Alumni Ambassador Greg Asimakoupoulos recaps the recent campus reunion of the Class of 1975.
Seattle Pacific University’s June Commencement weekend was the perfect time to welcome the Class of 1975 back to campus for their 50-year reunion. And thanks to five months of planning and regular Zoom meetings, the reunion committee helped bring together more than 80 alumni and spouses for a two-day celebration — one of the largest 50-year gatherings in recent memory.
The day began with the time-honored Ivy Cutting in Tiffany Loop, where the Class of 1975 watched President Deana Porterfield address the Class of 2025. The graduating seniors in caps and gowns stood holding a rope of ivy, surrounded by family, friends, fellow students, faculty, and staff. Each graduate then received a sprig of ivy, signifying both their tie to SPU and the independence that comes with graduation.
The event called to mind a similar experience in which the gathered 1975 alumni had received their own piece of ivy from President David McKenna half a century earlier.
Following a class photo on the steps of Peterson Hall, the group met in the Student Union Building for lunch, which included a personal greeting from President Porterfield and a chance to ask questions.
A highlight of the day was a screening of Last Lap, a 2024 documentary about Doris Brown Heritage ‘64, SPU’s legendary two-time Olympian, five-time world champion, and longtime Falcon coach. Heritage was in attendance and provided personal comments prior to the film being shown.
For those alums who had not returned to the University in recent years, a tour of the campus was facilitated by Katie Simonson, development officer with University Advancement, who’d also served as staff liaison with the planning committee.
The main event of Friday’s schedule was a dinner and program in Upper Gwinn. Emcee Joe Losacco ’75 welcomed special guests who included beloved faculty and staff invited by the reunion committee. They included Cliff McCrath, former dean of students and Falcon soccer coach; Lee Gerig, former director of admissions; and emeriti professors Frank Spina (Old Testament); Bill Woodward, (history) and Robert Hughson, (physics).
Following dinner, a time of worship was led by Class of 1975 alumni Bob Sloat, Dave Tindall, and Norm Johnson. It was a reprisal of sorts for these three musicians. As undergrads, they had performed in churches around the Seattle area as a gospel team under the name, “Barnabas.” Karen Kenealy Beagle followed Barnabas, leading in a trivia contest recalling people and places on campus as well as movies and music from the 1970s.
The evening program also included a video greeting from former Seattle Pacific President David McKenna, now 96 years old, and a musical interlude by classmate Randy McMillan, who inspired the crowd with his memorable rendition of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” A panel of five members of the Class of 1975 shared lessons they learned at SPU that prepared them for their various occupations in law, education, overseas missionary service, street ministry, and business.
Closing out the night, Nancy Hill Hoffman (senior class president for the Class of 1975) gave the same benediction she had offered at the baccalaureate service 50 years earlier.
Saturday presented another opportunity for continued conversation and sharing of memories at Covenant Living (a faith-based retirement community on Mercer Island) over lunch. The smaller setting allowed for personal updates of where life had taken each since graduation.
The reunion committee included Bob Sloat (1974-75 student body president), Rick Reynolds, Joseph Losacco, Craig Cottrill, Nancy Hill Hoffman, Dave Tindall, Karen and Dave Beagle, and Katie Simonson.
