In photos: What’s in Your Glass? Reconnecting at the New College Alumni Reunion
All photos by Katia Taylor unless credited.
On June 18, 2026, the New College Dining Hall welcomed back alumni from across generations to raise a glass, share stories and mark milestone anniversaries. The evening brought a vibrant energy to a space already filled with fond student memories, providing the perfect backdrop for reconnection.
The highlight, What’s in Your Glass? Exploring the Multiverse of Flavours, was an interactive, sensory tasting led by renowned wine professional, communicator, and College alumnus Christopher Sealy (BA 1999 NEW). An award-winning sommelier, Sealy brought his innovative “Arc of Flavours” concept to life, inviting alumni to look beyond traditional tasting rules and instead explore wine through history, culture, and personal memory.
Look back at the moments that made the evening special:
Opening the evening: Alumni Ambassador Vidia Dhanraj welcomes alumni to the New College Dining Hall and reflects on her time at the college, setting a warm tone for an evening rooted in community.
Connecting past and future: New College Principal Robert Gazzale addresses the room, reflecting on the shared history of the space while highlighting the college’s bright future: “Gathering here in the New College dining hall must bring back many fond memories. If these walls could tell stories about your time as students, I imagine we would be here all night!” He took a moment to thank the alumni present, who’s continued giving, mentorship, and philanthropy directly enrich the student experience and ensure New College remains a thriving home for future generations.
Setting the stage: alumni enjoyed appetizers while connecting, kicking off what Bob described as: “An evening of great food, fine wine and learning—well, that is true joy.”
A journey of the senses: Christopher Sealy introduces his philosophy on modern tasting, encouraging alumni to let go of rigid rules and explore what’s in their glass: “I want you to feel and taste what’s inside—not think about what it is, but start with how it is. As you’re navigating what’s in your glass… try to understand the reasons why.“
Isolating the noise: alumni try Christopher’s professional technique to focus their senses: “The way I’m actually tasting, even on a professional level after 20 years, I still sit to isolate noise and sound and actually smell the wine with my eyes closed.”
A poetic palette: the tasting notes lean into emotion rather than dry technical terms: “Is the flavor expressed almost like sunlight reflecting on the surface of the sea, only enhanced by the salinity of the ocean breeze?”
Shared histories: alumni tap into their own cultural backgrounds to connect over the experience: “Go into your flavor memory, your ethnic food culture, your history, whatever it might be to guide you.”
Celebrating our legacy: following the presentation, the college proudly celebrated the Class of 1976 on their landmark 50th anniversary, and the Class of 2001 marking their 25th, presenting returning alumni with their commemorative anniversary pins.
A lasting connection: the memorable evening concluded with warm conversations and lingering toasts, celebrating the enduring bond of the New College community across generations.