This past summer I was fortunate enough to participate in two ISB reunions: a reunion in Bangkok that was celebrated by alumni from the late 1980s, and a large festivity hosted by the ISB Network Alumni Association that took place in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“Once a Panther, Always a Panther!"
Late 80s Reunion:
Alumni from the late 1980s (mostly 1988) met during the first week of July in Bangkok. The events, planned by alumna Melissa Gecolea from the Class of ’88), consisted of a cocktail get-together on the evening of July 3rd, an on-campus event at ISB on the 4th, and a “Back-to-the 80s” party the next evening. A total of nearly 40 alumni from Bangkok and overseas took part in the reunion, and as one might expect, a good time was had by all!
The ISB Network Alumni Association Reunion
The ISB Network Alumni Association hosts an all-class ISB reunion in the USA every two years. This year the event took place at The Scotts Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona from July 24 through July 26. The Network was established in 1983 and its 5,000 or so members are primarily made up of ISB alumni who attended the school in the 1960s and 1970s and live in the United States. This year’s reunion had upwards of 350 attendees and included not only alumni from the 60s and 70s, but also former ISB students from the 1980s and 1990s.
As is the case with all of these Network reunions, the highlights were the Teen Club for music and dancing, the House Games for fun and friendly competitions, The Shack to purchase ISB memorabilia, and the final Gala Dinner on Saturday evening. For this participant (it was my second Network reunion), I especially enjoyed the special presentations that were made by Danae Hendrickson (Legacies of War), and two ISB alumni authors, Tony Grady (Class of 1973) and Francesco Paola (1984), who talked about their books and their writing processes. Also memorable was the community service activity, putting together Clean Birthing Kits, lead by my friend Suzanne Cano Meeker (also 1984).
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the yeoman work done by Network leaders Kathy Beaird, President, the aforementioned Suzanne Cano Meeker, Vice President, Secretary Michele Remmers Lockwood, Treasurer Cindy Hunt Leach, Kate Boslet, Director of Communications, Director of Outreach, Becky Byers Quirsfeld, and Director of Reunions Teresa Martin. These special people, along with many others, were responsible for making such a memorable event take place.
Future ISB Reunions
It should be noted that we have lined up a number of reunions that are scheduled to take place in the near future. In December of 2025 the Classes of 2000 and 2005 will be celebrating their 25th and 20th reunions respectively in a joint event, while in early January 2026 the Class of 2016 will commemorate their 10th anniversary. Information for these events can be gained by contacting ISB Alumni Coordinator Harold Albert at isbalum@isb.ac.th. The ISB Network has already begun planning their event for the summer on 2027, this time around a cruise that will begin in Orlando, Florida. Information about this reunion can be found by contacting the Network at isbninfo@isbnetwork.com.
ISB’s 75th Anniversary
Most importantly, the big event on the horizon will be the gala celebration for ISB’s 75th Anniversary. ISB was ‘born’ on May 14, 1951 (then called the “International Children’s Center”), and May 14, 2026 there will be a special ‘birthday’ celebration on campus for the entire ISB student body. The main events, however, will take place January 21-23, 2027 in Bangkok. The planning for this Diamond Anniversary is well underway, so be on the lookout for more information as is it becomes available.