Full Schedule | Event Descriptions | Lodging
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Online Reunion registration is now closed.
Please email Liza Gentile '18 MBA, manager of alumni relations, with any questions.
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Welcome JWU alumni to Reunion 2019 in Providence!
Whether you're returning to campus for the first time since graduation or you visit often, this is YOUR weekend!
Reunion weekend is full of fun, exciting and informative events that will make you remember all the things you love about JWU. Reconnect with classmates and faculty, engage with current students, and experience the growth and evolution of our campus.
Take in all that Reunion has to offer with a Weekend Pass, the most cost-effective ticket option. Or, select the events you wish to attend "a la carte" and purchase tickets individually.
Register now or continue reading for more information. We can't wait to celebrate with you at Reunion!
Full Schedule
see below for detailed event descriptions
Friday, April 26
1pm - 3:30pm: e-Center Open House - Culinary Arts Museum
5pm - 6:30pm: Distinguished Alumni Awards - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
7pm - 9pm: Opening Reception - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
Saturday, April 27
9am - 10:45am: Equine Facility Tour - Downcity Campus
9am - 10:45am: Residential Life Alumni Meetup - Downcity Campus
10am - 10:45am: Tea Tasting - Downcity Campus
10am - 10:45am: PA Building Tour - Downcity Campus
10:15am - 10:45am: Accounting & Finance Lab Tour - Downcity Campus
11am - 12:30pm: Cat Chat - Downcity Campus
1pm - 3:30pm: Taste of JWU - Harbor View, Patio
3:15pm - 4:30pm: Hands-On Pastry Demo - Harborside Campus
3:15pm - 4:45pm: What the Hive is Going On? - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
3:30pm - 4:45pm: TA/Fellow/MDP Wine Tasting - Harborside Campus
6pm - 7:30pm: Affinity Group Reunion Celebration (includes ticket to The Big Party) - The Pavilion at Grace
7pm - 11pm: The Big Party - The Pavilion at Grace
11pm: Unofficial After-Party - The Dorrance
Sunday, April 28
10am - 12pm: Jazz & Champagne Brunch - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
12:15pm - 1:15pm: Harborside Campus Tour - Harborside Campus
12:30pm - 1:30pm: Downcity Campus Tour - Downcity Campus
Event Descriptions
e-Center Open House - Culinary Arts Museum
Be a part of the first event of Reunion Weekend on Friday afternoon! Starting with our founders, Gertrude Johnson and Mary T. Wales, JWU has always been an institution that embraces the grit and determination needed to be a successful leader. To help cultivate the leaders of tomorrow, the JWU e-Center is moving to a new space on campus. Be part of this historic moment and hear from alumni panelists:
- Joseph Chiovera '86 - President of Emerging Markets & Innovation, Buddy's Kitchen, Inc.
- Luann Edwards '02 - Founder, Strategic Marketing Communications Consultant, Socially Professional, LLC
- Pearl Farquharson '12 - Owner/Creative Director, Designed by Delsie
- Henry Lewandowski '96, '98 MBA - President & CEO, HL Innovative
- Matt Tortora '15 - Founder/CEO, Crave Food Systems
- Moderator: Ezenwayi Amaechi, Ph.D., '07 MBA - Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship & Entrepreneurship Center Faculty Consultant
Distinguished Alumni Awards - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
Celebrate the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards winners for their contributions to JWU and their industries. This year's winners are Allison Pangakis '08, T.J. Delle Donne '04, '07 MAT and Joe Chiovera '86. Learn more about their achievements and help us congratulate them at the reception on Friday evening. PLEASE NOTE, this event is NOT included in the Weekend Pass. Please select this event separately during the checkout process.
Opening Reception - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
Kick off the Reunion 2019 celebration on Friday night! Reconnect with classmates and faculty while enjoying views of Narragansett Bay.
Equine Facility Tour - Downcity Campus shuttle
Curious about what goes on at the barn? Want to meet our horses? Take a ride to the JWU Equine Facility to learn more about the award-winning program. Transportation to and from the barn will be provided.
Residential Life Alumni Meetup - Downcity Campus shuttle
::KNOCK KNOCK:: "RA KEYING IN" Did you ever say these words? Residential Life alumni are invited to a blast through the past! Take a tour of your old residence hall, including properties no longer in use by JWU. Chat with current RAs to see how far our department has come and the new changes we have made (we now even allow pets in the halls). This event is open to former Residential Life alumni only.
Tea Tasting - Downcity Campus
Enjoy a tasting and flavor profile experience with specialty teas from around the world. This event is presented by faculty from the Food & Beverage Management department.
PA Building Tour - Downcity Campus
The Center for Physician Assistant Studies is one of the newest buildings on the Downcity campus. Take a tour of this state-of-the-art facility and learn about the growing PA program.
