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Homecoming & Reunion Weekend
September 20-21, 2024
REGISTER HERE
Shady Side Academy is eager to welcome you back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.
CELEBRATION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF COEDUCATION
This event promises to be a remarkable opportunity for alumni to reconnect with the Academy and with each other, celebrating shared histories and creating new memories. Reunion classes ending in 4s and 9s will be honored, while the Class of 1974 will be commemorating its 50th Reunion and the Class of 1999 its 25th Reunion.
Be sure to check your email and our website for additional details regarding the 2024 schedule of events. If you have any questions, or if you are interested in helping with your class reunion, please contact Betty Herrington at 412-968-3011 or bherrington@shadysideacademy.org.
Shady Side Academy can’t wait to welcome you home again!
REUNION CLASSES
1944 • 1949 • 1954 • 1959 • 1964 • 1969 • 1974 • 1979 • 1984
1989 • 1994 • 1999 • 2004 • 2009 • 2014 • 2019
JOIN THE REUNION GIVING EFFORT!
In honor of your reunion, please consider making a gift to the Blue & Gold Fund.
- Friday Events
- Saturday Events
- Athletic Contests
- Coeducation Host Committee
- Alumni Awards
- Accommodations
Friday Events
WELCOME HOME
Friday, September 20 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Alumni Center, Bayard House
Stop by the Alumni Center when you arrive on campus to meet up with classmates, glance at old yearbooks, and enjoy light refreshments.
Senior School Community Assembly
Friday, September 20 • 2:15 – 3 p.m.
Richard E. Rauh Theater, Hillman Center for Performing Arts
Join Senior School students for a special retrospective assembly featuring alumnae from across the decades to help celebrate the journey and milestones of coeducation.
Campus Walking Tour
Friday, September 20 • 3:30 p.m.
Mary Hillman Jennings Plaza, Hillman Center for Performing Arts
Take a campus tour with a student ambassador and glimpse what it's like to be a Shady Side student in 2024.
Girls in Action
Friday, September 20 • 4:30 p.m.
McKelvy Field, Michael J. Farrell Stadium
Join us for a family-friendly tailgate before the start of the Girls Field Hockey game at 5:00 p.m.
Movin' Through the Decades: Celebrating 50 Years of Coeducation
Friday, September 20 • 6-9 p.m.
Class of 1966 Memorial Hall Library, Senior School Campus
All members of the Shady Side community are invited to join the Shady Ladies for a historic celebration of 50 years of coeducation at the Senior School. Mark this milestone as we reflect on our past and move into the future.
Attire: Casual, with a decades theme.
Saturday Events
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday, September 21 • 9:00 a.m.
J. Keefe Ellis '74 Commons, McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation
Join us to remember and honor SSA alumni who have passed away during the last year.
This list is inclusive of September 21, 2023 to August 21, 2024.
George R. McCullough ’47
John Lee O'Nan II ’49
Kenneth Barnard ’50
William Fulton Hill II ’51
F. Carl Reinhardt ’55
Dr. Gerald B. Brandt ’56
Henry J. Wallace Jr. ’61
Paul B. Woodruff ’61
Dr. Wade B. Stoughton ’63
Samuel Reed Succop ’67
Michael B. Weissman ’69
Rev. Thomas E. Johnson Jr. ’73
Janet (Hardie) Harvey ’76
Nathan Robert Diehl ’95
Girls in Action
Saturday, September 21 • 9:30 a.m.
Howson Family Terrace, Gene Deal Fields
Join us for a family-friendly tailgate before the start of the Girls Soccer game at 10:00 a.m. and stay to cheer on the Boys Soccer game at 12:00 p.m.
Al Stewart '53 Memorial Shady Stride
Saturday, September 21 • 10:30 a.m.
Gene Deal Fields Archway
Participate in this fun run/walk held on the new William "Mac" McConnel Cross Country Course.
Campus Walking Tours
Saturday, September 21 • 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Rowe Hall Flagpole
Take a campus tour with a student ambassador and glimpse what it's like to be a Shady Side student in 2024.
Homecoming Carnival and Blue & Gold Community Tailgate
Saturday, September 21 • 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Outside of Curry and Mellon Gymnasiums
Bring the entire family for an afternoon of fun, family-friendly activities and choose from a variety of food trucks for lunch with friends.
Honor Guard Press Box
Saturday, September 21 • 1:30 p.m.
