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 2021 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.
sunday goodbye 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 2021 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:
Arthur Bai
AB ’21
Justin Lempert
BSBA ’21
Daniel Varrichio
BSBA ’21
Kiarra Womack
AB ’21
Meredith Berger
AB ’21
Denye Mickens
AB ’21
Anne Whitsel
BS ’21
Luxiao Zheng
BS ’21, BS ’21, MS ’22
Jack Lamarre
AB ’21
Henry Roseman
BS ’21
Drew Wilkerson
AB ’21
Class memories
Class notes
Henlay Foster, BM ’21 (music), is a U.S. Army veteran who held leadership positions in Washington, D.C., including national director of Head Start, the pre-school child development program, and associate commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families, both in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Eka Jose, AB ’21, a student at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, was awarded a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Postgraduate Scholarship.
Jeffrey Czajka, PhD ’21, recently received the 2022 Linus Pauling Distinguished Fellowship. Awarded by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the fellowship supports recent and upcoming doctoral graduates who are performing research in the areas of energy, environment and national security.
Mingqian Li, JD ’21, is an associate attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and lives in San Francisco.
Looking back at 2021
Basketball Hall of Famer Abdul-Jabbar will deliver Commencement address to Class of 2021
NBA great and social justice advocate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will deliver the 2021 Commencement address for Washington University in St. Louis.
College Prep scholars join the Class of 2021
First-year students Denye Mickens and Meris Saric already know the provost, the best dishes at the Danforth University Center and the difference between Umrath Hall, Umrath House and Umrath Lounge. As members of the first cohort of the College Prep Program, they lived and learned on the campus of WashU for three summers.
Commencement diary: Capturing sights, stories from the Class of 2021
The Record kept a diary of the days’ sights and stories, including three alumni who competed on Francis Olympic Field and returned there to watch their children graduate; five Olin student-athletes on their way to NCAA Division III baseball championships; and one very elated chancellor thrilled to lead his first in-person Commencement.
favorite hangouts
See who’s coming
Search for classmates who are planning to come back for WashU Reunion at Thurtene Carnival, April 17-19, 2026.