Reunions 2025
Discussions & Discoveries

2025 Reunion Webinar  - just added!

Transforming Healthcare: Expert Insights and Future Innovations 

12:00pm ET

 Join us for a one-hour panel discussion featuring five industry experts and Tufts alumni to discuss the current landscape and future of technological transformation in healthcare: Marian Jennings, J70, Rich Ferrelli, A85, A24P, A25P, A27P, Victoria Labriola, J95, Brad Davidson, A90, and Mike Thomas, A80.  

  Together, Marian, Rich, Victoria, Brad, and Mike bring decades of experience from their unique perspectives working across the healthcare sector in academia, law and governance, consulting, and entrepreneurship. They will share key insights on the radical technological transformation in healthcare for patients and practitioners in recent decades and discuss how technology in all its forms will continue to revolutionize our interactions with this vital industry in the future. 

Click here for more info 

Friday, May 16th, 2025  
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10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Jumbo Generations: A Photographic History of Student Life at Tufts

Be sure to stop by East Hall while you’re on campus to see this first-of-its kind photo exhibit depicting student life at Tufts across the generations.  Divided into themes such as dorm life, students at work, students at play, sports, activism, and arts, the exhibit is the result of a collaboration between the Department of History, the Tufts Archival Research Center, and University Photography.

East Hall will be open from 10am – 5pm on the following days.  The exhibit is located on the first and ground floors.  Please enter East Hall at the main entrance facing the Academic Quad.

Some familiar faces from the History Department will be on hand during the following times to greet visitors and give a quick introduction to the exhibit.

Faculty on-site - Friday, May 16  1:00pm – 3:00pm            

*Alisha Rankin, Professor of History and Department chair 

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10:30 am - 11:30 am
"Listen Up! How music relates to health, the aging brain, and human evolution"

Presented by: Dr. Aniruddh Patel, A24P

Description: 
Interest in music and the mind stretches back to antiquity, but research on music and the brain is a young area, with remarkable growth in the new millennium. A growing focus of this work is finding ways to link basic science to clinical application in order to promote brain health in aging populations and in those with neurological disorders.  Another growing research area concerns the evolutionary foundations of human musicality.  This presentation will discuss both of these areas in order to give the audience a sense of modern research on music and the mind. 

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2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
"A Photo History of the Buildings of Tufts University from 1852 to Today"

Presented by: Dan Valentine, E93, EG95

Description: 
Join us for a 60-minute photo history of the Tufts campus to see how it’s evolved since its creation as a lonely Ballou Hall perched atop a grassy hill outside Boston. You’ll get to see images dating back to the 1800s, as well as learn about long-forgotten buildings and structures that have come and gone in the past 173 years. 

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3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Generations, Challenges, Sustainability, and Peace: The Costa Rican Story

Presented by: Carlos Alvarado Quesada

Description: 
Join us for an inspiring session with Carlos Alvarado Quesada, the 48th President of the Republic of Costa Rica, as he shares his insights on leadership and sustainability. 

During his presidency, Carlos Alvarado led Costa Rica to become a global leader in combating climate change and advocating for human rights, democracy, and multilateralism. His visionary leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2022 Planetary Leadership Award by the National Geographic Society and the Champion on the Earth Award by the United Nations Environment Program. 

Drawing from his experience as a former head of state and his academic background in small state diplomacy, President Alvarado will provide valuable perspectives on the intersection of leadership and sustainability. His talk will offer practical insights and inspire alumni to think critically about their roles in promoting sustainable practices in their own communities and professions. 

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Saturday, May 17th, 2025

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Re-envisioning History through Film: Highlights from the Half of the History Project

Presented by: Jennifer Burton, A24P and Julie Dobrow

Description: 
Join us for an engaging session on the Half the History Project, a groundbreaking, interdisciplinary digital humanities initiative that uses short-form biography, film, and podcast to tell the untold and under-told stories of women’s lives.

Despite women constituting half of the population, their histories are significantly underrepresented in both written and filmic records. This project aims to address this imbalance by creating a vibrant, interactive digital site featuring short films, biographies, and interviews that highlight the lives and contributions of women, particularly those from marginalized groups.

Professors Burton and Dobrow will talk about their new work to illuminate important stories that have been shadowed in U.S. historical records, showing clips from their recent films to illustrate how women’s stories can – and should – see new light.

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11:00 am - 12:00 pm
From Medford to Hollywood: Navigating the Entertainment Industry

Moderator: 
Neal Shapiro, A80, A23P, A26P: Award-winning producer and media executive

Panelists: 
Andrea Nelson Meigs, A90: Trailblazing, award-winning agent to the stars
Joshua Seftel, A90: Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Eric Tannenbaum, A85: Emmy-nominated television producer 

Description: 
Join us for an insightful one-hour panel discussion featuring four industry titans and Tufts alumni who have significantly influenced the entertainment landscape: Neal Shapiro, A80, Eric Tannenbaum, A85, Andrea Nelson Meigs, J90,  and Joshua Seftel, A90 and Eric Tannenbaum, A85.

