Networking with successful alumni will highlight Iowa State’s first Black College Reunion, scheduled for Nov. 1-3.

Maisha Rudison, graduate in entomology, said the Black College Reunion was created for black alumni from 1985 through 2002.ÿ

“Many historically black colleges and universities across the United States hold an event similar to the Black College Reunion,” she said. “This is the first year for something like this at Iowa State. We expect it to be a success.”

Tinika Roland, coordinator of the event and 1992 graduate of Iowa State, said she took her idea to Minority Student Affairs and the university in 1998, but failed to receive financial support for the event at that time.

This year, the Black College Reunion has received full support from the Alumni Association. The association helped send invitations and located black alumni who will attend, Roland said.

Roland said the event will provide alumni and friends a chance to come back to campus. All black alumni were invited.

Jeff Johnson, president of the Alumni Association, is holding the opening reception for the reunion at his home.

Rudison said she is excited to network with ISU alumni who have gone on to be successful in their fields.

“Over 1,500 letters were sent out through the Alumni Association,” Rudison said. “We expect to have alumni from as early as the sixties and seventies attending.”

More than 400 people are expected to attend, Roland said.

Registration is $60 for alumni, $50 for graduate students and $45 for guests. The fee includes all of the weekend’s events and a memory book. Rudison said between 150 to 200 people have already reserved hotel rooms for the weekend.

Memory books will document the weekend for future reference, she said.

“The memory books will contain pictures and memories from when alumni were here. It will be kind of like a yearbook,” Rudison said.

The reunion coincides with this year’s Greekfest. La’Tifini McClinton, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and senior in community health education, said black alumni may attend Greekfest events as well.

The last day to register for the reunion is Friday. People may register online at www.isualum.org/connect/black-reunion/ or send in the response form enclosed with their personal invitation.