We look forward to seeing you in Chapel Hill to celebrate Spring Reunions Weekend, May 5-8, 2022. Registration closes on Wednesday, April 20, at 11:59 p.m. Dress for all events is casual unless alternate recommendations are given.
Notes:
- All events are subject to the University’s campus and community standards for COVID-19. Please visit the Carolina Together website for more information.
- Event Fees: Thanks to Class of ’72 50th Reunion Patrons, a registration fee of $72 (GAA member price: $52) includes admission to all reunion activities except the Annual Alumni Luncheon, but you must select all of the events you plan to attend on your registration form. Each registration will also incur a $5 nonrefundable processing fee. Additional fees for optional items are noted below where applicable.
Thursday, May 5
3 -4:45 p.m. | Special Basketball Museum Tour
For those attending the reunion and will be in Chapel Hill on Thursday afternoon, May 5, the Basketball Museum will be open for tours. As a special treat, Roy Williams ’72, Bill Chamberlain ’72 and Bill Chambers ’72 will be at the Basketball Museum from 3-4:45 p.m., and will be available to talk about our class’s very successful basketball teams (winner of the ’71 NIT and players in the ’72 NCAA Final Four) and our three National Championship teams (’05, ’09 and ’17) under former Coach Williams. Following the Basketball Museum activities, we can all gather at the Blue Zone to pick up our reunion check-in packets and enjoy a reception at which time our classmate, former quarterback Paul Miller ’72, will introduce our classmate, Coach Williams, who will provide us some insight on Carolina Basketball.
5:30-7 p.m. | 50th Reunion Opening Reception, An Evening with Roy Williams ’72 and Wanda Williams ’72
Upper Club (5th Floor), Kenan Stadium
Begin Spring Reunions Weekend at a reception overlooking Kenan Stadium. Roy Williams ’72 and Wanda Williams ’72 will bring greetings to the classes of ’70 and ’72. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and good conversation. Casual attire. Registration includes one (1) drink ticket, good for beer or wine. Purchase unlimited beer/wine for an additional $12. Reunion packets will be available for pick up at check in. This event is sponsored by Galloway Ridge at Fearrington and 50th Reunion Patrons.
Friday, May 6
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Reunion Check In and Information Desk Open
Lobby, George Watts Hill Alumni Center
10 – 11:10 a.m. | FEATURED ENRICHMENT SESSION
Inclusion and Diversity at UNC
Blue Zone (Concourse Level), Kenan Stadium
While UNC strives to emphasize and celebrate diversity and has made many strides in this area, those efforts are not always viewed as successful by some within the community. This panel will look at diversity from the lens of attracting and retaining diverse students, staff and faculty, as well as whether the UNC environment encourages people to express their opinions without fear of censure or ridicule. The panel will also discuss how UNC can move forward to create a more diverse and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff and students. Panelists include:
- State Representative Kelly Alexander ’70, former Board member, Greater Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce
- Jean Kitchin ’70, host and producer of television shows, former UNC trustee, former Chair of the GAA
- Dr. Pat Reighard ’70 Professor Emeritus of Communication at Appalachian State University
- Dr. Leah Cox, Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, UNC
- Dr. Viji Sathy ’96 (’03 PhD), Professor of the Practice in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Director of the Townsend Program for Education Research, UNC
Moderator: Deborah Potter ’72, former correspondent for CBS News, CNN and PBS. Founder of NewsLab, journalism site now affiliated with the University of Mississippi. Co-author of Advancing the Story: Quality Journalism in a Digital World, now in its 4th edition.
10 – 11:10 a.m. | Walking Tour of Campus
Departs from the George Watts Hill Alumni Center
The walking tour is a pleasant way to revisit the older sections of main campus, although there are plenty of new sites to see along the way.
11:30 a.m. | Old Students Club Luncheon (Friday Seating) for Class Milestones: ’55, ’56, ’57, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’70, ’71, ’72
The Carolina Club, George Watts Hill Alumni Center
James Lee Love (class of 1884) donated an endowment to the UNC 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. Speaker TBD. Each graduate from 1970 and earlier, along with one guest, are welcome to attend the luncheon at no cost. Space is limited, registration required.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Guided Walking or Bus Tours of Campus
Both tours depart from the George Watts Hill Alumni Center
The walking tour revisits the older sections of main campus, although there are plenty of new sites to see along the way. The bus tour is the best way to see the new and familiar of main campus while also learning about the ever-expanding southern edges of UNC. All tours are complimentary. Tickets for bus tours will be given on a first-come, first-served basis as limited seats are available.
