Last week, the senior class gathered in front of the Admissions Office for the annual Blue & Gray Dinner. The event was more than just a meal. It was a chance for us to step closer to becoming part of the Kent alumni community.

The evening felt relaxed from the start. We chatted with current alumni, many of whom had graduated just a few years ago. It was easy to talk with them about their time at Kent and what came after. They answered our questions about college, careers, and staying connected to the school. There were no formal lectures, just honest conversations between seniors and graduates.

After dinner, we heard from the outgoing and incoming presidents of the Alumni Society. They spoke about what it means to be a Kent alumnus. They reminded us that the blue and gray is a bond that lasts long after graduation.

The night also had plenty of fun. There was pizza for dinner and gelato for dessert. Some of us played cornhole on the grass while others gathered around Jenga towers. The games brought out some friendly competition and a lot of laughter. 

Holding the dinner in front of Admissions added a special touch. That building is where many of us first arrived at Kent as prospective students. Now, as seniors, we stood in the same spot looking ahead to the next chapter. It felt like a full-circle moment.

The Blue & Gray Dinner did not feel like a farewell. Instead, it felt like a beginning. For the first time, many of us really saw ourselves as future alumni. With pizza in hand and gelato melting fast, we got a small taste of what it means to be part of the Kent family for life.