Alumni Day and The Alumni Art & Design Fair

This year’s Alumni Day was a record success with more than 600 alumni coming back to campus to reconnect with classmates on September 28. The daylong event included Pratt’s second annual Alumni Art & Design Fair, gallery exhibitions, an academic fair, campus tours, and an evening cocktail celebration. There were also special events for engineering and international alumni as well as those celebrating their 10th, 25th, 35th, 40th, and 50th+ reunions. 


Another highlight of the day was the Engineering Quadrangle dedication ceremony honoring Pratt alumnus and Trustee Emeritus Bruce M. Newman (B.F.A. Interior Design ’53). This past summer, the Engineering Quadrangle was completely re-landscaped, allowing for easier movement between the buildings. The project, a collaborative effort between the Office of Facilities Management and recent architectural graduates of Pratt and CUNY, was made possible through Newman’s generosity.

The new design reinforces the cohesiveness of the campus, bringing to campus improved seating areas with wooden benches, enhanced walkways, additional lighting for increased safety, and improved irrigation for greater environmental sustainability. In addition, new bicycle racks and pavers have been installed adjacent to the west wall of the Chemistry Building.

In Memorial Hall, Pratt professor Tracie Morris hosted a Creative Conversation with accomplished Motown singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson, who co-wrote such hits as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "You're All I Need to Get By” as part of the duo of Ashford & Simpson. In front of an enthusiastic audience, Simpson regaled alumni with renditions of “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “The Boss.”

At an academic fair held in the Student Union, students and faculty were on hand to discuss their departments' programs and projects. Additionally, Pratt faculty gave presentations on a broad range of topics, including Pratt's new proposed Urban Placemaking and Management degree and new approaches to art and design education.

The day ended with alumni socializing on the lawn for an outdoor Alumni Day concert. Madame Pat Tandy and her trio performed jazz, standards, and blues as Cannoneers sang along and danced before heading off to an alumni reception and class parties in nearby pubs.

Text: Bay Brown
Photos: Alex Weber and Kevin Wick