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Let’s face it—reunion reminders usually don’t generate much excitement, and they often hover between bureaucratic reminders and earnest nostalgia.
But a recent Instagram post from University of Limerick (UL)’s Alumni Office flipped the script.
Instead of formality, they leaned into humor, relatability, and shared denial about the passage of time with a playful Instagram post.
So what if a post could surprise your audience, make them smile, and drive attendance through clever storytelling?
You’d have an instantly engaging post that resonates far beyond logistics: it becomes not just a reunion invite but a moment. UL’s post didn’t just promote an event, they sparked nostalgia, laughter, and connection.
For higher ed marketing and digital teams, it’s a fresh reminder that tone and timing matter just as much as content.
Humor made the message human
The post opens like a serious notice—“Statement from UL Alumni”—but quickly pivots into a tongue-in-cheek list of reactions from alumni who’ve been “shocked,” “appalled,” or “utterly horrified” to learn how long it’s been since graduation.
It plays with the all-too-familiar disbelief that time could have passed that quickly.
This blend of mock formality and knowing humor hits home for us because it mirrors how alumni really feel.
The post is self-aware, light-hearted, and disarming—all without undercutting the value of the message; it really works.
Higher education social posts can sometimes be too similar, but this one stood out to us because it sounds like a real person wrote it... and felt like a hug!
It spoke to the heart, not just the calendar
Rather than focusing on years or milestone numbers, the post cuts straight to how alumni see themselves:
“We understand that you still feel 22 inside (and honestly, that’s what counts).”
That single line captures decades of alumni identity in a way that’s both funny and affirming.
By leading with empathy instead of data, the UL team invites graduates to connect emotionally first.
This approach reminds us that effective alumni communication is about validating personal journeys and helping people remember who they were when they first stepped on campus.
(Who doesn't want to remember that?)
Nostalgia was the real invitation
After the humor, the post smoothly shifts into what the reunion offers: a chance to come back, reconnect, and relive parts of student life (minus the exams).
With mentions of guided tours, familiar haunts, and even staying in student accommodation, it taps into what reunions are truly about—reliving the feelings of belonging and youth.
And it does all this without sounding like a brochure.
The language is relaxed and inviting, grounded in shared experiences rather than polished promises.
That authenticity makes the event feel less like an institutional formality and more like something you’d want to show up for.
Short sentences and plain language kept it scroll‑worthy
With endless feeds and short attention spans, this post did something crucial—it made the experience scannable and human.
Each paragraph is just a few sentences long, with natural breaks that read like a friendly email or a group chat with classmates.
This isn’t accidental.
For higher education digital teams, it’s a perfect example of writing for web: clear, conversational, and respectful of the reader’s time.
You don’t need to be overly casual or trendy—just approachable and sincere.
A subtle design choice that boosted the punchline
Visually, the post uses a simple green background and bold heading to mimic a formal “statement.”
That’s clever design thinking at work. By echoing a press release or official notice, the format sets up a tone that the copy then flips entirely.
It’s a small but powerful reminder that visuals don’t always need to be flashy. A smart format that sets up the story—then subverts it—can do more than an elaborate design.
For your next campaign, think about how your layout and tone can work together to surprise and delight.
It wasn’t just about the reunion...
In just a few paragraphs, the University of Limerick Alumni team created a moment of recognition, humor, and belonging. T
They didn’t just remind graduates about a date: they invited them back into a feeling.
For your college or university, that’s the lesson: alumni engagement doesn’t always need to be grand.
Sometimes, it just needs to be personal, a little playful, and deeply human.
What might your alumni recall with a smile about student days? How could you lean into that memory to invite them back—not just to a reunion, but to an emotional homecoming?