F. Walter Jones Press Box, Michael J. Farrell Stadium
Reunion Classes from 1949 through 1974 are invited to watch the Football Game from the upstairs Press Box in the Michael J. Farrell Stadium.
Football Game
Saturday, September 21 • 2:00 p.m.
McKelvy Field, Michael J. Farrell Stadium
Cheer on the Shady Side Bulldogs as they take on the Apollo-Ridge Vikings!
Captains' Ceremony
Saturday, September 21 • Halftime of the Football Game
McKelvy Field, Michael J. Farrell Stadium
Athletic team captains from reunion classes will be honored on the field at halftime of the football game. Line up with your class under the scoreboard at the start of the second quarter.
50th Reunion President's Reception
Saturday, September 21 • 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Rohr Family Mezzanine, Class of 1966 Memorial Hall Library
President Bart Griffith ’93 invites members of the Class of 1974 and their guests for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to celebrate and recognize the 50th reunion class.
A class photo will be taken in front of the Benedum Student Center at 6:30 p.m.
Dress is business casual.
Reunion Celebrations: 1949-2019
Saturday, September 21 • 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Enjoy drinks and dinner with classmates and fellow alumni in various locations on the Senior School Campus. Class reunion photos will be taken. Dress is business casual.
CLASSES OF 1949-1969 • Class of 1966 Memorial Hall Library
CLASS OF 1974 (50th Reunion) • J. Keefe Ellis ’74 Commons, McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation
CLASSES OF 1979-1994 • McCune Dining Hall
CLASS OF 1999 (25th Reunion) • Benedum Visual Arts Center
CLASSES OF 2004-2019 • Mary Hillman Jennings Plaza, Hillman Center for Performing Arts
Athletic Contests
Athletic Schedule
Friday, September 20
- 5:00 p.m. • Girls Field Hockey vs. Ellis School
Michael J. Farrell Stadium
Saturday, September 21
- 10:00 a.m. • Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Ellis School
Gene Deal Fields - 12:00 p.m. • Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Sewickley Academy
Gene Deal Fields - 2:00 p.m. • Boys Varsity Football vs. Apollo-Ridge
Michael J. Farrell Stadium
*Game times and locations are subject to change. Please check back closer to September.
Coeducation Host Committee
Stacy Anderson ’76
Lyndsey Billings ’06
Molly (Davis) Braver ’94
Tina Chinakarn ’92
Angela (DiGioia) DeVanney ’02
Mandi (DeLuca) DeVito ’04
Mary Jo Dively
Kathryn Egan ’05
Betsy (Thomas) Gorse
Jennifer (Daily) Gress ’93
Kelly Grote ’09
Beth (Maher) Grover ’01
Claire (Lobes) Hosteny ’95
Christiana Jueng ’13
Vicki (Jendral) Keogh ’97
Mara (Leff) Koperwas ’07
Mary Krauland
Lauren (Pinsker) Kushner ’96
Michele Lieber ’86
Lacey (Cass) Lupetin ’97
Renee (Balog) Makaroun ’01
Whitney Menarcheck ’06
Katie (Hoopes) Mihm ’83
Anne Miller ’77
Amy Nixon
Lauren (Donaldson) Ramakrishna ’02
Julie (Wolff) Rost ’89
Amber Shergill ’14
Carli Siger ’03
Sarah (Perkins) Stallings ’90
Becky Tisherman ’09
Betsy Watkins
Susie Wean
Tia (Grzymkowski) Whinery ’94
Sue Willis ’78
Jen Yates ’02
Alumni Awards
Paul R. Pigman '52 Prize
A prize, established by the family and friends of Paul R. Pigman '52, is given in his memory to a young alumnus/a (graduated within the last 10 years) whose activities in his/her daily life or profession exemplify strong character and good citizenship. A plaque is awarded to honor that young alumnus/a who, by words and service, calls to mind and demonstrates to all of us the importance of contributing to the world around him/her and doing what is right.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Maddie Taylor ‘14 & Claire Taylor '21 |
