This year’s Big Red Weekend welcomed more than 1,000 alums back to The Hill for camaraderie and laughter, music, entertainment, career networking, and celebrations of athletic excellence.
The weekend was packed with celebrations, including Varsity D Hall of Fame inductions, the culminating concert in honor of Swasey Chapel’s 100th anniversary (featuring the Denison Singers), athletic contests in soccer, squash, and volleyball, and a highly spirited tailgate at the new Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium.
It also attracted one of Denison’s most recognized alums, Steve Carrell ’84. Known best — depending on your age — for his roles as Michael Scott (The Office) or Gru (Despicable Me), Carrell received his 2024 Alumni Citation and joined dozens of fellow improv comedy alums for the Burpee’s Seedy Theatrical Company’s 45th Reunion Show.
“Alums really appreciate the opportunity to be with and build connections with Denisonians from different generations,” said Sallie Sistare, executive director of alumni and family engagement. “We wanted to create more moments for everyone to gather around their special interests, and our bigger events pulled the whole campus together.”
The Hilltoppers serenade tailgaters during Big Red Weekend.
Members of the Black Alumni Association, Burpee’s Seedy Theatrical Company, Denison Pride, and National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) alumni groups gathered Friday and Saturday for special events. The Knowlton Center for Career Support offered networking workshops and events for women in business and young alumni, and every Denisonian could take a haunted library tour or watch a theatre performance of Invincible Summer.
If you missed Big Red Weekend, there are still plenty of ways to get involved in 2024-25: Celebrate Denison’s birthday with us on 1831 Day, Dec. 13; meet fellow Denisonians in your area at Denison Everywhere on Jan. 29; join a ReMix event; or take part in a virtual webinar through the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement.
