55th Reunion

Class of 1971

Our 55th Reunion is June 3-5! You'll find our tentative schedule below. If you have any questions about the schedule, feel free to call our office at 617-496-7001, or email our class inbox at 55threunion_haa@harvard.edu. We can’t wait to see you!

Register Now! Who's Coming List Reunion Schedule

Reunion Packages Price Breakdown

All adult reunion attendees, which includes alumni and guests, have the choice between the full reunion package (all events and meals) and à la carte. You may view the price breakdowns below. Please be aware that online registration will close May 19 at 11:59pm (ET). Walk-in registration will be available.

Class of 1971 55th Reunion adult pricing sheet. Please note, the registration fee is required with the full package and a la carte options. One registration fee per classmate.  
1971 55th Reunion Adult Pricing (per adult)Cost
Registration Fee (per attendee)$19.71
Full Reunion Package (all events included)$197.10
A La Carte Package Options (for those not purchasing the full reunion package) 
     Wednesday Day$25.00
     Wednesday Evening$75.00
     Thursday Day$40.00
     Thursday Evening$85.00
     Friday Day$25.00

Schedule

Wednesday, June 3

11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Check-in at Headquarters

Cabot Library, Science Center, 1 Oxford Street

Please come to headquarters to check in when you arrive on campus. You will receive your name badge and additional Reunion materials.

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Class Lunch

Annenberg Dining Hall, Memorial Hall

Attendees are welcome to use this time to catch up with classmates or self-organize at tables as desired based on Houses, student organizations or athletic teams, or affinity groups.

12:45 - 2:00 p.m.

Radcliffe Programming

Science Center Classroom 110 (first floor), 1 Oxford Street

Per our Reunion tradition, Radcliffe classmates will gather to reconnect and share experiences.

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

National & International Issues: What Do YOU Think?

Science Center Hall B, 1 Oxford Street

Finding Peace in a Turbulent World. American Resilience and Community Engagement. Negotiating the New Age of AI. Threats to Democracy. Reconstruction of Democratic Institutions. If these and other urgent topics are of interest and concern, join the discussion!  Initial speakers include deeply knowledgeable classmates Rick Barton ‘71, Deb Fallows ‘71, Esther Dyson ‘71, Larry DiCara ‘71, and Bob Litt ‘71. Each will present brief opening remarks intended to stimulate your thoughtful engagement. Lee Daniels ’71 will facilitate.

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

The Aging of Aquarius, Let the Sunshine In

Science Center Hall B, 1 Oxford Street

Thanks to the original song released in 1969 by the 5th Dimension, listed by Billboard as the 66th best song ever, and the opening song to the 1967 musical "Hair"! 

Who knew that getting old could be so damn challenging? Topics include: U.S. healthcare, partner caretaking, your parents' dementia, the comforts of religion, multigenerational housing, money, public service, moving forward after loss, and adjusting to retirement. Panelists include Sally Faith Dorfman '71, Bruce Price ’71, Rev. Ray Hammond '71, John Dio Dato '71, Kitty Brengle ’71, and Michael Shear ’71. Lee Cole-Chu ’71 will moderate.

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception & Dinner

Smith Campus Center, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Join classmates and guests for a casual welcome reception and buffet dinner.

8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Class Performance

Memorial Church, Harvard Yard

Thursday, June 4

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Check-in at Headquarters

Cabot Library, Science Center, 1 Oxford Street

Please come to headquarters to check in when you arrive on campus. You will receive your name badge and additional Reunion materials.

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast

Tents near Holworthy Hall, Harvard Yard

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Class Meeting and Survey

Science Center Hall B, 1 Oxford Street

The Quinquenial, all about us, 55th Reunion Survey will be presented by the survey committee following a brief class meeting.  The survey has been completed by over 350 classmates who share their data as well as their thoughts on life, family, friendship, careers, politics, Harvard and spirituality.  Be prepared to be inspired and entertained by the wit and wisdom of your classmates as comments will enrich the key data presented at this session.

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Class Luncheon

Tents near Phillips Brooks House, Harvard Yard

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Memorial Service

Memorial Church, Harvard Yard

*Memorial Service Rehearsal, for those participating, to be held from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. in the Church

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

There are three concurrent sessions from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Please pick just one of the following programs to attend.

1. The State of Harvard Athletics and Where do we go From Here?

Science Center Hall B, 1 Oxford Street

Participating on our Star-studded panel will be Erin McDermott (Athletic Director), Andy Aurich (Football), Gerry Byrne (Lacrosse), Carrie Moore (Women’s Basketball), and Daria Schneider (Men’s & Women’s Fencing).

