The four years (give or take) that a person spends in a college environment are often monumentally significant in their lives. In addition to being formative years mentally, emotionally and physically, the late-teens and early twenties also have incredible social impact. Many people cross the graduation stage with their diploma in hand, surrounded by a group of cherished classmates. For some, personal and professional circumstances can cause natural drifts. For others, those friendships are maintained with ease.
With the prevalence of social media as the primary source of connections between past classmates, some younger alumni feel so hyper-connected digitally that infrequent in-person meet-ups can feel redundant. But, in an effort to keep alumni connected to each other and the institution, Homecoming class reunions have endured as a tradition that many Olivet Nazarene University alumni look forward to every five years. For members of the class of 1968, that has proven particularly true.
Over the past six decades, Carol (Tanner) Morse, Patti (Zunker) Manuel, Ann (Pasko) Schwob, Mary Ada (Bennett) Dillinger, Barb (Crable) Crabtree, Donna (Seeley) Lovett, Carolyn (Gibson) Vance, and Donna (McDougal) Taylor have worked tirelessly to plan official class reunions, in addition to social excursions like cruises in celebration of milestone birthdays and annual gatherings at Essenhaus Inn in Shipshewana, Indiana.
To be fair, the class of 1968 did not have social media platforms available for the first few decades after they graduated, and it was arguably more difficult to keep in contact with each other. But, taking time, energy and effort to gather every five years ignited a new appreciation for the friendships that had been established on campus.
At their five-year reunion, which per tradition was planned by the senior class president, William “Bill” Seal, many of the members of the class of 1968 returned to Bourbonnais for the event. The opportunity to catch up on life was largely appreciated, but some of the women in attendance thought that the event itself could be enhanced.
“After that first reunion, I offered to take over the program,” reflects Carol Morse. “A group of us women who live in the Bourbonnais area grouped up to plan things from then on.”
“We all knew each other in college; Olivet was much smaller in those days,” says Ann Schwob. “But we didn’t really develop the deep relationships with one another until after the first reunion. Over the years, we’ve really developed those friendships — this type of close group of people doesn’t develop by accident. We’ve laughed and cried together; navigated marriage, divorce, babies and death.”
In addition to working collaboratively on décor, gifts, skits, programs and prizes for their 10-year reunion, the group extended the reunion to include parties after the Friday night basketball game (typically hosted by Carol and Alan Morse) and Saturday night after the President’s Dinner (typically hosted by Patti & Rick Manuel). The class of 1968 consistently had one of the best attendance rates for all 10 of their official class reunions, due in large part to the women’s investment in making the event more than just a chance to get together as former classmates, but to create new memories along the way.
“I’ve met people who say they don’t want to go to the reunion because they think we already know everyone,” says Mary Ada Dillinger. “But we’ve all lived so much life in the years since graduation — reunions allow classmates to come back and get to know people where they are now.”
“That means a lot; in fact, it’s life-changing,” Carol adds. “We’ve worked really hard to get people back to reunions, and they’ve come — from California, Tennessee, Colorado, Florida, elsewhere.”
In 2018, the Office of Alumni Relations added an additional event to honor the 50-year class celebration by inviting the class of 1968 back to take part in Commencement activities in May. Thirty-one alumni returned and as part of the processional, donned a gap, gown, hood or stole representing their highest degree earned to march ahead of the graduating seniors. As a representative of the 50-year class, Joe Bowman addressed the new graduates as part of the commencement programming to encourage them in their new adventures.
Later that year, the classmates returned to campus for an extra celebratory reunion during Homecoming Weekend. More than 60 people showed up to look back, not just on memories from college, but on 50 bonus years of meaningful relationships.
Typically, once a class celebrates their 50th reunion, they join alumni representing all previous classes for the combined Purple & Gold reunion. But, due to the women’s exceptional party planning skills and their classmates’ collective initiative in continuing to gather, their 50-year reunion was such a hit that their request to host an official 55-reunion was granted by the Office of Alumni Relations. In addition to a Friday afternoon gathering in the Centennial Chapel lobby during Homecoming Weekend 2023, members of the class additionally got together at a local favorite, Chicago Dough, for pizza and fellowship. 
Some naysayers of official Homecoming Reunions might argue that gatherings with friends don’t need to happen in-person at Olivet, but for the Class of 1968, the return to campus has been a major part of the fun, even for those who live locally.
“As you get older you realize the value of Olivet in enhancing Christian values to young people,” Patti Manuel says. “You find that more valuable especially when you have children and then grandchildren — you see the need to invest in younger generations. As you come back to campus, you find human interest and loving people. Plus, campus has become even more beautiful.”
A few years ago, members of the class established a scholarship for current Olivet students, hoping to support the next generations of Olivetians as they make their own impactful memories on campus — students have already received support!
During Homecoming 2026, the Office of Alumni Relations will host reunions for the classes of 2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976 and the Purple & Gold celebration for alumni who graduated prior to 1975.
Save the dates of October 23-25 and make plans now to join your classmates for this special time to reconnect & make new memories! Visit Olivet.edu/HC for more information.
