Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Alumni Celebrate Their 50th Reunion During Commencement Weekend

May 19, 2025

Alumni walked alongside graduating seniors and faculty at commencement to wrap up a weekend full of on-campus nostalgia.

A few hours before commencement on Sunday, a handful of Brandeis graduates, decked out in caps and gowns, were laughing and taking photos of one another. A few feet away, another was adjusting his sash, straightening it just right around his collar. And behind him, a woman hopped on one foot as she changed from sneakers to formal footwear.

But these weren’t graduating seniors. They were alumni from the class of 1975, who returned to campus to celebrate their milestone 50th reunion.

A highlight of their reunion was the opportunity to participate in the commencement ceremony – a tradition last observed in 2010. The alumni marched in the formal procession behind graduating seniors and faculty while an audience of thousands looked on. As they walked, the alumni whispered congratulations and words of encouragement to the newest graduates.

Alumni traveled from near and far to attend the reunion, hailing from across the country and abroad. “It’s amazing to have so many people come back and reconnect,” said Michael Zinder ’75, reunion co-chair.

Alums from the class played prominent roles in the ceremony itself. Jonathan D. Sarna ’75, GSAS MA’75, a noted historian and author on American Jewish history and life and a beloved professor who is retiring after 35 years, delivered the keynote address and received an honorary degree. Lisa Kranc ’75, chair of the Board of Trustees, provided opening remarks.

Commencement capped off a weekend packed with reunion activities. The class boarded an old-fashioned trolley for a lively guided tour that prompted lots of reminiscing, as well as “oohs” and “ahhs” over recent changes to campus. They sat in thought-provoking panels featuring notable faculty and alumni, including a dialogue between two classmates, Pulitzer Prize winning-journalist Thomas Friedman ’75 and political philosopher Michael Sandel ’75.

“This reunion took on added significance for me,” said reunion co-chair Fred Kessler ’75, P’10, “not only because it was our 50th and we got to participate in commencement, but also because of the many other events designed specially for our class.”

Of course, alumni also had the chance to revisit some old haunts from their time as students. “I was really looking forward to the eggplant parmigiana at The Chateau restaurant, which did not disappoint,” added Kessler, who hasn’t missed a single class reunion. 

For all the programming, commencement pomp, and eggplant parm, however, the weekend was ultimately a chance for alumni to reflect on their Brandeis experience.

“I received a terrific education and had an amazing time at Brandeis, and I appreciate everything it gave me,” said Zinder. “I met my wife here. Started my career as a lawyer here. They were very formative years, intellectually and socially.” 

Don Katcoff ’75 and Donna Goldberg ’75, who made the trip from Israel, agreed it was important to commemorate what they called some of the best years of their lives. 

“Brandeis is really a special place for us,” said Katcoff. “We met here at the very beginning of freshman year and got married after graduating.”

“We found our families at Brandeis, our careers, and some of our best friends to this day,” added Goldberg. “I think Brandeis was just about the happiest four years of our lives so far.”