On June 5, 1960, members of the Castleton Class of 1960 were participating in their well-deserved Commencement ceremony before beginning their careers as educators. While the class had hoped to celebrate their 60th graduation reunion together in-person on campus on that same date in 2020, COVID-19 forced a postponement. '
To remain connected and commemorate their time together on the significant milestone anniversary, classmates agreed to transition to an intimate virtual reunion.
“We’ve always been a tight-knit group,” explained Mary Quinn, whose husband, Gary, is also a member of the Class of 1960. “It’s like going to Castleton to get your education, once you get involved you get absorbed.”
During their virtual meet-up, the group displayed photographs from their times on campus and reminisced their shared memories from the past 60 years. From stories of school dances, curfews, light-hearted campus mischief, teaching careers, growing families, and life-long friendship, classmates spent over two hours swapping tales.
“It was fun,” Gary said. “We enjoyed still getting to see everyone.”
The inseparable class regularly hosts annual get-togethers, having held events at various local restaurants and venues throughout the state of Vermont, and remain an active part of the Spartan community. Several classmates are long-time serving members of the Castleton Alumni Association Board of Directors and as alumni collectively created a class endowment, which awards an annual scholarship to a deserving Education student.
Plans for another virtual reunion for the group are already underway for the fall, complete with an interactive round of Castleton Trivia.
“Why wait to do it again?” joked Gary.
Those interested in hosting a class reunion event are encouraged to contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office at alumnioffice@castleton.edu.