We had a Heel of a good time, May 11-14, 2023, in Chapel Hill celebrating Spring Reunions Weekend. We dove into fascinating topics during enrichment sessions and gathered together for the Old Students Club Luncheon. We reunited, we celebrated and those in the 50th classes enjoyed a Commencement processional. See for yourself through our photo and video recap of the weekend.
As we age, how do our brains change and how can our cognitive function be impacted? Are there different types of dementia? Why are some people more affected than others? What can we do to support a healthy brain? Our mental health is influenced by our brain, genetics and external factors. Do depression, anxiety and other bio-behavioral issues change with age? Why did our mental health worsen during the COVID pandemic? Finally, why is preparing for the next pandemic so important, and how is Carolina leading the charge though its program called READDI (Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Development Initiative?)
In the fall of 1969, times were a’changing when it came to women’s rights and aspirations. The class of 1973 – which initially included ten times as many men as women – would come of age during a golden period for the nascent Women’s Movement, when both parties and all branches of the federal government supported women’s advancement. Many doors opened, and women of all political persuasions poured through. Such remarkable transformation sparked powerful opposition and, by 1973, a second women’s movement of conservative women had organized, becoming increasingly powerful through the decade. Historian Marjorie J. Spruill ’73 has chronicled the rise of these two competing movements and their impact in a highly acclaimed book Divided We Stand: The Battle Over Women’s Rights and Family Values That Polarized American Politics.
50th class reunion attendees and current students have a discussion about Carolina, campus, student life and more during Spring Reunions weekend. Featuring Pamela Campbell Chisholm ’73, Joseph Loveland ’73, Marjorie Spruill ’73, Nancy Armstrong ’73, Kartik Tyagi ’23, Keisha Solanki ’23, Tylah Harrison ’23 and Grace Taylor ’23.
Join current UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham, his predecessor Bill Cobey, and former Senior Associate Director of Athletics Beth Miller in a panel discussion about how athletics has changed over the last 50 years. Some of the topics to be discussed include the impact of Title Nine, how Name Image and Likeness are changing the dynamics of college athletics and what conference realignment means to UNC. NOTE: The video begins roughly 20 seconds into Bubba Cunningham’s introduction.
James Lee Love (class of 1884) donated an endowment to the General Alumni Association to fund an annual gathering of the “Old Students Club” for milestone class years that have reached or passed the 50th anniversary of their graduation year. The featured speaker was Matt Andrews with the UNC History Department.
Carolina celebrated its Class of 2023 at the annual Spring Commencement in Kenan Stadium. Nearly 6,500 Tar Heels had their degrees conferred. Renowned public interest lawyer, author and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson, addressed the Class of 2023 at the ceremony.