Frequently Asked Questions

All Half Century Club weekend events and the most up-to-date session details can be found on the schedule.

Registration is open through Friday, May 1, 2026. Visit the registration page for details. 

Check out the See Who’s Attending page. This includes a real-time registration list populated with all guests. Use the drop-down list under “Attendee List” to view alumni who have expressed interest in specific events. 

The $175 registration fee includes access to all Half Century Club events, tours, receptions, presentations, student events, refreshments, scheduled meals, continental breakfasts, and a gift for each guest. This includes entry to the Student House Alumni Dinners, reception at the President’s Residence, and milestone class dinners at the Athenaeum.  

The Caltech Alumni Association (CAA) and Caltech are proud to offset event costs to provide a ticket price accessible to as many Techers as possible compared to peer institutions. We continue to balance a highly enjoyable and valuable experience with great meals and activities included against increasing venue and vendors costs. 

Seminar Day is not included. Details and registration for Seminar Day can be found here. 

The entire Half Century Club weekend is a celebration for all graduates of 50 years ago or more. The classes of 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961, 1956, 1951, and 1946 will be celebrated all weekend with special recognition at the Half Century Club Induction Luncheon and with other reunion years during Milestone Class Dinners on Friday, May 15, 2026. 

This year’s milestone class dinners on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Athenaeum highlights all graduating classes ending in 1 and 6 and will be open to all milestone class members and any other alumni and guests who want to join the celebration. Whether it’s your 5th or 75th class milestone, this dinner is for you! 

Both! Half Century Club honors all alumni who graduated 50+ years ago, while Milestone Dinners celebrate specific reunion classes. If you’re in the Class of 1976, you’ll be inducted into Half Century Club and recognized at the Milestone Dinner. Your Half Century Club ticket includes admission to both. Similarly, if you’re in the Class of 1966 or 1961, for example, you will also be celebrated at both events on Friday, May 15. The events complement each other throughout the weekend. 

The tour will be limited to 80 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. You may register yourself and your guests during the Half Century registration process. Simply check the boxes for all guests to add them to this activity listed on the Thursday, May 14 page. Any guests added after the maximum is reached will be added to the waitlist and contacted if an opening becomes available.  

You may also indicate if you/your guests would like to join the group shuttle transportation departing from the Alumni House or will meet at JPL at the scheduled tour time.  

JPL requires that all U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, present official, government-issued photo identification (REAL ID or passport) before being allowed entry. All non-U.S. Citizens 18 years of age or older must present a passport or resident visa (green card) before being allowed entry. Individuals without proper identification will not be admitted to the Laboratory. 

The tour lasts two to three hours. The walking distance for the tour is approximately 0.8 miles with multiple flights of stairs. Tours involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing. Wheelchair access can be accommodated with advance notice; however, wheelchairs cannot be provided.   

Visit the Seminar Day page to register. Complete your Half Century Club weekend and register yourself and all guests to join!

Yes. Refunds are possible through the Friday, May 1, 2026 registration deadline. Please email info@alumni.caltech.edu for assistance processing your refund.   

Two events will be available via Zoom for Half Century Club members who are unable to travel. The 1976 Nostalgia Session and Faculty Chats held on Friday, May 15, will be available for online viewing. Click here to sign-up to receive the Zoom link and details when available.

Many events will be held outdoors, and temperatures can vary greatly from day to evening. Check the weather forecast for Pasadena and pack the proper clothing and dress for comfort throughout the weekend, including all scheduled walking tours. Business casual or cocktail attire is welcome for luncheons, dinners, and events held at the President’s residence and Athenaeum.

For information and local accommodations, check out the Plan Your Visit page.  

Parking is available in the Wilson Parking Structures (341 S. Wilson Avenue), near the intersection of Del Mar Boulevard and Wilson Avenue. Overflow parking will be available in the California Parking Structure (1248 California Boulevard). There is a pay station located in the North Wilson Parking Structure and the California Parking Structure where you can get your permit first.   

Thursday and Friday: A complimentary parking code will be provided to all registered guests to enter at pay stations. 

Saturday and Sunday: All parking lots are open and free to all guests on weekends. No permit is required, and you may park in any unreserved (unmarked) parking stalls. Holliston Parking Structure (370 S. Holliston Avenue), near the intersection of Del Mar Boulevard and Holliston Avenue, is also available for closer access to Alumni House and Athenaeum events.   

Please note that street parking on Hill Avenue is a two-hour limit from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except Sundays.    

The Athenaeum kindly requests that you do not park in their lot during the day due to limited capacity and multiple private events being hosted. Please use the assigned structures or street parking on Hill Avenue for the duration of the event weekend. Courtesy shuttles will be available for guests who require special assistance from the assigned parking structures. 

View additional campus information, directions, and campus maps.

Please note that only the California Structure (1248 East California Boulevard) has an elevator; the Wilson and Holliston Structures do not. Limited accessibility parking spots are available. Guests with accessibility placards may park in any available marked handicap stall on campus or consider street parking on Hill Avenue with your placard visible for extended parking.  

A campus accessibility map can be found here.    

Courtesy shuttles will be available throughout the weekend for guests who require special assistance.  

Visiting faculty, staff, and students from participating institutions should use the “eduroam” wireless network (using their own institution credentials) while at Caltech.  

Prospective students and their families, vendors, alumni, conference attendees and other visitors may also use Caltech Visitor wireless while at Caltech. 

Once connected, open a web browser and go to https://www.caltech.edu. You will be redirected to an authentication page where you can enter the above credentials. Attendees with access.caltech credentials should instead connect to the “Caltech Secure” network.   

Click here for more information on accessing the Caltech Visitor network. 

Half Century Club check-in begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday morning at the Alumni House. Courtesy shuttles will be available for guests who require special assistance from the assigned parking structures.

Registration tables are located on the front lawn of the Alumni House. Guest registration will be organized by each attendee’s last name. You will pick up your event name tag and a gift courtesy of Caltech Alumni Association. The Alumni House will be available on Thursday and Friday,for a quick rest, refreshments, meeting friends, or a visit to the Alumni Relations Help Desk.

Check-in for Seminar Day will take place in front of Beckman Auditorium in front of Beckman Mall on Saturday morning starting at 7:30 a.m.

Campus Architectural Tours: Both tours on Thursday and Friday will meet in front of Beckman Auditorium. Please meet your tour guide on the front steps.

Caltech Archives: Both tours on Thursday and Friday will be held at the Caltech Archives department in Suite B215 at the Beckman Institute.

Yes. The Braun Athletic Center, Sherman Fairchild Library, and Caltech Store will all be open.  Show your event badge for alumni discounts.