A year of new ideas, growing traditions, and global connections. From Virtual Everesting and RC Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB) to alumni events around the world and the transformation of RCQ, these are some of the initiatives that helped shape another memorable year for the RC community.
Robert College has always been more than a school. For generations of alumni, it has been a source of lifelong friendships, shared experiences, professional connections, and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond graduation.
Keeping those connections strong requires opportunities to reconnect, engage, participate, and contribute. Throughout the past year, members of the Robert College community came together on campus, around the world, and online through initiatives designed to strengthen the ties that unite generations of alumni.
Homecoming once again welcomed alumni back to campus for reunions, celebrations, family activities, the Dave Phillips Memorial Game, and milestone class anniversaries. Throughout the year, alumni also gathered at events in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, London, Boston, Seattle, and Düsseldorf, demonstrating that the Robert College community continues to thrive across generations and across the globe. The campus itself remained an important gathering place, welcoming alumni back for lectures, performances, award ceremonies, athletic events, and special celebrations that offered opportunities to reconnect with classmates, meet fellow graduates, and remain engaged in the life of the school.
One of the year’s most exciting developments was the continued evolution of the Robert College Olympics and Everesting. Following the successful revival of the event by alumni volunteers last year, this year’s edition expanded beyond campus in an entirely new way. Alumni from around the world formed virtual Everesting teams and climbed together from their own cities, transforming a one-day campus event into a truly global Robert College experience. What began as an ambitious idea demonstrated the power of technology to bring together a community separated by geography but united by shared purpose. As this tradition continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming even more virtual participants from around the world in the years ahead.
The entrepreneurial spirit of the RC community also inspired the creation of the Robert College Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB). First introduced during the West Coast alumni trip, the initiative quickly gained momentum, bringing together entrepreneurs from different generations to foster collaboration, mentorship, and new opportunities. The enthusiasm surrounding RCCEB also inspired this year’s RCQ cover theme, RC: A Start-Up Factory.
Staying connected also depends on meaningful communication. Throughout the year, alumni received newsletters, event invitations, and community updates highlighting life on campus and opportunities A Community That Lasts a Lifetime A year of new ideas, growing traditions, and global connections. From Virtual Everesting and RC Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB) to alumni events around the world and the transformation of RCQ, these are some of the initiatives that helped shape another memorable year for the RC community. Ali İhsan İzbul RC 95, Consul General in Düsseldorf, welcomed Robert College alumni from across Europe to the Residence of the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye for a gathering initiated by the Institutional Advancement Team Homecoming is where old memories are celebrated and new ones are made—for every generation of the RC family to reconnect. This year also marked an exciting milestone for Robert College Quarterly. Building on its long history as the school’s flagship alumni publication, RCQ has evolved into a dynamic digital platform where stories from campus and across the alumni community can be shared more frequently, more interactively, and with a much broader reach. Together with the school’s social media channels, the new digital RCQ is helping create a more connected and engaged community throughout the year.
Understanding our community is just as important as connecting it. This year’s Alumni Research provided valuable insight into alumni perspectives, helping guide future engagement efforts while reaffirming the importance of listening to the voices of our community.
The Institutional Advancement Team also contributed to major institutional initiatives throughout the year, including communications surrounding the NYSAIS accreditation process and the Autumn Teachers Conference, while continuing to work closely with alumni volunteers, class agents, donors, faculty, staff, and students to strengthen relationships across every part of the Robert College community.
At its heart, every gathering, publication, event, network, and initiative described here serves the same purpose: helping members of the RC
community remain connected to a place that continues to shape their lives long after graduation. None of these initiatives would be possible without the enthusiasm and generosity of our alumni, volunteers, class agents, event hosts, speakers, donors, faculty, staff, students, and friends. Their time, expertise, ideas, and support transform projects into lasting traditions and ensure that Robert College remains not only a school with a remarkable history, but a vibrant community whose greatest strength has always been its people.
