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Homecoming & Reunion Weekend
September 22-23, 2023
RegistER NOW
We invite you to join us for a Homecoming & Reunion weekend you won’t want to miss! Reunion classes ending in 3s and 8s are invited to celebrate with their classmates, but we encourage all alumni to attend the festivities. We can't wait to welcome you home!
To stay up to date on Homecoming 2023 events, please continue to check this page for details or changes. Updates will be sent via email, so be sure to provide the Alumni & Development Office with your current email address here.
If you have any questions, please contact Betty Herrington at 412-968-3011 or bherrington@shadysideacademy.org.
REUNION CLASSES
1943 • 1948 • 1953 • 1958 • 1963 • 1968 • 1973 • 1978 • 1983
1988 • 1993 • 1998 • 2003 • 2008 • 2013 • 2018
Friday Events
WELCOME HOME
Friday, Sept. 22 • 9 a.m.–3 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, Sept. 22 • 10 a.m.
Richard E. Rauh Theater, Hillman Center for Performing Arts
Join Senior School students for their weekly assembly featuring a panel of alumni from the Class of 1998, who will be celebrating their 25th reunion.
Class of 1966 Memorial Hall Library Ribbon Cutting
Friday, Sept. 22 • 6 p.m.
Memorial Hall, Senior School Campus
All members of the Shady Side community are invited to join President Bart Griffith ’93, the Class of 1966 and our generous donors, to celebrate the completion of this historic renovation.
Saturday Events
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 9 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.
Al Stewart '53 Memorial Shady Stride & William "Mac" McConnel Cross Country Course Ribbon Cutting
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 10:30 a.m.
Howson Family Terrace, Gene Deal Fields
Participate in this fun run/walk held on the new William "Mac" McConnel Cross Country Course! A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held prior to the start to honor Mac. Registration begins at 10 a.m.
Campus Walking Tours
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Rowe Hall Flagpole
Take a campus tour with a student ambassador and glimpse what it's like to be a SSA student in 2023.
Blue & Gold Community Tailgate
Saturday, Sept. 23 • Noon–3 p.m.
Outside of Mellon Gymnasium
Choose from a variety of food trucks for lunch with friends under the tailgate tent.
Homecoming Carnival
Saturday, Sept. 23 • Noon–3 p.m.
Outside of Curry Gymnasium
Bring the entire family for an afternoon of fun, family-friendly activities including a petting zoo, an airbrush tattoo artist, balloon artists, a live DJ, and inflatables!
Captains' Ceremony
Saturday, Sept. 23 • Halftime of the Football Game
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, Sept. 23 • 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Eastover
President Bart Griffith '93 invites members of the Class of 1973 and their guests to his home for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to celebrate and recognize the 50th reunion class.
*Attire is business casual.
Reunion Celebrations: 1948-1983
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 6:30-9:30 p.m.
McCune Dining Hall
Reunion classes from 1948-1983 are invited to enjoy drinks and dinner with classmates and fellow alumni. Class reunion photos will be taken.
*Attire is business casual.
Reunion Celebrations: 1988-2018
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Mary Hillman Jennings Plaza, Hillman Center for Performing Arts
Reunion classes from 1988-2018 are invited to enjoy drinks and dinner with classmates and fellow alumni. Class reunion photos will be taken.
*Attire is business casual.
Athletic Contests
Athletic Schedule
Friday, Sept. 22
- 4 p.m. • Girls and Boys Cross Country vs. Sewickley Academy
William "Mac" McConnel Cross Country Course - 4:15 p.m. • Girls Tennis vs. Woodland Hills
Kassling Tennis Courts - 5 p.m. • Girls Field Hockey vs. Winchester Thurston
Gene Deal Fields
Saturday, Sept. 23
- 10 a.m. • Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Sewickley Academy
Gene Deal Fields - 12 p.m. • Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Kiski Prep
Gene Deal Fields - 2:00 p.m. • Boys Varsity Football vs. South Allegheny
Michael J. Farrell Stadium
***Game times and locations are subject to change. Please check back closer to Homecoming Weekend.***
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 |
|---|---|
| 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
Hotel 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