Alumni News

August Alumni Perspectives: Shay Totten '91

All-Class Reunion is less than two months away! Eeek! 

We opened registration last month with a growing draft schedule. I’m back this month with a fuller outline of the schedule and a teaser of some of the workshops to expect during Reunion weekend. Activities are subject to change as we finalize the schedule this month, so stay tuned!

Register for Reunion here! Early bird pricing is available until the end of this month, then the full-weekend price goes up. 

Tickets for the 24-Hour Plays are a separate purchase and are not included in the Reunion pricing. We did this because it is a fundraiser for two student scholarships. Can’t be there? You can purchase tickets for students to attend! 

I’m excited about what is planned for All-Class Reunion this year. Aside from fun events, parties, and workshops, we’re setting aside quieter spaces throughout campus for alumni to hang out and reconnect with classmates, meet other alumni from their era, or… improvise! We’re also working on ways for alumni and students to connect in meaningful ways.

Some highlights: 

FRIDAY

  • 24-Hour Plays: Watch an incredible performance—written, directed, and acted by alumni and friends—make its debut on campus! All proceeds go toward two student scholarships: The Spencer Cox Scholarship and The Nicky Martin Memorial Scholarship. 
     
  • Friday Night Party: Hosted by alumni from the 80s/90s at Deane Carriage Barn. (Open to all alumni)

SATURDAY 

  • Milestone Celebration Breakfast: Celebrate alumni marking major milestones—from their 5th to their 80th reunion year!
     
  • State of the College: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Bennington is meeting today’s challenges and seizing new opportunities.
     
  • Alumni Town Hall: Join Director of Alumni Engagement Shay Totten '91, alumni trustees, and alumni from around the country to discuss how we’re relaunching the Alumni Association and creating more opportunities to connect between reunions.
     
  • Career Fair & Student Networking: Hear from Bennington alumni about their post-graduation journeys, followed by a speed networking session designed to pair up students with alumni (or alumni with other alumni!) for career advice and insights. If you’d like to participate as an advisor, email me.
     
  • Workshops & Performances: Alumni, student, and faculty-led workshops and performances happening throughout campus. (Here’s a sample of what’s in the works. Pre-session sign-ups will be emailed to attendees in September.)
     
    • Aluminum Pour: Leather, noise, and sweat with Sculpture students
       
    • Brain Coaching with AI: A 45-Minute Play Lab with Adnan Iftekhar ’97
       
    • Bennington Writing Seminars: Life After the MFA (panel of MFA alumni)
       
    • Campus Sound Walk with Edmund Mooney ’93 
       
    • Distinctly American: Book presentation with Rafe Churchill ’91 & Heide Hendricks
       
  • Bennington Networks Presentation: Be the first to hear about this exciting new initiative launching in 2026 to pair alumni mentors with 7th-term students.
     
  • Alumni Dinner: Open to all alumni, this special event will feature the presentation of the Hudas Schwartz Liff '47 Award for outstanding volunteerism.
     
  • Alumni Bands Showcase: A high-energy performance featuring Bennington alumni musicians. (Performers TBA in September)

SUNDAY

  • Yoga at End of the World: Start your Sunday with a relaxing, alumni-led yoga session at one of the most picturesque spots on campus.
     
  • Bird Walk: Join the "Bennington Birders"–Biology faculty member Blake Jones and Director of Grants Fred Baumgarten–for a stroll around the campus to look for and identify the Birds of Bennington, including fall migrants that will be passing through. All levels welcome. Dress appropriately for the weather. Binoculars will be provided.
     
  • MINDFUL RHYTHMS for All: Join Bennington Music faculty member Michael Wimberly and percussionist Sarah Tenney ’71 for a creative, meditative musical experience. Whether you want to play, sing, share poetry, or just listen, this is your chance to tap into the rhythm of the weekend.
     
  • Tours of the Walloomsac Inn (1:00 pm): Explore this historic property—recently purchased by Rafe Churchill ’91—and learn about its exciting renovation plans.

Reunion weekend, as it has in the past, will coincide with the College’s Fall Weekend festivities, designed for students and families. That gives us, as alumni, a chance to connect with students and families and share insights into what life is like “after Bennington.” Not all Reunion activities are open to families and students, however, because we know it’s important for alumni to have their own time together.

I look forward to welcoming you home to campus this fall! 

Again, here is the registration link. 

You can book a discounted room at Hotel Vervana or the Knotty Pine. Let them know you’re part of the Bennington College Reunion group to get a discounted rate.  Here is a handy list of additional places to stay, but please note these places are not offering special rates for alumni. 

Alumni Odds & Updates 

Here are this month’s updates on alumni engagement:

  • One of my goals in this first year as Director of Alumni Engagement is to relaunch an official Alumni Association, which was shut down in 1997. With alumni help, we can launch this at Reunion. If you’d like to be part of that conversation and/or volunteer to lead a chapter in your community, fill out this form. I’m hosting a volunteer informational season next Wednesday, August 20, at 4:00 pm ET. Email me if you’d like to join the conversation.
     
  • I’m working with faculty members and administrators on two pilot projects for Spring 2026 that would put alumni in the classroom with students or as mentors in select tutorials. If you’re interested, email me! It’s open to alumni from all decades and disciplines.
     
  • The Field Work Term and Career Development office is working on a special FWT supervisor’s handbook just for alumni. Details are forthcoming soon. 
     
  • Finally, please share any life or career updates (or plug a project) in the Class Notes section of Bennington Magazine. Here’s the link to submit your update.

Onward,

Shay Totten ’91
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement