Class of 1973

50TH REUNION

NOVEMBER 2-5, 2023

The 50^th Reunion tradition at Sewanee has a long and storied history. Since 2000, 50^th reunion classes have been celebrated in a special way. 50^th reunion classes usually begin their celebration on Thursday with a class reception, often at someone’s home. On Friday, there is a special “driving tour” of the campus for members of the class, and often a class member or two gives a presentation—“alumni lecture”—on a timely topic or area of expertise. The Vice Chancellor hosts the 50^th reunion class on Friday evening, usually at Chen Hall.

On Saturday, during an all-alumni event at All Saints’, members of the class are inducted into the Exornati Society where they are honored for their 50 years of upholding Sewanee’s charge to graduates. Then, on Saturday evening, the 50^th Reunion Banquet takes place. Many choose to dress up for the gala, which includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and program designed by the class’s 50^th reunion committee. The weekend concludes with a Saturday morning farewell brunch for class members.

Ahead of the fall celebration, the 50^th reunion committee identifies a special project which reflects University priorities and often a particular interest of many in the class. Class members use many forms of giving (e.g., multi-year pledges, stock gifts, monthly recurring gifts, charitable gift annuities, IRA distributions, and bequests) in order to make a “best gift” to the class’s 50^th reunion project. In the past, class projects have included endowed funds for scholarships, research, internships, and other programs, as well as brick and mortar projects.

Class Project

The Class of 1973 50^th Reunion Project has two exciting components: the Class of 1973 Endowed Scholarship Fund and the development of the Sewanee Welcome Center, which will serve as the trailhead for the Mountain Goat Trail. Fundraising for both initiatives is well underway!

Our Class of 1973 Endowed Scholarship Fund will be a need-based scholarship designated for first-generation college students. The scholarship's description will also recognize and honor our class as Sewanee's first to welcome women as freshmen. To learn more about endowed scholarships and how they support talented undergraduates who would not otherwise be able to attend Sewanee, click here.

The Sewanee Welcome Center will occupy the renovated Depot building. It will be an information and welcome center for all visitors to the Mountain—including prospective Sewanee students and families—and will double as a starting point for the Plateau’s popular Mountain Goat Trail. Our gift will be used primarily to renovate the interior, providing new restrooms and other amenities. There are plans for a plaque in the lobby area to recognize our class’s contribution and the fact that we were Sewanee's first class to welcome women as freshmen. To see conceptual drawings of the Center, click here.

To document your gift to the Class of ’73 50^th Reunion Project, please complete a commitment form here. You can email the completed form to Terri Williams, C’81, Associate Vice President for Advancement, at twilliam@sewanee.edu, or mail your form to:

Office of Advancement

The University of the South

735 University Avenue

Sewanee, TN 37383

Class Project Totals (as of 11/15/23):

61 donors for any purpose -- 21% participation (290 current members of the class)
$122,118 in gifts and pledges for the Welcome Center
$950,257 in gifts and pledges and planned gifts for the Class of 1973 Scholarship, to be awarded to a first-generation student, honoring the Class of 1973, which is Sewanee's first class to include women admitted for a 4-year undergraduate degree
$38,775 in gifts and pledges to the Sewanee Fund
$97,000 for "other purposes
Total raised as of November 15, 2023: $1,204,050

PHOTOS

To see photos from Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2023, click HERE.

REUNION EVENTS

To view the program from the 50th reunion banquet, click HERE.

To read remarks from Dr. Linda Carol Mayes, C'73, H'94, who received the Distinguished Alumni Award, click HERE.

DECEASED CLASSMATES

To view a list of deceased classmates from the Class of 1973, click HERE.

REUNION ATTENDEE LIST

To view a list of classmates who traveled back to the Mountain for our 50th reunion, click HERE.

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH US AND OTHERS

To ensure you receive communications about future Sewanee events, update your contact information by clicking here.

Also, Sewanee has lost touch with 19 members of the Class of 1973. If you know someone on this list, use the update form to provide us with any good contact info you have.