GSC Alumni Weekend Celebration Event Returns in Person After Three Years

Golden Reunion High School Classes of 1971 and 1972
Golden Reunion High School Classes of 1971 and 1972

By Karolina Philmon, GSC Marketing Manager

On Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1, Gordon State College hosted Alumni Weekend events where over 100 attendees came together for a reunion celebration at the Barnesville campus. This year marked the first time since 2019 that Alumni Weekend was able to be held in person.

“It felt great to connect and celebrate our loyal alumni in person at Alumni Weekend. They are our ambassadors and advocates of how Gordon’s education helped to shape their path towards success,” said GSC President, Dr. Kirk A. Nooks. “We continue to learn from them as they engage the expertise they’ve gained at Gordon into and beyond the bounds of their professional lives.”

The two-day event included a check-in at the Alumni House on Stafford Avenue, campus tour, a mix-and-mingle with President Nooks, a historical viewing with an archive collection at the Dorothy W. Hightower Library and concluded with dinner and an evening reception.

Foundation Trustee and High School Class of 1970 alumnus Don Neuner’s experience at Gordon went afar the ordinary experience.

“Even after fifty years, both male and female students agreed that the unique disciplined community of Gordon Military with its mix of local and boarding students provided educational as well as overall life experiences that went beyond the ordinary,” Neuner said.

The HS Class of 1970 Golden Reunion dinner was celebrated on Friday evening while on Saturday, the HS Class of 1971 and 1972 joined in the celebration with a Golden Reunion luncheon. Saturday’s festivities also included a Military Memorial Roll Call ceremony and an All Classes alumni evening dinner.

GSC Alumni Advisory Board Chair and HS Class of 1970 Alumnus Cecil McDaniel opened the military memorial ceremony with a speech that honored service members, friends, brothers and classmates who have answered the nation’s call for protection.

“We stand in the midst of patriots and the family and friends of those who have nobly served,” McDaniel said. “Many of them didn’t ask to leave their homes to fight on distant battlefields. Many didn’t even volunteer. They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting. They were called to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Each graduating class had a story to share during dinner of their time at Gordon.

“I went to Gordon longer than anybody in the room. I started in 1957 when my father became the football coach for the college program and a high school teacher. All right here,” said Red Sammons, (HS ’70) alumnus. “Gordon was a big part of my life. There’s no amount of money you could put on the experience I’ve had.”

 

Golden Reunion High School Class of 1970