Homewood bound

This just in from alumni across America's first research university: Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

For the first time in two years, Johns Hopkins University hosted Alumni Weekend on Friday, March 25, through Sunday, March 27, happily ending a pandemic-induced hiatus on in-person togetherness.

Chilly temps couldn't keep nearly 4,500 alums away from the Homewood campus, where more than 80 events reunited class years ending in 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 and welcomed any Blue Jays who just had to get back to campus ASAP, from Young Alumni who graduated in the last 10 years to the so-called Old Guard—members of the classes of 1940 to 1962.

"Our alumni were thrilled to finally have the opportunity to return to Homewood after two long years," said Gwen Harley, senior associate director of communications for Alumni Relations. Some events were so popular that organizers were compelled to increase capacity. "Most of our signature events sold out. In fact, our Young Alumni events sold out not only once but twice within a week of registration opening."

Because in-person events were not an option during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the Office of Alumni Relations decided to formally welcome back three reunion cohorts—the two previous reunion years that were unable to have an on-site reunion but attended events virtually, as well as those who were on deck for their reunion year in 2022, Harley said.

The festivities included a belated in-person Commencement ceremony on Decker Quad for nearly 500 members of the Class of 2020 and a chance to cheer the men's lacrosse team to victory in its Big Ten opener against the University of Michigan at Homewood Field.

"Alumni Weekend this year was an absolute blast," said Pat Conklin, director of Reunion Classes & Homecoming Initiatives and Young Alumni Weekend. "Alums were so happy to come back to the Homewood campus and connect with friends they hadn't seen in years. It really felt like a breath of fresh air after the pandemic."