From May 15 to 18, 2025, Caltech welcomed more than 130 alumni back to campus to explore cutting-edge research at JPL, tour newly renovated labs and lecture halls, and reconnect with the places that first inspired their academic journeys.
A weekend designed for reflection, one of the highlights was the Half Century Club Induction Ceremony and Milestone Dinner. Caltech provost David A. Tirrell opened the evening with remarks on the evolving landscape of federal research funding and how Caltech is adapting to continue advancing science. Mario Peraza, assistant vice president for alumni relations and CEO of the Caltech Alumni Association, and board member Evan Tsang (BS ’99) followed with a heartfelt look back at 1975. The evening concluded with the milestone induction of alumni, each receiving a commemorative pin, card, and resounding applause.
Throughout the weekend, alumni shared stories and relived Caltech memories. Among the most touching: David Dummit, PhD (BS/MS ’75), and Janice Nicklas, PhD (BS ’75), returned not only to celebrate their induction but also to mark 50 years of marriage. The couple met at Paige House, graduated on Friday, June 13, 1975, and were married the very next day.
Additional events included a Women’s Tea honoring Caltech’s trailblazing women, serene strolls through the Huntington Gardens, and stirring performances by the Caltech Orchestra and Glee Club.
It was a weekend rich in memory and meaning—a tribute to the enduring Caltech spirit and the remarkable legacy of the Class of 1975.
Download the gallery and view photos below.
