The College of Pharmacy welcomed alumni back to the Forty Acres for Reunion Weekend, celebrating graduates from the Classes of 1976, 2001 and 2016. Held April 17-19 in Austin, Texas, the weekend brought together alumni marking 10-, 25- and 50-year milestones in a celebration centered on legacy, community and Texas Pharmacy pride.
In its second year, the Reunion Weekend program offered a full schedule of events designed to bring classmates back together, revisit campus memories and highlight the continued growth of the College of Pharmacy. From campus tours and unique Austin experiences to milestone gatherings, the weekend created opportunities for alumni across classes to share time on the Forty Acres.
The festivities kicked off with Welcome Receptions on Friday evening, where alumni and friends came together to catch up, share stories and ease into a weekend anchored in lifelong ties to Texas Pharmacy.
For many alumni, the weekend offered the chance to step back into familiar places, return to campus traditions and reflect on the experiences that continue to connect generations of Texas Pharmacy graduates. "Reunion weekend is meaningful for Texas Pharmacy alumni because it is an opportunity for them to reconnect, sometimes for the first time in 50 years," said Abby Moore, Development Specialist at the College of Pharmacy. "It's so special to see our alumni re-exploring the Forty Acres and fondly reminiscing on their time here at the college."
On Saturday morning, alumni gathered for breakfast before joining guided tours of the College of Pharmacy and surrounding campus, where many revisited familiar classrooms and saw firsthand how the college has evolved over the years.
"The tour of the pharmacy school, both old and new building, was so interesting," said Debbie Mack, Class of 1976. "It brought back a lot of very good memories from my time here." She added that engaging with current students was especially rewarding, noting the excitement of seeing "the new, young students and how energized and enthusiastic they are."
Others spent the afternoon aboard the Lone Star Riverboat on Lady Bird Lake, taking in the Austin skyline while catching up with classmates and friends along the water.
Throughout the weekend, alumni reflected on the lasting impact of their time at Texas Pharmacy and the importance of maintaining those relationships. "It was a great time to renew connections with friends from college," said Lea Eiland, 25-year alumni. "I also enjoyed seeing former professors and having the opportunity to visit with them."
"It is an opportunity to come together with other classes and pharmacists who are at different stages of their careers," said Jaque Borel, 50-year alumni.
The weekend culminated with the Reunion Celebration dinner at The Otis Hotel, whose modern Austin atmosphere provide a vibrant backdrop for alumni from all milestone classes to gather for an evening of recognition and celebration. A champagne toast marked one of the most memorable moments of the weekend, honoring the shared legacy of Texas Pharmacy graduates.
Guests were warmly welcomed by Class of 1976 Co-Chairs Marina Sifuentes and Dayne Foster. Dean Sam Poloyac also addressed the attendees during the evening and Class of 2001 Reunion Co-Chair Ernesto Garza-Gongora announced the creation of a scholarship honoring the memory of classmate Beau Briones, recognizing his legacy and the lasting bonds shared among classmates.
For those involved in planning the weekend, some of the most rewarding moments came from witnessing those reunions firsthand. "There's something incredibly special about being back on the Forty Acres, surrounded by people who all carry that same burnt orange pride," said Felicia Kasra DiLoreto, Class of 2016. "Seeing fellow Longhorn pharmacists reconnect so naturally was the most rewarding part."
One of the highlights of Reunion Weekend was the recognition of 50-year alumni, honoring graduates whose careers reflect decades of service, leadership and impact within the pharmacy profession. "Presenting the 50-year medals remains one of my favorite moments," said Travis Henry, Senior Alumni Relations Program Coordinator. "It's inspiring to see how honored the recipients feel in recognition of their decades of service since graduating."
As the weekend came to a close with a farewell brunch on Sunday morning, alumni shared final conversations and reflections before departing Austin.
"Reunion Weekend reminds our alumni of the significant role the college, the university and their faculty and classmates have played in their careers and their lives," said Sara Piety, Director of Development, Principal and Major Gifts. "They are often inspired to give back and invest in the college to support its continued excellence."
Reunion Weekend once again underscored a central theme of Texas Pharmacy: while time moves forward, the relationships built on the Forty Acres continue to bring graduates back together. Across generations, alumni returned not only to celebrate milestone years, but to reaffirm a shared legacy of education, service and community.
