Celebrating 35 years: Class of 1990 reunion honors lifelong bonds

The undergraduate years at Tulane University are formative in lasting ways, shaping alumni through classrooms and scholarship, traditions and friendships, and the uniqueness of living in the distinctive city of New Orleans. Next month, the Class of 1990 will return to celebrate those ties at its 35th reunion during Wave Weekend ’25. 

“Tulane gave us a great education and unforgettable experiences,” said reunion co-chair Katherine “Kitty” McNamara Carnahan (NC ’90), who will be returning to the uptown campus from her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. “And the reunion is a nice platform to celebrate that.”

For Carnahan, who worked on Capitol Hill after Tulane, this reunion year marks a shift. With her son, William Carnahan (B ’24), now a graduate, it will be her first reunion in years that’s just for her, not split with parent duties, though experiencing Wave Weekend as a parent was special too. “For this reunion, I can focus more on just enjoying the group.”

She noted that, as a pre–social media class, staying connected often means showing up in person. “I think people will be amazed by who they see,” she said. She encouraged classmates to make space for the weekend, prioritizing themselves. “If you can capture even a little of that time, or reconnect to it, it’s a worthy endeavor.”

Fionuala McGlinchey-Monsted (NC ’90), fellow co-chair, is also a proud Tulane parent. Her son Hugh is pursuing a joint business degree with a master’s in accounting, carrying on a long family legacy of Green Wave pride.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be celebrating my 35th reunion at Tulane!” she said. “Reflecting on my time on campus brings back such fond memories of growth, friendship and discovery. Newcomb shaped so much of who I am today, and I can’t wait to reconnect with old friends and revisit those unforgettable moments.”

Wave Weekend ’25 is scheduled for Nov. 13–16, 2025. In addition to all-university events, the Class of 1990 party will be held Friday, Nov. 14, at the Virgin Hotel from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Tulane gave us a great education and unforgettable experiences. And the reunion is a nice platform to celebrate that.” — reunion co-chair Katherine “Kitty” McNamara Carnahan (NC ’90)

Helping lead the celebration is reunion co-chair Michael Rubenstein (B ’90, L *93), a shareholder at Liskow & Lewis who will travel from his home in Houston. He echoes what many classmates say about Tulane’s impact. Having attended Tulane Law on a scholarship, he remains grateful and committed to giving back. 

“I wouldn’t have the life and the lifestyle I have today without Tulane, without the people who made that possible,” he said. 

That perspective is echoed by New Orleans resident and reunion co-chair Harry “Hal” McClellan Moffett IV (A&S ’90, L *95), a partner at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP. “The friendships, the opportunities, the experiences at Tulane really do help you become your best self … by the end of your four years, you’re certainly a better person for it.”

He has remained closely involved since graduation. “I found that the more you stay involved, and the more you give to the university, the more you get back.”

In Moffett’s view, the draw for reunion is clear: “You inevitably run into somebody you don’t anticipate seeing — and maybe haven’t thought about for years — and then you end up reminiscing about the fun you had in college, and it seems like no time has passed at all.”

Doug Holmes (A&S ’90, L ’93) was fraternity brothers with Moffett at Tulane, which he attended on a tennis scholarship. He then attended law school in the same class as Rubenstein. Holmes is now managing partner at Chaffe McCall, one of New Orleans’ oldest law firms. 

Holmes says the connections he formed at Tulane have helped shape his life, both personally and professionally. “Those are my best friends, and they’re all over the country.”

As reunion co-chair, Holmes said he’s looking forward to welcoming classmates back to campus for the festive atmosphere of Homecoming. “We didn’t have that environment when I was in school, since football was played in the Superdome,” he said. “We didn’t have the on-campus tailgating, and it’s just awesome to see everybody come back, particularly people that haven’t been back, and see what’s been built on campus and the growth. It’s really impressive.”

Rubenstein is a huge Green Wave fan, so, like Holmes, he returns for many home football games. But he agrees that Homecoming just feels different.

“You run into people you haven’t seen maybe since you graduated … and you get to meet new people,” he said. “This is about reconnecting as a Tulanian. And it’s everything we all loved about Tulane. And there are new traditions, like the band, having a good football team and the Tipping Point concert.”

“It’s just a great chance to be in New Orleans. Homecoming in November in New Orleans is a pretty special time to be there.” — reunion co-chair Michael Rubenstein (B ’90, L *93)

Thirty-five years later, the Class of 1990’s connection to Tulane remains as strong as ever. Carnahan, Moffett, Holmes, McGlinchey-Monsted and Rubenstein agree that the reunion is both about looking back and also about appreciating the connections that have lasted. They look forward to rekindling old bonds, sharing new stories and seeing just how far their classmates — and Tulane — have come.