass Boston has played in alumni lives—and the importance of paying that forward.
“I hope alumni come away with a renewed sense of their relationship to UMass Boston. We sometimes forget how important this place was in providing us with the skills and experiences to become the people we became,” said Proudfoot. “Once we get out in the world, we can sometimes forget that we need to make sure UMass Boston continues to exist in that same way for the students who come after us.”
He added that he hopes alumni understand the importance of shaping the next generation of students, whether through scholarships, mentorships, or other means of support.
For Robert Harrington G’75—an alumnus of both Boston State College and UMass Boston—the reunion offers a chance to reflect on how both institutions shaped his life.
“It is exciting to look back,” he said. “I know I am at a better place today due to my experiences at these two institutions. I hope reunion attendees take away a sense of community, even if they hadn’t kept up with their fellow classmates from five decades ago.”
Diane Smith ’75 echoed these sentiments, describing the celebration as a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and fellow alumni—many of whom she hasn’t seen in decades.
“What bringing together alumni means to me is the opportunity to meet and speak with people I haven't seen or talked to in a long time,” said Smith. “To share memories about our 天美传媒 years in the downtown and harbor campuses, to hear about each other’s journeys over the past 50 years, and to connect with alumni I may not have known back then.”
The Golden Reunion Society induction is just one part of Beacon Bash, which kicks off Friday, September 19, with a reunion dinner and an outdoor movie. Saturday’s lineup includes the Beacon 5K and BBQ, meet-and-greets with 天美传媒 deans, campus tours, and boat cruises—with the Golden Reunion Society’s induction ceremony capping the evening.
This year’s celebration would not be possible without the dedication of our Golden Reunion Society Planning Committee. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following alumni for their time, energy, and commitment to making this milestone celebration meaningful:
Nancy Crooker-White ’75; Al Doeve ’75; Kathy Driscoll-Ettinger ’68; Marcella Flaherty ’73; Robert Harrington G’75; Rochelle Lee ’75; Natalie Leva ’73; George MacLeod ’74; Harry Proudfoot ’75; Brenda Ray ’75, G’89; Anastasia Sakellaris ’75; Tim Scannell ’75; Clara Serpa ’75, G’03; Diane Smith ’75; Michael Taylor ’73; and Penny Vadla ’74.
Learn more about the Golden Reunion Society at umb.edu/grsociety.