Accounting & Finance Lab Tour - Downcity Campus
Learn how students prepare for Wall Street at JWU. The Finance Center includes a data wall with local news, real-time stock info, live electronic ticker tape, real-time securities info and a soundproofed conference room. Learn more about the Finance & Investment Academy from current students and how they're using these professional-grade resources.
Cat Chat - Downcity Campus
Join us for the second annual Cat Chat, a TED Talk-style event featuring alumni and faculty experts. Explore trending industry topics and how the university is preparing students for the future. This year's lineup includes:
- Designing for People: Transforming Amazing Technology into Amazing User Experiences
- Alexa Espinal '16, Field Applications Engineer at E-Ink
- Walter Zesk, Assistant Professor in the College of Engineering & Design
- Securing the Super Bowl
- Marshall Freeman '06, COO of the Atlanta Police Foundation
- Lee Esckilsen, Associate Professor in the College of Hospitality Management
- Performance Nutrition: Feeding College Athletes
- Kevin Murray '16, Executive Performance Chef at the University of Alabama
- Todd Seyfarth '01, Department Chair & Associate Professor of Culinary Nutrition in the College of Culinary Arts
Taste of JWU - Harbor View, Patio
Join us for this fan-favorite food and wine extravaganza! Sample bites from more than a dozen alumni chefs and taste wines from around the country. Don't forget to save room for dessert! Alumni chefs and participants include:
- Chef Eric Adjepong '10 - Pinch & Plate
- Chef Sanjiv Dhar '90 M.S. and Santosh Shanbhag '09 - Rasa and Rasoi
- Chef Brian Dinan '14, '15 MBA - Los Andes
- Chef James Mark '08 - North
- Tobey Sanborn '97 - Hemenway's
- Chef Robert Sisca '03 - Bistro du Midi
- Chef Champe Speidel '01, '16 Hon. - Persimmon
- Chef Matthew Varga '05 - Gracie's
- Chef Beau Vestal '00 - New Rivers
- Chef Chris Viaud '12 - Greenleaf in Milford, NH
- Chef Tab Volpe '11 - No. 9 Park
- Chef Ken Watt '88, '18 MBA - Johnson & Wales University
- Chef Adrienne Wright '07 - Deuxave
- Chef Steve Zimei '05 - Chopps American Bar & Grille
Hands-On Pastry Demo - Harborside Campus
Roll up your sleeves and learn a new skill from the students of the Pastry Arts Club! Cookie decorating will take place in the Cintas Dining Room.
What the Hive is Going On? - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
Since 2017, JWU has been “beekeeping” as part of the College of Culinary Arts sustainability curriculum and the student group “Bee the Change”. Don’t miss this interactive, educational sensory and tasting workshop from our in-house apiarist. Participants will also walk to the JWU hives, weather permitting.
TA/Fellow/MDP Wine Tasting - Harborside Campus
Calling all TA, Fellow and MDP alumni! Join Associate Professor and Department Chair Ed Korry for an informal celebration and wine tasting. Reminisce with fellow members of this special alumni community while enjoying a variety of fine wines. This event is open to TA/Fellow/MDP alumni only.
Affinity Group Reunion Celebration - The Pavilion at Grace
Residential Life, Greeks, TAs/Fellows/MDPs and Ed.D. alumni—reconnect and celebrate with the members of your groups! Prior to The Big Party, you're invited to an exclusive gathering of alums who shared your JWU experience. The event is open to Residential Life alumni, Greek alumni, TA/Fellow/MDP alumni and Ed.D. alumni only. Admission to this event automatically grants you access to The Big Party, so you do NOT need to register for both.
The Big Party - The Pavilion at Grace
The biggest party of the weekend will feature live music by What Matters?, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of familiar faces. Bring your dance moves to The Pavilion at Grace for an epic night. If you register for the Affinity Group Reunion Celebration, you do NOT need to register for The Big Party.
Unofficial After-Party - The Dorrance
Not ready to call it a night? The Phi Sigma Kappa Alumni Association is hosting an after-party at The Dorrance starting at 11pm. Everyone is invited for a complimentary nightcap.
Jazz & Champagne Brunch - Harbor View, Rhode Island Room
Continue the celebration on Sunday morning at the champagne brunch, complete with an upbeat jazz band! Spend a few more hours at JWU before wrapping up the weekend.
Harborside Campus Tour - Harborside Campus
Not ready to head home yet? Take a tour of our Harborside Campus and see what's new and what you might have missed during the weekend.
Downcity Campus Tour - Downcity Campus
Not ready to head home yet? Take a tour of our Downcity Campus and see what's new and what you might have missed during the weekend.
Lodging
As of April 1, 2019, all Reunion hotel blocks have expired.