Alumni Reunion

Alumni - Reunion & Events - Class of 1996

Class of 1996

REUNION GIVING LEADERS

John Fruehwirth, Class Agent, Reunion Giving Chair
Kevin Stein, Class Agent, Reunion Giving Chair
Marc Ruggiano
Meme Scherr

REUNION EVENTS LEADERS

Robert Kuftinec
Mary Jo Lampe
Bill Passer
Mike Plummer

1996 REUNION GIVING CAMPAIGN

Many classmates chose to support the 2021 Darden Annual Fund in honor of this milestone year. The Darden Annual Fund serves as the foundation for reunion giving and provides critical support that enables the School to remain innovative, invest in top strategic priorities and respond nimbly to emerging opportunities. We are proud to recognize these generous classmates on the 2021 Contributors List.

Alumni also consider major gifts to Darden and planned gifts, such as bequests or annuities, to commemorate reunion to the area most meaningful to them. If you would like to speak with a member of the Advancement team about your reunion gift, please contact Whitney Wilson, director of major gifts, at WilsonW@darden.virginia.edu or +1-434-924-0706.

Whether you support our class giving effort through the annual fund, major or planned gifts, every gift counts and every gift matters. The full amount of any commitment made before 31 December 2021 will be recognized as part of our class giving total. We look forward to celebrating your impact at the fall reunion!

Travel Information

  • Hotel Blocks

    We have secured blocks of rooms at five (5) different hotels in and around Grounds for our reunion weekend. They are:

    Fairfield by Marriott (downtown) for $179/night
    Use the link above to book directly or call +1-434-295-0100
    Mention Darden 25th Reunion Weekend block. Block will be released on 10/5.

    Hyatt Place (at Stonefield Shopping Center) for $189/night
    Use the link above to book directly or call +1-434-995-5200.
    Mention Darden 25th Reunion weekend block. Block will be released on 10/5.

    Hampton Inn (UVA Corner) for $199/night
    Use the link above to book directly or call +1-434-923-8600
    Mention group code D25. Block will be released on 10/5.
     
    Graduate Charlottesville (UVA Corner) for $269/night
    Use link above to book directly or call +1-434-295-4333
    Mention Darden 25th Reunion weekend block. Block is full. Additional rooms may be available at market rate.

    Quirk Hotel (West Main Street) for $279/night
    Use the link above to book directly or call +1-434-729-1234
    Mention Darden 25th Reunion weekend block. Block will be released on 10/5.

  • Air travel and rental cars

    RENTAL CARS:
    The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport has AVIS, National, Budget and Enterprise rental car companies. When making a reservation with Enterprise, you may use this discount code: XZ21302.

    AIR TRAVEL:
    The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) presently serves American Airlines (daily nonstop flights to New York-LaGuardia, Charlotte, Philadelphia), Delta Airlines (daily nonstop flights to Atlanta), and United Airlines (daily nonstop flights to Chicago – O'Hare, Washington – Dulles). Most people who don't drive to Charlottesville for the reunion will fly into either Washington Dulles Airport (2 hour drive to Darden) or Reagan National Airport (2 1/2 hour drive to Darden).

     

Weekend Events - Register now!

Friday, 5 November, 2021

Class Reception at King Family Vineyard

Friday, 7–9:30 p.m.
$85 per adult, children under 18 complimentary

Join us for our kick-off reunion reception with wine, beer and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

King Family Vineyard
6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, Virginia 22932
On-site parking is available at no charge.

Suggested dress is smart casual attire.

Saturday, 6 November, 2021

Saturday Brunch

Saturday, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Complimentary

Join us in the South Lounge for brunch, including mimosas and bloody marys. Several of your former faculty have been invited and will be in attendance, and there will be a brief update from one of the School’s leaders.

Darden, 100 Darden Blvd, Charlottesville Virginia
South Lounge, Saunders Hall
Complimentary parking is available in the Darden parking garage.

Suggested dress is casual attire.

Saturday Afternoon Options

Option 1: Golf Outing at Birdwood

Saturday, 12–4:30 p.m.
Cost:$100-130 per person

Fee includes golf cart, green fees and range tokens. Tee times are available from 12:30 p.m. onward. Please indicate here if you're interested in a tee time, and Bill Passer and Robert Kuftinec will be in touch to finalize tee times and payment information. Tee times for 24 slots are currently available. Depending on demand, more spots can be added if necessary.

