“Next to the College World Series, [the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting] is one of the biggest weekends of the year in Omaha,” said Phil Hood, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations.  Hood is also scheduled to be a featured speaker at the upcoming reception. 

“Our Nebraska alumni are hosting this event, which is open to alumni, parents, and friends from all over the country,” Hood continued.  So, even if you are not planning to attend the Berkshire Hathaway conference, you are invited to join your fellow Foresters for a fun-filled evening in Omaha. 

“[The previous] gatherings have been intimate experiences of 20-25 Foresters sharing a beverage and their stories,” stated Kelly Gering ’97, a Nebraska resident who volunteered for the 2015 receptions.

Nebraska State Senator Rick Kolowski ’66 also helped with the previous events, and is looking forward to the upcoming Forester Gathering.

By coordinating the reception with the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting, it is hoped that this year’s attendance will be even greater.  Hood looks at it as “infusing a little Forester spirit into the [Berkshire Hathaway] weekend!” 

“By far and away, the best part [of attending events] is meeting and learning the stories of Foresters across generations… [hearing] about how Lake Forest College affected their lives, what they’re up to now, what they miss most, and general nostalgia for the good ol’ college days,” said Gering.

Another Nebraska native and Lake Forest College alumni, Chris Way ’14, agrees.  “I think that Lake Forest holds a special place in the hearts of all who attended here… You spent some quality years of your life at this place, so why not continue to build on those relationships and pay homage to the place that really helped shape you as a young adult?”

It was that special experience which convinced Way to stay on at Lake Forest College following graduation, where he works as Assistant Director of Alumni and Community Engagement in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.  Even though he currently calls Illinois home, he is looking forward to returning to Nebraska for this special night. 

The Lake Forest College reception will be held on Friday, April 29 – the day before the official start of the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting. 

Many conference-goers arrive early to take advantage of the Berkshire Hathaway Shopping Day that is offered to shareholders on Friday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

This year’s reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Upstream Brewing Company, site of the first Nebraska Forester Gathering, and only a short walk from the Berkshire Hathaway venue. 

Way, who is the staff representative for this year’s Forester Gathering said, “This event is an exclusive opportunity for Foresters to connect in a unique setting in the evening.  Even with the shareholders reception being held in the evening, we hope alumni, parents, and friends will take advantage of this social and networking opportunity to reconnect with Foresters from around the country.” 

Speaking as a representative for her fellow Nebraskans, Gering wants you to know that “Nebraska Foresters are a wonderful group of people to stay connected to…traditionally, we are hard-working, loyal, ridiculously kind and welcoming and want to do the right thing.” 

If that description sounds like you, or the type of people you enjoy spending time with, then help us share the Forester spirit in Omaha and with Berkshire Hathaway attendees.  Mark your calendar, and save the date… Phil, Kelly and Chris will see you in Omaha!