Presidential Forum redux

Williams rolled out the purple carpet, and the weather mostly cooperated, as over 40 members of the Class of ’75 gathered in Williamstown in anticipation of our 50th Reunion in 2025. We met April 21-23 for a presidential forum, with an opportunity to reconnect, revisit the familiar and the very new of the campus, and hear from college leadership on the state of Williams 2023.

On Friday we gathered at the Taconic Golf Clubhouse for a buffet; spent Saturday catching up with each other as well as hearing about Williams today and tomorrow; and wrapped up on a rainy Sunday morning with a Williams Inn brunch, crunching the numbers and stats of the Williams financial picture.

Saturday evening’s highlight was dinner (jackets required!) with President Maud Mandel, who spoke about her first five years at Williams. We also spent some productive time discussing our class gift, and our efforts to engage our diverse and devoted class.

Greeting from Williamstown, April 2023

Sign-up is open for the Class of '75 Presidential Forum

The 2023 PresidentialForum will kick off on Friday evening with an informal gathering and ends with brunch on Sunday. There will be no charge to attendees for program meals and activities.

Sign up here.

The weekend agenda:

APRIL 21 – 23, 2023 | WILLIAMSTOWN, MA

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

2:30 – 5:00pm

Registration Open

3:30 – 5:00pm

Special Building Tours

Tours of the new Wachenheim Science Center, Hopper Science Center, and Sawyer Library

6:00 – 9:00pm

Casual Evening Gathering

Cocktails, buffet dinner and open bar.

TACONIC GOLF COURSE

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

8:30 – 10:30am

Registration Open

WESTON HALL, 995 MAIN STREET

8:30 – 10:00am

Class Meeting

PRESENTATION ROOM, WESTON HALL

10:15 – 11:45am

Panel Discussion: Williams Today

Who constitutes the student body and faculty today? How are they selected and what are the challenges in getting who Williams wants (tenure, housing, financial aid, etc.)? What are academic and student life like today?

PRESENTATION ROOM, WESTON HALL

12:15 – 1:30pm

Lunch with Students

WILLIAMS INN BALLROOM, 101 SPRING STREET

1:45 – 3:15pm

Panel Discussion: Williams Tomorrow

What are the college’s top priorities as articulated in the strategic plan? How might a residential liberal arts education continue to evolve in the future? How should the college respond to changing times, student interests, learning technologies, and economic realities through its curriculum, facilities and programs? Program will include a focus on the college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion and sustainability initiatives.

WILLIAMS INN BALLROOM

Afternoon free time for outdoor activities, museum visits, etc.

6:30 – 7:15pm

Cocktail Reception

FACULTY HOUSE/ALUMNI CENTER, 968 MAIN STREET

7:15 – 9:15pm

Dinner & Discussion with President Maud S. Mandel

FACULTY HOUSE/ALUMNI CENTER

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

9:00 – 10:30am

Brunch & Wrap-Up Discussion with Senior Staff Members

WILLIAMS INN BALLROOM

Schedule as of February 3, 2023, subject to change.

Save the date: Presidential Forum with '75ers, April 21-23

We're invited! Come back to Williamstown for the 2023 Presidential Forum, an event anticipating our 50th Reunion in 2025. There will be an informal gathering Friday evening; on Saturday, a report on Williams today from leadership in senior staff, faculty and the student body, including President Maud S. Mandel; and brunch on Sunday. There will be no charge to attendees for program meals and activities.

Look for a detailed invitation with registration materials in late January! QUESTIONS? Contact 50th.Reunion@williams.edu or call 413–597–4284