People are motivated to attend reunions mainly for healthy reasons, according to Dr. Paul J. Schwab, a Naperville psychiatrist with a practice in adult psychiatry and an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Chicago.
”Most people go to renew old friendships and see people they haven`t seen for years,” Schwab said.
As a past president of the Alumni Association of North Central College, Naperville, and a current trustee, Schwab has been involved in planning many North Central reunions.
”In the case of North Central, people return because of a deep loyalty to the college,” Schwab said. ”They want to see the changes on the campus and visit faculty members who taught them. Those with college-age children also return to consider the possibility of their child attending the college, and they are curious to see how Naperville has changed.”
Schwab said that older alumni seem to have closer relations, with the 25th reunion drawing a high number of classmates.
”Part of the interest is a curiosity,” Schwab said. ”Many are surprised to see who has changed, who`s done well or whose expectations have not been met.”
Schwab emphasized the importance of dropping old labels and enjoying the person for who they are now.
”Try to talk to the people you enjoyed in school,” Schwab said. ”Enjoy them as they are and move away from those who attempt to impress. It`s important to take off the masks and get by that.”
The issues of spouses is always a tricky one.
”Reunions can be very awkward for spouses, especially with old girlfriends or boyfriends around,” Schwab said. ”Some spouses are happy to go and have a good time; others may want the freedom to say no. It`s an individual matter.”
Schwab offers reunion participants this parting advice: ”Lower your expectations before you go.”