Topics of interest will be (a) the future of recruited athletes, (b) the world of NIL and post-graduate eligibility, (c) current status of women in sport at Harvard, (d) post season competition, (e) Harvard/Yale/Fenway Park, (f) Soldiers' Field Redevelopment plans, and (g) whatever else might come up in questions.

2. Soup, Soil, and Sanity

Science Center Classroom 309 (third floor), 1 Oxford Street

“The small rituals of daily life—making dinner, tending the garden, reading to children—are what keep civilization going when the larger world seems to have gone mad.” --- Adam Gopnik 
                    
The small rituals of cooking and gardening may have been lifelong passions for some of us; for others, they’ve been discovered late in life.  Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, come share your discoveries and experiences.  What are your successes in the kitchen and/or garden?  What works for you?  What would you never try again?  Chefs from our class as well as gardening experts like Jeff Lowenfels ’71 and community gardener Helen Snively ’71 will start the discussion on these small rituals that can be so important.

3. Is This How Universities Die?

Science Center Hall C, 1 Oxford Street

Harvard’s principled resistance to assaults on its academic freedom and institutional autonomy has affirmed the university’s world-leadership as nothing else could. Cambridge, 2026, is not (yet) Berlin, 1933, or Beijing, 1950, but Trump's attacks are no less dangerous. Fortunately, America retains an independent judiciary and the rule-of-law. And it has, in Harvard, a powerful institution with the history, will and resources to resist. But if Harvard fails, we may witness the destruction of the singular realm—higher education—in which the U.S. is foremost. If American universities remain the envy of the world in 2026, the question must be: For how long?

Panelists include:

  • Richard Fisher '71: former Harvard Overseer; former President, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  • Deb Fallows '71: author, linguist
  • Jim Fallows '70: writer, journalist
     

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Clambake Dinner

Tents near Matthews Hall, Harvard Yard

7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Class After Party

Nubar Restaurant (at the Sheraton Commander Hotel at 16 Garden Street) 

Limited open bar and dessert. Please note there will be no transportation provided from Harvard Yard to the restaurant, or from the restaurant back to the hotel. 

Friday, June 5

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Check-in at Headquarters

Cabot Library, Science Center, 1 Oxford Street

Please come to headquarters to check in when you arrive on campus. You will receive your name badge, favor, and additional Reunion materials. Luggage storage is available on-site. Learn more and pre-purchase your luggage storage here.

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast

Northwest Labs Atrium (Basement), 52 Oxford Street

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Story Time, Lighter Side

Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street

Come share or simply listen to … us. Got a poem, a song, a yarn to make us laugh? Was there a failure that became a blessing or insights from a college course that still guide you today?

You have accumulated more than 75 years of life experiences.  Take three minutes.  Share one.  

10:30 a.m.

Alumni Parade Line-up

Harvard Yard

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Harvard Alumni Day Parade & Program

All Harvard alumni are invited to join the Harvard Alumni Association for the fifth annual Harvard Alumni Day, a day for and in celebration of Harvard’s vibrant, global alumni community! 

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Tree Spread Luncheon

Science Center Plaza Tent

3:00 p.m.

Afternoon Symposia Sessions

All sessions will be held in the Science Center (Note: seating is first come, first served)

  • From the Yard to the World: Harvard Alumni in Public Service 
  • Harvard & America 250 
  • Stories from Fellow Alums 
  • Work on Climate and Sustainability at Harvard: Meeting the Moment with the Salata Institute

View the comprehensive list of Harvard Alumni Day symposia sessions and Shared Interest Group meet-ups!

3:30 p.m.

Radcliffe Institute Open House

Radcliffe Yard

The Radcliffe Institute invites you to join us for an open house in Radcliffe Yard to reconnect with friends and classmates and to learn more about the work of the Radcliffe Institute today. Enjoy light refreshments, peruse selections from the Radcliffe College archives in the Schlesinger Library, and the and visit the Institute’s current gallery exhibitions, Cooking Up Change: Women’s Agency and Community Building Through Cookbooks and Eve Fowler: words doing as they want to do.

Please register here if you plan to join us. You’re welcome to arrive at any time during event hours, but we kindly ask that you register in advance.

4:30 p.m.

Afternoon Symposia Sessions

All sessions will be held in the Science Center (Note: seating is first come, first served)

  • Kempner Institute: Unlocking Intelligence
  • A New Center for Creativity at Harvard: A Conversation with Diane Paulus

View the comprehensive list of Harvard Alumni Day symposia sessions and Shared Interest Group meet-ups!
 

*Hotel shuttles and Radcliffe programming TBD