Bucknell to Welcome More Than 2,000 Alumni and Families for Reunion Weekend 2026

Bucknell University will welcome more than 2,000 alumni and their families back to campus for Reunion Weekend 2026, taking place Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31.

This year's festivities honor alumni whose class years end in 1 and 6, with special recognition for the Class of 1976 as it celebrates its 50th reunion. Returning Bucknellians will enjoy a weekend filled with class gatherings, educational sessions, campus tours, recreational opportunities and family-friendly activities, along with the presentation of the Bucknell University Alumni Association Awards.

Friday: A Warm Welcome Back
Reunion Weekend begins Friday morning with check-in and the opening of Reunion Headquarters in Gerhard Fieldhouse. Throughout the day, alumni can reconnect with classmates while exploring campus through a golf tournament at Bucknell Golf Club, guided tours and open-house events. Featured activities include tours of Bucknell's academic and innovation spaces, including Taylor Hall and the University's newest interdisciplinary centers — the Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the Dominguez Center for Data Science, and the Center for Access & Success. There will also be educational sessions for families on "Stories and Legacies of the American Revolution" in honor of the nation's semiquincentennial, and "AI at Bucknell and Beyond."

Friday evening will feature several signature events, including the 50th Reunion kickoff celebration and procession, the popular "Bison Round-up" with Bucknell Athletics coaches and staff, and the Welcome Picnic, where alumni and families can gather for food, entertainment, fellowship and fireworks.

Saturday: Celebration, Learning and Connection
Saturday's schedule offers a full slate of educational, recreational and social programming. Alumni can participate in tours of the Morrow Farm at Bucknell University and Hildreth-Mirza Hall, home of the Humanities Center, as well as hands-on coffee workshops hosted by the Bucknell Interdisciplinary Coffee Program. Additional activities throughout the day include hiking, kayaking, wine and beer tastings, and class-specific celebrations. There will also be special reunions for geology & environmental geoscience graduates, and men's lacrosse alumni with former Bucknell Hall of Fame Head Coach Sid Jamieson.

One of the weekend’s signature events, the Bucknell University Alumni Association Awards ceremony, will take place Saturday afternoon. The awards recognize alumni for outstanding professional achievement, service to humanity, loyalty to Bucknell and accomplishments among young alumni.

This year’s distinguished award recipients are:

• Loyalty to Bucknell Award: Barbara L. Gasper '76
  Through her career in investor relations and her deep and long-standing devotion to Bucknell through volunteering and philanthropy, Gasper continues to invest in the University community.
• Outstanding Achievement in a Chosen Profession Award: Christine Peterjohn Richards '76
  A former U.S. Magistrate and legal strategist, Richards' work led the global expansion and success of FedEx Corporation. She credits Bucknell for helping her develop the skills that enabled her professional success.
• Service to Humanity Award: Judge John C. Uhler (Ret.) '66
  During his long career as a juvenile court judge, Uhler served countless youth through both his development of the award-winning Juvenile Mental Health Court and his efforts to reduce truancy across Pennsylvania.
• Young Alumni Award: Richie Hyden '11
  Hyden co-founded IRIS.TV and grew it into a leading programmatic advertising platform, culminating in its acquisition by Viant Technology, where he now drives advertising innovation across connected and streaming TV.

Saturday evening concludes with the all-alumni grand finale celebration near Sojka Pavilion, featuring live entertainment and dancing.

Sunday: Reflection and Farewell
Reunion Weekend will conclude Sunday morning with the Robert Lowry Service of Remembrance and Celebration in Rooke Chapel. The interfaith service honors the memory of Bucknell alumni, faculty and staff who have passed away during the past year.

Additional Sunday events include a farewell breakfast and final opportunities for alumni to visit campus landmarks before departing.

For a complete schedule of events and registration information, visit the Reunion Weekend website. Alumni are encouraged to register if they haven’t done so already.