Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni plan big weekend
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 22, 2005 2:08 AM
Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni and Friends from far and wide are expected to gather later this week, commemorating its 50th anniversary with an array of activities.
The celebration is dedicated to founder and former principal Hugh Victor Brown and living members who organized and chartered the association in Goldsboro. The alumni group has expanded to include chapters in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston.
Thelma Smith, homecoming chairman, said the alumni is carrying on what H.V. Brown first did at the outset, when he "called home all his children."
The festivities officially kick off Thursday evening with an awards and recognition program at Goldsboro High School beginning at 7 p.m. This year, $50,000 worth of scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors.
At 9 p.m. at the alumni cultural center on Poplar Street, there will be a reception for all former kings and queens of the alumni association.
Friday highlights include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. at the alumni center to introduce the archives room featuring memorabilia and artifacts representing 50 years of history. A president's luncheon follows at noon, with several receptions and class reunions planned for later in the day, leading up to Goldsboro High School graduation ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.
This year, Mrs. Smith said, the weekend will feature two picnics and three dances. Friday evening's dance, beginning at 9:30 p.m. in H.V. Brown Hall, is black tie. The other two dances will be Saturday at midnight and Sunday at 10 p.m.
Saturday's picnic, at 12:30 p.m., is sandwiched between the popular alumni parade in downtown Goldsboro starting at 10 a.m. and a series of reunions and banquets in the evening.
A worship service starts off the final day, beginning at 11 a.m. at H.V. Brown Hall. The Rev. Dr. Repsie Warren of Philadelphia will be the speaker.
Sunday afternoon is reserved for alumni class picnics, with an evening fashion show before the final dance of the weekend.
The public is invited to all events, Mrs. Smith said. Transportation services are also being provided for those with disabilities requiring assistance to and from hotels.
Another highlight this year is a collectable yearbook of the Dillard alumni history, available for purchase.
For more information on any of the events, contact Mrs. Smith at 735-6558 or Vera Baldwin, 736-9376.
Schedule of weekend events (at Alumni Cultural Center, unless otherwise noted):
THURSDAY
7 p.m. -- Scholarship and awards night (Goldsboro High auditorium)
9 p.m. -- Queen/king reception
FRIDAY
8 a.m. -- Golf tournament, Goldsboro Municipal Golf course
9 a.m. -- Board of Directors breakfast and meeting
11 a.m. -- Archives Ribbon Cutting
12 noon -- President's Luncheon
4 p.m. -- Alumni honorees reception, Cost $10
5 p.m. Class of 1962 reception - Holiday Inn Express
5 p.m. -- Class of 1965 hospitality hour, SJAFB Officer's Club
6:30 p.m. -- Goldsboro High School graduation, GHS stadium
9:30 p.m. -- Alumni dance #1 (H.V. Brown Hall) black tie
SATURDAY
8 a.m. -- Parade lineup (downtown Goldsboro)
10 a.m. Alumni parade
12:30 p.m. -- Picnic (Alumni campus)
6 p.m. -- Class of 1955 reunion banquet -- Goldsboro Chapel Church
6 p.m. -- Class of 1965 - banquet - Walnut Creek Country Club
6:30 p.m. -- Class of 1942 dinner - Walnut Creek Country Club
7 p.m. -- Class of 1962 class meeting, Holiday Inn Express
7 p.m. -- Class of 1950 55th reunion, Walnut Creek Country Club Class of 1954 dinner (TBA)
12 a.m. -- Dance (H.V. Brown Hall)
SUNDAY
11 a.m. -- Worship service (H.V. Brown Hall)
3 p.m. -- Alumni class picnics (Alumni campus) Classes of 1942, 1950, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1964, and 1965
5 p.m. -- Class of 1960 reunion banquet - Walnut Creek Country Club
5 p.m. -- Class of 1962 - 50th birthday banquet - Holiday Inn Express
6 p.m. -- Hair/fashion show (H.V. Brown Hall)
10 p.m. -- Dance (H.V. Brown Hall)