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Everybody
Into the Pool Miami resident Diane Just '89 may not be able to make it to the GAA's first-ever All Alumni Weekend this fall, but she'll know what—and who—she's missing even if she stays in Florida, thanks to recent changes that are bringing more alumni together in the real world and in the cyber world. Just and other UNC alumni using the GAA's Web site to find out about fall reunions have been greeted by a couple of innovations. First, All Alumni Weekend on Nov. 10 through 12 marks the first time all class years, not just special anniversary years, will be invited to participate in traditional Reunion Weekend activities. And second, the Web site now has message boards to find out whether old friends are coming back to the Hill for the occasion. "I posted a message, and someone from [the GAA] was able to forward the e-mail address of a friend I haven't spoken to in years," says Just. "Now we're back in touch, and it's great. Through her, I've also heard a lot of news about other old friends and acquaintances. I expect that other alumni will have similar experiences." That expansiveness is exactly the reasoning behind the advent of All Alumni Weekend, which will kick off with a pre-game brunch at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center before UNC's football battle with Maryland in Kenan Stadium. "The Alumni Association wants the fall reunion to be very inclusive and a way for us to cast a wider net for people," explained the GAA's Jennie Hemingway. In the past, reunions have been organized for special anniversary years, such as the 10th, 20th or 25th year classes; now, by welcoming all years, alumni can see friends from classes that graduated a few years before or after them. People from the Class of 1995 can catch up with folks regardless of whether they left Chapel Hill in 1992 or 1998. While alumni from all years will be welcome, special events will continue to be provided for alumni celebrating special anniversary years. Some of these events include "Franklin Street Live," to be held on Friday night for the classes of '90, '95 and '75 to meet with friends at designated meeting spots on Franklin Street; special seating for the 10th, 25th and 30th reunion classes at the pre-game brunch; and a 25th reunion party for the Class of '75 at The Carolina Inn ballroom Saturday evening. "There is some emphasis [on certain years]," Hemingway said, "but we really want everybody to come back for the events we're having." One event in particular Hemingway hopes will become a tradition is the All Alumni post-game party on the lawn Saturday at The Carolina Inn. There are several other scheduled events, including the NABC Classic Men's Basketball Games on Friday and Saturday, and a Clef Hangers concert Friday night. Before the football game
on Saturday, several groups can gather at designated areas for
"affinity pre-game celebrations." New alumni (19952000
classes) will meet at Tar Heel Town, Law alumni will gather in the Van
Hecke- In addition to traditional Black Alumni Reunion events, BAR will celebrate its 20th annual festivities with a student partner lunch, golf tournament and farewell awards brunch. Pat Overman Snyder '70 of Rutherfordton applauded both the message board and the new format for the All Alumni Weekend as welcome improvements and used the GAA Web site to put out a call to old friends to attend the festivities this fall. "The e-mail and message board ideas are just great," Snyder said. "All Alumni Weekend ... gives flexibility and more opportunities for everybody to participate." —Worth Civils For details on the
weekend's schedule, find a hotel room, see who is coming or post a
question or comment on the message board, visit the GAA's Web site at alumni.unc.edu
and click on the reunions link. |