YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College recently hosted hundreds of alumni, guests and friends for “A Weekend in the Enchanted Valley.” Weekend highlights included a scholarship luncheon, the YHC Athletics Hall of Fame dinner, the 1886 Young Harris Society reception and an all-alumni collegiate tailgate party.
The scholarship luncheon brought together scholarship donors and student recipients. Powerful remarks about the importance of supporting higher education for future generations were made by Rev. Phil DeMore, ’63, and Dorsey Grist, ’88. Two current students, Mayra Leyva and Sam Gaston, both spoke about the opportunities they’ve received at YHC as a result of their scholarships.
The YHC Athletics Hall of Fame dinner honored six new inductees: Ladondra Johnson, ’14, Women’s Basketball, Jacky Jones, Friend of the College, Niall McCabe, ’14, Men’s Soccer, Rick Robinson, Former Baseball Coach, Bryson Smith, ’09, Baseball, and Sam Stovall, ’72, Men’s Tennis. To learn more about the 2018 inductees, visit www.yhc.edu/athletics-hall-fame.
The 1886 Young Harris Society reception celebrated donors who give $1,000 or more per year to YHC. Their contributions support a range of scholarships and programs, including athletics and fine arts.
The all-alumni collegiate tailgate party was an opportunity for alumni to enjoy food and drinks on the campus plaza while watching football on TV and reconnecting with friends.
Throughout the day, various affinity groups—including Greek organizations and athletics teams—hosted alumni for events on and near campus. These included a golf tournament, pumpkin painting, marshmallow roasting and other fall activities.
“It is always a pleasure to have alumni on campus,” said Director of Alumni Engagement Dana Ensley, ’97. “During ‘A Weekend in the Enchanted Valley,’ they had the opportunity to meet current students, reconnect with friends and be reminded how beautiful campus is during peak leaf season in the mountains.”
YHC will host additional alumni events in the coming year, including Homecoming on Saturday, Feb. 9, Alumni Weekend on Friday, June 7 – Saturday, June 8 and an Alumni Social at SweetWater Brewing Company on Saturday, June 29. For more information on upcoming alumni events, please visit www.yhc.edu/alumni/events-rsvp.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has three academic divisions: Arts and Humanities, Professional Studies, and Mathematics, Science and Technology, with more than 1,400 students enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga. has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, residence facilities and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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