Wentworth Institute Class of 1981 Marks 45 Years of Friendship, Reunions, and Giving Back

Some college friendships fade within a few years of graduation. Others become the foundation of a lifetime. For a remarkable group of graduates from Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Class of 1981, the bonds formed in a Boston dormitory hallway have endured for more than four decades—surviving career changes, family milestones, personal tragedies, and the simple passage of time. This year, the group is celebrating its 45th reunion, a milestone that few classmate circles ever reach with such dedication.

Their story offers a powerful example of what an alumni celebration can mean when genuine connection meets sustained commitment. From annual gatherings in New Hampshire and Myrtle Beach to an endowed scholarship that now supports current students, the Class of 1981 demonstrates how a university experience can shape not only careers but entire lives.

How a Dorm Hallway Built a Brotherhood That Lasted Decades

The origins of this enduring friendship trace back to the group’s first year at Wentworth Institute, when a cluster of young men found themselves living at the same end of a dormitory hallway. What began as casual proximity quickly developed into something far deeper.

“We were all kind of grouped in the dorm our first year—all at one end of the hall—and that’s how we all met and got to know each other,” explained John Ferreira, who earned his Architectural Engineering degree in 1981. Intramural sports, including softball and football, strengthened those early connections, as did the habit of staying on campus through weekends.

The academic rhythm of the era also played a role. Students in demanding programs such as Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering spent nearly eight hours a day in class, five days a week. That shared intensity created a natural closeness. After long days of coursework, the friends would unwind together—catching Red Sox games, sharing meals, and building the memories that would anchor their relationships for decades.

“I can still remember meeting each one of them for the first time,” said Howard Plante, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the same class. William Grant, another group member with a degree in Architectural Engineering, put it even more plainly: “These guys are more like brothers to me than my actual brothers.”

From a Rustic Cabin to Annual Alumni Celebrations Across the USA

While many classmates drift apart after commencement, this group made a deliberate choice to stay connected. The turning point came in 2001, when Ferreira and his wife purchased a small, rustic cabin in New Hampshire—a 600-square-foot structure without a flush toilet. Recalling that eight of the friends had shared a house in Brighton during their senior year, Ferreira invited the group north for a reunion.

“We set up tents and slept on floors and sleeping bags and just made the most of it,” he recalled. “We just sat around the campfire and told the same stories over and over.”

That first gathering established a tradition. Year after year, the group returned to the cabin, eventually growing to sixteen members squeezing into the modest space. Over time, the outings expanded into milestone celebrations held across the USA:

• 25th reunion: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• 30th reunion: Florida
• 35th reunion: Arizona
• 40th reunion: A return to Florida
• 45th reunion: Back to Myrtle Beach, where it all began

Every gathering includes golfing, shared meals, and plenty of laughter—and every event features custom shirts or memorabilia commemorating the occasion. The core group includes Ferreira, Plante, Grant, Steve Farrow, Mike Hays, Jeff Goldman, Rodney Van Deusen, Dean Martin, Bernie Andrews, Josh Bowden, Howard Goldman, Bob Gileau, Dave Getchell, Rick Koehler, Joe Cairns, Vinny Spagnoli, Toby Crossen, and Russ Pratt, alongside Brenda Grant-Hays, an alumna who married fellow classmate Mike Hays in 1980.

Lessons in Keeping a Classmate Network Alive

For alumni wondering how to sustain connections over the long term, this group’s approach offers a practical blueprint: establish a recurring annual event, keep it simple, and prioritize consistency over grandeur. A modest cabin with sleeping bags proved more effective at building lasting bonds than any formal banquet ever could.

Have a reunion tradition of your own? Share your experiences in the comments below—your story may inspire other classes to reconnect.

The WIT Reunion ’81 Endowed Scholarship: Investing in Future Generations

Gratitude became the group’s driving force as the reunions continued. Recognizing the role Wentworth Institute played in shaping both their careers and their friendships, members established the WIT Reunion ’81 Endowed Scholarship in 2018.

“As we reflected on the role Wentworth played in bringing us together, we felt a strong desire to give something back,” Plante said. “The scholarship is our way of expressing appreciation for the institution that provided not only our education, but also the foundation for a relationship that has enriched our lives in immeasurable ways.”

