One of Reunion\u2019s most beloved traditions is reconnecting with faculty and continuing that life-long learning that was further developed when you were a student at Macalester. Back to Class Lectures invite alumni and guests to return to the intellectual energy that makes Macalester so distinctive. Step back into the classroom experience through thought-provoking lectures, interactive walking tours, timely conversations, and engaging faculty-led discussions that explore history, politics, literature, sustainability, public service, and more. Whether you want to learn something new, revisit subjects you once loved, or simply be inspired by the curiosity and ideas that define the Macalester community, these sessions offer the perfect chance to reconnect with the spirit of lifelong learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to Back to Class offerings, this year\u2019s schedule also features special conversations with alumni leaders, bestselling authors, and changemakers whose work continues to shape communities near and far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3:30\u20134:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BACK TO CLASS: Building the Future: New Residence Hall & Welcome Center Talk and Tour <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenter:<\/strong> Nathan Lief, AVP of Facilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join AVP of Facilities Nathan Lief for an inside look at one of the most exciting building transformations on campus right now, the new residence hall and welcome center currently under construction. Nathan will begin with a brief overview of the project\u2019s vision, design, and impact on student life before leading a tour of the construction site. Get a firsthand look at this major milestone in Macalester\u2019s campus evolution and hear what\u2019s ahead as the future takes shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u201311 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Rethinking Macalester\u2019s Story: New Perspectives on Our Past<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenters:<\/strong> Reunion is the perfect time to reflect on the stories that have shaped Macalester. Over the past two years, a campus-wide research and writing project has explored the college\u2019s history with fresh eyes\u2014uncovering overlooked voices, new perspectives, and deeper connections to Macalester\u2019s mission and values. Join us for a fascinating conversation as presenters share discoveries, themes, and questions that emerged from this work, and consider how understanding our past can help shape our future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10\u201311:30 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Sustainability Walking Tour and Talk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenter:<\/strong> Megan Butler, Sustainability Director<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover how Macalester is building a more sustainable future through this engaging campus walking tour and conversation led by sustainability leaders. Explore current initiatives, environmental commitments, and innovative practices happening across campus while learning how sustainability is woven into student life, operations, and the college\u2019s broader mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11:15 a.m.\u201312:15 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: What Can We All Learn from Adrienne\u2019s Over 1,000 Days of Project Positivity?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenter:<\/strong> Adrienne Christiansen, Associate Professor of Political Science (Emeritus) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Join Professor Adrienne Christiansen for a meaningful conversation about resilience, gratitude, and finding light in difficult times. What began as a personal practice of noticing daily moments of goodness and beauty became a source of strength through life\u2019s challenges, including COVID disruptions, retirement, grief, and community pain. Along the way, Project Positivity also resonated deeply with others, offering encouragement and hope far beyond its original purpose. Discover what Adrienne\u2019s over 1,000-day journey can teach us about building emotional strength, embracing joy, and sustaining hope even during times of despair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1:15\u20132:15 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Faith in Action: Conversations about Community Organizing and Religion in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenters:<\/strong> Macalester alumni across the country are engaged in social advocacy during this pivotal moment, and many ground their work in faith, spirituality, and deeply held values. Join the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life for a storytelling panel featuring alumni involved in community organizing, followed by an opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and discuss the relevance of faith and hope in building a more just world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2:15\u20133:15 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Black Feminist Politics from the Voting Rights Act to the Kamala Harris Vice Presidency: 1965\u20132025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenters:<\/strong> Duchess Harris, Professor of American Studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join Professor Duchess Harris for a thought-provoking conversation on the lasting influence of Black feminist political thought in shaping modern U.S. democracy. Drawing from her book, Harris traces key moments in activism, scholarship, and social movements from the Voting Rights Act to Kamala Harris\u2019s historic Vice Presidency. Explore how Black feminist analysis deepens our understanding of power, representation, and democratic change. Book signing to follow the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9:15\u201310:15 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Behind