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. | FEATURED ENRICHMENT SESSION
Carolina Men’s Basketball, As Experienced by the Classes of ’70 and ’72
Blue Zone (Concourse Level), Kenan Stadium
Jim Delany ’70 (’73 JD), Eddie Fogler ’70 (’73 MAT), Charles Scott ’70, Bill Chamberlain ’72 and Billy Chambers ’72 share their walk down memory lane (with no turnovers) – including three Final Fours and the ’71 team NIT Championship. Led by future Naismith Hall of Fame Coach Dean Smith, this dynamic group of players and their teammates included many future professional players, including Naismith Hall of Fame inductee Scott, as well as many who went on to coach or serve as administrators at college and professional levels. Similar to all undergraduates during the 1966-72 period, these players were keenly aware of and buffeted by the times and the associated social experiences. Many of these teammates had children who went on to play college sports and graduate from Vanderbilt, Ohio State and UNC. Hear their perceptions of how their children’s experiences were similar to and different from their own experiences 50 years ago.
1:30 – 5:30 p.m. | GAA Vintage Slideshow Narrated by Andy Griffith ’49 and Charles Kuralt ’55 (continuous showings)
The Carolina Club, George Watts Hill Alumni Center
Andy Griffith ’49 narrated an award-winning slideshow used by the GAA during the 1970s. Charles Kuralt ’55 narrated another award-winning slideshow used by the GAA during the 1980s. Both shows feature beautiful and historic photographs and entertaining narrations that make them fun to view even decades later. Drop in and out at any time throughout the day to view as much of these vintage shows as you wish.
3 – 4 p.m. | FEATURED ENRICHMENT SESSION
UNC Medical Research Overview
Blue Zone (Concourse Level), Kenan Stadium
Dr. Myron S. Cohen, Yeargan-Bate Eminent Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology and Epidemiology; Director of UNC Division of Infectious Disease and the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Disease; Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Health will discuss, “Living Through Pandemics: HIV, SARs, COVID-19 … What’s Next?”
Dr. H. Shelley Earp ’70 (MD, ’72 MS), Distinguished Lineberger Professor of Cancer Research, Director of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Director of UNC Cancer Care will discuss, “How UNC Lineberger Turns Top-Notch Science Into Cancer Therapy Advances.”
Moderator: Dr. P. Kay Wagoner ’70 (’78 MSN, ’86 PhD), UNC Distinguished Alumna for Science and Business, President of Discovery and Development, LLC; Associate Professor, UNC Cell Biology and Physiology, former founder and CEO of Icagen, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company.
3 – 4 p.m. | Guided Bus Tour of Campus
See 1:30 p.m. tour description.
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. | Guided Bus Tour of Campus
See 1:30 p.m. tour description.
5:30 p.m. | Class Reunion Photographs, ’70 and ’72
George Watts Hill Alumni Center
6 – 7:30 p.m. | Reunion Check In Reopens
Chase Dining Hall (site of Jubilee on the Hill)
6 – 8 p.m. | Jubilee on the Hill
Chase Dining Hall
Class Milestones (’55, ’56, ’57, ’60, ’61, ’62, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’70, ’71, ’72) and your guests are invited to relive your dining hall days with laughter, conversation and a delicious Southern meal. Menu will feature barbecue, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, slaw, collard greens, baked beans, assorted bread and desserts. Casual attire.
Saturday, May 7
8 – 9 a.m. | AFROTC Detachment 590 Commissioning Ceremony and Open House
Naval Armory
Attend this ceremony and support the newest class of second lieutenants as they begin their Air Force journey. Afterward, enjoy refreshments with the detachment. Come out and share your stories with our future military leaders. Following the ceremony and reception, head over to the ROTC Naval Armory to continue the conversation and see the historic building. Contact Kendrick Fitzgerald, USAF and assistant professor of aerospace studies, AFROTC Detachment 590, at (919) 962-7367 or by email at afrotc@unc.edu for questions and to RSVP.
9 – 9:50 a.m. | FEATURED ENRICHMENT SESSION
Saturday Morning in Chapel Hill: Carolina Across the Generations
Blue Zone (Concourse Level), Kenan Stadium
This session will be a discussion of Carolina experiences by members of the classes of ’70, ’72 and ’22. Panelists will describe what it was like to be on campus in the late 60s and early 70s and how that compares to campus life today. The session will be moderated by Richard Stevens ’70, who worked in student affairs after graduation and is currently an attorney in Raleigh. He served five terms in the N.C. State Senate and 12 years on the UNC Board of Trustees, including four terms as chair.
10 – 10:50 a.m. | FEATURED ENRICHMENT SESSION
Psychology and Neuroscience: Ground-Breaking Work Improving People’s Lives
Blue Zone, (Concourse Level), Kenan Stadium
Carolina continues to be at the forefront of psychology and neuroscience. This panel will consider two of today’s groundbreaking areas of research: the power of positive emotions and improvements in the treatment of addictions with:
- Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory, has demonstrated that positive emotions can have lasting positive effects on social bonds and abilities. She was recently a principal investigator for a randomized controlled trial that showed positive meditation reduces aging at the cellular level. Attendees will learn practical applications that they can use immediately to achieve a fuller and more meaningful life.
