Scavenger Hunt. S’mores. The Axeman. Joe’s. Yearbooks. Madonna.
It was like we took a time machine back 40 years. Members from the classes of 1980 through 1989 descended upon campus June 19-21, and brought the energy of the decade with them. Squeals of excitement echoed out over the Minas Basin as classmates arrived at the registration where cold glasses of lemonade met them on a glorious warm, sunny day in the beautiful little town that, at one time or another, we all called home.
Friday afternoon offered the opportunity to tour around a campus that, in some ways, looks just like it did back then but in other ways was a time warp in and of itself. A quick drop into the Canadian Tick Research & Innovation Centre (CTRIC), hearing about the nursing program, and realizing that the Student Union Building will look very different this time next year, and that new programs, research and buildings are all part of a landscape that still offers a personalized experience and education, was enough for the old adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” to hit home. Bringing the first day of the reunion to a close, I was immersed in a ruckus crowd at the welcome reception staged in the stunning K. C. Irving Garden Room, an incredible campus addition since the ’80s where Dr. Jeff Hennessy (’99), President and Vice-Chancellor, regaled us with classic music references for each of the grad years represented. Who doesn’t remember “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”?
Day two brought about class business, an opportunity to ask questions of an eclectic, experienced panel representing the faculty, staff, students and boards of the University, and a second campus tour before a beach themed BBQ. Again, I was surrounded by laughter from storytelling of the days gone by and an all-around happiness of being back at Acadia. We wouldn’t end a Saturday representing the ’80s without a visit to the Axe. The tunes blared out in fine style as did the dance moves! The smiles and hugs continued well into the night. And even though that was the case, classmates came out in their best for an early morning memorial service. The bell of Manning Memorial Chapel welcomed us to a lovely opportunity to remember classmates who are no longer with us and to reflect on all that our experiences at Acadia have contributed to who we are.
It was the many chuckles while telling stories, the twinkles in the eye while sharing memories and the sighs of nostalgia that made the reunion what it was – a celebration of the University that we all share. Reunion formats have changed over the years with the decade format now in its fourth run. Having a total of ten years gathering at the one-time allowed for the overlap of favourite professor experiences; the emotional roller coaster of wins and losses of sports teams; the identification of residence myths, gossip and rivalries – with Chipman staking claim to their own reunion within a reunion at Joe’s; and the memories of traditions both sanctioned and not.
What fills my cup at reunion time, is welcoming familiar faces back to campus while meeting so many other alumni, all of whom share the common denominator with me of simply loving Acadia and Wolfville. We had barely gotten started on the weekend, when Gig Kemp, Class of 1982, shared a treasure trove of memorabilia with me. There were ticket stubs from the 1979 and 1981 CIAU football games; programs from theatre and musical productions, and pictures. But my favourite was Gig’s frosh beanie. Only a decade apart, we donned our beanies for a photo op. Over the course of the weekend, I had the pleasure of getting to know Aretha Borden-Davis, Class of 1989, who shared with me that although she had degrees from three different institutions, her heart was with Acadia and her manicure proved it! Of course, no reunion is complete without acknowledging the first person to register for the reunion, Drin Lutchman, Class of 1984; the furthest to travel, Blair Way, Class of 1985 and the class who had the highest percentage of reunion attendees, the Class of 1982 “brought home” the Reunion Cup.
Thank you to the reunion planning committee with representatives from across the ’80s who helped us make decisions that were representative of the era while at the same time allowing for us to show off where Acadia is now and where it is headed in the very near future. And thank you to everyone who came home to Wolfville to celebrate. It was a decade of fluorescent colours; great music; technology firsts; Trudeau and Mulroney; and the decade that started my love affair with Acadia that I enjoy, so much, sharing with all of you.
Oonagh C. Proudfoot (’93, ’06)
Executive Director, Alumni Relations