Power of the Tribe: William & Mary MBA alumni return, reconnect, and rally for the future

The Raymond A. Mason School of Business was abuzz with laughter, nostalgia, and purpose as over 150 alumni returned to Miller Hall March 28th-30th for the 2025 MBA Reunion Weekend—an event not just about memories, but about momentum. With seven milestone class reunions, scholarship celebrations, and more than $3.2 million in commitments to the Business School, this year’s gathering proved to be a powerful example of the enduring bonds formed during the MBA journey and the critical importance of giving back.

The weekend included private toasts for the milestone reunion classes of 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005, and Executive MBA (E.M.B.A.) 2015, presenting John Hyman, M.B.A. ’85 with the Outstanding Alumni Award, as well as classroom sessions and new traditions like the “Cheers to the Years” welcome social and a morning stroll through Colonial Williamsburg. But the true centerpiece was the Friday evening Milestone Reunion Dinner in Brinkley Commons, where stories flowed as easily as the wine and giving was celebrated as an act of collective impact.

“There’s something powerful about relationships that span 30 years,” reflected Tom Dunkel, M.B.A. ’95, who chaired his class committee. “The kind of friendships that survive career pivots, life changes, death, marriages, divorces, kids, and late-night text threads that still make you laugh out loud. The real reward was seeing so many familiar faces, hearing stories from across the decades, and feeling like we picked up right where we left off.”

That emotional return was mirrored by fellow alumni who emphasized the deep gratitude they feel for their education—and their responsibility to help future students achieve the same. “Having received financial assistance myself when attending the William & Mary MBA program, I felt it made a huge difference in my career trajectory,” said Henry Chen, M.B.A. ’00. “It’s essential for us to help the next generation of MBA students as much as possible.”

The weekend also served as a celebration of leadership and generosity. The Class of 1985 was honored with the Green and Gold Cup for greatest amount raised and the Class of 1995 earned the Ampersand Award for highest participation rate. Yet every contribution—large or small—was recognized as part of a larger effort to lift the Mason School’s programs and people.

“Philanthropy comes from the heart,” said Kirk Fedder, M.B.A. ’80. “It’s not the amount of your donation that matters. I believe that it is the responsibility of alumni to help ensure that future students have quality facilities, resources, and education that continue to excel year after year.”

Dean Todd Mooradian praised the alumni for living out the values of principled leadership, community, and lifelong learning. “When our alumni return and reinvest in this community, they are reaffirming the power of the Mason mission—not just in business, but in life. Their support ensures that students today, and tomorrow, are prepared to lead with purpose.”

For many, the emotional impact of returning to campus was immediate. “Being back at Miller Hall was awesome—totally nostalgic and inspiring,” said Sharon Fanto, E.M.B.A. ’15. “It’s a reminder of the ambitious goals we had as students and how far we’ve come since then.”

The value of alumni investment goes beyond dollars—it includes mentorship, networking, and simply being available for the next generation. “Even the smallest of investments helps ensure others are afforded the same opportunity we were,” said Dan Stockenberg, M.B.A. ’05. “As a William & Mary MBA student, we learn about the awesome privilege and important responsibility we have to represent excellence and advocate for positive change in all aspects of our personal and professional lives, something that we carry forward long after we graduate.”

Brad Hirschy, M.B.A. ’90 put it simply: “Talent should be nurtured. If a person has the passion and talent to pursue an MBA, we should do our best to provide that opportunity.”

And perhaps that spirit of shared responsibility is the legacy that will define this year’s reunion the most. As Mason School Associate Dean for Advancement Kim Sperling remarked, “This weekend wasn’t just a reunion. It was a recommitment. Our alumni reminded us that giving back is a joyful act of gratitude that celebrates our belonging to a community and represents a powerful investment in future leaders.”

Looking ahead, next year’s Reunion Weekend is poised to grow even further, with plans already in place to expand the celebration to include alumni from all of the Mason School’s graduate business programs. More classes, more voices, and more opportunities to celebrate and support our cherished alma mater.

Because in the words of the Mason School’s extended family: One Tribe, One Family.