They came from different places on the Island, with the illusion of someone who returns to meet with long lost friends. After the happy reunion in front of the José De Diego’s Building, a moment filled with hugs, kisses and handshakes, together they once again walked, although some with a slower pace than others, the pathways of the place where their lives became intertwined and transformed more than 60 years ago.

The University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) put on their best this past Saturday, January 24, 2009, for the arrival of a group of graduates from the Class of 1950, of the Before, Now, and Forever Colegio! The splendid visit responded to an invitation by the chancellor of UPRM, doctor Jorge I. Vélez Arocho.

The gathering at UPRM was coordinated by the engineer Santiago Quesada, exiting president of CAAM 50, along with the working team of the Alumni Office, directed by Yomarachaliff Luciano, executive assistant to the Chancellor for Development and Alumni matters.

During this visit, Quesada expressed, on behalf of his classmates, the satisfaction that they felt returning to the campus, not only on this occasion but also for the closing of the 15th Annual Assembly of CAAM 50, celebrated last October.

“It has been a stupendous activity. It is the fourth return of CAAM 50 to UPRM after it was founded in 1993.We are extremely content, all members, the whole group. We will have a great desire to return because our last reunion at UPRM was in 2001 and the truth is that you all went out of your way in hospitality and attention, making us feel so well we have to return,” assured the leader of this group.

For event organizers of the visit to UPRM, it was a pleasure to receive and share stories of the eternal alumni. “At a time when they admired the transformations and commented on the new developments at UPRM our youth always remember and relive their collective and personal histories in an environment of jokes, laughs and happiness. It was a beautiful, emotional, and enjoyable experience,” said Luciano.

José A. Frontera Agenjo, UPRM dean of Administration, acted as a guide for the alumni in the historic areas and the principal structures of the campus. Visitors observed from close to Monzón Building, the construction of the Art Museum and base of the Academic Senate (MuSA by its Spanish acronym), the remodeling of the Celis and Sánchez Hidalgo buildings as well as the new installations of the Biology, Chemistry and Business Administration buildings. They also visited the work in process of the natatorium, future home for the swimming and diving events of the Central American Games in Mayagüez in 2010.

The visit ended with lunch in the historical establishment, E. Franco and Cía., where they were greeted by UPRM Chancellor. Vélez Arocho reminded the Tarzans and the Janes of ‘50 that “UPRM is and will continue to be their home.”

The Class CAAM 50 maintains active ties of affection and mentoring with their godchildren from the Class of 2000, which on this day was represented by Omar García Díaz, past president of the Governing Council of CAAM 50. To end the day’s events, the group posed for a photograph in front of the 2000 Historical Monument, which is located by the Nursing Building. The Class of 1950 donated this sculpture when they celebrated their anniversary of 50 years of graduation.

Members of the Class CAAM 50 posed in front of the 2000 Historical Monument, donated by this group in celebration of the 50th graduate anniversary.

UPRM was visited by members of the graduating Class of 1950.

The Eternal Alumni gathered in front of the José de Diego Building where they began to remember and relive their collective and personal histories.

José A. Frontera Agenjo, UPRM dean of Administration, (in front) acted as guide for the alumni in the historic areas of the campus.

The visit ended with a lunch where they were greeted by UPRM chancellor, doctor Jorge I. Vélez Arocho.

Photos by Yomarachaliff Luciano