What a Starry night it was! Over 100 alumni from the Class of 2011 returned to SMU for a Starry Homecoming on 22nd October 2016 for their 5th Year Reunion.
Held at The Basement where this group of graduates would have known it to be the former Frujch, our alumni rekindled friendships with one another and renewed their relationship with SMU over good music, fun games, sumptuous food and drinks.
What made the night so special was that the event was organised by a few of the Class of 2011 alumni who came together amidst their busy schedules to create an event for their fellow classmates to remember. The 5th Year Reunion Organising Committee comprises co-Chairpersons Avnish Desai and Kevin Chan; Marketing and Outreach Team Christina Chew, Esther Tan and Sentill Ananthan; Programme Team Fauzi As’ad and Rafie Ng; and Sponsorship Team Alson Chew and Lionel Chow.
The organising committee was truly excited to meet everyone again that night. It was the prospect of bringing everyone together to rekindle the close-knit family that kept the team going through the weeks of preparation leading up to the event. Said Christina Chew, "We were very grateful to have had the chance to laugh together, share the journey and enjoy the company with as many of our peers as possible."
"A little bit awkward and a little bit scary, we made our way from person to person- reintroducing ourselves, hugging those we remember and genuinely excited to meet with batch mates we hadn’t seen in ages. It’s been 5 years! For many of us, we were glad we had the chance to reminisce SMU days of yore. It was a simple intimate set up - food and an acoustic band playing tunes from our time in school (which SMU-ian can forget “Closing Time”?) mixed with the latest love songs and kpop too" recalled Esther Tan of the events that transpired that night.
SMU SoundFoundry and the University's first Korean band "Yamsu 얌수" filled the venue with familiar music while the alumni caught up with one another. SMU faculty and staff were also present to reconnect with the class and they participated in games with the alumni which brought about lots of smiles and laughter throughout the evening.
Emcee of the night Ibrahim Musa (aka Michael Jackson to the Class of 2011 alums) entertained the crowd with his jokes and playful banter. Director of SMU's Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), Associate Professor Low Aik Meng addressed the Class and invited everyone to stay connected to the University with the wide array of events organised for all alumni.
Supported by OAR, the event was truly a memorable one with many of the alumni looking forward to their next gathering. With that, the organising committee left a message for the Class of 2011, "Thank you for coming. The hunt for the 10th year anniversary committee has begun! See you at the next SMU gathering!"
Click here for more photos from the event.