Carthage Reunion Tool Kit
WELCOME BACK, ALUMNI!
Fire up your 2025 reunion with this tool kit.
At Carthage, Homecoming and Family Weekend is the bedrock of the alumni experience. In 2025, we will celebrate every graduation cohort ending in the year 0 or 5. While the Office of Advancement will provide the foundational support for class reunions and affiliation groups to convene at Carthage during Homecoming Weekend, it is up to volunteers like you to generate excitement and participation for your group. It is fun and rewarding work! Be sure to reach out to Melanie Landro, volunteer coordinator for the Alumni Office, to sign up as a volunteer reunion leader, connect with other planning committees, and gain access to additional resources.
If you haven’t already, please make sure your contact information is up to date, so your reunion group leaders can connect with you!
Your reunion year should be full of excitement, reminiscence, renewed friendships, and new connections. We anticipate that each reunion group will want to be involved virtually on Red and Ready Giving Days and celebrate their Carthage pride at Homecoming and Family Weekend. The resources below will help you arrange each of these elements and more, as well as communicate with your fellow classmates using the suggested templates, graphics, and fun ideas to get people involved.
And remember, alumnioffice@bongobaystudios.com is only an email away — feel free to reach out with questions at any time.
Reunion Leaders Start Here:
Your broad-view reunion planning checklist.
February 2025 — Form your planning committee!
- Reach out to Melanie Landro, volunteer coordinator for the Alumni Office, to get started as the volunteer reunion leader for your group or join the planning committee.
- Familiarize yourself with the planning timeline (see below) and campus event policies.
- Get connected with a handful of classmates willing to help organize your reunion. Form sub committees as needed.
How we’ll help: The Alumni Office can assist with identifying and connecting class year leaders. We have created the planning timeline and communication templates below to help you get started.
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Homecoming and Family Weekend Reunion Planning Timeline
This timeline provides guidance for key tasks and deadlines for your reunion group to participate in Homecoming and Family Weekend. -
Carthage Reunion Communication Templates
Templates for use by reunion group leaders to connect via email, phone, text message and social media.
March 2025 — Recruitment and first communications.
- Set up social media spaces (like Facebook) where classmates can connect and share their updates. Start developing your guest list and search for “lost” classmates.
- Plan your Red and Ready Days virtual party. Visit the Red and Ready Giving Days website.
- Send your save the dates for Homecoming 2025!
How we’ll help: The Alumni Office can help you set up your Giving Days challenge and will provide helpful social media graphics to promote your challenge and virtual event.
Our party kit contains a variety of fun ideas and activity suggestions to help make your virtual party a success. Please reach out to Melanie Landro, volunteer coordinator, for this resource.
April 10-11, 2025 Red and Ready Giving Days!
May-June 2025 — Plan your homecoming events.
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Continue to follow the planning timeline to ensure a successful event.
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Homecoming and Family Weekend Reunion Planning Timeline
This timeline provides guidance for key tasks and deadlines for your reunion group to participate in Homecoming and Family Weekend.
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Homecoming and Family Weekend Reunion Planning Timeline
- Keep your classmates engaged and excited by encouraging them to find photos, memorabilia, or decor to bring along — our party kit has lots of suggestions — reach out to Melanie Landro for details.
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Plan an optional side gathering for homecoming weekend and encourage your classmates to book their travel early.
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Want to host something off campus? Check out local hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Kenosha. Use our general party planning checklist to make your event great!
General Party Planning Checklist
Use this planning template to organize your optional side-gatherings and off-campus events.
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Want to host something off campus? Check out local hotels, restaurants, and things to do in Kenosha. Use our general party planning checklist to make your event great!
- Continue promoting class year giving.
How we’ll help: The Alumni Office will provide all logistical coordination for on-campus Homecoming reunion events. We will communicate with class year leaders regarding Carthage-sponsored programming, food, timing, ticketing, and locations, and with all alumni about Carthage-sponsored Homecoming events. For optional side gatherings, we have compiled lists of suggested hotels and restaurants, as well as the general planning checklist, above.
July 2025 — Finalize your Homecoming and Family Weekend details.
- Send reminders and Homecoming registration links to your reunion group.
- Send your event details and any questions to alumnioffice@bongobaystudios.com.
How we’ll help: The Alumni Office will track class-year giving for recognition at Homecoming. We will provide additional communications promoting Homecoming to all alumni and can help troubleshoot any planning issues that arise.
August 2025 — Finalize your guest list.
- Be sure to send your final RSVP numbers to the Carthage College Alumni Office, alumnioffice@bongobaystudios.com.
- Be sure to review and follow campus event policies from your signature agreement.
September 26-28, 2025 — Homecoming and Family Weekend!
Enjoy your reunion at Carthage! Post your pics and share your feedback — and keep in touch for next year!
REUNION CLASS GIVING WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AT HOMECOMING.