Hundreds Reunite at Hunter’s First Post-Pandemic Alumni Weekend

The festivities opened on Thursday with a Young Alumni Mixer on the 7th-floor skybridge, connecting the east and west buildings over Lexington Avenue. Lit dazzlingly for the occasion in Hunter’s signature purple and white, the illuminated skybridge showed the city (or at least motorists and pedestrians) that Hunter alumni were home. The event fostered new connections and rekindled old friendships among both recent graduates and the young at heart.

Young alumni at the mixer.

“Despite our diverse paths, we all connected over memories of navigating the bridge between classes and the infamous registration rush,” said Monica Chawla ’14. “I can’t wait for the next reunion!”

The 7th floor skybridge lit for the Young Alumni Mixer.

Chawla said Hunter changed her life trajectory when, as a pre-health student, she took a chance on a pre-law class; now she’s a successful attorney. 

In that, she was like many of the alumni who participated in the “But for Hunter” video campaign, which were collected throughout the morning on Saturday, and will be shared on the series page soon. The campaign highlights how Hunter helps students achieve their American Dream and impact the world. 

Also on Thursday, the college held a private dinner for loyal donors and members of the Thomas Hunter Society — those who have included the Hunter College Foundation in their estate plans. Donors heard from Hunter President Nancy Cantor, who spoke about and shared a video clip of the “But for Hunter” testimonials. It was a powerful reminder of how Hunter changes lives. 

On Friday evening, the Hunter College Alumni Association inducted five distinguished individuals into its Hall of Fame, which comprises a set of plaques in the lobby of the West Building.  

Nursing luminaries Judith Aponte BS ’94, MS ’98; Aliza Ben-Zacharia MS ’90, and Eileen O'Connor Coulom ’76 were honored alongside New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes ’06 (D-Brooklyn), an adjunct instructor, and novelist Kaitlyn Greenidge MFA ’10. A 2024 Hall of Fall inductee, Arnold Serotsky ’68, gave remarks.

From left, Hunter College President Nancy Cantor, Acting Alumni Association President Kim Hafner ’95, Community Service Awardee Leslie Lieth, Hall of Fame Committee Chair Barbara Andrews Shackatano.

Saturday’s packed schedule drew more than 300 to Hunter West. “Morning Memories: Breakfast by the Decades” fueled attendees for a day of enriching activities. A tour of the library’s special collections showcased remarkable historical artifacts, including century old yearbooks, athletic uniforms from Hunter’s decades as a women’s college, and the 1988 Nobel Prize gold medal of chemist Gertrude Elion ’37.

Aliba Marson-Quinones points out Candice Y. Williams Hall ’00 in her yearbook.

“Learning about Hunter’s founding and seeing those old yearbooks was incredible,” said Alexandra Perez ’22, now a master’s student at Hunter’s School of Education. “It was inspiring to meet so many accomplished alumni and witness how Hunter shaped their successful lives.”  

Perez also enjoyed a presentation on the Beatles by music theory professor Mark Spicer. Other faculty and alumni experts talked about breast-cancer research, diabetes as a public-health issue, artificial intelligence, and social work, among other topics.

Devashish Basnet ’22, center.

Capping the afternoon was a lunchtime conversation in the 3rd floor cafeteria between President Cantor and Devashish Basnet ’22, a Rhodes Scholar who was recently named to a fellowship honoring the late civil-rights giant Rep. John Robert Lewis. Basnet, a former DACA recipient from Nepal, asked Cantor to explain the many ways Hunter supports undocumented students. Cantor noted college initiatives such as “Know Your Rights” clinics and the Immigrant Student Success Center, which offers students, faculty, and staff information and guidance.  

“We are putting our arms around our immigrant-origin students,” Cantor said.

Students perform SING!

On Saturday afternoon at the desert reception, a group of students performed a contemporary version of SING!, an annual musical revue that Hunter classes put on for decades. The students sang songs such as “We are the Music Makers” and “I Lift My Lamp" to the general merriment of viewers. 

Student volunteers mingled with alumni throughout the weekend, excited by meeting them and the campus festivities.  

Alumni volunteers such as Antonia Little ’18 drove the weekend’s success by staffing check-ins and helping with event logistics.  

“It was wonderful to see generations of alumni connecting and sharing their Hunter stories,” Little said. “Hunter provided me with more than an education; it gave me a community, a sentiment echoed by alumni across decades.” 

The weekend ended on Sunday with the Alumni Association of Hunter College 152nd Birthday Celebration Brunch in the 3rd floor cafeteria, at which several alumni gave testimonials about their time at Hunter. Retired nurse, longtime medical volunteer, and Hall of Fame honoree Leslie Lieth ’72 received a special award for outstanding community service. 

The event served as a powerful reminder of the enduring bond between Hunter College and its alumni, the transformative power of education, and the enduring spirit of community. It also raised thousands of dollars for Hunter. 

“We were deeply honored to welcome almost 600 alumni back home to Hunter for an unforgettable Alumni Weekend,” said Executive Director of Alumni Relations Kristin Matthews. “Over the course of four days, we celebrated our cherished memories, remarkable achievements, and the enduring Hunter spirit. It was a reunion filled with warmth, joy, and heartfelt connections that we will treasure forever.”