50 Year Club

Al Reed created the idea for the Club during the class of 60 reunion planning.  The other members of the planning committee composed of Phyllis Faber Kelly, John Mensore, Carolyn Cannon, Sandy Piper Sonneborn, and Ed Shahady enthusiastically endorsed the idea. Al Reed provided the structure for the first diploma ceremony that was conducted in June of 2010 during the 50 year reunion of the class of 60.  

The Club is an adjunct organization of the Alumni Council. Its functions include honoring the 50 year graduates, conducting an annual lecture during the 50 year reunion, creating and assisting with the senior ambassador program,  the Alumni Scholar in Residence program, assisting 50 year classes with planning their reunion and encouraging a class gift from each graduating class.  

The Club conducts a yearly ceremony at the time of the reunion to honor the 50 year graduates. The President of the University provides certificates to each member of the class. Explore the links to the left to read recent newsletters and see great memories of recent reunions. Members of the class who are unable to attend will receive a certificate by mail.

The 50 Year Club lecture provides an opportunity for alumni to hear from faculty and an alumni member about a topic of general interest. The 2011 topic was "what's new about educational programs at WJU" and "Jesuit values at WJU - are they still here?" The topic for 2012 was "Value of a liberal arts education - is it important." The 2013 topic was "WJU - Mission, Identity, and Service." The 2014 topic was "Catholic Social Thought."  

Being a senior ambassador is an honor and a responsibility. Ambassadors volunteer to aid the university with fundraising, enrollment, and student mentoring.  

The Alumni Scholar in Residence is a visiting professor program where an alumnus/a spends a week on campus teaching classes in his/her discipline. Several newsletters have been published. These newsletters contain some excellent stories from alumni about their time at WJU (Wheeling College). Some are serious and many contain some very humorous memories. Take a look at the newsletters to bring back many of these memories.  

Assisting the 50 year class with their reunion and planning of their class gift is available if desired by the reunion planning committee.