RICHMOND, Ind. – Indiana University East is hosting its second annual Alumni Family Reunion on July 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Whitewater Hall.

The event follows a successful inaugural reunion last year, which organizers say drew attendees from multiple generations of the university’s history.

“It was a huge success,” said Jennifer Lehman, IU East Director of Development. “We had tons of folks come out from all generations of being students and alumni, faculty and retirees.”

Unlike a traditional alumni banquet, the reunion is designed as an informal gathering focused on reconnecting members of the IU East community.

“There isn’t an actual program, but the evening is really just bent for an opportunity for folks to connect and see people that they haven’t seen for a while, meet folks maybe that they only related with online,” Lehman said.

The event will include food, games, activities for children and a memory board where attendees can share favorite IU East experiences. Lehman said one of the highlights from last year’s reunion was simply watching former classmates, faculty and staff reconnect.

“I just kind of stopped and observed what was happening around me," she said. "And it was surreal because there were tears, there were hugs, there was laughter, there was all of this conversation.”

Lehman said those connections reflect what many students and alumni identify as a defining part of the IU East experience.

"There are two words that continuously pop up as most frequently mentioned, and that is family and home."

She said IU East serves students from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation college students, working adults and single parents. Lehman also pointed to the university's combination of affordability and academic opportunity.

The July date was chosen to coincide with IU East’s founding in 1971 and to give families an opportunity to attend before the start of the school year and fall activities. Organizers encourage alumni to bring their families, regardless of when they attended the university.

Lehman said the university continues to prioritize alumni engagement through surveys, networking opportunities and connections between graduates and current students. IU East has more than 15,000 alumni with graduates living in all 50 states and around the world.

"We had a student respond to why they love IUES, and they shared three very simple words. It transformed me," Lehman said. "And I think that is so representative of so many student experiences."

Looking ahead, IU East will host additional community events this fall, including the launch of the School of Education's microschool, a new lecture series, Back with the Pack Week and Homecoming.

She encouraged alumni and community members to stay involved through the university's online calendar.