More than 500 CEU alumni, students, faculty, employers and friends participated in this year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend, one of the most successful in university history. Thanks to everyone who joined us for these three amazing days of social, networking and career-related events in Budapest!
CEU Career Days and Fair, May 23-24
CEU's Career Days and Fair featured two whole days of career and networking events for alumni and students, including a jobs fair where attendees met face-to-face with representatives of more than 20 employers, including IBM, Microsoft, Citibank, Schoenherr, UNHCR and others. (See photos here!)
Alumni Leadership Forum, May 23-24
The Alumni Leadership Forum drew volunteer alumni chapter leaders and representatives from across Europe and Asia to CEU for workshops on alumni organizing, communication, fundraising and other key aspects of building and maintaining strong alumni communities worldwide. (Read the full story or check the photos.)
Alumni Campus Tour, May 25
On Saturday morning alumni were given a guided tour of CEU highlighting recent renovations to the campus, as well as plans for the upcoming Campus Redevelopment project. The tour concluded on the rooftop of the Monument Building for a stunning view of the city and Buda Hills. (See photos here!)
Alumni Reunion Gala Dinner, May 25
The highlight and flagship event of Runion Weekend, the Alumni Reunion Gala Dinner drew more than 250 guests to Budapest’s Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, making it CEU’s second largest reunion gala so far. Guests were treated to a five-star dinner, plus live music and dancing, and socializing with friends old and new. (Check out the photos or watch the video below.)
In his keynote address, CEU President and Rector John Shattuck spoke of CEU's mission of open society promotion, and the challenges that mission faces today.
"It is from these ... principles that we have built this diverse and global community that we celebrate here," he said. "I hope that when you leave here tonight you will rededicate yourselves to this extraordinary CEU community, and that you will never take for granted the open society for which it stands."
Alumni Borbála Csakó (BUSI '90), Ruslanas Bronikovas (LEGS '98), Konstantin Kurganov (LEGS '94) and Matija Vojnovic (LEGS '03) were each awarded the Alumni Donor of the Year award in recognition of their outstanding support of CEU. Volunteer career mentors and alumni leaders who participated in the Alumni Leadership Forum were also recognized.
After dinner guests sang in the now-traditional live karaoke singalong and danced to live music. Afterwards, alumni, students and staff danced the night away at a nearby nightclub.
See who attended the gala here. Did you attend the gala? Please share your thoughts with us here.