UT Southwestern Alumni Reconnect at Alumni Reunion
Weekend celebration marks the group's first in-person gathering since the pandemic's start
More than 280 alumni returned to UT Southwestern Medical Center from April 7 to 9 to celebrate Alumni Reunion. Traveling from across the U.S., graduates and former trainees came together for a weekend spent reconnecting with colleagues, visiting with faculty mentors, and touring the Medical Center’s Dallas campus.
It was the first time alumni had gathered for the event since 2019. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alumni Reunion was held online in the fall of 2020, and rising cases in the fall of 2021 prompted university leadership to move the annual event to the spring in 2022.
Keeping with tradition, this year’s Alumni Reunion celebrated UT Southwestern’s platinum alumni, a special group who graduated more than 50 years ago. Platinum alumni were honored at a special lunch, and UT Southwestern’s Alumni Relations team presented custom lapel pins to alumni from the Class of 1969.
UT Southwestern platinum alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
First-year medical student, Dequan Weston, speaks during the lunch as part of a panel discussion on the student experience at UT Southwestern on April 7, 2022. The panel was moderated by Associate Dean for Student Affairs Melanie Sulistio, M.D. Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
Because this was the first in-person reunion in more than two years, UT Southwestern celebrated the 50th anniversary reunions for the classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972. Alumni from all three classes attended a special dinner honoring their milestone.
UT Southwestern alumni from the Class of 1970 Eddie Marak/UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern alumni from the Class of 1971 Eddie Marak/UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern alumni from the Class of 1972 Eddie Marak/UT Southwestern Medical Center
Residents of the Internal Medicine Class of 1997 made a special announcement during the weekend’s festivities. Together, the class has made total gifts of more than $55,000 to support the Daniel W. Foster, M.D. Lectureship in Internal Medicine. Dr. Foster, who died in 2018, was Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine for 16 years. Many from the Class of 1997 regarded Dr. Foster as an outstanding mentor. The Lectureship will help continue his legacy at UT Southwestern and provide the support needed to invite physicians to campus to speak and share their insights with future trainees.
UT Southwestern Internal Medicine residents from the Class of 1997 Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
Throughout the weekend, alumni enjoyed presentations by university leadership and faculty that highlighted institutional advancements in research and patient care. Tours of Parkland Memorial Hospital and the School of Health Professions Building were also available.
Director of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute William Dauer, M.D., speaks to alumni about innovative ultrasound therapies that are currently being used to treat brain diseases at UT Southwestern during a panel discussion with physicians and researchers from the Institute on April 8, 2022. Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
Myriad social events gave attendees opportunities to reminisce and share stories from the past, including a reception at one of Dallas’ newest breweries and a family barbecue lunch at Eugene McDermott Plaza.
Marquise Jones serenades UT Southwestern alumni with his saxophone during an Alumni Reunion reception at Community Beer Co. on April 8, 2022. Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern alumni listen to Dave Moeller, right, Community Beer Co.'s private events manager, as he leads a tour of the brewery's production facilities on April 8, 2022. Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern alumni gather for a barbecue lunch at UT Southwestern's Eugene McDermott Plaza on April 9, 2022. Sherri Lewis/UT Southwestern Medical Center
The 2023 Alumni Reunion is expected to again be held in the spring. Organizers plan to announce dates in the fall of 2022.