The scholarship has since supported students across multiple programs, including Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Biological Engineering. But the group’s vision extends beyond financial assistance. They hope recipients will build the same kind of meaningful relationships that have defined their own post-graduate lives.

Many group members have also taken active roles in the Wentworth Alumni Association (WAA) and serve on the committee for the university’s annual golf tournament, extending their commitment to the broader alumni community.

Interested in supporting future students? Explore how establishing a scholarship at Wentworth Institute of Technology can create opportunities for the next generation of engineers, architects, and designers.

Professional Impact: From Campus to Industry Leadership

The influence of this classmate network has reached well beyond personal friendship and into the professional world. Members’ current and former companies have become consistent employers of Wentworth graduates, reflecting the university’s reputation for producing skilled, work-ready professionals.

Ferreira, who retired from Chapman Construction/Design in 2022, offers a striking example. The company—which received the WAA’s Distinguished Employer Award in 2008—built much of its workforce from Wentworth talent.

“At one point, we [Chapman] were made up of 50 percent Wentworth graduates,” Ferreira noted. “To this day, the company still continuously hires from the university.”

For employers across the USA, stories like this reinforce the value of hands-on technical education. Graduates of programs rooted in practical, applied learning arrive prepared to contribute from day one—a reputation that institutions like Wentworth Institute have spent decades earning.

Standing Together Through Celebration and Loss

The true measure of any friendship reveals itself during difficult times. This group has weathered its share, beginning with shared historical challenges during their student years.

“During our first two years, we went through the Blizzard of ’78. We went through the Iran hostage crisis,” Ferreira said. “We were all at the university, and it really bonded us back then.”

In later decades, that bond translated into tangible support. When Ferreira’s family needed assistance, the group arrived at his father’s home to paint the house. When members lost loved ones, others dropped everything to attend services and provide comfort.

Honoring the Memory of Mike Hays

This year’s reunion carries particular emotional weight. Group member Mike Hays passed away recently, and his classmates plan to honor him through specially designed memorabilia at the 45th gathering—including T-shirts, golf club head covers, and ball markers bearing his image, initials, and the reunion date.

“This year, we have T-shirts, and we have golf club head covers, and we have ball markers that are all in memory of Mike,” Ferreira said. “We want to have Mike there with us as best as we can.”

Brenda Grant-Hays, Hays’s widow and a fellow Architectural Engineering graduate, witnessed the group’s support firsthand. The morning after her husband’s passing, three group members and one of their wives appeared at her door to help however they could.

“These gentlemen have always felt like big brothers to me, but for Mike, they were a touchstone,” she reflected. “Sure, over the years, there were gray hairs, broader waistbands, and creakier joints, but their bond has surpassed time.”

“There’s something about the group that’s a true brotherhood,” Ferreira added. “We’ve been through life together—through tragedies and through successes.”

What Current Students and Young Alumni Can Learn from the Class of 1981

The story of this remarkable group offers practical takeaways for anyone currently enrolled or recently graduated:

• Invest in relationships early. The friendships that matter most often begin in dorm hallways, study groups, and intramural teams—not formal networking events.
• Create recurring traditions. A single annual gathering, no matter how simple, can sustain connections across decades.
• Give back strategically. An endowed scholarship transforms gratitude into lasting impact for students who follow.
• Show up when it counts. The group’s willingness to appear during crises—painting houses, attending services—is what elevated friendship into brotherhood.

“When my family needed help, the guys all showed up,” Ferreira said. “Even after all these years, it’s great to know that with this group, you’re going to get what you need to help you get through anything. And that all started with Wentworth.”

Planning your own class reunion or alumni event? Contact your institution’s alumni relations office to access resources, mailing lists, and event support that can help bring classmates together.

A Legacy of Friendship That Endures

As the Class of 1981 gathers once more in Myrtle Beach, their story stands as proof that a university education delivers value far beyond the classroom. Diplomas hang on walls; friendships frame a lifetime.

“The diploma I received in 1981 hangs proudly on a wall, but the friendships I found at the university are indelibly framed in my mind and have carried me through a lifetime,” Plante said. “For that, I will be forever grateful.”

For prospective students weighing where to begin their own journey, and for current students building the relationships that will shape their futures, this alumni celebration offers a compelling answer: choose a community where connection matters. Explore our related articles to read more news about Wentworth Institute graduates, campus developments, and stories of alumni making a difference across the USA.