Celebrate
Reunion at Thurtene Carnival is packed with exciting events on campus and around St. Louis, but there are a few extra-special reunion experiences you don’t want to miss. These signature events include the Welcome Back Party and the Alumni BBQ, and – of course – your Class of 1997 Party! We’re eagerly working on a full schedule, so check back in early 2027 to read about all the receptions, tours, and events we have planned.
Class of 1997 Party
Reconnect with the Class of 1997. Enjoy an open bar, gourmet food stations, a DJ, and fun photo opportunities while sharing memories with old friends.
Featured events
Welcome Back Party
Friday, April 16 • Evening
Day one of reunion concludes with our signature Welcome Back Party. As the sun sets, catch up with old friends over heavy appetizers, desserts, and beer, wine, and soda.
Alumni BBQ
Saturday, April 17 • Afternoon
Join classmates and their families for a fun-filled afternoon of great BBQ catered by Pappy’s Smokehouse. Beer, wine, and soda will be complimentary.
Goodbye Brunch
Sunday, April 19 • Morning
Gather with friends once more and toast to a successful reunion weekend. Enjoy classic brunch favorites and, of course, mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Get involved, give back, and celebrate your class
Class of 1997 reunion class gift
Campaign Progress
At WashU, we believe in the power of tradition, community, and the transformative impact of education. Your reunion year is not only an opportunity to reconnect with old friends but also a chance to make a meaningful contribution to the institution that played a significant role in shaping your journey.
Be a part of the time-honored tradition of giving back through your reunion class gift. Regardless of the size of your contribution, every gift makes an impact on the university, its students, and the larger community.
Class giving Honor Roll
Coming soon
Class of 1997 reunion committee
Want to help plan Reunion and make sure it’s a huge success? Check out this list of classmates who have already signed up:
Brooke Heymach Friedman
AB '97, MSW '98
Adam Pressman
BSBA '97
Heather Friend Metz
AB '97
Jeremy Yoskowitz
AB '97
Tara Nutik
AB '97
Class notes
Rhonda Broussard, AB ’97, was named a chevalier (knight) in the Order of the French Academic Palms. As France’s oldest non-military decoration, the award recognizes French and foreign recipients living outside of France for their dedication to actively expanding French education and culture throughout the world.
Catherine Bowes, AB ’97, is a program director of offshore wind energy at the National Wildlife Federation.
Deborah Patterson, MHA ’97, was elected to the Oregon State Senate (District 10) in 2020 and named chair of the Senate Health Committee.
James Gilchrist, BS ’97, the Ruth H. and Sam Madrid Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Lehigh University, was named a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering.
Looking back at 1997
Class of 1997 candidates set to receive degrees at Commencement
On Friday, May 16, about 2,500 individuals will enter Brookings Quadrangle as Washington University students and leave as alumni. Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will award the degrees in the 136th Commencement ceremony, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in Brookings Quadrangle. Of the candidates, 1,229 are undergraduate students and 1,331 are graduate and professional students.
A friendship for the ages
After graduating, many WashU alumni come to realize the home they found here cannot be reduced to a physical building. Rather, it resides in the people — the friends, professors and mentors — whose presence filled those spaces with color and life. This is the case for seven alumni from the Class of 1997. As incoming students, they were each assigned to live on the second floor of Liggett Hall on the South 40 and formed a close friendship.
The sky's the limit
Mark Waggoner, BSCE ’97, has a lot on his mind: wind, earthquakes, heat, snow and flight paths, to name a few. As a structural engineer, he thinks big — really big — which is crucial since he specializes in long-span roof design for professional sports facilities.
favorite hangouts
Coming soon
W.I.L.D Performer
Spring 1997 – The Samples
Fall 1996 – Souls of Mischief
Class of 1997 photos and memories
Take a walk down memory lane with these photos of the Class of 1997! This photo gallery was collected from WashU, University Archives, and personal photos submitted by your classmates.
Coming soon
Planning to attend
Search for classmates who have registered for WashU Reunion at Thurtene Carnival, April 16-18, 2027.