- Dr. Stacey Daughters, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Biobehavioral Research on Addiction and Emotion Lab, has shown that individuals with a substance use disorder no longer experience joy from everyday non-substance-related activities. She will talk about a treatment that increases psychological rewards from non-substance related activities and how these strategies can also be used to prevent the development of addiction. She will also discuss her work on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation to improve psychological factors known to be associated with reduction in substance use.
Moderator: Dr. Stephen LaTour ’72 (’74 MA, ’76 PhD), retired CEO of Calder LaTour Inc., an international healthcare consultancy; former Professor, Northwestern University.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Reunion Check In and Information Desk Open
Lobby, George Watts Hill Alumni Center
11 – 11:50 a.m. | FEATURED ENRICHMENT SESSION
Artificial Intelligence, Social Media: Promise or Peril?
Blue Zone (Concourse Level, Kenan Stadium)
Join our panel of researchers from UNC’s Center for Information, Technology and Public Life for a discussion of two critical issues for modern technology: how artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can go wrong and how we can reduce manipulation of reality by social media.
AI algorithms affect much of our daily lives. For example, they determine which news and ads appear in your social media stream, your movie and video recommendations, whether you are offered credit, employer scoring of your resume and facial recognition. This panel explains how algorithms can fail in ways we don’t expect and what can be done about it.
- Francesca Tripodi will examine why people spread fake news and why fact-checking and increased media literacy will not solve the problem. Her upcoming book from Yale University press addresses how internet searches are manipulated.
- Bridget Barrett ’20 (MA) will speak to the opportunities and challenges that AI creates when used to target political ads online and how some of the most thorny problems can be solved. Bridget Barrett is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life. Her writing on digital political advertising has appeared in Slate, Lawfare and Tech Policy Press.
Moderator: Buck Goldstein ’70 (’76 JD), University Entrepreneur in Residence and Professor of the Practice, UNC Graduate School
12:15 p.m. | Annual Alumni Luncheon
The Carolina Club, George Watts Hill Alumni Center
The GAA’s 2022 Distinguished Service Medals will be presented to Terry Ellen Rhodes ’78 and Patricia Ann Timmons-Goodson ’76 (’79 JD). Greetings from UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and a performance by the UNC Clef Hangers. Dress is business casual. Price is $40.
5 – 11 p.m. | Class of ’72 50th Reunion Dinner and Dancing With The Holiday Band
Dinner at the Blue Zone, Kenan Stadium from 5 – 7:30 p.m.; Music and dancing at The Carolina Club, George Watts Hill Alumni Center from 8:30 – 11 p.m.
Gather with your classmates for hors d’oeuvres, a delicious buffet dinner, conversation and spectacular views of Kenan Stadium. Menu includes grilled pork tenderloin, oven-roasted salmon, haricot vert amandine, bruschetta macaroni and cheese, fresh greens salad, artisan rolls and dessert. After dinner, meet up with the class of ’70 at The Carolina Club for live music from The Holiday Band and dancing. Dress is coat and tie for men and dresses or evening pantsuits for women. Price includes one (1) drink ticket, good for beer or wine. Purchase unlimited beer/wine for an additional $12. Cash bar available at the dance. This event is sponsored by 50th Reunion Patrons.
Sunday, May 8
8 – 9:30 a.m. | 50th Commencement Processional
Kenan Football Center, Fifth Floor
Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in a wonderful Carolina tradition. Process into Kenan Stadium for Spring Commencement 2022. This event is consistently rated by past 50th reunion participants as a favorite event of the weekend. Parking instructions and all necessary details will be provided in reunion packets for those who RSVP. Spouses and guests are welcome to join the fun in our gathering spot and will have a perfect vantage point to watch the procession. Following the procession, which should end before 9:30 a.m., you may depart or enjoy the rest of the Commencement program.
9 a.m. | Commencement
Kenan Stadium
Acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Frank Bruni ’86 launched his journalism career as a student reporter at Carolina. Now, Bruni is returning to his alma mater to be the keynote speaker for the Spring Commencement 2022.
Bruni was a reporter for The New York Post and then the Detroit Free Press, where he covered the first Persian Gulf War and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in feature writing. From 1995 to 2021, Bruni wrote for The New York Times as a columnist, White House correspondent and chief restaurant critic. He now contributes opinion pieces and a weekly newsletter.
Bruni recently moved back to North Carolina to become the Eugene C. Patterson Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy.