TUFTS PARENTS AND FAMILIES (TPF) NEWSLETTER | April 16, 2025

Dear Parents and Families,

While there are many on-campus traditions students look forward to this time of year, there are beloved off-campus events too. Don Megerle, coach of the Tufts Marathon Team highlights the history, training, and community behind running the Boston Marathon, which takes place each April. He also shares the best location along the marathon route to cheer on Tufts runners on race day.

Also in this edition, Summer Move-Out details to help you and your student plan, and if your family is preparing for Commencement 2025, a few highlights, including an opportunity to share a message for your graduate in The Tufts Daily's annual Commencement edition. 

Best wishes to you this spring,

Carole McFall
Family Engagement, AS&E Student Life
carole.mcfall@tufts.edu
617-627-2797

In 2003, after 33 years coaching the Tufts men’s swimming team—a role for which he was inducted into the Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame, Don Megerle was planning to retire and move back to New York. Instead, he was asked to coach the Tufts Marathon Team (TMT), in its third year, to run the prestigious 26.2-mile Boston Marathon. He accepted the challenge and the rest is history…a wonderful history.

Photos: TMT coach Don Megerle (top left) and teams in training over the years.

As coach of the TMT, Megerle has trained more than 2,700 runners (ranging in age from 17 to 77 and with varying running experience) to cross the finish line on Boylston Street in the heart of Boston—an achievement that each April draws 30,000 runners and approximately 500,000 spectators.

Through a partnership with Bank of America, Tufts receives a number of coveted running bibs, which allow runners to participate in the marathon once they meet an initial fundraising goal. This year, 15 bibs were provided and quickly claimed by those who wanted a spot on the 2025 team. Megerle says he’s never has a problem finding runners. To date, the TMT has raised over $12 million for the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition to support issues in food and nutrition including childhood obesity, cancer, hunger/famine, and healthy aging.

The 2025 TMT includes Tufts students, staff, and alumni who began training in September, running regularly, including “group run days” every Wednesday and Sunday, starting at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. On these days, Tufts students and supporters who live in the area show camaraderie with the team, joining the TMT along the route, taking photos and encouraging the runners. “We end at the Tisch Athletic Center, with bagels, jelly donuts, granola bars, and bananas for everyone,” says Megerle.  

Each year, Megerle tells the runners “The main goal is to finish the race, the second is you have to smile when you do.” The number of miles the team runs each week increases as the season progresses. By the day of the marathon, which takes place this year on Monday, April 21, the TMT will be well prepared, having run the full course east to west, twice!

Despite training taking place during the winter, Megerle says they’ve only had to cancel a couple of times in 21 years. “One year, it was extremely icy and another time, the temperature was below 9 degrees without the wind chill factored in. But otherwise, we run in the cold, snow, and wind…we even run when it’s nice and sunny!” he jokes. He says the dedication and endurance required to train and finish creates a lasting bond among the runners; in fact, past participants often return to support and celebrate the current Tufts team on the day of the race/Marathon Monday. 

According to Megerle, Mile 9 is “the place” along the race route to watch the runners. He emphasizes that it’s been the location where Tufts families and friends have gathered to watch the race since the first time the TMT participated. They show their Jumbo team spirit by wearing yellow, the official bib color for the Tufts runners. “Between the Tufts spectators and our runners it’s beyond words to be there; it’s really something to experience!”

To help you and your students prepare for move-out, information about timing, shipping, and storage is on the Residential Life website. Move Out Donation & Waste Stations will be available on campus during move-out to donate and recycle unwanted items instead of sending them to the landfill. All usable goods are provided to future students and community members who need them.

Tufts' independent student newspaper will publish its annual Commencement edition on Sunday, May 18. This longer issue reflects the Class of 2025's time at Tufts, highlighting key events and moments over the past four years.

Parents and families can submit their own ad or have one designed by the Daily staff at no additional cost.

The countdown to commencement is on! We can't wait to welcome you to campus to celebrate. Be sure to check out all of the activities and details on the Commencement 2025 website. 

Also related: The 2025 Senior Memory Book is available to order and Tufts Night at the Pops tickets are on sale now.

Dates to Remember

April 21 – Patriots' Day Observed; no classes

April 28 – Classes end

April 30 - Reading Period 

May 2 - Final Exams and Review Boards begin

Special Event for First-Year Students

BINGO NIGHT at the JCC
Tues., April 29, 7-9 p.m.

Is your student wrapping up their first year as a Jumbo? First-year students can close out the year with a fun night of Bingo and ice cream, and a chance to win some great prizes. Free tickets at Tufts Tickets. Sponsored by the President's Office and the Office for Campus Life.

Summer Course Registration is open

Students can choose from an extensive selection of courses (in-person and virtual options).

Pre-College Applications — DEADLINE is Thurs., May 1, 2025

Designed for motivated high school students preparing for their future, our one-to-six-week programs offer students a chance to learn from Tufts faculty, dive into their interests, gain valuable skills, and build experience for the next step in their journey. 

TuftsNow

Work Set to Begin on New Residence Hall at Tufts

Featured Events & Opportunities for Parents & Families

Transforming Healthcare
Wed., April 23, 12 - 1 p.m. ET

You're invited to a webinar featuring five industry experts and Tufts alumni who will discuss the current landscape and future of technological transformation in healthcare.

Consider joining a vibrant community of learners ages 50+

Meet new people, dive into engaging topics, and travel to local landmarks. Summer course registration and a discount membership of $25 (regularly $75) begins April 22, 2025.

Resources for Your Student 

There are many resources available to help your student sort through any personal or academic challenges and make thoughtful, independent decisions. 

TuftsAlert

Enroll in the TuftsAlert system to be notified directly by text, phone, and/or email in case of significant emergencies affecting the Tufts University community.

Communications Archive

Emails and other communications are archived online, including a recording of the Countdown to Commencement 2025 webinar and slides on March 26. 

This year, students traveled to Colorado, helped build Habitat for Humanity homes in Boulder and Longmont, explored the state's great outdoors, and bonded during the weeklong trip.

Family Engagement