By: Alina Buzgar, News Editor
Here’s what happens when Thunderbird alumni embark on a six-day journey to Florida, Belize and Mexico.
Courtesy J.P. Driessen
Courtesy J.P. Driessen
Thundercruise welcomed the participation of 22 T-Bird alumni from graduating classes from 1963 through 2012. “Our trip kicked off with a serendipitous luncheon in Ft. Lauderdale with the new CEO and Director General of Thunderbird, Dr. Allen Morrison, who was passing through on his Thunderbird World Tour,” says J.P. Driessen, ’99.
“Everybody made many new friends and unforgettable memories. In fact, several participants joined the event all the way from Japan and China. […] I enjoyed the way perfect strangers came together with only Thunderbird in common and made such a tight cohesive bond in a few short days,” continued Driessen.
The cruise had something for everyone. From private networking functions to the Mardi Gras celebration on Fat Tuesday and a 70s night. Apart from the activities on board the ship, T-Bird alumni went scuba diving with sharks and snorkeling with dolphins, visited the Mayan ruins and enjoyed trekking and zip lining adventures. One cruiser, Philip Auerbach, said: ”It was so wonderful to be around people who spoke other languages and have lived worldwide. The cuisine and service were excellent, the tours were well-organized and very informative, and the ship was full of activities or the chance just to relax. It was a stimulating, fun and great experience.”
Courtesy J.P. Driessen
Courtesy J.P. Driessen
“There should be [an annual fun get-together]. I am committed to doing a fun event or two and open it up to the whole alumni body. This Fall, we will be doing a fun three-day alumni reunion event in Las Vegas for all students and alumni,” says J.P. Driessen.
Driessen was the event coordinator and Arturo Perchemlian, ’04, co-owner of TGW Travel, performed all travel-related logistics to make the execution of the event flawless. Acknowledgements to Terri Nissen from Alumni Relations for having publicized the event.