| 2021 | Gab Harchelroad '15 |
| 2020 | Natalie K. Domeisen ‘11 and Adam F. Petraglia ‘11 |
| 2019 | Rebkah Tesfamariam '14 |
| 2018 | Alison W. Mears ’09 |
| 2017 | Mara Leff '07 |
| 2016 | Rachel Tobin '11 |
| 2015 | John S. Dingess ‘05 |
| 2014 | Becky Tisherman '09 |
| 2013 | Maj. Benjamin Follansbee '99 |
| 2012 | Angela DiGioia '02 |
| 2011 | Leah Briston '06 |
| 2010 | Rachel C. Wilson '00 |
| 2009 | Sloane V. Berrent '97 |
| 2008 | Andrew B. Bowman '98 |
| 2007 | Charity C. Glass '01 |
| 2006 | Dawn L. Teele '01 |
| 2005 | David M. Chottiner '98 |
| 2004 | Jason A. Lando '95 |
| 2003 | Candace M. Otto '98 |
| 2002 | Joyce R. Macek '94 |
| 2001 | David R. (Bobby) Weill IV '95 |
| 1999 | Christopher G. Ward '96 |
| 1998 | Arthur S. Gilkes '93 |
| 1997 | J. Mi Lee '90 |
| 1996 | Marcel Bilbao '86 |
Robert E. Walker Award
Robert E. Walker Award is given annually to an alumnus/a whose sustained commitment to Shady Side Academy is consistent with the vision of Mr. Robert E. Walker. Mr. Walker was a revered leader of the Academy’s Alumni Office during the 1960s and early 1970s. He was so respected for his work cultivating relationships between SSA and its alumni that in 1969 the Alumni Council created this alumnus of the year award in his name.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Kerry Hannon '78 |
| 2022 | Dr. Leon Haley Jr. ‘82 |
| 2021 | Jeff Varadi ‘66 |
| 2020 | Bruce Wiegand ‘65 |
| 2019 | Linda M. LaMagna ’83 |
| 2018 | Jeffrey A. McDaniel ‘88 Robert S. Mullin ’93 |
| 2017 | J. Keefe Ellis '74 |
| 2016 | Jon Kamin '91 |
| 2015 | Louis B. Plung ‘80 |
| 2014 | Mike Hannon '74 |
| 2013 | Barbara Pippin Thai '83 |
| 2012 | Kara Conomikes '87 |
| 2011 | Sandra Sauereisen '84 |
| 2010 | Jeffrey B. Todd '85 |
| 2009 | Fred H. Parkin '59 John M. Duff Jr. '59 |
| 2008 | Stephen F. Halpern '74 |
| 2007 | Karen (Berman) Ross '83 |
| 2006 | George L. Stewart II '81 |
| 2005 | Tracy (Prizant) Levy '84 |
| 2004 | W. Thomas McGough Jr. '71 |
| 2003 | George M. Egan '78 |
| 2002 | J. Stephen Lee '77 |
| 2001 | Michael P. Casey '70 |
| 2000 | Stephen H. McKnight '70 |
| 1999 | A. Barry Leonard '54 |
| 1998 | Robert C. McCarthy Jr., '71 |
| 1997 | S. Murray Rust Jr., '30 |
| 1996 | William C. Bickel '35 James W. Hamilton Jr. '35 |
| 1995 | Richard Follansbee '38 |
| 1994 | Andrew W. Mathieson '46 |
| 1993 | Tron McConnell '71 |
| 1992 | Karl F. Krieger '49 |
| 1991 | John R. Kramer '57 |
| 1990 | Paul G. Benedum Jr. '50 |
| 1989 | John E. Brownell Jr. '50 |
| 1988 | Henry Posner Jr. '37 |
| 1987 | G. Nicholas Beckwith III '63 |
| 1986 | William P. Getty '63 |
| 1985 | William Alvah Stewart III '53 |
| 1984 | Paul R. Jenkins '50 |
| 1983 | Thomas Todd '60 |
| 1982 | John H. Demmler '50 |
| 1981 | William E. Bates '60 |
| 1980 | Cleveland D. Rea '31 |
| 1979 | John P. Davis Jr. '42 |
| 1978 | Stanley L. Hahn '35 |
| 1977 | Robert A. McLaughlin '34 |
| 1976 | Edwin F. Scheetz Jr. '50 |
| 1975 | John C. Feguson Jr. '50 |
| 1974 | Edward E. Reick '46 |
| 1973 | Stewart H. Steffey '37 |
| 1972 | Edgar G. Tchirkow '27 |
| 1971 | John B. McClay II '50 |
| 1970 | Biddle A. Whigham '43 |
| 1969 | Edward A. Irwin '50 |
Accommodations
Accomodations Suggestions
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
1247 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-288-4350
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh/Harmarville
2805 Freeport Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
412-423-1100