Recap

More than 600 SAIS Europe Alumni registered to come to Bologna for the SAIS Europe celebration of its 65^th anniversary. Unfortunately, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the event was transformed into a 100% virtual event, as alumni, faculty and staff from all around the world connected from their homes. Guests joined the festivities from all of the continents of the world and from 53 countries including Australia, Japan, Hawaii, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Mauritius.

"Back to Class," opened the two-day event, as alumni attended virtual seminars with SAIS professors on topics such as "Back to the Future: The Relevance of International Political Thought" with Mark Gilbert, Professor of History and International Studies; "Scenarios for the Future of Europe after Brexit" with Michael Leigh, Senior Adjunct Professor of European and Eurasian Studies; "Assessing The Regional and Geopolitical Impact of US Iranian Tensions" with Sanam Vakil ('01, PhD'05), James Anderson Adjunct Professor, Adjunct Professor of Middle East Studies; and "Why is Economic Theory Becoming Obsolete?" with Vera Negri Zamagni, Senior Adjunct Professor of International Economics.

The weekend also included Director Michael Plummer’s State of the School Address, with guest speeches from JHU President Ron Daniels and SAIS Dean Eliot Cohen. This was also an opportunity to announce a remarkable 65^th anniversary birthday gift. Thanks to the generosity of one of our alumni and Bologna Advisory Council Chair, James Anderson, SAIS Europe has been blessed with an unprecedented gift that not only benefits the school directly but also offers several million dollars in matching funds to encourage renewed and new philanthropy towards critical areas for Bologna: our faculty, our students, our new programs and in particular an Emergency Relief Fund to help us navigate immediate challenges.

Alumni and current students were invited to participate in two panel discussions. On Friday the topic was "Covid-19: Long-run economic and political consequences," and speakers included Nina Hall, Assistant Professor of International Relations; Michael Plummer (B’82), Director, SAIS Europe and Eni Professor of International Economics; and Filippo Taddei, Director of the Bologna Institute for Policy Research, Academic Director of Master of Arts in Global Risk and Associate Professor of the Practice of International Economics. Erik Jones (B'89, '90, PhD'95), Director of European Eurasian Studies; Professor of European Studies and International Political Economy moderated the panel and facilitated the lively Q&A discussion from alumni. The Saturday topic was "Human Rights and Migration" with Arntraud Hartmann (B'80, '85), Steven Muller Professor, Susanna Mancini, Adjunct Professor of International Law; Jacqueline Mazza (B'83, '84, PhD'98), Senior Adjunct Professor of Latin American Studies and Development; Sara Pennicino, Adjunct Professor of International Law; and moderator Justin Frosini, Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law.

Two virtual "Spritz Receptions" gave alumni the opportunity to see one another and to raise a glass together, bringing memories of Giulio’s Caffè to the online world. These were emotional sessions with many special anniversaries to celebrate, nostalgia about not being physically in Bologna, plans for coming back next year and lots of Campari Spritz Toasts. We even got to enjoy a toast by alumnus Klaus Poser (B’56) with his memories of Bologna in the 1950’s and an in-tune rendition of "Viva Bologna."

2020 was a celebration year for many of our classes. For the 65^th alumni weekend, we had alumni registered from 59 different class years, from the very first class of 1956 through to 2019. Twelve classes celebrated a special anniversary with the class of 1960 on their 60^th, the class of 1970 on their 50^th, and the class of 2015 on their first five-year reunion. All of the celebrating classes joined together in a virtual classroom to reminisce on their SAIS experience and to share their professional and personal stories since graduating.

Current students were invited to join the Alumni weekend activities. In addition to the classes and panels, 40 alumni generously volunteered to host career panels with current students divided by fields, such as International Organizations; Diplomacy, Security & Defense: State Department & US Agencies; and EU institutions. This fulfilled an essential part of the alumni weekend: the connection with current students as they prepare to become the next generation of alumni.

It was impossible to fit all of the activities into a virtual reunion, but overall it was a wonderful opportunity to have a shared Bologna experience, despite the travel restrictions forcing us to stay at home.