Cornell's Reunion 2011 weekend will offer a number of firsts -- the first-ever 80th Reunion; the first Reunion Zero, a gathering for the Class of 2011; and the first time charter buses will bring in alumni from the District of Columbia, New York City and Boston.

Reunion 2011, June 9-12, will feature events across campus for alumni from class years ending in 1 and 6 and their guests. The Olin Lecture, State of the University Address and Cornelliana Night will also be streamed live on cornell.edu.

The Class of '31 has 30 living members and at least two (Rosemary Hunt Todd and Ruth Laible Tallmadge) intend to attend their 80th reunion. Their presence initiates a new Reunion tradition -- "Spirit of '31: Passing It Forward," June 9 in Statler Ballroom -- a ceremony with the oldest classes (the 80th, 75th, 70th, 65th and 60th) welcoming members of the Class of 2006 to their first Cornell Reunion.

Alice Katz Berglas '66 said she first met the Class of 1931 at their 40th Reunion, her first, in 1971. Her father, Sy Katz '31, also organized class dinners in New York City for many years, and the biennial parade down Fifth Avenue is named in his honor.

"Almost to a person, they would greet you the same way," Berglas said. "'We were a Depression class, and so we were never able to give as much money to the university. So we gave Cornell all our spirit instead!'"

The 2011 Olin Lecture is "The Man Who Had It All and Gave It All Away," a dialogue between President David Skorton and philanthropist Chuck Feeney, Hotel '56, June 10 at 3 p.m. in Bailey Hall. For more than three decades, Feeney, Cornell's top benefactor, has given away billions of dollars to charitable causes around the world.

Information on all events is available at http://alumni.cornell.edu/reunion.

Other highlights:

Thursday, June 9

Friday, June 10

Saturday, June 11