Alumni Weekend

Relive "The Greatest Purple Party on the Planet" - Alumni Weekend 2013

"The Greatest Purple Party on the Planet” was the theme of the weekend as hundreds of Young Harris College alumni, their families and friends made their way back to Young Harris this spring for Alumni Weekend 2013. The celebration, held Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, was a fun-filled weekend of reconnecting and reuniting with old friends, classmates and professors. Alumni and their families enjoyed many fun activities and endless opportunities to interact and share the YHC spirit with each other, as well as with faculty, staff and students.

The highlight of Friday evening was the Half Century Club Dinner followed by the Alumni Awards Ceremony at the Recreation and Fitness Center. Alumni from    across all generations gathered to reminisce and honor a group of outstanding alumni. Members of the Class of 1963 were recognized as special guests of the evening in commemoration of their 50th reunion.

After dinner, alumni association board members presented the annual alumni awards. The Young Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Tara Thomas Currier, ’04, of Cartersville. The Susan B. Harris Award was presented to Carole Morgan, ’58, of Comer. The Iuventus Award was presented to Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Fincher Nevil, ’57, of Athens, Ga. The Artemas Lester Award was presented to Bishop Charles W. Hancock, ’44, of Macon. The Exceptional Military Service Award was presented to Brig. Gen. Royce Smith, ’46, of Ocala, Fla. The Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Career Achievement was presented to Robert “Bob” Head, ’59, of Blairsville. The Nancy Louise Haynes Stephens Sanderson Robertson Outstanding Friend Award was presented to YHC trustee Richard McGinnis and his wife, Shirley, and the YHC Family of the Year Award was presented to the Garrard Family.

On Saturday, alumni mingled with family, friends and faculty in the Recreation and Fitness Center during lunch and enjoyed live music performed by Cornbread Ted and the Butterbeans, a band comprised of Art Department Chair and Associate Professor of Art Ted Whisenhunt, Lecturer of English and Study Abroad Director Eloise Whisenhunt, Ph.D., Department of Religion and Philosophy Chair and Assistant Professor of Philosophy Jamie Watson, Ph.D., and his wife, Darlena Watson.

Alumni then enjoyed the beautiful weather outside on the plaza at the Alumni GreenFest that included children’s activities and table displays from YHC students promoting various clubs and Greek organizations.

Theatre Young Harris presented its season finale, Steven Dietz’s thoroughly original comedy, “Becky’s New Car.” In addition, alumni also enjoyed shows at the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium, including the family show “The Little Star That Could” and a cosmic concert featuring the music of Led Zeppelin.

The YHC baseball team hosted Peach Belt Conference competitors Georgia College throughout the weekend, edging out a 6-5 win in Saturday’s game. Many former athletes also enjoyed some friendly competition at the alumni soccer games coordinated by the Department of Athletics.

The weekend also included new events, beyond the tried-and-true annual favorites. On Saturday afternoon, YHC Dean of the Chapel and Minister to the College Rev. Dr. Tim Moore led a special service in Susan B. Harris Chapel featuring performances by YHC students. Later that evening, the first-ever All Class Party in the Recreation and Fitness Center included live music and a buffet-style dinner.

The weekend’s festivities wrapped up Sunday morning with a worship service at Sharp Memorial United Methodist Church led by YHC trustee, Rev. David Haygood, ’60. The service was followed by brunch at the Grace Rollins Dining Hall.

For more information about Alumni Weekend contact:

Young Harris College Office of Alumni Services
P.O. Box 275 | Young Harris, GA 30582
(706) 379-5334 | alumni@yhc.edu