Together, Neal, Andrea, and Joshua and Eric bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Their ability to navigate and shape the entertainment industry through strategic leadership, innovative content creation, and brand development makes this panel a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of entertainment. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from these visionary leaders as they discuss their journeys from Tufts to Hollywood, the challenges they've faced, and the evolving landscape of the industry.

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1:30 pm - 2:30 pm 
Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States 

Presented by: Dr. Oxana Shevel, A28P, Associate Professor, Political Science and Director of Tufts International Relations program 

Description: 
In February 2022, Russian missiles rained on Ukrainian cities, and tanks rolled towards Kyiv to end Ukrainian independent statehood. President Zelensky declined a Western evacuation offer and Ukrainians rallied to defend their country. What are the roots of this war, which has upended the international legal order and brought back the spectre of nuclear escalation? How did these supposedly “brotherly peoples” become each other’s worst nightmare? 

Professor Shevel will discuss her new book co-authored with Maria Popova, Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States, that explores how since 1991 Russia and Ukraine diverged politically, ending up on a collision course. This domestic political divergence, rather than geopolitical wrangling between Russia and the West over NATO expansion, are – Shevel and Popova argue – essential to understanding Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

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2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Alumni Entrepreneur Panel 

Moderator:
Margaret "Mugs" Buckley, J85: VP, Marketing for Chairish

Panelists: 

Joe Bardenheier, A90: Executive, Advisor, CEO, Board member, Investor
                                   Professor, Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business 
Suzanne Muchin, J90, A20P: Co-Founder of Bonfire Women, Inc. 
Vikram Akula, A90, India-Focused Social Entrepreneur

Description: 
This panel is not just about listening—it's about engaging! Connect with fellow Tufts alumni and dive into their entrepreneurial journeys. Discover what inspired them to pursue entrepreneurship as active citizens, the secrets behind their success, and their visions for the future of entrepreneurship.

From solo-preneurs and creative content to venture investment and executive leadership, this panel represents a broad range of expertise within the scope of entrepreneurship. And you’ll be able to connect with the ever-expanding network of Jumbo entrepreneurs across the world!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from and network with some of the most influential figures in entrepreneurship. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this panel promises to provide valuable insights and connections that can help you on your own journey.

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Events will be added as they confirmed. Check back often. 

Saturday, June 1st, 2024

10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Jumbo Generations: A Photographic History of Student Life at Tufts

Be sure to stop by East Hall while you’re on campus to see this first-of-its kind photo exhibit depicting student life at Tufts across the generations.  Divided into themes such as dorm life, students at work, students at play, sports, activism, and arts, the exhibit is the result of a collaboration between the Department of History, the Tufts Archival Research Center, and University Photography.

East Hall will be open from 10am – 5pm on the following days.  The exhibit is located on the first and ground floors.  Please enter East Hall at the main entrance facing the Academic Quad.

Some familiar faces from the History Department will be on hand during the following times to greet visitors and give a quick introduction to the exhibit.

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11:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Future of Food: Exploring Cellular Agriculture

Presented by: David Kaplan, A21P, Stern Family Professorship in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering


Description: 
Cellular agriculture is a biotechnological approach to future foods, where animal cells are grown in cell culture to generate protein-rich foods. This new technology is designed to address pressing challenges including growing global food demand, health concerns with current food systems, animal welfare, food security, and environmental sustainability.  In cellular agriculture, animal cells are the key component for food, with biomaterials utilized to support the cells for texture.  Scaling these processes in a cost-effective manner is a major challenge, yet progress is substantial. 

Join us for an enlightening session on cellular agriculture, the cutting-edge field revolutionizing sustainable food production. Discover how agricultural commodities can be cultivated from cells rather than whole animals, using advanced biotechnologies like cell culture and tissue engineering. 

David Kaplan, director of the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture, will share insights from his interdisciplinary team of 90+ members across five schools and eleven departments. Learn about their mission to democratize the scientific building blocks of cultivated meat, build a pipeline of talent, and foster public trust in this novel technology. 

Hear about the challenges the Center faces, from scaling and cost issues to safety standards, environmental impacts, and economic implications. Explore whether consumers are ready for bioreactor-grown foods and what the future holds for this transformative technology.

Don't miss this opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and engage with pioneering research that could shape the future of our food system!

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2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Alumni Entrepreneur Panel

Moderator:

Omer Trajman, E00: Founder of AskFora

Panelists:

Annica Blake, J00: Managing Director, Business Development of ThinkLabs
Jason Bravman, A05: Co-Founder of Billie
Jonathan Chang, E20: Founder and CEO of Markit AI

Description: 
This panel is not just about listening—it's about engaging! Connect with fellow Tufts alumni and dive into their entrepreneurial journeys. Discover what inspired them to pursue entrepreneurship as active citizens, the secrets behind their success, and their visions for the future of entrepreneurship.

From solo-preneurs and creative content to venture investment and executive leadership, this panel represents a broad range of expertise within the scope of entrepreneurship. And you’ll be able to connect with the ever-expanding network of Jumbo entrepreneurs across the world!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from and network with some of the most influential figures in entrepreneurship. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this panel promises to provide valuable insights and connections that can help you on your own journey. 



Events are subject to change.