Alumni Reunion
Reclaiming the Call to be the One Church
February 26-28, 2025
Featuring keynote lecture by alumnus, the Most Reverend Dr. Maake Masango ‘87
Maake Masango is emeritus Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is a retired Presbyterian Pastor, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa, and former member of the World Council of Churches
“It is a great honor to come back home to Columbia. I am really looking forward to being back in the institution that saved my life during apartheid, but more than that, helped me to love white folks in South Africa. I look forward to our time together exploring how we can reclaim our call to be the One Church.”
Please join us on campus for the 2025 Alumni Reunion
Registration: $135
New: limited scholarships available through the Nancy Kinzer Fund for Shalom
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Feb. 26th:
| 10:00- 2:00 pm | Spirituality sessions open including massage sessions in BLCE101 and Chaplain hours in CH 214 (advance registration required) |
| 12:30-1:30 | Lunch with Students in Refectory (Optional-Please RSVP) |
| 1:00-2:00 | Registration & Check-in, Harrington Center Library |
| 2:00-2:50 | Welcome & Opening Worship led by Dr. Christine Roy Yoder and Dr. Victor Aloyo, HC Chapel |
| 3:00-4:00 | Panel with Drs. Catherine & Justo Gonzalez and Dr. William Yoo: “Looking Back and Looking Ahead,” HC Chapel |
| 4:00-4:30 | Break (Self-Care Options Available)- Campbell Hall, Second Floor SPACE |
| 4:30-5:30 | Reception at Presidents’ Home with Columbia Faculty |
| 5:30-6:45 | BBQ Dinner catered by Front Porch BBQ and City BBQ, Ellis Room (PLEASE NOTE: dinner will include pork, chicken, vegan and vegetarian options) |
| 7:00-8:00 | Lecture 1 of 2 by Dr. Maake Masango, HC Chapel |
| 8:00 | Reception, HC Library |
Thursday, Feb. 27th:
| 8:00 | Continental Breakfast, Harrington Center Library |
| 8:45-8:55 | Morning Prayers, Paige McRight leading, HC Chapel |
| 9:00-9:55 | Workshops: A- Mark Douglas: “When Red and Blue Don’t Make Purple: Thinking About Dysfunctional Politics and the Church” Harrington 129 B- William Yoo: “The Uses and Misuses of History: How Churches Can Make a Real Difference for Racial Justice” Harrington Center Chapel or C- Anna Carter Florence: “Preaching the Verbs” Harrington 222 |
| 10:00- 1:00 pm | Self-care options open including (advance registration required): 10:00- 1:00 massage sessions, BLC E101 11:00-12:30 Chaplain hours, CH 214 |
| 10:10-10:50 | Lecture 2 of 2, Dr. Maake Masango, HC Chapel |
| 10:50-11:15 | Coffee Break, outside HC Chapel |
| 11:15-12:25 | Self-Care Options Available |
| 12:30-1:50 | Alumni Association Luncheon & Awards Ceremony, Refectory and Ellis Room |
| 2:00-3:00 | Break; Self-Care Options Available including Yoga – Campbell Hall, Second Floor SPACE (advance registration requested) |
| 2:00- 3:00 | Meet and Greet with Dr. Maake Masango- Alumni and Church Relations Suite, Richards Center |
| 3:00-4:00 | Virtual Alumni Panel: International Alumni “Every Tongue, Every Nation: Christianity in a Global Context.” BLC 102 |
| 4:15-5:15 | Workshops: D- International Students Panel: “The Lost History of Christianity.” Harrington 222 E- Brandon Brewer: “Caring Matters: Caring for the Caregivers Among Us” Harrington 219 or F- Communications: “Tips and Tricks for Social Media” Harrington 129 |
| 5:30-6:30 | Reception at Presidents’ Home |
| 6:30-8:30 | Dinner in Decatur with your Classmates – location decided by your class(es) |
Friday, Feb. 28
| 8:00-8:45 | Continental Breakfast Available, HC Library |
| 8:45-9:00 | Morning Prayers, Matt Conner leading, HC Chapel |
| 9:00-9:55 | Workshops: G- Israel Galindo: “”The Rules: A Short Course to effective systems functioning in the congregational setting” Harrington 222 or H- Nicole Symmonds: “”Wherever You Go, I Go: Migratory Ethics and Solidarity at Such a Time as This” Harrington 219 |
| 10:00- 2:00 | Self-Care options available: (advance registration required) 10:00- 2:00 massage sessions, BLC E101 11:00- 1:00 Chaplain hours, CH 214 |
| 10:10-11:00 | Closing Worship & Communion, led by Alumnus, Rev. Brandon Brewer, Campbell Hall Chapel |
| 12:30- 1:30 | Lunch with Students in the Refectory (Optional please RSVP) |
