Class of 1968 : Reunion 2008 Overview
By
Cathy Walleigh Carnevale and Susan Powell Lesiter
1968 Reunion Questionnaire Responses
The reunion was a smash! We had about 42 members of the Class of
1968 attend. It was so exciting to see folks we had not seen for
many years – often the full 40 years. We definitely have amazing
people in our class, with life stories, life changes, and future plans
being exchanged throughout the weekend.
The Class of 1968 Hospitality Suite was in the most beautiful room on
campus – the Mary Julia Baldwin room. On the first afternoon,
Friday, every few minutes “oh my gosh” screams erupted as returning
classmates wandered in and everyone reintroduced themselves to one another. The
second day of the Hospitality Suite was just as much fun as Day 1, with
memorabilia around, yearbooks, wine, soft drinks, cheese and crackers.
On Friday night, at the Reunion dinner, in addition to the festivities,
we were proud and honored to have a member of our class, Caroline Smith
Morton receive the Service to Community Award.
On Saturday, April 5, we had our class meeting in one of the classrooms,
Room 207, where many of us had enjoyed/endured English and poli-sci classes
in the late 60’s. We thanked the Leadership Team of Cathy Walleigh
Carnevale, Susan Powell Leister, Mary Lynn Miller Sopher, Jane Starke Sims,
and Cynthia Knight Wier for their work on the reunion over the past
couple of years whose terms expire on June 30th. The new Leadership Team
for the 45th Reunion was chosen. The incoming 1968 Class
Officers are: Co-Presidents --Neille McRae Wilson and Betty
Mayes Hecht; Co-Vice Presidents -- Becky Chapman Williams,
Sharon Knopp Bares, and Ann Whitten Gillenwater; Secretary
-- Sue Dyer Stanley; Co-Giving Chairs -- Lady
Appleby Bird and Sarah Sterrett Meyerhoff; and Class Chaplain -- Susan
Gamble Dankel.
Although it was a rainy weekend and some of the events were called off,
most of the events took place and most of the weekend was lovely. We
certainly had a sparkling evening for the Class Dinner held at the charming
Belle Grae Inn Saturday night. We were so pleased to have Dr. Ben
Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Lott, and Dr. Ethel Smeak for our guests. Man, it was
a whole new experience talking to professors adult to an adult and far
more interesting than when we were pupils. The evening began with cocktails
in the festive and eclectic barroom of the inn and a short history of the
name of the inn from Sharon Knopp Bares. Then, after a few welcoming announcements,
a boisterous rendition of the class song sung by everyone who could recall
the words, and a lovely grace given by our new Class Chaplain, Susan Gamble
Dankel, we wandered off to the buffet. The meal was sumptuous and
beautifully presented in chaffing dishes in the billiard room. We
dined in three of the inn’s dining rooms in intimate groups. Everyone
was given a Mary Baldwin wine glass filled with candies in the class colors
of purple and gold and wrapped in cellophane tied with a bow, also in the
class colors. Of course, some of us could not stand to have the evening
end after dinner and decided to close the evening with after dinner drinks
and a lot of frank and amusing talk.
The reunion ended Sunday after the church service, closing celebration
and brunch. It was, simply put, a marvelous way to spend a weekend
and we missed all of you who were unable to attend.
