Homecoming and WOSA tea

Woodstock staff and students were not the only folks enjoying our annual Mela this year. We were joined by no fewer than 200 alumni from the hillside, India, and around the world for "Homecoming Weekend" from April 24th to the 26th. Homecoming Weekend is an annual tradition designed to coincide with Mela but this special weekend also contains a variety of activities just for our alumni visitors and their families, as well as unique opportunities for alumni to interact with current staff and students.

The Homecoming Weekend tradition is becoming a popular draw not only for alumni living in India but also for classes who are planning to return to Woodstock for their milestone reunions. We were extremely pleased during Homecoming this year to host the return of the Class of 1984 (celebrating their 25th anniversary) and the Class of 1989 (celebrating their 20th).

Our Homecoming Weekend began with a "coming up" day of sorts as reunion attendees and their families and other alumni visitors trickled into the Quad and Alumni Office from their taxis, trains and buses. After a Friday night to recoup and socialize independently, we kicked off the weekend celebrations on Saturday morning with cheesy bun omelets and chai at Mt. Hermon flats. Saturday afternoon was a time to enjoy the Mela celebration, and after a Sunday morning free for hiking and reflection, we reunited as a strong presence for the 98th Annual WOSA High Tea in the Quadrangle. Surrounded by class flags dating back to the early 1940's, we inducted "Tenacious" the class of 2009 into the Woodstock Old Student's Association.

So if you plan to visit India in 2010, if your class is planning a milestone reunion, or if you simply have been dying to visit Woodstock but needed that extra push, why not consider visiting next year for a Woodstock Homecoming, May 14-17th. Please contact alumni@woodstock.ac.in for assistance with accommodation in Mussorrie, local transportation advice or ideas about getting here and back.