Alumni Weekend 2023

Planning your visit

Please bookmark this page and check it often for updates. As you begin to plan your visit, here are times of activities to keep in mind. Locations of activities are subject to change, so be sure to refer to this page for more information.

Questions? Please contact Lesley Events at luevents@lesley.edu.

Friday, June 2:  

Kick off the weekend festivities with your fellow classmates and enjoy reconnecting! Be sure to stop by the registration table on Friday and Saturday to pick up your name badge and welcome packet, including a special gift from us! Scroll down to the Schedule section on this page to review the agenda.

Saturday, June 3: 

Join alumni, faculty, and friends for a day filled with festivities, faculty-led discussions, a yoga/mindfulness session, a presentation of alumni awards, and a luncheon. President Janet Steinmayer will welcome alumni and share more about Lesley's campus plans and new initiatives. Scroll down to the Schedule section on this page to review the agenda.

Please note: 
For your comfort and safety, overnight stays on campus will not be available this year. Lesley is conducting renovations and other maintenance work on the South Campus (on Brattle St.), and Doble Campus (on Mellen and Mass Ave.) which will involve utility shutdowns, and many services in the dorms will not be reliable. Please refer to the section Where to Stay to help plan your trip!

• Registration

  Registration for Alumni Weekend is open! Please register by Friday, May 26.

  RSVP today!

• Parking and Public Transportation

  Parking on the Lesley campus is very limited, so public transportation is highly encouraged. The Harvard Square T-stop on the MBTA Red Line is closest to South Campus and First Church.

  Public parking is also available nearby in Harvard Square. Harvard Square Parking Garage, 20 Eliot Street, is the closest. 

  You may drop off guests at South Campus prior to parking. The drop-off location is at the intersection of 5 Phillips Place and St. John’s Road.  

  Parking in Harvard Square at 52 Oxford Street Garage

  Guests will be able to purchase a parking permit for this event from the Harvard Online Parking Permit System. The fee is $20 per vehicle. Permits may be purchased two weeks in advance of May 20. When purchasing, choose "Other" from the dropdown in Reason for Visit.

  The permit must be printed and presented to the Parking Services Monitor to receive an access card. The Permit will then need to be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle while you park in the 52 Oxford Street Garage.     

  Purchase a parking permit from the Harvard Online Parking Permit System.

• Where to Stay

  Lesley offers a convenient guide on places to stay so you can find accommodations that suit your needs. Many local hotels are booked over the June 2 and 3 weekend, so you may have to look in Back Bay, Boston, which is right outside of the Cambridge area. Please make sure to plan accordingly.

Schedule

All scheduled activities will be held across all three Lesley campuses (Doble, Porter Square, and South Campus). Locations are subject to change and will be held in multiple areas across campus.

Please note that the Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner will have a nominal fee. All other activities are complimentary.

• Friday, June 2

  Registration and Check-in:
  Time: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
  Location: Washburn Hall
  Stop by registration to pick up welcome packets and name badges for the weekend festivities. Registration will be open on Saturday as well.

  Alumni Welcome Cocktail Reception, Dinner & Faculty Fireside Chat:
  Time: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
  Location: South Campus, Washburn Hall, Café & Lounge 
  $40 per person

• Saturday, June 3

  Registration/Continental Breakfast:
  Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
  Location: Doble Campus, Marran Gallery

  Yoga Class/Mindfulness Workshop:
  Time: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
  Location: Doble Campus, Quad Lawn (or inside Alumni Hall if inclement weather)
  Join us for yoga on the Quad Lawn near Alumni Hall on the Doble Campus (weather permitting). Danae Laura will lead the instruction. Mats will be provided if you do not have your own. All levels are welcome; no prior yoga experience is required. This class will be led by a faculty member who will hold space for a relaxing and rejuvenating class of stretching, breathing, and setting a positive mindset for a fun day of events. Suggested attire: loose and comfortable clothing.

  Campus Tours: 
  Times: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
  Location:  South Campus, Meet at Sherrill Library, 1st floor Atrium
  Alumni will be guided through the community for organized tours of various locations for a behind-the-scenes look and to learn about the Lesley story, the future of Lesley’s footprint, and the campus plan (including renovated dorms). Advanced registration is required.

  Academic / Professional Development Showcases:
  Times: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (30-minute sessions)
  Multiple Locations (University Hall at Porter Square)
  Learn about Lesley’s Academic offerings! Early Childhood Education, Mental Health, The Arts, Mindfulness, and Threshold panel discussions.

  Alumni Luncheon:
  Time: 12:15 pm - 1:30 pm
  Location: South Campus, Washburn Auditorium
  $25 per person

  Interactive Games on South Lawn
  Time:  1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
  Location: South Campus, outside locations on the lawn (weather permitting)
  
  Show off your skills and friendly competitive spirit! Join the athletic team and your fellow alumni for bocce, bean bag toss, tic-tac-toe, and more!

  Special Tribute to Mary Mindess, Professor Emerita:
  Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
  NOTE: The time of this event will be extended to 5:30 pm for guests who would like to stay and share additional memories.
  Location: South Campus, Sherrill Library, Room 350
  Gather with fellow alumni and friends to remember Mary Mindess and her immeasurable contribution to Lesley. Her legacy of innovation and lifelong learning made an impact on all those who knew her, but it’s the network of powerful relationships she built that may be her most lasting and treasured gift. If you cannot attend in person, please feel free to attend the webinar. Register here for the Tribute to Mary Mindess webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

  Afternoon Alumni Panel Session: See recorded Panel Discussion here
  Times: 2:45 pm – 4:30 pm
  Location: Porter Square Campus, University Hall, 2^nd floor, Room 150
  If you are unable to attend the Alumni Panel in person, please join us via the Zoom webinar. Register in advance for the Virtual Alumni Panel Session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

  Dance Workshop! Get Moving and Improve Your Brain Health
  Time:  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Location: South Campus, Washburn Café
  Learn how dance and movement are good for your mind, body, and soul! Dance instruction led by alumna Thelma Larkin Goldberg, Ph.D. '20. 

  Cocktails & Dinner/ Presentation of Alumni Awards/Alumni Keynote Speaker
  Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
  Location: Washburn Auditorium, South Campus 
  $45 per person