Please note: Events are still being confirmed and some events and times are subject to change. Be sure to check back often for the latest updates and a more complete schedule.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

Registration

1:30–8 p.m.
R.W. Kern Center

Stop by the registration table as soon as you arrive on campus to receive registration materials and updates. While you’re here, be sure to check out the timeline started by the 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, and add entries of your own.

Center for Design Open House

2–4 p.m.
Center for Design

Come to explore the Center for Design’s many capabilities and see some of the current and past projects that this dynamic resource has produced. Our faculty, staff, and current students will be here to talk about the facility’s history, demonstrate equipment, and answer questions.

Hampshire College Chorus Gathering

3–4 p.m.
Under the Solar Canopy near the Music and Dance Recital Hall

The Hampshire College Chorus has always brought together faculty, staff, and students. We invite everyone who was ever a member of the Hampshire Chorus over the years to join us to compare notes and possibly sing a song or two.

Admissions info session & campus tour

3–5 p.m.
Admissions Office, R.W. Kern Center

Join Admissions for an information session on how Hampshire has continued to innovate our curriculum while utilizing Learning Collaboratives. We’ll break down the divisional system, the academic structure, and show you samples of narrative evaluations.

After the info session, we will offer a student-guided campus tour. Your guide will contextualize the academic program with their custom studies, highlight campus buildings and facilities, as well as student life opportunities on campus.

R.W. Kern Center building tour

3–4:30 p.m.
R.W. Kern Center

Meet R.W. Kern Center Director of Educational Program and Outreach Sara Draper in the lobby for this guided tour of Hampshire’s newest building, the 17th certified Living Building in the world.

R.W. Kern Center self-guided puzzles tour

3–5 p.m.
R.W. Kern Center

Grab a puzzle kit from the lobby and try to solve the 10 hidden puzzles embedded throughout the building. If you get stumped, be sure to come back on Saturday for a guided puzzles tour!

Coded Bias: Screening and Q&A with Director Shalini Kantayya 94F

3:30–6 p.m.
Main Lecture Hall, Franklin Patterson Hall

As artificial intelligence technology engrains itself more fully into our daily lives, from smart watches to facial recognition software, how to we protect our civil liberties and fight the discrimination and bias embedded into these tools? Coded Bias follows M.I.T. Media Lab computer scientist Joy Buolamwini and others as they dig deep into the hidden reality of bias in the algorithms that dominate our daily lives.

Documentary screening from 3:30-5 p.m., virtual Q & A with director Shalini Kantayya 94F from 5-6 p.m. Charles Taylor Chair and Associate Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities Salman Hameed will moderate.

Early Learning Center welcomes its alums

3:30–4:30 p.m.
Early Learning Center

Relive the thrill of learning, exploring, and growing at the Hampshire College Early Learning Center reunion! We welcome back all our past community members, student workers, and Learning Center Alums to reminisce about the days we learned our ABCs, 123s, and so much more!

New York Hampshire Community Gathering

3:30–4:30 p.m.
Linda Mollison Pavilion, Merrill-Dakin Quad

Current students and their families, alums, faculty, and staff from New York or considering a move there are all encouraged to attend this casual gathering hosted by the New York Alumni Circle.

Bridge Café open hours

4–10:30 p.m.
Second floor of the Robert Crown Center

The Bridge’s name is taken from the bridge that connects Harold F. Johnson Library’s Airport Lounge and the Robert Crown Center. Offerings include á la carte items, a coffee bar, custom prepared meals, and grab-and-go selections.

Welcome dinner

6–7:30 p.m.
Under the tent

Meal price included with three-day registration package only. Unregistered community members may use a OneCard swipe.

Talent Share hosted by Christopher Williams 04F

8–9:30 p.m.
Charles and Polly Longsworth Arts Village Solar Canopy

Let’s find joy together as we gather to celebrate the diversity of the Hampshire community. Poets, musicians, dancers, visual artists, actors, comedians, and creators of all kinds from the Hampshire community will come together to share their talents. An application to participate will be posted in July.

