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6 Highlights from JWU Reunion 2022
It was great to have amazing Johnson & Wales alumni back on campus this summer to celebrate Reunion in person for the first time since 2019. There were 15 fun-filled and educational events that highlighted JWU past, present and future. Here are some of the top moments from our favorite weekend of the year.
THREE OUTSTANDING ALUMNI WERE RECOGNIZED AT REUNION IN THE CATEGORIES OF ALUMNI SERVICE, OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT, AND G.O.L.D. (GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE).
1. Distinguished Alumni Awards
The weekend began with the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards. During the event, we honored Jasmine Turner ’16 as our G.O.L.D. (Graduate of the Last Decade) recipient, Elána Frazier ’13 was honored with the Alumni Service Award and Clay Snyder ’93, ’15 Hon. received the Outstanding Achievement Award. Turner was recognized for her support of JWU and quick career progression after graduation; Frazier was honored for her service to JWU, serving as the alumni representative on the university’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee; and Snyder received his award for his dedication to JWU and his outstanding commitment to and achievements within the hospitality industry.
ATTENDEES WERE TREATED TO AMAZING FOOD FROM “TOP CHEF” CONTESTANT CHRIS VIAUD '12, WHO ALSO LEARNED FROM THE BEST AT JWU.
2. Taste of JWU
This event is always a high point of Reunion. The food-and-wine festival, featuring alumni chefs and restaurateurs, returned for Reunion 2022. It was a beautiful, sunny day, overlooking Narragansett Bay. Visitors got to taste delicious dishes prepared by top-notch chefs from around the country, including Chris Viaud '12 from Season 18 of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Aarthi Sampath '14 from Season 3 of Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions.”
3. Shakin’ It Up: Craft Cocktails
Following “Taste of JWU,” Andrew Greenleaf '17, '18 MBA, Professor Jim Griffin, Ed.D '88, '92 M.S. and Liz Smith '15 shared the latest trends from sustainability to cocktails fortified with healthy infusions during “Shakin’ It Up: Craft Cocktails,” sponsored by Bully Boy Distillers. The lively presentation was held at the Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence (CCCE).
4. Chocolate: Spice Up Your Life
Attendees were also treated by chocolatier Aura Fajardo Quintero ’17, who led an interactive tasting during “Chocolate: Spice Up Your Life.” The menu: Chocolates of Latin American origin.
5. 50th Anniversary of the College of Hospitality Management celebrations
Throughout the weekend, Reunion marked the 50th Anniversary of the College of Hospitality Management with various programming and a special reception. Faculty and staff led guests down memory lane and explored what the future holds for the program.
REUNION IS A CHANCE TO WITNESS THE WILDCAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND THE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS CREATED AT JWU.
6. Our alumni
It was great to interact and see our passionate, engaged alums back on campus creating new JWU memories. We hope all who attended enjoyed reconnecting with friends, classmates and faculty. The passion our alumni have for the university and the overall success of the JWU alumni family is what makes Reunion so special.
