5th annual On the Green Weekend welcomes alumni home
A rainy weekend couldn’t dampen the spirits of the hundreds of OHIO alumni who returned to campus for the 5th annual On the Green Weekend May 16-19. Every spring since 2014, the fun-filled spring homecoming welcomes alumni back with popular and beloved events, as well as exciting new offerings.
Assistant Professor Stephanie Tikkanen discusses interpersonal communication during the 2018 Alumni College. Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17
The weekend kicked off Wednesday with a tour of the historical Sherman House in Lancaster. Thursday and Friday, class was in session with Alumni College. Courses and discussions included relationship building in the digital age, the role the brain plays in physical healing, and the intersection of politics and health care policy.
Marilyn Allen, BSED ’58, pictured with her 2009 Volkswagen “Lady” Bug. Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17
Alumni leaders and volunteers gathered Friday morning for the annual Alumni Leadership Conference (ALC). Outstanding volunteers and groups were recognized Friday night at the ALC Reception and Awards Ceremony. A total of six awards were given to 10 groups and individuals, including the Los Angeles Chapter, which received the Cutler Outstanding Chapter Award for its work connecting the more than 4,000 OHIO alumni in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Alumni kicked it into gear Saturday morning for Cruise-In At The Convo. This OTG Weekend favorite brings in classic car fans like Marilyn Allen, a 1958 graduate who has attended every car show to date. She is pictured below with her 2009 Volkswagen “Lady” Bug, decorated inside and out with spotted accessories.
Allen said she has a whole garage of VW Beetles at home. Her red, spotted edition received its themed decorations after she purchased it; the chance was just too good to pass up.
Food truck fans of all kinds enjoyed the return of On The Green Weekend’s Food Truck Festival. Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17
“When you’re looking for bugs, you find things,” Allen said.
Last year’s popular Food Truck Festival made a reappearance. Alumni sampled their way across a host of options, savoring old favorites like the Burrito Buggy and trying newcomers like Dr. May’s Thai Kitchen.
“I mean, what can be better than getting the Burrito Buggy for free?” said Gretchen Douglass, BFA ’98. “It’s the perfect way to ease into a Saturday.”
Douglass said OTG was the perfect place for her and a small group of classmates to hold a mini 20th-year reunion.
The weekend wound down Saturday evening with a tour of Athens’ breweries, the heartwarming “OH, I dO!” Vow Renewal Ceremony and a tour of The Ridges.
Alumni departed, sad to leave OHIO but eagerly anticipating their next visit. All in all, a perfect weekend.
See more of the OTG coverage at ohiotoday.organdsearch for #OTG2018 on social media.
Alumni get a behind-the-scenes looks at Athens’ Little Fish Brewing. Photo by Ellee Achten, BSJ ’14, MA ’17