Harris Reunion Weekend 2025

Thursday, May 1

6:00 – 8:30 PM: A Conversation with Dean Bueno de Mesquita 

Join fellow alumni and friends to welcome Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, AB'96 into the deanship of the Harris School of Public Policy. Dean Bueno de Mesquita will share reflections from his time as a UChicago student, faculty member, and now dean—and discuss his vision for the future of Harris. Learn more about our students, faculty, and the serious work of shaping the next generation of policy leaders. 

The Art Institute of Chicago, 280 S. Columbus Dr., Suite 113, Chicago, IL 60603

Register now 

Friday, May 2

8:30 AM – 3:15 PM: The UnCommon Core*

Looking forward to participating in some engaging intellectual programming? Join several events hosted by divisions and alumni to learn about the latest research and practices. Programming includes sessions with the 3-Minute Thesis Competition and more.

Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637

6:30 – 8:30 PM: Harris Alumni Awards Presentation & Dinner 

Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025 Harris Alumni Award winners. More information about each of the awards being conferred can be found here. 

Chicago Theological Seminary, 1407 E 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 

Saturday, May 3

9:00 – 10:00 AM: Breakfast 

Enjoy coffee and breakfast with fellow alumni and guests as you arrive at the Keller Center for the day’s events. 

The Keller Center, 1307 E. 60th St, Chicago IL, 60637

10:15 – 11:00 AM: Faculty Topic Talk with Assistant Professor Erin Kelley

Erin Kelley, Assistant Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, will discuss her research and scholarly work.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Faculty Topic Talk featuring James Robinson, University Professor at the Harris School and 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economics

James Robinson, University Professor at the Harris School and 2024 Nobel Laureate in Economics, will discuss his research and scholarly work.

Harris Family Foundation Forum, The Keller Center

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Picnic Lunch 

Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch at the Keller Center. There will be great food and great opportunities to catch up with your classmates. Family-friendly games will be available! School on a Saturday has never been so fun. 

1:15 – 2:00 PM: Faculty Topic Talk featuring Dean Ethan Bueno de Mesquita

Dean Ethan Bueno de Mesquita will share updates on current research priorities at the Harris School of Public Policy.

Harris Family Foundation Forum, The Keller Center

3:30 – 7:00 PM Food Truck Social*

Separate ticket required ($15 per person)

Join fellow UChicago alumni for a food truck social and the Alumni Beer Garden. Try some of Chicago’s and Hyde Park’s favorite food trucks while relaxing and socializing with friends. Two food truck tickets and beverages are included with the purchase of each event ticket. 

University of Chicago Main Quadrangle, 1100 E 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 

6:00 – 8:00 PM: Milestone Class Reunion Celebration 

Register now for Early Bird ticket pricing at $40.00/ea (20% off) until March 21, 2025.

Join us for a food, drink, and great conversation with all classes celebrating Reunion milestones! This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your classmates in a celebratory atmosphere. 

Aster Hall Chicago, 900 N Michigan Ave, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 

Sunday, May 4

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: UChicago Alumni @ the Shedd Aquarium*

Separate ticket required (adults, ages 20+, $39.95; children, ages 3–19, $31.95) 

Shedd Aquarium, located on Chicago’s Museum Campus, is a world-renowned destination, home to over 32,000 animals from aquatic habitats around the globe. In 2025, Shedd introduced exciting new features, including the Wonder of Water exhibit, a reimagined Amazon Rising habitat, and a dynamic Welcome Plaza. Admission includes access to the entire aquarium, where guests can enjoy a 4-D Experience, explore interactive touch pools, and marvel at daily Animal Spotlights. Space is limited to 50 guests, so please register early.  

Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: American Writers Museum*

Separate ticket required (adults, $17; students, teachers, and seniors, $13)

Explore over 400 years of American writing at the American Writers Museum. What makes the museum unique? It’s packed with interactive exhibits that bring different perspectives on writers’ works, blending them into our shared human story. Plus, enjoy a complimentary photo scavenger hunt experience as part of your visit. Limited tickets are available. A daily guided tour at 3 p.m. is included with admission.

American Writers Museum, Second Floor, 180 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM: UCABA Annual Alumni Weekend Sunday Brunch and Panel*

Separate ticket required ($25 per person)

Join the University of Chicago Association of Black Alumni for our annual Sunday brunch and panel.

Ida Noyes Hall, 3rd Floor Theatre, 1212 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Chicago Architecture Boat Tour*

Separate ticket required (adults, ages 20+, $34; children, ages 4-12, $15) 

Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago's legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to enjoy and admire. This comprehensive tour will navigate through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River while your guide tells the story of more than 130 years of innovation in design, style, and technique and why it is important today. Family-friendly! Refreshments available on boat for purchase. 

Note: Passengers are advised to arrive at 10:15 a.m., 30 minutes before departure time. Space is limited, so please register early. 

Dock TBD | 400 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

*These are University-wide events sponsored by UChicago Alumni Weekend.

University of Chicago Preferred Hotel Program

While hotel information for Harris Reunion Weekend 2025 is being updated please check out the University of Chicago's Preferred Hotel Program. The university has partnered with several hotels in Hyde Park and Downtown Chicago to offer discounted rates to alumni. Learn about the University of Chicago Preferred Hotel Program.

