Over the summer, Karan Lodha ’04 rejoined Harker as director of alumni relations. Lodha, who currently resides in Los Angeles, taught middle school math and history at Harker from 2017 to 2019 before pursuing his master’s degree in education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has also worked in media and technology executive roles at Amazon, Google and NBC Universal.

“The most appealing aspect of rejoining Harker as the director of alumni relations was knowing that this role would give me an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates from my time as a Harker high school student as well as past students from my stint as a Harker middle school teacher,” Lodha said. “Moreover, I’m thrilled at the prospect of getting to know alumni whom I have never met before – especially those from Harker Academy, Palo Alto Military Academy and Harker Day School, as they have a perspective on the school’s history that is so intriguing to me.”

His attention is presently focused on Harker Day and the Alumni Reunion Weekend, which both take place the first weekend of October. “These events bring back alumni from across the globe and are a wonderful mixing of old traditions, like the Family & Alumni Picnic and Homecoming, with new celebrations like what we have in store this fall for the Classes of 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018,” he said. He’s also excited for holiday events such as the student and alumni basketball and soccer games and the annual Home for the Holidays reception.

So far, what Lodha enjoys most about his new position is hearing from and receiving updates about Harker alums. “It truly brings me so much joy to hear the different places our Eagles end up as well as the perspectives they have to share,” he said. “I hope that whenever our alumni do something special or experience something transformative, they will submit a Class Note or email me with an update.” He also advised alums to visit the Harker Alumni Portal, where they can find an alum directory, learn about upcoming events and discover ways to help the Harker community.

Lodha expressed hope that more alums show interest in visiting to relive memories or see how the school has changed: “Please reach out any time you’re interested in coming back to a building you know or visiting one that may have been constructed since you graduated! Harker is always evolving, and I always love to see alumni and to take a walk around campus as well as down memory lane!”