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 1986 Party! We’re eagerly working on a full schedule, so check back in early 2026 to read about all the receptions, tours, and events we have planned.
Featured Events
Reunion at Thurtene weekend will be packed with events on campus and around St. Louis, but there are a few signature reunion experiences you won’t want to miss.
Welcome back party
Friday, april 17
6-9 p.m.
Day one of reunion weekend concludes with our signature Welcome Back Party, an epic celebration. As the sun sets, catch up with old friends over heavy appetizers, desserts, and beer, wine, and soda. Enjoy live music, fun photo opportunities, and an amazing evening with the WashU community.
Alumni bbq
Saturday, april 18
11:30 A.M.-1:30 p.m.
Join classmates and their families for a fun-filled afternoon of great BBQ catered by the award-winning Pappy’s Smokehouse. Complimentary beer, wine, and soda will be provided. Enjoy children’s activities and entertainment throughout the event.
good bye brunch
sunday, april 19
9 – 11 A.m.
Reminisce on your reunion weekend, bid “until we meet again” to your classmates, and enjoy an all-you-care-to-eat brunch.
Get involved
Reunion class gift
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 of 1986 reunion committee
Want to help plan Reunion and make sure it’s a huge success? Join your Reunion Committee! Check out this list of classmates who have already signed up:
Jeffrey Altman
AB ’86
Karen Hung
AB ’85
Janet Pearce
AB ’86
Laura Wagner
BS ’86, MBA ’88
Ralph Gonzales
AB ’86
Patti Meyer Korando
AB ’87, MBA ’99
Catherine Pearson Schwartz
AB ’86
Susan Wartel
AB ’86
Jon Hirsch
AB ’86
Maureen Keyes Loftus
BSBA ’86
Cynthia D. Chin Sung
AB ’86
Class memories
Class notes
Alexander S. Douglas II, AB ’86, was named 2025 Elder Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Orlando, Florida. He is a partner with the law firm of Shuffield Lowman.
Margaret Reyes Dempsey, AB ’86, wrote a second novel, a psychological thriller titled Mind Games (Kingsbrook Publishing, 2020).
Brett Preston, JD ’86, a shareholder at Hill Ward Henderson in Tampa and Clearwater, Fla., wrote One Taken: A Lawyer’s Guide to Being Sure You Are a Christian (River Birch Press, 2021).
Julia L. Bienias, AB ’86, MA ’86, was named a Fellow of the American Statistical Association in 2021.
Looking back at 1986
2,100 to graduate at 125th Commencement
Some 2,106 students are degree candidates for WU’s 125th Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16. An approximate total of 984
graduate and 1,122 undergraduate degrees will be conferred at the exercises.
Making chocolate for a cause
While working as a chemical engineer, Brenda Barnicki, BSChE ’86, made chocolates as Christmas gifts for the colleagues who reported to her. By the time she became vice president of technology at Eastman Chemical Co., the culmination of a 25-year career, the batches of chocolate had grown. So, when her position was eliminated during restructuring in 2010, she had an idea of what she wanted to do next.
Simon Hall
The opening of John E. Simon Hall, the new $13-5 million home of the University’s business school being dedicated this Friday, marks the beginning of a new era of excellence. Growing out of a 1981 task force’s recommendation to have a business school of national stature, Simon Hall offers dazzling, state-of-the-art facilities arrayed with a powerful host of educational and research components.
W.I.L.D. performer
Spring 1986 – Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman
favorite hangouts
Coming soon
See who’s coming
Search for classmates who are planning to come back for WashU Reunion at Thurtene Carnival, April 17-19, 2026.