The Alumni Association of the University of Colorado at Boulder will host the golden anniversary reunion of 1950 graduates May 11-13, during the university's May commencement weekend.
On Friday, May 12, about 125 members of the class of 1950, dressed in academic regalia, will lead the procession that initiates the university's 2000 commencement ceremony, upholding a longtime CU-Boulder tradition. Like the class before them, the 1950 graduates were a mix of young kids fresh out of high school and returning World War II vets on the G.I. Bill.
Many of the veterans lived in Vetsville and were married to wives who worked and earned PHT (Putting Hubby Through) degrees. Class of 1950 Outstanding Senior Woman Judy Stearns Caughey, daughter of then-president Robert Stearns, and Canebearer David Kendell Hills, will carry the class banner and lead the procession into the stadium.
The 1950 graduating class of 2,100 students was the largest up to that point in CU's history. Due to the number of graduates, the ceremony did not include a commencement speaker. Following CU tradition, the commencement of '50 included recognition of the class of 1900, which had a total of 48 graduates.
Astronaut Scott Carpenter (Aero'62) is the keynote speaker at the reunion dinner. Following this year's commencement ceremony, CU Board of Regents Chair Dr. Peter Steinhauer (A&S'58) will address the Golden Anniversary Reunion attendees at a noon luncheon at the Regal Harvest House.
Other 50-year reunion highlights include receptions and campus tours. Also on the schedule are a variety of seminar topics including CU's involvement in the space program, the life of Big Band era musician Glenn Miller (A&S ex'26, HonDocHum'84), the life of CU's first female faculty member Mary Rippon by Silvia Pettem (A&S'69), and a presentation on the architectural style of CU-Boulder by campus architect Bill Deno (Arch'72, MS'73).
To mark their reunion, the class of 1950 is giving a special gift to CU. Designated funds raised by the class members will be used to create a plaza with a stone wall and seating between the Macky and McKenna buildings, an area expected to grow in traffic with the School of Journalism and Mass Communications move to the Armory this summer.
For more information, visit or contact Linda Wolvington by phone at (303) 492-8485, or by email at wolvington_l@cufund.colorado.edu.