Birdwood Golf Course at Boar’s Head Resort
410 Golf Course Dr, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Complimentary parking is available onsite.

Option 2: Beer Tour

Saturday, 12–4:30 p.m.
$50 per adult, children under 18 complimentary

Tour limited to 32 people, first come, first serve. Fee includes knowledgeable driver, private transportation, cold bottled water, and a charcuterie snack box. Wi-fi is available depending on service area. Phone charging stations are available. The cost of purchased beverages, tastings or food will borne separately by the individual at the venue.

Hop On Cville will be providing a private shuttle to visit two breweries in the area, and will pickup in front of Saunders Hall.The shuttle will depart from Darden at 12 p.m. and will return at 4:30 p.m. The tour will visit Devil's Backbone in Roseland (food and beverages available for purchase) followed by Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet (beverages available for purchase).

Complimentary parking is available in the Darden parking garage while on the tour.

Option 3: Wine Tour

Saturday, 12–4:30 p.m.
$50 per adult, children under 18 complimentary

Tour limited to 32 people, first come, first serve. Includes knowledgeable driver, private transportation, cold bottled water, and a charcuterie snack box. Wi-fi is available depending on service area. Phone charging stations are available. The cost of purchased beverages, tastings or food will borne separately by the individual at the venue

Hop On Cville will be providing a private shuttle to visit two wineries in the area, and will pickup in front of Saunders Hall. The shuttle will depart from Darden at 12 p.m. and will return at 4:30 p.m. The tour will visit Veritas in Afton (food, wine bottles and tastings available for purchase), followed by Hazy Mountain Vineyards in Afton (wine, beer, and food available for purchase).

Complimentary parking is available in the Darden parking garage while on the tour.

Option 4: Other Activities

Saturday, 12–4:30 p.m.

All information below is provided for your consideration as alternative afternoon activities. Please note that by selecting Option 4, you will need to make your own arrangements, including transportation and purchasing tickets if applicable. We recommend booking tickets in advance. If none of these options appeal to you, please feel free to enjoy the afternoon on your own in Charlottesville.

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville Virginia 22902
10 miles from Darden, 15-minute drive

A variety of tours are available throughout the day, including a grounds & gardens tour, Monticello highlights tour, behind-the-scenes day pass, slavery at Monticello tour, and a family scavenger hunt.

Ticket prices vary depending on the tour, but start at $31 for adults and $10 for children 12-18. Children under 12 are free. Tours often sell out, so purchase your tickets online in advance.

Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store

1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville Virginia 22902
10.5 miles from Darden, 20-minute drive

Family-owned orchard where you can pick your own apples or buy ready-picked apples, fresh-pressed apple cider, apple cider donuts and apple pies. Hayrides around the orchard are available. Bold Rock Cider has a tasting room on-site.

James Monroe’s Highland

2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville Virginia 22902
12.4 miles from Darden, 20-minute drive

Guided history walks of the historic property are available at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, and children under 6 are free. Tickets include access to exterior spaces including gardens and laws, with exterior views of buildings, and a focus on the landscapes of the historic properties. The Highland Rustic trails are free and open to the public and trail maps and conditions are available here.

UVA Rotunda Tours

1826 University Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Historical tours of the Rotunda are offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. and leave from the Rotunda’s Lower East Oval Room. Tours are offered free of charge. Tours are currently cancelled but expected to resume in Fall 2021.

UVA Admissions Tours

190 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Admissions Tours for prospective University of Virginia students interested in student life across Grounds are offered every day at 11 a.m. Tours are currently limited in size and require advance registration.

 

Saturday Night Dinner at the Graduate Hotel

Saturday, 7–10 p.m.
$90 per adult, children under 18 complimentary

We will gather for a cocktail reception on the Graduate’s rooftop terrace and Trophy Room. Event includes open bar, passed appetizers and stationed food.

Graduate Charlottesville
1309 West Main Street
Charlottesville VA 22903

Valet parking is available at the Graduate Hotel for $16. Limited street parking is available on the Corner and West Main Street. We encourage ride sharing and carpooling!

Suggested dress is smart casual attire.

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