Hopkins alumni from around the world descended on the Homewood campus to celebrate Homecoming and attend class reunions this weekend.
The weekend’s highlight was men’s lacrosse’s victory on Saturday against the University of Maryland (see “Blue Jays breeze by Maryland Terps,” B10). In attendance at the game were former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, a member of the Class of 1964, and University President Ronald J. Daniels.
“There was a nice turnout,” freshman Christian Cayon said. “Everyone was enjoying the sunshine. School spirit was at an all-time high.”
The game concluded with the Blue Jays beating the Terps 11-6.
“It was really nice to see the Hopkins community come together to support the lax team at the Homecoming game,” senior Emily Nadelmann said.
The stadium was packed with many community members standing on the track and around the field.
“I really enjoyed the Homecoming game,” freshman Andie Seabrooke said. “It was so fun to have the stadium packed. It was also so great to meet the alumni of my sorority family that I had heard so much about.”
During the men’s lacrosse game, Hopkins Helps the Kids had a Homecoming Head Shaving Event. At halftime, Daniels shaved Athletic Director Tom Calder’s head to raise awareness and money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity committed to funding children’s cancer research.
At the game, there was also a silent auction and a raffle for St. Baldrick’s. Food trucks were parked behind the field during the game.
“I thought Homecoming was so much fun,” freshman Elizabeth Moriarty said. “It was awesome that so many fans came out for the game. The weather could not have been more beautiful.”
Senior Drew Lash agreed.
“Homecoming really brings the Hopkins community together, both the alumni coming back and interacting with the larger community and the students coming out to the game,” Lash said. “We come together to support our team. I wish things like this happened more often. Homecoming has become more important to students since I was a freshman.”
The Young Alumni Tent Party was held on Friday night in the Bloomberg Courtyard. Alumni and students of legal drinking age were invited for food, music, dancing and drinks.
“I really enjoyed the tent party,” junior Karen Baddoura said. “I got to see a lot of alumni friends whom I wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and it was a great atmosphere.”
The Blue Jay Bull and Oyster Roast was also on Friday under a tent on Decker Quad. The Alumni Association served traditional Maryland seafood and beverages.
On Saturday, the Fresh Food Café (FFC) shut down to hold a tailgate on the Freshman Quad.
“It was nice to eat out of the FFC for once and enjoy the burgers,” freshman Sterling Vitcov said.
Freshman Sydney Solomon agreed.
“The barbeque had so many great alternatives to the standard FFC fare,” Solomon said. “It was so nice to be out in the sunshine enjoying the school camaraderie.”
The Alumni Association and Bon Appétit jointly organized the barbeque.
“It was really cool that the University organized such an event,” freshman Leander Eberhard said. “It was [a] really nice event and [was] good for school spirit.”
Students received free sunglasses and other merchandise from Step Up, a student group dedicated to raising awareness of the effects of philanthropy on Homewood campus and thanking those who donate to the University.
“I liked the cool glasses and free swag,” Cayon said.
The Alumni Association hosted the annual Hullabalooza on Saturday night on Decker Quad, where alumni had the chance to reconnect over dessert while listening to a live band.
Reunion class lunches, dinners and cocktail parties ended the weekend on Sunday. These events were held all over campus and in Baltimore for milestone classes — those that graduate in years ending in four or nine.
“[Homecoming] was the only time I saw some really intense Hopkins spirit, so that was pretty cool,” freshman Rodrigo Aguilar said. “It was also really cool seeing all the alumni.”
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