“This will sound corny, but I want to be awakened by the Chapel bells,” Trachtman said. “It’s just better to be there.”
Since Trachtman lives in Indiana, he does not often make it back to the Hill. Like many alumni, he treasures everything that comes with the reunion experience — the nostalgia of reliving old memories mingled with the pleasure of making new ones. Reunion Weekend offers a unique opportunity for connection, whether it’s with lifelong friends, classmates you didn’t know well during college, or alumni from other class years you’ve never met.
Trachtman and his wife, Sharon, enjoyed spending time with everyone they encountered during his 50th Reunion Weekend in June 2025.
“Everybody was incredibly welcoming,” Trachtman said. “There were no situations in which we would walk into an event, and there'd be six or seven of my classmates sitting at one table, and we’d wonder, ‘Gee, should we join them?’ That was never even a question. Whenever we walked into a room, people said, ‘Come sit with us!’ And we said, ‘Come sit with us,’ too.”
Like the ringing of the Chapel bells, there were many elements of returning to campus that evoked profound emotional responses for Trachtman and his friends. He remembered seeing a Class of 1965 alumnus burst into tears upon walking into the Chapel again; Trachtman also noted that watching Steak Nite, an all-alumni band composed primarily of his classmates, perform was a particularly moving experience.
“It just brings tears to your eyes to see those tremendous musicians perform on campus,” Trachtman said. “It was wonderful to hear that music and to see them all play together again.”
Visiting the graves of former professors in the College cemetery is yet another meaningful part of returning to the Hill for many alumni.
“It’s amazing — you see men and women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s standing in the cemetery, often in tears, as they look at the gravestone of someone who really cared about them when they were pretty darn young,” Trachtman said. “Having someone really care about you when you're 19 or 20 and you're not exactly sure what you're doing, but you're trying hard, makes a huge difference in your life.”
Trachtman said that the Hill is as beautiful as ever, and he was delighted to hike through Kirkland and Root glens again, explore campus buildings, and occasionally run into former professors. His return to campus always inspires intense feelings, including irrepressible joy.
“For most of the people who come back, Hamilton was sort of a magical experience,” Trachtman said. “The Hill is just a remarkable place. When I’m there, my wife teases me and says that I just cannot stop smiling. And that's true. I can't stop smiling.”
Posted March 25, 2026
