The Phillie Phanatic,

On Rider University’s Lawrenceville campus June 23-25, activities for all ages are in store as alumni and their families return for Reunion Weekend.

Programming will certainly reflect that as alumni reminisce and experience Rider’s renewal. President Mordechai Rozanski and the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, will set the tone on Friday, June 23, with a welcome reception from 4 to 7 p.m. on the lawn of the Van Cleve Alumni House. The furry, green Phanatic will be appearing between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m.

Alumna Andrea Guest ’95 will be particularly happy about the Phanatics’ appearance on campus. Guest is coordinator for the Phanatic, a role in which she books his world and local tours to hospitals, private parties and other special events. “Since the Phanatic is so much fun for all ages, I am glad that he can come to Rider to mingle and add his goofy antics to Reunion Weekend,” said Guest, who has booked the Phanatic for the past six years. “I know everyone will have a great time. I hope to see some of my fellow alums at a Phillies game soon.”

Friday events will also include a lecture by Dr. David Rebovich, managing director of the Rider University Institute for New Jersey Politics, Comedy Night, and a Young Alumni Reunion gathering at KatManDu.

Also featured Friday night is a Trenton Thunder vs. Connecticut Defenders game at Waterfront Park. The event is an Alumni Association fund-raiser. Admission to the game is $10 per person. Buses leave campus at 6:15 p.m; the game starts at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule will feature non-stop activities, including a 5K Walk and Run (to benefit Womanspace, a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving the lives of women in crisis), campus tours, soccer, tennis, and baseball tournaments, an Athletics Hall of Fame Wall Ceremony, 25th, 40th and 50th reunion dinners, an Alumni of Color Reunion and an All-Alumni Celebration on the Campus Green. At the all-alumni celebration, food and activities will be plentiful. Those in attendance will listen to the fun-filled music of Radio Disney.”

During the evening, the Gin Blossoms will also be featured in concert at Alumni Gym. Formed in 1987 in Tempe, AZ, the band’s music is reminiscent of The Byrds and Tom Petty with several hits in the mid 1990s, including “Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down,” and “Allison Road." Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The concert is sponsored in conjunction with Lawrence Township. Tickets are $10 for alumni and staff, and $20 for the general public.

“It is important that all of our alumni participate with their time, talent and resources to help Rider continue to a level for which we can all be proud,” said Joe Casarella, president of the Alumni Board. “By coming to Reunion Weekend, I am certain that they will be inspired and will become active and engaged alums.”