college-shield

Class of 2001: 20th Reunion Schedule and Recordings

Friday, June 4

 

7:00-8:00 p.m.     ’01 Reunion Kickoff + Video Montage

 

8:00-9:00 p.m.      Class Survey

  

9:00-10:00 p.m.    Class Social Event on Wonder.me

 

      

Saturday, June 5

 

1:30-3:00 p.m.        Breakout Rooms by Question Topic

 

3:10-4:00 p.m.        Classmate Panels I

  • Science and Medicine Panel: The '01 science and medicine panel includes a diverse group of classmates who are making us all proud. We'll hear from several who were on the frontlines of the pandemic and others who are battling healthcare disparities at home and around the globe. Join us for this fascinating conversation.
     
  • The Arts: Our classmates are making us proud in so many spheres, including film, theater, TV, fashion, visual arts, music and more. Join us to learn about their work in the arts. Joe Gfaller, Managing Director of Metro Theater Company in St. Louis Amanda Burnham, visual artist & university professor and Michael Roiff, film and Broadway producer, will share with us their journeys from Harvard to Hollywood and beyond; how the arts landscape has evolved over the past two decades; and the impact of the pandemic and recent social justice movements on artistic expression and production.
  • 2001 Entrepreneurs Among Us: What makes an entrepreneur tick? What is unique to the start-up climate? How are demographics changing in the space? How does funding work? What are some of the specific experiences of our classmates in founding and running their companies? Come find out!  
  • Education Panel: What are the current issues, opportunities, and challenges within the education system? And how can we as parents, community members, and global citizens support our young people so they can thrive to their fullest potential? Our ‘01 classmates are leading efforts to transform the education system to ensure excellence and equity for all students. Come join us to discuss the power and promise of education and how it transforms lives, in addition to celebrating teachers and life-long learning. Oscar Ramos, Master Teacher, will facilitate the panel consisting of Priscilla Aquino Garza, Director of Policy for Educate Texas, and Roel Saldivar, Assistant Principal at Milby High School.
  • Social Justice and Poverty Panel: For many ‘01 classmates, our greatest aspirations twenty years ago included visions of significantly improving the lives of people in our communities and bringing about positive change to the world. Come join us in a rigorous discussion on racial equity, wealth gaps, democracy, equality, justice, and the impacts of COVID both on health and on social determinants. Angela Chong (fka Wu), sole practitioner and former Executive Director of Zion Community Development Corporation and Oberlin Street Law, will facilitate this discussion with panelists Ethel Branch, Founder and Interim Executive Director of Yee Ha’ólníi Doo (may the Navajo people have fortitude) dba Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, and Justin Pasquariello, Executive Director of East Boston Social Centers. 

4:10-5:00 p.m.        Classmate Panels II

  • '01 June Speaker Series: A "Stairwell Chat" w/ Sarah Lewis + Dr. Amma "Yo' Mama": Their sisterhood bond formed in late-night conversations on the steps of their Mather House suite. Now, for the first time, they bring their “stairwell chats” public as First Marshal Dr. Amma "Yo' Mama" Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin interviews art historian, award-winning author, and Harvard professor Sarah Lewis about living a life at the intersection of art, justice, and purpose. 
 
  • Authors Panel: The Harvard class of '01 boasts a talented roster of fiction and non-fiction authors. The members of the '01 literary panel will have a conversation about the art and process of book writing, with all of its joys, frustrations, and humor. They will also share their own stories of how they became writers, and as well as insights into the ever-changing landscape of the publishing industry.   
  • Journalism Panel: Attacks on the free press, rise of private equity ownership, explosive digital innovation: print journalists face challenges and opportunities today completely different than when we graduated 20 years ago. Join three of our classmates - Roz Helderman of the Washington Post; Mosi Secret, an independent journalist formerly of the New York Times and ProPublica; and Alana Semuels of Time (formerly of The Atlantic) - for a discussion of the highs and lows of their work, how it has changed in the last two decades, and where they think we're headed.
     
  • Forging New Paths: Leadership in Government & Politics: What is the role of government to ensure a strong democracy? And what are the opportunities and challenges to finding solutions for our most pressing social issues, including social and racial justice, poverty, public education, affordable housing, the environment, and public safety. Come join us to discuss these issues and celebrate public service. Jeannette Soriano, Government Relations Manager at Southern California Edison, will facilitate this discussion with panelists Fentrice D. Driskell, Representative in the Florida House of Representatives, Alicia Plerhoples, Professor of Law and Director of the Social Enterprise & Nonprofit Law Clinic at Georgetown University Law Center, and Suzanne Besu Truchard, practicing attorney and real estate broker.  
  • Social Impact Panel: Together, many years ago, we dreamed about the paths we would take and the positive impact we would make in our families, communities, society, and world. Come join us to discuss various social impact and corporate social responsibility work. In addition to exploring the opportunities of social impact work, leaders from across sectors will also discuss challenges that may undermine the progress we have made. Treina Fabré, a consultant with McKinsey & Company, will facilitate this discussion with panelists Kenneth Ebie, Executive Director & Chief Development Officer of Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC), Elizabeth Lewis, Managing Director of ESG at Blackstone, Adela Acevedo Sarna, Co-Founder of Promise of a Generation and Chair of e7 Daughters of the Emirates, and Sam Sternin, an international development practitioner.

6:10-8:00 p.m.        "Speed Friending" - Meet new classmates and their families

 

8:00-10:00 p.m.    Class Social Event on Wonder.me

        

Sunday, June 6

 

12:00-1:00 p.m.    Memorial Service: Our service program is available for previewing here