Eastern Connecticut State University’s campus was abuzz on Oct. 5, as more than 1,000 alumni, students and family members gathered for the annual Alumni and Family Day. The day-long event featured an array of fall-themed activities designed to engage and entertain, bringing together generations of the Eastern community.

From a petting zoo and virtual golf simulator to an inflatable corn maze, attendees of all ages found something to enjoy. Families and students could be seen decorating pumpkins, creating intention bracelets and participating in a campus-wide scavenger hunt. Shuttle bus tours gave a scenic overview of campus and Main Street, while other patrons viewed an art exhibition of African treasures (by alumna Jane Gold ’64) and watched a special planetarium show, among other activities.

“We had a tremendous turnout for this event with over 1,200 registered family members, alumni and students,” said Casey Kensey, director of New Student and Family Programs. “Family Day gives students and families a chance to reconnect and participate in fun and seasonal activities together. This year, the Student Activities Office reimagined Family Day and offered new attractions like horse-drawn wagon rides and a petting zoo. We also loved seeing the campus community get involved by decorating scarecrows that were displayed across campus for the event.”

Speaking for Alumni Day, Chris Dorsey, director of alumni communications and advancement, said: “This year’s guests represented a remarkable 60-year span of Eastern’s history, with graduates from the class of 1964 all the way to our newest alumni from the class of 2024. It’s incredible to witness such a broad and diverse group of alumni, united by their shared connection to Eastern, traveling from as far away as Florida to celebrate this tradition. Their continued engagement serves as a testament to the lasting impact Eastern has on its graduates, generation after generation.”

Celebrating 50 Years: The Class of 1974

A highlight of the day was the special gathering of the Class of 1974, celebrating their 50^th reunion. The class was honored with a commemorative luncheon hosted by President Karim Ismaili, who presented golden diplomas to the group.

“The Class of 1974 holds a significant place in my tenure as president,” he told the group, “as you are my first class to sign golden diplomas. I’m happy to honor your legacy ... Know that you are always a part of Eastern’s story.”

Ismaili recalled that Charles Webb was president of Eastern in 1974 and that the Wickware Planetarium and Geissler Gymnasium were new developments on campus. He reminded the jubilee class that Betty Tipton, Tom Nevers and other Eastern figures from their era now have spaces on campus named after them — a testament to the formative decade for Eastern that was the 70s.

Reflecting on their time at Eastern, Claudia (Moffitt) Bettez ’74 fondly recalled living in Burr Hall and participating in campus life. “Eastern wasn’t yet a university — it was still a teachers' college — but there was a lot to do: hanging out with friends, walking around campus and going to Hurley Hall,” she said. “My one regret is that I didn’t see Stevie Wonder when he was here.”

Donald Richmann ’74, an education major who spent his career as an English middle school teacher, said, “The campus was very small. Everybody knew everybody. It’s like your extended family. It’s very impressive how the campus has grown, but it still has its family atmosphere.” He humorously recalled pranks in Winthrop Hall, where his friends once moved his bed into the hallway and left a frozen fish under his pillow.

Katherine and Kevin Matsil ’74, who met their junior year and have been married for 50 years, traveled from North Carolina for the reunion. “Eastern was such an important part of our lives. It gave us the ability to grow academically and emotionally,” they said.

The couple recently made provisions for Eastern in their estate plans. “We want others to have the experience we had. It’s important for us to give back to help this institution thrive.”

A Day of Reflection and Connection

The day also provided an opportunity for newer alumni to reconnect and share their experiences. Tara Palmer ’88, an elementary education major, said, “My son wants to go into teaching, so he’s coming here. It’s close by, affordable, and has lots more programs now. It’s a campus that has everything you need and isn’t too spread out. I felt like my son would benefit from going to a smaller school with smaller classes and more individualized attention.”

Siblings Sydney Smith ’24 (business administration) and Robert Smith ’21 (history) offered advice to current students. “Stay engaged in the community and do anything that piques your interest,” said Sydney. Robert stressed that students should look into scholarships available through the ECSU Foundation.

Parents also expressed their satisfaction with the event. Keith, a parent of a current student, shared, “It’s a nice day with fun events. I like that I get to see what the student experience is like.”