Alumni - Reunion & Events - Class of 1971

CLASS LEADERS

Hugh Ewing, Class Agent
Jay McDonald, Class Secretary

50th REUNION WEEKEND CELEBRATION

Please mark your calendar to join us on 1-3 October in Charlottesville to celebrate our milestone graduation. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces! Travel information is below. 

Travel Information:

Hotel Blocks

Hampton Inn (UVA Corner) for $159/night on Thursday, $179/night for Friday/Saturday
Use this link to book directly or call +1-434-923-8600.
Mention code D50
Book by 17 August.

The Hampton Inn is the suggested block for the Class of 1971.

Alternatively, this hotel option is available:

Omni (downtown) for $322/night
Use this link to book directly or call +1-434-971-5500
Mention Darden 50th Reunion Weekend block.
Book by 17 August.

Air Travel and Rental Cars

Rental Cars:
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport has AVIS, National, Budget and Enterprise rental car companies. When making a reservation with Enterprise, you may use this discount code: XZ21302.

Air Travel:
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) presently serves American Airlines (daily nonstop flights to New York-LaGuardia, Charlotte, Philadelphia), Delta Airlines (daily nonstop flights to Atlanta), and United Airlines (daily nonstop flights to Chicago – O'Hare, Washington – Dulles). You may also fly into either Washington Dulles Airport (2 hour drive to Darden) or Reagan National Airport (2 1/2 hour drive to Darden).

Weekend Events

Friday, 1 October, 2021

First Coffee with Dean Beardsley

Friday, 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Join for hot coffee, croissants and conversation with your classmates. Dean Beardsley will be stopping by to say hello!

Saunders Hall, PepsiCo Forum
100 Darden Blvd, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Parking: Complimentary parking will be available in the Darden Parking Garage.

Suggested dress is casual attire.

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Friday, 1–4 p.m.
$25 per person

A guided tour of Thomas Jefferson’s historical home at 1:40 p.m., plus time to visit the grounds & gardens on your own. 

Monticello
931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

Parking: A shuttle will be provided, leaving from the Hampton Inn at 12:40 p.m. If you choose to drive yourself, please arrive at Monticello by 1pm to park at the bottom of the hill, and a shuttle from Monticello will take you from the parking lot to the building entrance.

Suggested dress is casual attire.

Dinner and drinks at the home of Tom Duke (MBA ’71)

Friday, 6–9:00 p.m.

The Class of 1971 will gather at the home of Tom Duke for dinner and drinks.

Location: Home of Tom Duke (MBA ’71)
Address will be sent to attendees and is located on the registration form.

Parking: A shuttle will be provided, leaving from the Hampton Inn at 5:30 p.m. You may also drive yourself, and there is parking available at Tom's home.

Suggested dress is smart casual attire.

Saturday, 2 October, 2021

Breakfast at Farm Bell Kitchen

Saturday, 9–10:30 a.m.

The Class of 1971 will meet on the outdoor, covered back patio of Farm Bell Kitchen. Farm Bell Kitchen is across the street from the Hampton Inn on the UVA Corner, so it will be a short walk for those staying at the Hampton Inn.

Farm Bell Kitchen
1209 West Main Street, Charlottesville Virginia 22903

Limited street parking is available on West Main Street.

Suggested dress is casual attire.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Option 1: Wine Tasting at King Family Vineyard

Saturday, 2–4:30 p.m.

A private wine tasting for the Class of 1971 at King Family Vineyards. Wine tasting is included in weekend price. Additional wine, snacks or other beverages are available for purchase and are not included in the cost. You may bring your own non-alcoholic beverages or food.

King Family Vineyard
6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet Virginia 22932

Parking: A shuttle will be provided, leaving from the Hampton Inn at 1:30 p.m. You may also drive yourself, and ample parking is available at the winery at no cost.

Option 2: Football viewing on the Corner

Some classmates will meet up to watch a football game at one of the Corner bars. (UVA is not playing this weekend.) We will email everyone who selects this option and will arrange a time and place to meet.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Cocktail reception and dinner in the Dome Room of the Rotunda

Saturday, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Cocktail hour in the Upper West Oval Room will be followed a champagne toast from the Dean and a brief ceremony to induct the Class of 1971 into the Abbott Society. There will be a class photo on the steps of the Rotunda at 7:00. After the photo, there will be a seated, plated dinner in the Dome Room of the Rotunda.

The Rotunda
1826 University Avenue, Charlottesville Virginia 22903

Suggested dress is semi-formal attire.

1971 REUNION GIVING CAMPAIGN

Many classmates chose to support the 2021 Darden Annual Fund in honor of this milestone year. The Darden Annual Fund serves as the foundation for reunion giving and provides critical support that enables the School to remain innovative, invest in top strategic priorities and respond nimbly to emerging opportunities. We are proud to recognize these generous classmates on the 2021 Contributors List.

Alumni also consider major gifts to Darden and planned gifts, such as bequests or annuities, to commemorate reunion to the area most meaningful to them. If you would like to speak with a member of the Advancement team about your reunion gift, please contact Whitney Wilson, director of major gifts, at WilsonW@darden.virginia.edu or +1-434-924-0706.

Whether you support our class giving effort through the annual fund, major or planned gifts, every gift counts and every gift matters. The full amount of any commitment made before 31 December 2021 will be recognized as part of our class giving total. We look forward to celebrating your impact at the fall reunion!