Alumni News True Blue Weekend 2023: A Special Celebration of Hartwick’s Past, Present, and Affinities

August 14, 2023

Next month, hundreds of alumni, friends, family, and members of the Hartwick College Community will return for the annual celebration of all things Hartwick. True Blue Weekend 2023 – which welcomes to campus reunion classes, alumni, and families – will take place from September 22 – 24.

True Blue Weekend 2023 features traditional favorites and new, can’t-miss events – on campus and off. The family-friendly weekend will include an array of programming designed to not only entertain, but salute a range of College programs and the people who have shaped its legacy:

  • A hiking challenge on Table Rock Trails
  • Celebrations of first-generation students and their families
  • Fraternity/sorority open houses
  • Special gatherings for alumni from class years ending in -3 and -8
  • Stuff-a-Critter and Big Prize Bingo
  • A salute to retiring faculty

Highlights of True Blue Weekend 2023 include:

Friday:

  • Golden Jubilee Reunion & 50-Year Club Induction Ceremony – Always one of the feature events of True Blue Weekend. Members of the Class of 1973 will be saluted and welcomed into the 50-Year Club at a special dinner in Foreman Gallery, Anderson Center for the Arts.
  • Presidential Kick-Off – The weekend begins in earnest when President Darren Reisberg welcomes attendees at 7 p.m. in Anderson Center for the Arts. The event includes the annual Alumni Awards presentation, presented for professional achievement, community involvement, and advancing the mission and vision of Hartwick. The Kick-Off will also feature a special recognition of the 80th anniversary of the nursing program with a champagne toast.

Saturday:

  • Dedication of Day Apartments – Join us as we cut the ribbon to officially name the apartment community, and recognize the continued generosity of Trustee Larry Miller ’73 in honor of his wife, Dr. Judith (Judy) Day.
  • Harry Bradshaw Matthews Tribute – Celebrate Harry’s impactful Hartwick tenure as the Associate Dean and Director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs, and the namesake of the new “It Can Be Done” Award his former students started to honor his legacy.
  • “Meet the NetWICK” – This special networking event brings together faculty/staff, parents, students, and alumni to make connections in their fields of interest.
  • Brooks BBQ Tailgate Party – What is True Blue without a barbeque lunch provided by Brooks House of Bar-B-Q?
  • Beer Tent – An old favorite returns. Open starting at 3 p.m. on Stack Patio.
  • Athletics Hall of Fame – Legendary women’s field hockey and lacrosse coach Anna Meyer, the 1998 women’s lacrosse team, and the 1996 women’s field hockey teams will be inducted as the 2023 Class. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. under the tent on Miller Court.
  • Parent & Family Social – Dinner in The Commons is provided for families and their students to connect with fellow classmates and their families.

Sunday:

  • Pine Lake Fall FestivalThe Pine Lake Environmental Campus will be bustling with activities during its annual Fall Festival. Apple cider pressing, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, a Honey Harvest with the Pine Lake bees, and more are all on tap this year!

Sporting events will also be a major attraction during True Blue weekend. On Friday, women’s volleyball takes on cross-town rival Oneonta State in Lambros Arena at 6 p.m. The next day, field hockey plays Elmira College at 12 noon. at Wright Stadium, and men’s soccer has a match against Nazareth at 3 p.m. on Elmore Field. The weekend’s athletics contests wrap up when women’s tennis takes on Russell Sage at 1 p.m. at Wilbur Park courts on Sunday afternoon.

“This edition of True Blue Weekend offers the most diverse line-up of events and experiences we have ever held,” said Kimberly Hastings, director of Alumni, Parent & Family Relations. “We expect the largest turnout in years, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Some True Blue Weekend 2023 events require RSVP and ticket purchases. Go here to register.