Last month, alumni from the Yale College Classes of 2005-2011 gathered for three events Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and New York City. These events – the latest in the classes’ six years of organizing in-person regional events throughout the country – brought together more than 110 classmates for evenings filled with connection, nostalgia, and Yale camaraderie.
The classes met at Misconduct Tavern in Philadelphia on Monday, October 28th; Busboys & Poets in Washington, DC on Tuesday, October 29th; and Papillon Bistro & Bar in New York City on Wednesday, October 30th. All events were free for classmates to attend, with complimentary food paid for by the classes and cash bars. By pooling efforts across classes, the Classes of 2005-2011 achieved much stronger classmate turnout than they could with individual events while still convening classmates from the same time on campus. Many guests of classmates joined as well, as did several Yalies from classes other than the Classes of 2005-2011.
To date, the Classes of 2005-2011 have hosted more than ten in-person events in the past six years across seven US cities, bringing together hundreds of classmates in the process. With so many competing demands across work and personal life for many members of the Classes of 2005-2011 at present, lots of alumni from these classes remark how much they value the chance to reconnect with their class without having to travel very far, as well as how much they enjoy getting to connect with classmates located nearby. In addition to rekindling the “friendships formed at Yale,” these events consistently help classmates make new friendships among members of neighboring classes, strengthening class connectivity and Yale spirit simultaneously.
This fall’s events were organized by the Yale College Class of 2008 and were co-sponsored by the Classes of 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Class of 2008 Social Chair Phil Clopton ’08 worked closely with Secretary Bradford Galiette ’08, ’11 MBA, ’12 MS, to secure quality, centrally located venues on days that worked well for classmates and on terms that allowed classes to make the most of their shared event budgets. Carol Yu ’08 was the co-host for the NYC event, and numerous additional classmates helped make these events possible.
Specifically, organizers thank leadership from the following classes for their partnership and support:
- 2005: Jessica Rivkin ’05, Treasurer and Bradley Bailey ’05, ’11 MBA, ’16 PhD, Secretary.
- 2007: Irving Ye ’07, Secretary and Katie Bruce ’07, Treasurer.
- 2008: John Errico ’08, Treasurer.
- 2009: Kevin Collins ’09, Treasurer and Juan Olivares ’09, Secretary.
- 2010: Stan Seiden ’10, Treasurer and Yen Duong ’10, Secretary.
- 2011: Eric Randall ’11, Treasurer and Elizabeth Deutsch ’11, ’16 JD, Secretary.
Extra thanks is also given to Cristina Hall, YAA Liaison for each organizing and sponsoring class, for her collaboration throughout.
The Classes of 2005-2011 are looking forward to their next in-person events, with a “Night Before The Game” event in Boston planned later this month. Finally, leadership for the Classes of 2005-2011 encourage everyone who would like to help organize future in-person class events to contact their class officers to express interest!
