Guest post by Alumni Relations Director Kristine Bowne

Art Center Europe opened in 1986 with 39 students from 13 countries. During the 10 years of its operation, more than 500 students graduated from the European campus. Art Center returned to Europe for a reunion of alumni, faculty and staff of that campus June 3 and 4 in Vevey, Switzerland. The reunion was hosted by Art Center and Nestlé, and organized by Alumni Relations and former ACE staff member and consultant Claire Halmos. It was an amazing weekend for everyone involved.

Friday, June 3

Friday night we welcomed more than 250 ACE alumni, former faculty and staff at Café Vè in Vevey. The event was packed with friends and alumni from 18 different countries—many of whom hadn’t seen each other in 20 years!

Saturday, June 4

The next day at noon we met at the field adjacent to former Art Center Europe campus, La Tour de Peliz. Some 200 alumni, former faculty and friends shared ACE memories, lots of laughs and champagne provided by former Art Center Europe Trustee Heinrich Baumann Sterner. Later that afternoon we walked through the field to assemble in the CESSEV auditorium, the former location of ACE graduation ceremonies. There Art Center President Lorne Buchman shared the College’s new strategic plan, which outlines the school’s future over the next five years.

Following the presentation, we began the conference part of the weekend, Design the A2A Network (A2A, Alumni to Alumni, Alumni to Art Center). ACE alumni were asked to help us envision this new platform that will connect our global community of alumni to Art Center. The session was led by President Buchman, Dean of Special Programs and Graphic Design Chair Nik Hafermaas and Product Design Chair and CMTEL Director Karen Hofmann.

That night, Nestlé sponsored our closing dinner at the Hotel des Trois Couronnes in Vevey. Some 300 alumni and friends assembled for food, drinks and the presentation of a $1 million dollar cumulative donor pencil presented to Nestlé and accepted by Anne Roulin. There were many toasts, laughs and a slideshow of images from Art Center Europe that entertained and amused us all.

It was such a special weekend for all, thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the reunion happen. We can’t wait to come back!

Were you at the reunion? Join our Art Center Europe alumni group on Flickr and add your photos!