Reid Mallard 84Ox 86C may have graduated from Emory, but it's clear where his heart lies. He and his son Charlie, six (above), both sported Oxford College T-shirts at the Emory Weekend Block Party Saturday, May 14, where they arrived only after attending Oxford Day earlier that morning.  

Nonetheless, they made the most of the giant slide, miniature golf, clowns, burgers and hotdogs, and live music by Atlanta musicians Shawn Mullins and fellow Oxford alum Tinsley Ellis 77Ox 79C .

Mallard was one of thousands of alumni and guests who returned to campus—some from as far as California—for the encore Emory Weekend 2005, four days of community-wide celebration culminating in Commencement on May 16. Total attendance for the dozens of events throughout the weekend exceeded 8,300 alumni, graduates, and guests (including those who attended multiple events).

The festivities began Thursday with a spirited Golf Scramble at Stone Mountain Park, where 123 golfers got up with the sun to try their luck. That evening, alumni guests joined graduating seniors at the Candlelight Crossover, a rite of passage followed by a dessert reception at the Miller-Ward Alumni House. At the Soiree on Friday night, guests danced long into the evening; Saturday brought sunshine and the all-community Block Party. Sunday morning guests enjoyed breakfast and the induction of nearly a hundred new members of the Golden Corps of the Heart, an elite society of graduates from fifty years ago or more.

These signature events, hosted by the AEA, were augmented by many more: lectures, arts performances, open house gatherings, class reunions, the School of Medicine's 150th anniversary gala, award receptions for all schools, and a range of social gatherings.

"The second annual Emory Weekend was a wonderful success," says Allison Dykes, senior associate vice president for the Association of Emory Alumni. "By all accounts, alumni seemed to have a great time and take full advantage of all that was offered. We will continue to try new things to improve upon this special time for the Emory community."