Williams "family" reunion

By JOAN BECKER CARY ’79

From left to right, front row: JOAN BECKER CARY '79, LINDA TUNGETT HOADLEY '80, GARY HOADLEY '80, KIM FLOWER '83, ANN FINGERHOOD '80, ART HANSELL '81, Emily Barry, DAVE ROGOWSKI '80. Middle row: KAREN FLEMING KELLY '80, RICH ROESKE '82, LARRY GROGAN '80, WILL FLOWER '83, JEAN TYRRELL FELDMAN '81. Back row: DAVE KELLY '79, STEVEN EVANS '80, and JOE MILJUSH '80.

Twenty old friends — and I use “old” in the nice way — reunited October 16 and 17 for Bradley’s Homecoming. It was the first official reunion for those of us who lived on the junior/senior co-ed dorm floor between 1978 and 1982, and people came from six states to meet up. Many events, good and bad, have occurred in all of our lives since we lived side by side. Careers and family have spread us around the country. And yes, we’ve aged. But it was good to be together again and great to see the old place still the same, but way, way better. The new rec center and Jay Leno performing in the new arena proved that.

It started with a Bradley University Williams II Facebook page created last winter by our former RA, LINDA TUNGETT HOADLEY ’80. The reunion plans began that way, but the real story started 30 years ago when random groups of friends unpacked their bags and lofted their beds on the second floor of Williams Hall, none realizing that they were about to join the exclusive Williams II Friends for a Lifetime Club.

While old photos and music by Meatloaf took us back to crazy, fun times, new pictures and business cards caught us up to the more recent events we have missed in each other’s lives. We did discover a few things:

Williams II romances led to six marriages among the group.
Avanti’s is still the best meal and deal in town.
We won’t wait another 30 years to do it again, lest our children have to drive us to the reunion. And we all hope more of the gang will be able to join in next time!