This event is co-sponsored by the Office for Institutional Diversity & Inclusion, Lebrón-Wiggins Pran Cultural Center, and Alumni & Family Relations.

Trivia night hosted by Tim Shary 86F

8–9:30 p.m.
Airport Lounge

Join us to test your knowledge of Hampshire history and the past 50 years of mainstream trivia. All ages welcome. Bring your collaborative and competitive spirit!

Campfire snacks and camaraderie

9–10:30 p.m.
Enfield House fire pit, weather permitting

Join us for s’mores, stories, and catching up.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

Registration

8 a.m.–4 p.m.
R.W. Kern Center

Stop by the registration table as soon as you arrive on campus to receive registration materials and updates. While you’re here, be sure to check out the timeline started by the 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, and add entries of your own.

Community Breakfast with the Board of Trustees

8–10:30 a.m.
Under the main tent

Catered by the alum-owned Black Sheep Deli & Bakery. Everyone is welcome!

Kern Kafé open hours

8 a.m.–3 p.m.
R.W. Kern Center

The student-run Kern Kafé is the official campus coffee shop. Offerings include espresso, lattes, tea, an assortment of other hot and cold beverages, homemade pastries, sandwiches, and soups made daily.

Hampshire 50th Family 5k Fun Run & Walk*

9 a.m.
Begins at the Robert Crown Center

Join Hampshire College OPRA for a fun 5k (3.1 mile) run or walk around campus roads, fields, and trails to celebrate Hampshire’s 50th. The course starts near the Robert Crown Center around Campus Way and then heads onto the grass for a hilly loop near the Red Barn, then proceeding past the Hitchcock Center and the Hampshire Farm, before finishing back at RCC. Fun age group prizes and raffle for all participants.

*Pre-registration is required. Please click here to register and reserve your spot.

Admissions tour

9–10 a.m.
Begins at the Admissions Office, R.W. Kern Center

Admissions will offer a student-guided campus tour. Your guide will contextualize the academic program with their custom studies, highlight campus buildings and facilities, as well as student life opportunities on campus.

Mixed Nuts staff gathering

10–11 a.m.
Merrill Quad Tent

Did you distribute cases of cauliflower each week? Make sure each mod had enough bread to get them through the next week? Did you cut 100 pounds of cheese every Wednesday afternoon? Sell bulk goods during store hours? Managers, staff, and signers from across the decades will gather to compare notes about our beloved food co-op and how it has evolved through the years.

Interfaith discussion group

10–11 a.m.
East Lecture Hall, Franklin Patterson Hall

This group, founded in the late 1980s, was for “anyone who believed in anything bigger than themselves.” It drew students who were interested in a wide variety of faith expressions who shared their thoughts, experiences and Atkins lemon poppy seed cake, without trying to convert anyone. Anyone interested is welcome to join us at this gathering.

Hampshire of Color: (Re) Uniting alums and current students to discuss life after Hampshire

Time: 10:30a.m.–noon

10:30–11:30 a.m.: Roundtable: Main Lecture Hall, Franklin Patterson Hall
11:30 a.m.–noon: James Baldwin Scholars and Friends Reception: Lounge 17, Cole Science Center lawn

Join us for a roundtable discussion between alums of color from a variety of fields and disciplines as they share their experiences at Hampshire and post-Commencement. The roundtable will be followed by a casual reception co-hosted by the James Baldwin Scholars Program and meetup.

The roundtable portion will be available via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

This event is co-sponsored by the Lebrón-Wiggins Pran Cultural Center, James Baldwin Scholars program, and Alumni & Family Relations.

R.W. Kern Center building tour

10:30 a.m.-noon
R.W. Kern Center

Meet R.W. Kern Center Director of Educational Program and Outreach Sara Draper in the lobby for this guided tour of Hampshire’s newest building, the 17th certified Living Building in the world.

Tour of the new Learning Collaboratives

11 a.m.–noon
TBD

Our times bring enormous challenges, locally and globally. Today’s students want to go to college to do something about them. Hampshire is reorganizing its academic program to empower them to do so.