Transportation:

• The United States' second-largest transit system can take you around Chicago, to the airports, and UChicago campus. The CTA even has visitor information. (Use Google Maps to navigate your trip on the CTA's L, bus network, and get live updates on travel times.)
• Divvy Bikeshare is an excellent option for rides around the city's Lakefront Trail, or network of bike lanes. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 
• Rideshares like Lyft, Uber, and Curb are excellent options to get around quickly, when transit or driving isn't an option. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Chicago is the rail-hub of the nation, and that is reflected in the plentiful options for suburban and regional travel via the Metra train network. Tickets via Metra's Electric District Line are the cheapest and fastest form of travel from Downtown to Hyde Park.
• The University has listed information on parking around campus. 
• The Chicago Transit Authority has information on buses to campus. We recommend taking the Hyde Park Express #2 Bus, the Jackson Park Express #6 Bus, or the U. of Chicago Hospitals Express #192 Bus.

We welcome all guests to the panels and open forums during Harris Reunion Weekend, but we understand that those with young children may want to explore other options. Below are a list of events that might be appealing to you and your little ones.

Note: Alumni and guests should make their own arrangements if they wish to attend the following activities or visit places in Hyde Park.

Activities Within 15 Minutes from Campus:

• Visit the exciting and interactive Museum of Science and Industry.
• Discover the oldest African American History Museum in the country, the DuSable Museum of African American History.
• Have children between the ages of 2-9? Check out the only African American children's museum in the U.S., Bronzeville Children's Museum in South Shore. 
• Take in the best views of Downtown at Promontory Point.
• Learn 10,000 years of human history at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC).
• Have a moment of peace in the Japanese Garden at Jackson Park.
• Bike down Chicago's stunning Lakefront Trail, filled with beaches, cafes, bars, and access to the city's finest cultural institutions.
• Keep the kids active and interested at the Hyde Park Art Center. 
• Grab a bite to eat at some of our favorite cutting-edge culinary establishments like Virtue and classics like Valois. 
• Check out Hyde Park's event site or Hyde Park Downtown's event site for updates on events like the Farmers Market.

Activities Within 30 Minutes from Campus:

Downtown:

• Observe the world-class Lincoln Park Zoo, built right into the heart of Lincoln Park. Also in Lincoln Park is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, take the kids for a last-minute stop before leaving the park.
• Visit the Chicago History Museum to learn about this great city, it's struggles, and it's rise.
• The newest addition to the already stunning Grant Park, features several playgrounds, ice/roller-skating, mini-golf, gardens, a field house, and a climbing wall, Maggie Daley Park has everything for a family day-out, and is nestled within view of Chicago's beautiful skyline.
• Situated next to Maggie Daley is Millennium Park, with the famous Bean, fountains, and Jay Pritzker Pavilion music shows!
• Navy Pier features endless activities for families, from the Chicago Children's Museum, stores, dining, IMAX movies, firework shows, boat tours, rides, and amazing views. Take in the best views at Offshore, a unique bar and restaurant at the end of Navy Pier. 
• For all those little builders, check out the Legoland Discovery Center!
• Some of the world's finest collections of art, history, meet families at Museum Campus. Families can also enjoy both underwater and out-of-this-world experiences, visit the Field Museum, tour the Art Institute of Chicago, gaze at the galaxy at the Alder Planetarium, catch a glimpse of a modern medium in the Museum of Contemporary Photography.
• There are also opportunities for catching a show at the Hunting Bank Pavilion in the revamped Northly Island Park.
• If you're a sports or music fan, check out Soldier Field for football and soccer games, or look for any of the big ticket concerts coming to town!
• The Chicago Children's Theater can keep the kids entertained when you're ready for a break!
• Chicago is famous for its sports. Discover the heart of our sports spirit at the Chicago Sports Museum.
• Want to see the whole city from above, or feeling daring enough to step onto glass over the tallest building in Chicago, check out the Skydeck at the Willis Tower. 
• If the weather is right, check out the Chicago River Walk and even check it out up-close with Urban Kayaks.
• Want to do several big-ticket visits? Check out the Chicago CityPASS for reduced-cost entry to multiple popular venues!

Chinatown:

• Only a short trip from Hyde Park and Downtown are plenty of good eats and beautiful architecture in Chicago's Chinatown. Whether coming to see the unobstructed views of downtown in Ping Tom Memorial Park, checking out the Chinese American Veterans Memorial, taking a photo in front of the Nine Dragon Wall, or stopping by to learn a little bit about the people who built this community, at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, there is so much to do in Chinatown.
• Chinatown also has both authentic and cutting edge dining, from community staples like MingHin Cuisine, to the packed Happy Lamb Hot Pot, and a global phenomenon, Kung Fu Tea. Also don't sleep on the little old storefronts, Chiu Quon Bakery and Dim Sum is unmatched, and some of the best ramen in the city can be found at Strings Ramen. If you're a connoisseur of dumplings, Qing Xian Yuan has both a pleasant atmosphere and refined delicacies. Lastly, for a modern take on a retro experience, check out Ken Kee Restaurant for dinner!

Getting Around:

• The United States' second-largest transit system can take you around Chicago, to the airports, and UChicago campus. The CTA even has visitor information. (Use Google Maps to navigate your trip on the CTA's L, bus network, and get live updates on travel times.)
• Divvy Bikeshare is an excellent option for rides around the city's Lakefront Trail, or network of bike lanes. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 
• Rideshares like Lyft, Uber, and Curb are excellent options to get around quickly, when transit or driving isn't an option. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Chicago is the rail-hub of the nation, and that is reflected in the plentiful options for suburban and regional travel via the Metra train network. Tickets via Metra's Electric District Line are the cheapest and fastest form of travel from Downtown to Hyde Park.