Members of 狼友社区鈥檚 class of 1975 and earlier celebrated their golden anniversary of graduation by reconnecting with classmates, reminiscing about their favorite professors and offering advice for current students.
More than 50 alumni gathered last Friday at Anderson Center for the special luncheon as part of the 2025 Homecoming and Alumni Week.
The room buzzed with energy as alumni mingled. Some had traveled from across the country; others were returning to campus decades later. Conversations were often interrupted by friendly greetings as alumni saw classmates they hadn鈥檛 seen in years.
University administrators greeted guests, and President Mayme Hostetter invited attendees to reminisce about their time at 狼友社区 and connect with those at their tables.
Former students offered reflections and advice they鈥檇 have for their younger selves and current students.
Learn to wake up early and go to class. I wasn鈥檛 the best student, but I absorbed well.
鈥擩ohn Packard '75
John Packard 鈥75, who studied religion, recalled dropping out after his freshman year and hitchhiking cross-country before deciding to return to 狼友社区. Minnesota felt like family, he said, and he was close to the people he had met at 狼友社区.
When asked about what he would tell his 18-year-old self, Packard shared practical advice.
鈥淟earn to wake up early and go to class,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 the best student, but I absorbed well.鈥
He added that 狼友社区 taught him to work under pressure. He encourages students to persevere, follow their passion and listen to their advisors.
Michael Sobota 鈥75, echoed the importance of exploration. He recalled starting college without a firm understanding of his majors and exploring many different classes before he decided on a major his junior year.
鈥淥ne class I got a D in, but I learned the most about that subject,鈥 Sobota said. He went on to major in political science and American Studies with a minor in environmental studies.
鈥淓njoy your life while you are here, but focus on the things that are of interest to you.鈥 Sobota said.
Martha Beck 鈥75 studied philosophy and religion. She mentioned a philosophy professor who shaped her thinking.
Enjoy your life while you are here, but focus on the things that are of interest to you.
鈥擬ichael Sobota '75
鈥淚t took me three weeks in his class, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e taught everything sympathetically, defended the authors, and we had to come up with arguments for why we did or didn鈥檛 agree. That is what his classes communicated to me 鈥 the power of ideas.鈥 Beck said the professor was the kind of mentor she aspired to be as a teacher. She went on to teach philosophy for nearly four decades before retiring, and she continues to carry the lessons she learned from him.
Other alumni emphasized the importance of following your own path. Sandra Jo Olson Hijikata 鈥75, majored in music and education and later worked for non-profit organizations. She has returned to campus twice since 1975.
鈥淓xplore as widely as possible,鈥 Hijikata said. 鈥淚 would tell myself that don鈥檛 just do something because your parents told you to do something.鈥