Traditional models of departments and schools are barriers to unique, creative solutions needed to effectively address these challenges. So we’ve scrapped them and developed Learning Collaboratives (LC’s), communities of faculty, staff, and students that engage in transdisciplinary, collaborative inquiry and action, both inside and outside the classroom. Their strength is in a multitude of complementing perspectives and skill sets needed to address urgent contemporary issues.

The LC themes for this academic year are In/Justice, Environments and Change, Media and Technology, and Time & Narrative, each addressing one or two urgent questions. Rather than being static, themes and challenges will evolve as needs and interests shift, and new problems arise.

Join Assistant Professor of Physics Kaća Bradonjić, the Director of Collaborative Learning and Practice Javiera Benavente, and others to learn more about how LCs of faculty, staff, and students come together to understand and address the urgent challenges of our times.

Class of 70F Lunch

Noon-1 p.m.
Linda Mollison Pavilion, Merrill-Dakin Quad

Grab lunch from one of the great food trucks parked in the Franklin Patterson Hall parking lot and bring it to the Linda Mollison Pavilion to eat with your classmates! Faculty and staff from that time are also encouraged to attend. Hosted by Luis Hernandez 70F.

R.W. Kern Center puzzles tour

12:30-1:30 p.m.
R.W. Kern Center

Join R.W. Kern Center Director of Educational Program and Outreach Sara Draper for a guided tour of the 10 hidden puzzles embedded throughout the building.

Lunch food trucks

11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Franklin Patterson Hall parking area
(not included in registration fee)

Lunch

11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Dining Commons
(not included in registration fee: $10 per person)

Visiting the Cultural Center’s past while looking toward the future

Noon–1:30 p.m.
Lebrón-Wiggins Pran Cultural Center

Past and current students of the Lebrón Wiggins-Pran Cultural Center are invited to join us for lunch and “StoryTime.” Share your stories to help capture some moments in time and create a timeline of our history while reimagining with current students what kind of uplifting space the Cultural Center can be in the future.

This event is co-sponsored by the Lebrón-Wiggins Pran Cultural Center and Alumni & Family Relations.

Space is limited. Please RSVP by checking the box on the registration page for yourself and each guest who will accompany you.

Dessert food trucks

1–4 p.m.
Library lawn sidewalks, near the yurt
(not included in registration fee)

Hitchcock Center Open House

1–4 p.m.
Hitchcock Center for the Environment

The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is our newest Cultural Village partner and hosts the other living building on our campus. The Center helps develop a community that understands connections among human health, ecosystems and economies through educational programs that offer a particular focus on children, who live in a world of environmental challenges. Stop by to view their building, traipse around their grounds, and learn about the great work they do.

Founders reception

1:30–2:30 p.m.
Leo Model Gallery, Jerome Liebling Center for Film, Photography, and Video

Celebrate Hampshire’s roots, and raise a cheer for our founders. All are invited to connect with friends from the founding classes 70F–75F, former faculty and staff, and more. Enjoy the photography exhibition that includes founding faculty member Elaine Mayes’ portraits of students in the early ’70s. Taking place concurrently with the Gathering of Faculty and Staff so attendees can easily go back and forth between the two paired events. Light refreshments will be served.

Gathering of former faculty and staff

1:30–2:30 p.m.
Under the Charles and Polly Longsworth Arts Village and Solar Canopy

Join Penina Glazer, Ken Rosenthal, Adele Simmons and many others in celebration of faculty and staff from the past 50 years. Taking place concurrently with the Founders Reception so attendees can easily go back and forth between the two paired events. Light refreshments will be served.

Farm Tour

2–3 p.m.
Farm Center

Join Associate Professor of Physiology Cynthia Gill and Division II student Blythe Wilde down on the farm! Meet the animals, learn about their various breeds, and traipse through the fields and pastures. If the group is more interested in crops, Cindy and Blythe can talk about those, too. The tour will begin at Thorpe House. Farm-friendly footwear is encouraged.

Healthcare Providers Gathering

2–3 p.m.
Linda Mollison Pavilion, Merrill-Dakin Quad

Join us to share and reflect on experiences of providing healthcare.

