Golden Graduates Reunion Celebrates the Class of 1976

Alumni spanning the decades gathered in Boston to rekindle connections, revisit familiar places, and celebrate their alma mater.

“Oh, what a night.” That Four Seasons’ hit song from 1976 could have been the soundtrack for this year’s Golden Graduates Reunion, held Saturday, October 24, at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS).

Guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, dancing, and reminiscing in White Hall, an iconic setting that many Pharmacy grads remember as their library and study hall.

Among the evening’s most senior attendees were Forsyth alumna Rosalyn (Hozid) Komins ’52, and Pharmacy alumnus David Epstein ’52, who received a round of applause from the crowd. Pharmacy grad David Levine ’72 traveled the farthest, making the trip from La Quinta, California, with his wife, Sandra.

For dental hygiene alumni, Forsyth Dean Lori Giblin-Scanlon graciously led tours of the Esther Wilkins Dental Clinic to share a glimpse into today’s large, modern facility. Jean (Shea) Budrow ’76 recalled that when Forsyth was affiliated with Northeastern University in the 1970s, that clinic had just one room, a few green dental chairs, and no spittoons.

Over in the White Building, Pharmacy alumni Gerry Whitney ’76 and Richard Ciukaj ’76 visited Reed Hall with their respective wives, Kathy Whitney ’77 and Lou-Ann Ciukaj, to reminisce about professors, chemistry exams, and memorable classmates. Although the classroom seats have long since been replaced, Gerry walked straight to the row and seat he occupied 50 years ago.

For many guests, the Reunion marked their first time back to campus since graduation. There was plenty of wonder at the marriage of old and new within the Matricaria Lobby, which sits where the original White Building steps once sloped down to Longwood Avenue. The building’s traditional pillars and few remaining top steps are now enclosed within a soaring glass-and-steel space that houses a new library, academic support services, and student housing.

In his remarks, President Richard Lessard reflected on those changes and the University’s remarkable growth since 1976. The small, largely commuter campus that alumni remember has evolved into a university with 14 schools, more than 100 academic programs, three campuses, and an enrollment of more than 11,000 students.

A highlight of the evening was the induction of the Class of 1976 into the Golden Graduate Society. Trustee Maryesther Fournier ’75 welcomed the class with heartfelt remarks and a champagne toast. With the induction, the Society now includes nearly 4,000 alumni who earned their degree 50 or more years ago.

The Reunion honored not only how far MCPHS has come, but also the lifelong connections that remain at the heart of its community. In 2027, the Class of 1977 will join the Society, including, for the first time, graduates of the New England School of Acupuncture.