MESSAGE From The President
Greetings to my fellow Hampton Alumni:
May 11, 2025
It is with great pride and heartfelt appreciation that I welcome you back to our beloved “Home by the Sea” for Hampton University’s 155th Commencement and the 109th Annual Reunion Weekend of the National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc. This momentous occasion is not only a celebration of our newest graduates but also a tribute to the generations of Hamptonians whose enduring dedication continues to shape the legacy of our institution.
Our alumni are the heartbeat of Hampton University. Your commitment, leadership, and generosity have played an integral role in elevating the student experience and ensuring that our tradition of excellence endures. Whether through mentorship, philanthropy, or advocacy, your contributions empower the next generation of Hamptonians to dream boldly, achieve greatly, and give back selflessly-just as you have.
As we gather to honor this year’s graduates and reconnect with fellow alumni, let us also reaffirm our collective commitment to Hampton’s mission. Your unwavering support is instrumental in advancing our university’s future, strengthening our academic programs and providing opportunities that allow our students to thrive.
I look forward to celebrating with you and reflecting on all that we have achieved together. Thank you for your continued devotion to Hampton University. May this Reunion Weekend be filled with joy, camaraderie, and an even deeper connection to the place we all call our “Home by the Sea.”
Sincerely,
Darrell K. Williams Lieutenant General (USA Retired) 13th President of Hampton University
GREETINGS Fellow Hamptonians!
It’s with great pleasure and excitement that I extend a warm welcome back to you as we gear up for Reunion Weekend on May 9-11, 2025! Your alma mater eagerly anticipates your return, ready to embrace the nostalgia, reconnect, and create new memories together. I would also like to send special greetings to the members of our Emeritus Class and special salute to the members of the Golden Class of 1975 on commemorating your 50th Anniversary milestone with us.
Reunion Weekend promises to be a vibrant tapestry of events, designed to reignite old friendships, foster new connections, and celebrate the shared experiences that bind us as members of the Hampton Family. Beyond the festivities, this weekend serves as a testament to the enduring bond we share as alumni. It’s a chance to celebrate our collective achievements, to recognize the diverse paths we’ve taken since graduation, and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting our institution financially. So, this Reunion I ask that you express your unwavering support of Hampton by bestowing some of ‘your treasure’ back to the University, as well challenge your classmates to do the same. It is through the continued financial support of our alumni that Hampton University continues to provide our scholars with the ‘#1 Student Experience in America.’
Whether you’re returning to campus after months or years away, know that you are an integral part of our alumni family, and your presence and financial support adds immeasurable value to our future. Your stories, your successes, and even your challenges continue to inspire current students and shape the legacy of our alma mater. I encourage you to seize this opportunity to reconnect with old friends, forge new connections, and rediscover the spirit of camaraderie that defines our community.
On behalf of the staff of Alumni Affairs and Family Engagement, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support and dedication to our alma mater. The presence and donations of our reunion classes ending in 0 and 5 this weekend will undoubtedly make it all the more memorable for future Hamptonians to come, and I eagerly anticipate the joyous reunion that awaits us.
In the Hampton Spirit,
Matthew A. White ‘07
Assistant Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Family Engagement, Hampton University
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025
Self- Guided Museum Tour |12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
On display: John Biggers: Dance of Creation and Sankofa: Constructing Modern African Art
Dr. John T. Biggers went on to become one of most influential American art educators in the 20th century. John Biggers: Dance of Creation (April 2025) will explore the work and influence of Dr. Biggers from his time as a student at Hampton Institute (now, Hampton University) to him being a fully-fledged educator and nationally recognized artist.
Sankofa: Constructing Modern African Art features more than 40 artworks by 30 artists from 11 countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the United States. This exhibition captures how Modern African artists utilized the past (traditional values and cultural heritage of the pre-colonial era) to construct their versions of Modern African art
Campus Tour |10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Come home and see the great things that are happening at Hampton! Our campus is growing with the addition of new buildings and facilities. You have an opportunity to view the sprawling 314 picturesque acres and observe first-hand the many improvements since your last reunion. You may board the tour bus at the Student Center. You are in for a treat!
REUNION Events:
Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute Tour
|12:00 pm
Tour the magnificent Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute during Reunion Weekend. At 98,000 square feet and a total of five treatment rooms, Hampton Proton is the only proton therapy treatment center in Virginia. Treatment is available for breast, lung, prostate, pediatric and other cancers. Hampton Proton is the first proton center in the nation to provide proton-specific medical career training at a variety of levels, radiation to MD/PhD, and an additional beam line is dedicated to proton therapy research.
On-Site Registration and Activities
Registration is a time to sign in at your class table and let us know you have returned to campus!
Check-in with Class Leaders | Purchase/Pick-up Event Tickets | Give Class Gift
Friday, May 9th
Reunion Welcome Kick-off 9:00 am – 4:00 pm @ Student Center Ballroom
Saturday, May 10th 9:00 am – 3:00 pm @ Cafeteria Waterfront
Class
Class
Giving to HAMPTON
The Alumni Campaign for Hampton:
Hampton continues to Elevate Hampton’s Excellence by launching its Strategic Plan and presenting an exciting outlook on Hampton’s key priorities as we move into the next iteration of the Hampton University we all know and love. As a part of this bold move, Hampton alumni have been asked to provide critical support for student scholarships. This campaign gives alumni the opportunity to help secure the legacy, one student at a time.
Your Reunion Class Gift:
As you celebrate your reunion year, giving a gift to your alma mater signifies your commitment to the sustainability of Hampton and strengthens your class legacy. The following information may help you decide how to support the University during this special anniversary year.
• All gifts, pledges, planned gifts and corporate matching gifts will count towards the Alumni Campaign for Hampton.
• Each class has an established giving goal for its reunion gift, both percent of participation and total dollars raised, and often sets out to achieve new University records.
• Unrestricted gifts are especially important because they provide immediate support for University priorities.
• Restricted gifts to interests, such as the Divine Nine Greek Plaza, will count toward your Reunion Class Gift.
• All gifts, pledges, planned gifts and corporate matching gifts received between July 1, 2024 and May 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. will be reported during the Class Gift presentation at the Reunion Dinner.
• All gifts, pledges, planned gifts and corporate matching gifts received between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 will be reported in your annual class giving totals for the full Reunion Year giving to Hampton.
CLASS OF 1975
Celebrating 50 YEARS
Congratulations, Class of 1975, for celebrating your Golden Anniversary as Hamptonians. Best wishes for a magical Class Reunion this May and extended celebration as you enter the Emeritus Class. Continue to let your lives do the singing as loyal sons and daughters of Hampton.
SIGNATURE Events
Saturday, May 10, 2025
10:00am – 12:00pm The President & First Lady’s Golden Class Brunch
In celebration of enduring Hampton connections, the President and First Lady cordially invites Hamptonians who graduated with the Class of 1975 to this very special event.
Share memories with Hampton’s most distinguished group of alumni — you. Help us welcome the Class of 1975 into the Golden Graduates community, and celebrate our 2025 Golden Graduate Distinguished
Alumnus, Toni Johnson-Conner ‘ 75. You’ll enjoy cocktails and a scrumptious buffet brunch. Receive remarks from the First Lady & President Williams, the President of the National Hampton Alumni Association and your Class Leaders.
6:00pm – 10:00pm Reunion Celebration Gala Sunday, May 11, 2025 6:00am – 8:00am
Pre-Commencement Breakfast (T) 7:00am – 7:45am Regalia Dressing at McGrew Towers 10:00am – 12:00pm Commencement Exercises