the Admissions Curtain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenters:<\/strong> Pull back the curtain on the college admissions process in this informative session designed for families beginning or continuing their college search journey. Admissions professionals will share practical insights on what to expect at each stage of the process. Learn the top things families should know, common misconceptions to avoid, and strategies for supporting students through the process. Whether you have a student preparing for the college search or are simply curious to gain insider insight into today\u2019s admissions process, this session offers valuable information for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10:30\u201311:30 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FEATURED PROGRAM: From Page to Phenomenon: A Conversation with Lauren Billings \u201996 and Professor Emma T\u00f6rzs \u201909<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenters:<\/strong> Join Lauren Billings, one half of the bestselling duo behind Christina Lauren, in conversation with Macalester professor and acclaimed author Emma T\u00f6rzs for an engaging look at storytelling, collaboration, and the publishing world. With more than twenty-one New York Times bestselling novels, Christina Lauren has captivated readers across genres and around the globe. Together, Lauren and Emma will explore how they both got their start and what\u2019s ahead, including upcoming books and adaptations for TV and film. This conversation offers something for devoted readers, aspiring writers, and anyone curious about the journey from idea to international success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12:45\u2013<\/em>1:45 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Indigenizing Initiatives: Preservation and Celebration of Indigenous Culture, Craft, and Community on Macalester Campus and Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Join alumni, former student leaders, and community members for a special panel celebrating the history and impact of PIPE through the years. Through stories and reflections, speakers will share their experiences at Macalester, the role PIPE played in fostering Indigenous culture and community on campus, and how that foundation continues to shape their work today. The program will also feature archival materials highlighting PIPE\u2019s legacy and contributions across generations. Come honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of Indigenous community at Macalester and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2-3 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BACK TO CLASS: Why Was Shakespeare Obsessed with Ghosts… And What Does That Reveal about the English Reformation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenter:<\/strong> Penelope Geng, Associate Professor, English and Creative Writing <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEnter the Ghost of young Prince Edward.\u201d \u201cEnter Ghost [of King Hamlet].\u201d \u201cEnter Ghost [of Banquo].\u201d From the ghosts of Richard III\u2019s victims to the ghost of Hamlet\u2019s father, ghosts haunt the Shakespearean stage. This lecture\u2014based on discussions arising from the popular course ENGL219 Demonology<\/em>\u2014explores Shakespeare\u2019s supernatural imagination in the context of the English Reformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4\u20135 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FEATURED PROGRAM: A Community in Focus: Leadership and Community Impact After Metro Surge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Presenters:<\/strong> Join Mary Moriarty and President Susan M. Rivera for a timely and engaging conversation on the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge and its impact on Twin Cities communities. Offering an inside perspective on the challenges of recent months, Moriarty will reflect on her commitment to transparency and accountability, what comes next, and the realities of leading through complex moments. The discussion will also explore her personal journey, including how her time at Macalester helped shape her values and path in public service. This featured Reunion program invites attendees to reflect on leadership, resilience, and the role of education in preparing changemakers.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of Reunion\u2019s most beloved traditions is reconnecting with faculty and continuing that life-long learning that was further developed when you were a student at Macalester. Back to Class Lectures invite alumni and guests to return to the intellectual energy that makes Macalester so distinctive. Step back into the classroom experience through thought-provoking lectures, interactive […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":331,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9431","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9431"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9431\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9459,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9431\/revisions\/9459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Friday, June 5<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alina Wong, Vice President for Institutional Equity
Kelly Stone, Associate Development Officer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TBA Center for Religious and Spiritual Life Staff and Alumni<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaturday, June 6<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jeff Allen, Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid
Elyan Paz, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Admissions <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emma T\u00f6rzs \u201909, Assistant Professor (NTT), English and Creative Writing
Lauren Billings \u201996, author<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Suzanne M. Rivera
Mary Moriarty \u201986, Hennepin County District Attorney<\/p>\n\n\n\n