Alumni Weekend and Reunion
May 1-2, 2026
The Crown Family School is excited to welcome our alumni back this spring for Reunion 2026 to connect with old friends and colleagues, see what’s new on campus, and experience all the other Alumni Weekend festivities, including the Rhoda G. Sarnat Lecture, Alumni Awards, Reunion Celebration Dinner, networking events, and so much more.
We can't wait to see you back on campus this spring!
We look forward to seeing you for Alumni Weekend & Reunion!
Join us for the following insightful and inspiring events!
Events will be held at Edith Abbott Hall, 969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637, unless otherwise specified.
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026
3pm - 3:45pm and 4pm - 4:45pm: Crown Family School Open Faculty Lectures (all sessions will be hosted at both times)
- Crown Family School Faculty will present the latest findings of their research on topics such as housing, poverty alleviation, suicide and mental health, migration/immigration, and global social development in a classroom-style learning. Speakers and topics coming soon!
5:30pm – 8pm: Crown Family School Alumni Awards and Reunion Celebration Dinner
- Dean Deborah Gorman-Smith invites you to a ceremony honoring the recipients of the Edith Abbott, Social Impact, Milestone Achievement, Distinctive Innovation, and Volunteer Leadership awards. The awards celebration will lead directly into a festive dinner in celebration of our milestone graduating classes from 1976-2021, hosted by the Crown Family School Alumni Weekend Reunion Committee.
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
10:30am – 12pm: Rhoda G. Sarnat Lecture: Featuring Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC
- Gabriela (they/them) serves as the Associate Director of the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, as well as holds a halftime appointment with the University of Chicago, where they direct the Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Training Program within the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
12pm - 1:30pm: Crown Family School Lunch: Staying Connected
- Current and future Crown Family School alumni and their families are invited for a festive meal where alumni leadership will be available to share opportunities for remaining connected to the Crown Family School community post-graduation, highlighting our CASE mentorship program, upcoming regional engagement events, and ways to volunteer.
2pm – 3:15pm: The Adventure Ahead: Designing the Future of Knowledge
- Location: Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th Street
- Join President Paul Alivisatos, AB’81, for a conversation about how the University is advancing the mission of providing a transformative education, launching new fields, and creating knowledge that will propel the world into exciting new chapters of the human adventure.
3pm - 7pm: Adventure Awaits: A Celebration on the Quad
- Location: Main Quadrangle, 58th Street and University Avenue
- Gather on the quads to celebrate our entire University community with an evening of food, drink, entertainment, and more.
Room blocks for April 30 through and May 2, 2026, have been reserved at several hotels in Hyde Park and downtown Chicago. Please note the following:
- Reservations are first come, first served and subject to availability.
- Accommodation reservations and cancellations are the sole responsibility of the individual. Cancellations are subject to hotel policy.
- Quoted room rates do not include applicable state and local taxes or any fees.
- The University of Chicago Housing and Residence Life office and International House do not offer short-term housing accommodations.
HYDE PARK HOTELS
Hyatt Place Chicago–South / University Medical Center
5225 S. Harper Ave.
Reservations can be made online using this booking link or by calling 888.591.1234 and referring to the group “Alumni Weekend Courtesy Block 2026.”
Room rate: $284, this rate expires March 30, 2026.
Note: Should you wish to reserve nights online outside April 30 through and May 2, 2026, you must first book your reservation for these dates and then contact Teja Syers at teja.syers@hyatt.com with your confirmation number to add nights. Trying to include additional dates not listed above will result in an error message.
SOPHY Hyde Park
1411 E. 53rd St.
Reservations can be made online using this booking link or by calling 773.289.1003 and asking to speak with Group Sales.
Room rate: $305, this rate expires March 16, 2026.
The Study at University of Chicago
1227 E. 60th St.
Reservations can be made online using this booking link or by calling 773.643.1600 and referring to the group “UChicago Alumni Weekend Attendee.”
Room rate: $299, this rate expires March 31, 2026.
DOWNTOWN CHICAGO HOTELS
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
505 N. Michigan Ave.
Reservations can be made online using this booking link or by calling Central Reservations at 877.424.2449 and referring to the group “University of Chicago” and the event “UChicago Alumni Weekend 2026.”
Room rate: $319, this rate expires April 9, 2026.
Loews Chicago Hotel Downtown
455 N. Park Dr.
Reservations can be made online using this booking link or by calling the Loews Reservations Center at 877.868.8232 (toll free) and referring to the “UChicago Alumni Room Block 2026.” Any requests for special room arrangements must be made at the time of your call.
Room rate: starting at $279, this rate expires March 31, 2026.
Alumni Weekend attendees may ride UChicago Shuttle busses. Please show your Alumni Weekend badge to the driver.
Free parking is available to Alumni Weekend attendees at the following locations and times.
Campus North Garage (Ellis Ave. and 55th St.)
- After 2 p.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Friday
- After 4 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday
Kimbark South Garage (6021 S. Kimbark Ave.)
- After 2 p.m. on Thursday until 8 a.m. on Friday
- After 4 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday
Lexington Lot (5835 S. University Ave.)
- From 4 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Friday and all day Sunday
Wells Lot (6000 S. Drexel Ave.)
- After 4 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday
Reunion would not be possible without our phenomenal class volunteers.
Discover who's on your class reunion committee by clicking on your class year, and take this opportunity to join the team. Your participation can significantly impact the success of your class reunion, and you'll get the chance to connect with old friends while planning a memorable event.
- James William Ellor, james_ellor@baylor.edu
- Teresa L. Kilbane, tkilban@luc.edu
- Isabel McCarthy, isemcc@aol.com
- Lisa Shapiro, lisabethsh@gmail.com
- Kevin Blair, blairkd1@gmail.com
- Nancy Ann Carst, nancycarst@gmail.com
- Susan Knerr-Cain, scain@corplearning.com
- Peter Chapman, petermchapman@yahoo.com
- Joyce Donna Darling, jdar5323@gmail.com
- Ruth O'Brien, ruthobrien@yahoo.com
- Monico Eskridge, mowhitty2@aol.com
- Jennifer E. Meade Magruder, jemeade@uchicago.edu
- Tawakalitu Mitchell, drown.bike.run@gmail.com
- Joy Omslaer, joyomslaer@yahoo.com
- Tania Ann Rempert, rempert@msn.com
- Julissa Gutierrez, julissa.gutierrez@exec.ny.gov
- D. Michael Coy, dmcoy@dmcoy.com
- Logan Faye Zinman Gerber, loganzinman@gmail.com
- David Edmond Reid, dereid_1@gmail.com
- Amanda Wilson, a.d_wilson@yahoo.co.uk
- Alison Rose Wagner, alison.wagner1@gmail.com
- Andre Romand Johnson, johnsonandre733@gmail.com
- Carlos Robles, carlosrobles@uchicago.edu
- Jordan Alexandra Steiger, steigerjordan@gmail.com
Honor your class reunion with a gift to the Crown Family School. Your contribution supports the School’s efforts to expand scholarships and increase access, augment faculty research and funding, and strengthen community engagement to address the challenges of inequality and related social problems.