Warren Wilson’s Annual Alumni Social
Becca Boynton | October 6, 2022
Callie Aerni
Rosemary Thurber and others meeting art alumni Iris Rountree, class of 2017.
On Sept. 29, numerous Warren Wilson College (WWC) alumni joined current WWC students in conversation and dinner inside Canon Lounge. Students and alumni discussed careers and life after college. Students were also presented with the opportunity to make notable connections in the fields they wish to work.
The alumni traveled back to WWC campus in order to attend homecoming; homecoming is a weekend-long event held on WWC campus. Although this is normally an annual event, this is the first time homecoming has been facilitated since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Hannah Richardson, director of career engagement.
“The only folks that would have seen this before,” Richardson said regarding Thursday’s student alumni social, “were first years in 2019.”
Now students and alumni have the opportunity to attend this annual tradition. Over 30 WWC alumni sat with students. Rosemary Thurber, a WWC sophomore majoring in environmental education, took the social as an opportunity to peek into her future.
“I am really interested in the kind of internships that folks have had that changed their careers or changed their idea of what they want to do,” Thurber said. “It’s been interesting talking to people, especially about the first few years out of college, the way that they spent that and how that shaped where they are today.”
Students and alumni were not limited to shop talk. Alumni could be overheard reminiscing about their college days and life at WWC. Carol Fair, class of 1998 and Clark Corwin, class of 1972, discussed their adventures. Despite the many years between when they attended WWC, they were able to relive similar experiences together.
Callie Aerni
Current StudentBraxton Crocker, and ‘78 alum Elaine Ferguson
“When I left,” Fair began, “they were still doing the parties by the river, I forget what it’s called.”
“Riverbend!” jumped in Corwin.
Individuals of all ages assembled together with only one known common denominator but were able to leave with much more; students left with a little bit more knowledge about life after WWC. Richardson highlighted the connections that are able to be formed at such an event and how that can shape a student’s future career.
“Just getting to know other alumni who have had various journeys after Warren Wilson, career fields, various life adventures and realizing that is a great career trajectory,” Richardson said. “I think that’s one of the best parts about this.”