Connection and Impact
Ohio Wesleyan Celebrates Unforgettable Reunion Weekend 2026
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University's Reunion Weekend 2026 proved the Bishop bond only strengthens with time, as generations of graduates gathered May 15-17 to celebrate their shared history and invest in OWU's future.
Alumni classes ending in '1 and '6 and their guests enjoyed the campus and renewed friendships, shared memories, and made new ones. The Class of 1976 returned to campus with over 100 alumni to honor their 50th class reunion—a golden anniversary marked by deep gratitude and enduring school pride.
The Alumni Award Recognition Breakfast was a standout celebration of Bishop spirit, honoring graduates who have turned their OWU education into lives of professional excellence, service to others, and a deep, lasting commitment to their alma mater. Alumni Association President Denise Sabo Brenner '00 and university President Matt vandenBerg stood together to honor a cohort of graduates whose lives embody the OWU mission.
2026 Award Recipients
Distinguished Achievement Citation: Recognizing alumni for professional mastery and outstanding service to humankind.
- David Byrd '81
- Glenn Entis '76
- Linda LeSourd Lader '71
- Clay Mowry '86
Young Alumni Award: Honoring graduates of the last 15 years who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to their fields and the OWU community.
- Evan Bai '11
- Sarah Ingles '11
- Valentina Marginean '16
- Meredith Palmer '11
Alumni Award: Recognizing individuals for their exceptional service and philanthropic dedication to the university.
- Elizabeth Long Downey '06
- Jack Luikart '71
- Greg Moore '76
Honorary Alumni Award: Honoring non-graduates who have exhibited consistent interest in and support of OWU and its goals over a significant period of time.
- Katie Webster
Please visit owu.edu/nominate to nominate alumni for future awards, especially those from classes ending in '3 and '8. The Ohio Wesleyan alumni awards are a way to acknowledge exceptional individuals who make up the OWU community.
The university also inducted the newest members of the Founders' Circle and the Associate Founders' Circle, honoring philanthropists who have reached significant lifetime-giving milestones.
The Founders' Circle recognizes those whose lifetime support has reached $1 million, while the Associate Founders' Circle celebrates those whose contributions total $500,000. These visionary donors strengthen Ohio Wesleyan's foundation through their extraordinary generosity.
This year also marked the debut of The Conrades-Milligan Society, a prestigious new recognition group honoring donors whose lifetime giving of $25 million or more reflects a profound commitment to the university's founding ideals and an extraordinary vision for redefining what is possible.
2026 Honorees Include:
The Conrades-Milligan Society – $25 Million+
- John Milligan '83 and Kathie Bradford Milligan '83
- George Conrades '61 and Patsy Belt Conrades '63
Founders' Circle – $1 Million+
- Robert "Bob" M. Barr '61 and Joan Hoffman Barr '61 (posthumously)
- Lawrence Hayes '60 and Barbara Hayes (posthumously)
- Shirley Paden-Bernstein '73
Associate Founders' Circle – $500,000+
- Ann Swinehart Dahl '55
- Alison "Ali" Lurton Kahle '81 (posthumously)
- Michelle Mulkern Kilkenney '99
- Cynthia Carran O'Neill '81
- Barbara Rupple '48
- Jerilyn Bushong Mapes '87 and Christopher Mapes
- Al Snyder '69
The weekend's energy was most contagious at the Bishop Rally, with each class bringing its own personality and a lot of cheers to the celebration. During the event, it was announced that the Class of 1976 had raised $3,059,357.27 for the Annual Giving Program.
The reunion classes' collective giving for fiscal year 2026, as of May 18, is $3,775,246.27. Each contribution represents alumni support for OWU's mission and is a powerful testament to what can be achieved together.
The impact of OWU alumni extends far beyond its campus. Whether mentoring current students, driving recruitment, or providing philanthropic support, the Bishop community acts as a powerful volunteer force.
Mia Jung '26, a student ambassador for Reunion Weekend and the newest member of the Alumni Association, shared: "As students, we heard about the Alumni Reunion Weekend, but there is something so special about witnessing Reunion Weekend firsthand. Hearing stories about each of your OWU experiences just grows my love for Ohio Wesleyan more and more."
Ohio Wesleyan's true value resides in the people who drive its future. An OWU diploma is more than a credential; it is an entry into a lifelong community of connection, support, and opportunities. Every gift made during Reunion Weekend is an active investment that fuels the next generation of Bishops.
Together, Ohio Wesleyan alumni are not just remembering the past; they are building the future.
Photos From the Event
- View our 2026 Reunion Weekend collection on Flickr.