CCAD President Griffith to kick off Alumni & Family Weekend

Fall means changing leaves, cooler temperatures, bonfires, and trebuchet launches. What? You didn't know trebuchet launches mean fall is here?

Well, that’s how we are celebrating on campus during the Alumni & Family Weekend, Oct. 4–5—and this year the events are bigger and better than ever.

The two days will be jam-packed. Friday kicks off with a lecture from CCAD President Denny Griffith who recently announced his retirement (a must see!) and the alumni reception and presentation of the Alumni Award for Excellence to Chad Hunt (Photography 1994).

“It’s an exciting time on campus—new buildings have been built and renovated, we have new programs and initiatives like the MFA program and the FabLab, and the buzz around campus and in the community is exciting,” said Molly Gilbride, alumni and parent relations officer.

“This year we are trying something new—every academic department will have a presence on campus during the weekend so that alumni can check out what their departments are up to these days,” Gilbride said.

For the 2013 Alumni & Family Weekend there will be a special focus on Photography and Industrial Design. In addition to the big alumni reception on Friday night, those two departments will also have major-specific receptions (with food and drinks provided) at which alumni can network and connect with peers and faculty.

Not in those majors?

That’s okay, there will be other kinds of gatherings on campus for every major. Stop in and see glass blowing, live sketching, and current students' projects; and talk to staff and professors you remember from your time on campus.

“If there is a specific faculty member alumni want to reconnect with, we want them to let us know and we will make every effort to have that faculty on campus," Gilbride said.

When you RSVP you can provide a name of a faculty member you would like to catch up with or you can always email our alumni relations office.

Student Affairs and Alumni Relations worked closely together to make sure there are activities for all ages. From zip lining down Gay Street and checking out the games at the family festival on the quad to major specific open houses and hands on activities with faculty and students, there will be something for everyone.

Throughout the weekend our campus will also be home to some excellent exhibitions—and by exhibitions, we mean you will be able to see five different shows in one gallery.

Jeff Smith's RASL, Martha Colburn's Camera, Lights, Charge, Pop, Kirk Hayes' Rule by Fear, Gary Panter's The Magnetic Lady, and Loud Flash: British Punk on Paper.

"We would love for alumni to come back and be part of this period in CCAD’s history," Gilbride said. "Come check out what all the excitement is about, reconnect with the faculty and classmates, and see how CCAD is impacting the local community."

To wrap up the weekend, we will offer a shuttle service to and from Saturday night’s Short North Gallery Hop. The shuttle will run between campus and the Short North Tavern, which will be a central gathering place for CCAD alumni there for the event.

Check out a full list of events and RSVP here. See photos from last year below or go to the CCAD Alumni Facebook album.