The University of San Diego’s traditional reunion of European alumni takes place this weekend, June 24-26, in the village town of Heusenstamm, Germany.
Alumni from as far back as 1973 and as current as last month’s USD graduating class will attend this year’s 17th edition. Registration for this year’s event is around 40 people, among the highest it’s ever been, said Kara Marsh, associate director of Alumni Relations at USD.
Located 20 kilometers outside of Frankfurt, Heusenstamm is a small German city in the old part of town, featuring interesting architecture, bakeries, a famous church and great festivals.
The reunion was initially an informal gathering limited to European alumni of USD’s School of Business Administration. The first event took place in Daverdisse, Belgium in 1991. The European Alumni Association (EAA) was formed in 1994 for the purpose of creating a true network for European alumni holding masters degrees from USD. Since then, the EAA has grown steadily. In 2000, the EAA expanded its mission to include all undergraduate and graduate alumni of USD regardless of academic degree. The event attracts alumni from countries throughout the European Union and the Middle East. This year’s reunion is the first in Germany since the 2005 reunion was held in Munich.
The weekend kicks off Friday night with a welcome reception at a wine festival held on castle grounds in Heusenstamm.
Saturday is a full day of activities, starting with a guided walking tour of Heusenstamm, lunch and a presentation by Dr. Joachim Paul, dean of international business at the Pforzheim Business School. There also will be a shopping and sightseeing trip to Frankfurt and a reception and a tour of Frankfurt aboard the Applewine express train.
The official reunion dinner, featuring traditional German cuisine, caps off the evening. University of San Diego President Mary E. Lyons, PhD, and USD Alumni Association President Josephine Bennett are scheduled to attend the dinner and program. Two USD business professors, marketing’s Kristine Ehrich, PhD, and management’s Cynthia Pavett, PhD, will also attend.
The weekend concludes with Sunday brunch at Heusenstamm’s old train station.
In addition to the reunion events, another highlight is the announcement of next year’s European Alumni Reunion destination.
Previous European alumni reunions have been held in: Daverdisse, Belgium; Bologna, Italy; Akeroya, Norway; Zurich, Switzerland; Cannes, France; Oslo, Norway; Paris, France; London, England; Bruxels, Belgium; Strasbourg, France; Munich, Germany; Avigon, France; Bern, Switzerland; Luxembourg; Fontainbleau, France; and Segovia, Spain (pictured, last year’s reunion attendees).
— Ryan T. Blystone
For more information about the European USD Alumni Association, check its website for past events and more about the EAA. There’s also a University of San Diego — European Alumni Facebook page. For more information about this year’s reunion, click here.
Photos courtesy of USD’s European Alumni Association
