A Joyful Alumni Weekend from Milestone Dinners to House Happy Hours

Alumni returned to campus for panels, house events, and a celebration of quantum science during this year’s Alumni Weekend.

By Caltech Alumni

October 24, 2025

Alumni Weekend 2025 brought Techers home in force.

More than 450 alumni and friends reconnected on campus for three days of discovery, celebration, and community. From thought-provoking discussions to spirited House traditions and a Sunday send-off at the Alumni House, the weekend showcased the best of Caltech: curiosity, camaraderie, and joy.

Highlights for the weekend kicked off with The Caltech Edge with Provost David Tirrell, PhD, a lunch event spotlighting the growth and achievements of the Institute and its students, faculty, and staff. He discussed emerging approaches in quantum computing, Caltech’s 48 Nobel Prizes, and the curiosity and resilience of today’s undergraduates.

On Friday evening, reunion classes gathered for the Milestone Class Celebration Dinner (15th–45th reunions). The event took place in an elegant setting inside the Athenaeum as alumni from across generations reconnected over shared memories. To bring the evening to a close, each milestone class stood on the entry steps of the Athenaeum for their class photo.

Alumni started the day on Saturday with a breakfast with current student leaders, ASCIT, IHC, and the Caltech Y. The morning continued with the Distinguished Alumni Awards panel honoring Deborah D.L. Chung (BS ’73, MS ’73), Athanassios Fokas (PhD ’79), and Donald Truhlar (PhD ’70) in conversation with 2001 DAA recipient Sandra Tsing Loh (BS ’83, DAA ’01). F. William Studier (PhD ’63) was unable to attend, but his granddaughter accepted his award on his behalf.

This year’s recipients shared anecdotes from classes with Richard Feynman, their career trajectories, and how they’ve left significant contributions in their fields. One piece of advice from Athanassios Fokas: “It’s important to be ethical and proper in your behavior and not be afraid of failure. If you come to a paradox, be very happy. Truly, celebrate it, because paradoxes are usually the root of something new.”

As the day continued, alumni made their way to their former residences for House Happy Hours — trading stories, giving advice, and laughing over memories with classmates and current students along Olive and Moore Walk. The day culminated under the Beckman Mall tent at the All-Alumni Celebration featuring President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, honoring the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Complete with food stations, presentations, and quantum Q&A, the event was a perfect end to the day.

Sunday brought the weekend to a close with morning hike with the Caltech Y. Over 30 alumni started the day exploring the Lower Arroyo Secco trail. Following the hike was a relaxed brunch at Alumni House where attendees made time to spend final hours with one another, swap photos, and make plans for the next reunion.

Alumni Weekend by the Numbers
450 alumni and guests participated across all three days
22 total events
22 Caltech staff volunteers
7 alumni inducted into the athletics hall of fame
3 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients shared their luminary careers (one recipient was not in attendance)
12 student and poster presentations
300+ Pie ‘N Burger hamburgers and fries eaten
6 pie flavors and 12 ice cream flavors were available
3.2 miles walked (177-foot elevation) during the Morning Hike with Caltech Y on the Lower Arroyo Seco trail

Thank You, Alumni and Volunteers
This weekend shines because of our alumni, but it couldn’t have come together without our incredible Caltech staff, volunteers, speakers, and student leaders. Thank you to every alum who made the trip back to Pasadena and our team members who brought this event to life. Your energy filled every corner of campus.