Infinity: 51– ∞ years of Hampshire video

2–4 p.m.
Lounge 17, Cole Science Center lawn

Come share in Hampshire’s vibrant video community! This event takes a birds-eye view of video at Hampshire College, as we reflect on our past and go boldly into the future. We’ll chronicle the history of video here, trade stories/experiences of video at Hampshire and beyond, and bridge connections among alumni and students. Enjoy a live streamed presentation from some special guests: Hampshire video alums, including original Infinites from the ‘70s. Alumni, students, and all other community members are invited, with a special welcome to those of historically excluded identities.

HampFair

2:30–4 p.m.
Under the Charles and Polly Longsworth Arts Village and Solar Canopy

Alums, faculty, staff, and students will share projects and sell crafts, books, artwork, albums, and more.

Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art open house

Afternoon: Time TBD

Bridge Café open hours

4–10:30 p.m.
Second floor of the Robert Crown Center

The Bridge’s name is taken from the bridge that connects Johnson Library’s Airport Lounge and the Robert Crown Center. Offerings include á la carte items, a coffee bar, custom prepared meals, and grab-and-go selections.

Pickup Ultimate Frisbee Hosted by Casey Krone 97F

3–5 p.m.
Upper frisbee field (in case of rain, we’ll use the lower field)

Two levels of pick-up games (one just for fun, one more competitive) will be offered to allow all abilities to play.

Writers Gathering

3:30-5 p.m.
Linda Mollison Pavilion, Merrill-Dakin Quad

Calling all writers! Whether you are just starting out, wishing you had more time to write, venturing into publishing for the first time, or feeling like a veteran in the field, come meet and connect with fellow alum and student writers. Ask questions, give and get support, find community, and discover the work of Hampshire writers you never knew existed. Writers of all genres and experience levels, and anyone who is just curious about what Hampshire writers have been up to, are welcome.  This gathering will be facilitated by members of the newly formed Hampshire Writer’s Advisory Council.

Community-wide alum bell-ringing and group photo

5–6 p.m.
Harold F. Johnson Library

State of the College address by Ed Wingenbach

6–6:30 p.m.
Under the tent

Community-wide farm-to-table dinner

6:30 p.m.
Under the tent

Meal price included with all registration packages. Cash bar. Unregistered community members may use a OneCard swipe.

Twilight swim

7:30–9 p.m.
Robert Crown Center

Climbing wall open

7:30–9 p.m.
Robert Crown Center

Microbrew tasting

7:30–9 p.m.
Under the Charles and Polly Longsworth Arts Village and Solar Canopy

Sample microbrews from Progression Brewing and chat with their knowledgeable staff.  This Northampton microbrewery is dedicated to quality, community, and humankind. Come have a beer with us! When the beer tasting ends, we will transition to a cash bar.

DJ dance party

Evening
Under the Charles and Polly Longsworth Arts Village and Solar Canopy
Cash bar.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17

Hike led by Karen Warren

9–10:30 a.m.
Starting at the MultiSport Center

Come out and join retired Outdoor Program Instructor Karen Warren for a beautiful fall hike near campus. Depending on numbers, we’ll either hike directly from the MultiSport Center or provide transportation a short distance away. You should be able to hike on easy to moderate, uneven dirt trails. Please bring a water bottle, extra top layer of clothing, and snack. We’ll depart shortly after 9 a.m., so please be on time.

Brunch

10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Under the tent
(not included in registration fee – $10 pp)

Memorial Service

11 a.m.–noon
Music and Dance Building Recital Hall

As we gather to celebrate Hampshire’s 50th anniversary, we also wish to create space to reflect with gratitude on those who provided guidance and help along the way, and meditate on change and remembrance.

Led by Ven. Zeffa Kinney P17 P13, Buddhist clergy and Taoist arts teacher, and Rev. Liza Neil 91F, former spiritual life director, please join us in paying respects to the Hampshire community members who are now gone and how they shaped and changed our perspectives.

Shared stories and readings will be combined with walking, sitting, and standing meditation.

This is an interfaith and outside-faith gathering. All are encouraged to participate and share in ways that are meaningful to them.