From the Hill to the Big Apple: Celebrating Wagner Alumni during NYU Alumni & Families Weekend

By Devashish Taknet (MPA 2024)

On October 27, 2023, the bustling streets of Manhattan played host to a lively gathering of NYU Wagner alumni and their families at the Wagner Alumni Happy Hour. Hosted by the NYU Alumni Club in Washington, DC, in collaboration with NYU Wagner's Office of Alumni Engagement, the event took place at the inviting Clinton Hall. Under the theme "From the (Capitol) Hill to the Big Apple," the gathering served as a poignant bridge between our alumni working in various impactful roles in Washington DC and connecting them back to the vibrant streets of the city that never sleeps.

Four alumni seated at a table have a conversation — Alumni across various cohorts and NYU campuses actively engaged in conversations

The central theme encapsulated the diverse paths NYU Wagner alumni had forged since their academic pursuits, creating a space for reflection and celebration. The event delivered an evening filled with laughter, nostalgia, and the joy of reconnecting with fellow Wagnerds, family members, and friends of the school. Ranging from batches 1974 to 2023, we saw a diverse group of alumni, some of whom even graduated from NYU’s international campuses such as NYU Shanghai. It was more than just a happy hour; it was a celebration of enduring connections, lifelong camaraderie, and the shared experiences that defined the Wagner community. One of the alumni Jeffrey Rathgeber (EMPA 2022) recalls, "There were young and old Wagnerds, from all walks of life, just the best of us in every way. It was so refreshing to sit and talk and laugh with a few old friends and a lot of new faces who became friends. See you at the next one!"

A group of alumni posing for a photo around a table — The group came together to shares stories and make new connections

As alumni, families, and friends came together in the heart of Manhattan, the Wagner Alumni Happy Hour during NYU Alumni & Families Weekend became a reminder to the enduring spirit of the Wagner community. The weekend was not just a celebration of their individual journeys but also a reaffirmation that, no matter where life takes them, Wagnerds would always find a home in the vibrant tapestry of the NYU community.

Written by Devashish Taknet, a second-year MPA-Public and Nonprofit Management & Policy student at NYU Wagner.