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HWS News

11 June 2026 • Alums Reunion 2026 Celebrates Community, Raises a Record $20 Million

1,000 alumni and guests returned to campus for Reunion 2026.

Reunion 2026 welcomed alumni from eight decades back to Geneva. Throughout the weekend, graduates from seven decades honored the traditions that have long defined HWS, celebrated the collective impact of their service, engagement and philanthropy, and looked ahead to the institution’s future.

Executive Director of Annual and Athletic Giving Dulcie Meyer '20, President Mark D. Gearan and Executive Director of Alumni and Alumnae Relations Mel Sage '95, P'25, P'27 pose with $20,728,881 check. 

Among returnees were two beloved alumni from the 1950s - Ed Pollack ‘55 and John “Hobart Johnny” McDermott ’56, who celebrated his 70th Reunion. 

  • During the Reunion Forum and Impact Celebration, HWS recognized two alumni whose leadership and commitment have left a lasting mark on HWS: The Elizabeth Herendeen Odell Award, the Alumnae Association's highest honor for service, was presented to Allison Morrow ’76. For more than 26 years, Morrow has served HWS as a dedicated Trustee, contributing her leadership to numerous board committees, including Institutional Advancement, Honors and the Executive Committee. 
  • The Hobart Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Service was presented to Trustee Herbert J. McCooey, Jr. ’76, P'04, P'09. A trustee from 2006 to 2024, McCooey has also served in leadership roles on the Parents Executive Committee, Career Services Committee and Advisory Board for Career Development. 

Together, Morrow and McCooey exemplify the lifelong engagement and service that define the HWS alumni community. 

More than 80 alumni volunteers serving on 12 Reunion Committees helped make Reunion 2026 possible. The Annual Reunion Attendance Trophies recognized the classes with the highest percentage of classmates returning to campus. The Hobart Attendance Trophy was awarded to the Class of 1986, while the William Smith Attendance Trophy went to the Class of 2006. With 70 classmates retuning to Geneva, the Class of 2006 also achieved the highest overall attendance among all reunion classes. 

That same spirit of engagement was evident in the generosity of Reunion alumni. Collectively, milestone Reunion classes raised more than $20 million since their last milestone Reunion. The Post-50th Classes of 1956, 1961, 1966 and 1971 reported $3.29 million in Reunion giving from 200 donors and more than $7.5 million since their last milestone Reunion. Strong participation from Reunion alumni helped reach the donor goal, with more than 1,000 alumni making a gift. 

group photo with elizabeth blackwell statue

President Mark D. Gearan and Mary Herlihy Gearan pose with John “Hobart Johnny” McDermott ’56 and family. View more photos of Reunion weekend here. 

The weekend also celebrated alumni engagement across generations. The inaugural Legacy Cup was awarded to the Class of 2026 after 40% of the class made gifts totaling $3,628 before graduation, demonstrating a strong commitment to HWS from the start of their alumni journey. The Class of 1976 earned the Anderton Cup, recognizing the 50th Reunion class for exceeding key fundraising benchmarks established by previous 50th Reunion classes. 

As alumni celebrated friendships and shared memories, they also reflected on how progress and investments in the institution will impact future generations of students – propelling HWS into its third century. As construction continues on the new Fish Center for the Sciences, alumni had the opportunity to hear Associate Provost Nick Metz and Professors Erin Pelkey and Sigrid Carle ’84 discuss the future of science education at HWS.

Learn more about the impact of the Further Together campaign here.