A Weekend Filled with #VioletPride

Old classmates, new friends, riveting discussions, exciting programming, and a whole lot of Violet Pride. October 20-21 saw alumni and friends flood Washington Square in a sea of violet for a weekend that included the chance to learn from NYU's top faculty, toast to the NYC skyline at reunion, and explore their old stomping grounds. And of course, celebrate all the reasons they love NYU!

The festivities kicked off with Alumni College, which gave alumni the opportunity to engage in lively discussion about the most important topics of our time from faculty at Gallatin, Stern, Tandon, Tisch, FAS, Steinhardt, and Wagner. Alumni could choose sessions about everything from healthcare reform to record collecting in the American canon.

Friday evening saw the reunion classes of 2016, 2012, and 2007 raise a glass to the spectacular view at One World Observatory. Friends and classmates reunited to celebrate their NYU memories and of course, the great city that made it all possible. The celebration continued with cocktails, canapés, and conversation at Parm New York in Manhattan's Financial District.

Saturday kicked-off bright and early with the Perstare Society breakfast and March to the Arch, one of the NYU Alumni Association’s most beloved events honoring the 50th Anniversary Class. The Class of 1967 were inducted into the Perstare Society, named for the Latin motto of the University, perstare et praestare,
which means to persevere and to excel. Alfred Abraham (STERN '41) represented the earliest class year present, inspiring us with his continued dedication and commitment to NYU.

Following the induction ceremony, the Class of 1967 carried on an important NYU tradition, the March to the Arch. They were accompanied by the traditional NYU pipes and drums as they descended on Washington Square Park, symbolizing
the participation of the University’s alumni in the life of NYU.

Alumni had the opportunity to participate in a range of exciting programs—including panels on black history at NYU, environmental injustice, writing in Brooklyn, and more—or kick back and relax with complimentary coffee and massages in the Alumni Lounge.

But as always, one of the most anticipated events of the day was President Hamilton's State of the University address. Alumni Weekend 2017 marked President Hamilton's second year, and he addressed a room filled with alumni and parents to lay out his key priorities for the upcoming academic year.

The afternoon was filled with more programs including school luncheons; open houses; food tours; artist exhibitions; alumni conversations on art, politics, and the NYU experience; and painting an NYU-themed masterpiece with a glass of wine in hand.

NYU Alumni Weekend closed out with a trip to Shanghai—if only for a night! The Rosenthal Pavilion was transformed into a wonderland, resplendent with the trappings of China to celebrate NYU Shanghai. Just this year, the campus celebrated its first-ever graduating class. Alumni enjoyed Asian delicacies, were entertained by dancing dragons, and as always, reveled in the stunning view of our incredible campus.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We can't wait to see you all again in 2018! Check out all the photos from the weekend here.