Homecoming and “50 Years of Women” Events Include Amanda Shires Concert
The first women admitted to the University of the South as full-time first-year undergraduate students matriculated 50 years ago, in September 1969. It was the beginning of sweeping changes in the College and the community. The anniversary will be celebrated with returning alumnae as “50 Years of Women at Sewanee” events overlap with Homecoming 2019 (Oct. 31-Nov. 3).
Tickets for the Amanda Shires concert (8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Guerry Auditorium) will be available as follows: University faculty, staff and students can receive a ticket by showing their University ID at the McGriff Alumni House between 1 and 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, and all day Friday, Nov. 1. Community members can purchase tickets for $20 each, at the same times and location. If any tickets remain, they will be available at the door; faculty, staff, and students must show ID, and community members may purchase tickets.
The community is welcome to attend the presentations, panel discussions, and other events listed:
Thursday, Oct. 31
5 p.m. “Women in Music” talk by Kerry Ginger, professor of voice. Come hear about the role of female characters in opera’s standard repertory and contemplate why their stories often culminate in death. Featuring the music of Zauberflöte, Bohème, Carmen, Salome, and Tosca. Ralston Listening Room, duPont library.
Friday, Nov. 1
8 a.m. Dedication of a plaque honoring 50 Years of Coeducation at Sewanee. Walsh-Ellett patio in the Quad.
9–10:30 a.m. Coffee and Career Conversations with alumnae and current students. Students can network and learn from graduates about career paths and helpful tips for life after Sewanee. Sponsored by the Career Center. Convocation Hall.
10:45 a.m. The Office of Civic Engagement hosts a celebration of alumnae and students dedicated to service. Come take a gallery walk of posters where students will describe their projects of community engagement and hear from alumnae (onsite and via video) and current students about their work to make the world a better place. Hear how a Sewanee education has prepared alumnae to have a heart of service. Convocation Hall.
11:45 a.m. Screening of “Mine 21,” an award-winning short documentary about a deadly coal-mine explosion that took place in Whitwell, Tenn., in 1981. The film follows Kelsey Arbuckle, C’19, and Alexa Fults, C’21, both from Grundy County, as they find out more about this event that took the lives of 13 miners. The documentary is directed by Sewanee alumnus Stephen Garrett and produced by Professor Chris McDonough.
2:15–3:30 p.m. Sewanee Women Then and Now. Bairnwick Women’s Center hosts a panel of current students and alumnae who will offer their thoughts and experiences on what it has been like to be a woman at Sewanee, then and now. Mary Sue Cushman Room, the Women’s Center.
3:30 p.m. The Road to the Rhodes and Beyond with alumnae Rhodes Scholars: Ramona Doyle, C’81, Jennifer Michael, C’89, Anne Jones, C’98, and Katharine Wilkinson, C’05. Moderated by Ellen Goldey, C’85, vice president for academic affairs at Centre College. Torian Room, duPont Library.
4:30 p.m. All Saints’ Day service. Rt. Rev. Kathryn “Kai” McCrossen Ryan, C’86, recently ordained as 11th bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Texas, will preach. All Saints’ Chapel.
8 p.m. 50 Years of Women Concert featuring Grammy-winning artist Amanda Shires, L’17. Guerry Auditorium. Singer-songwriter and fiddle player Amanda Shires has released six acclaimed solo albums, her most recent “To The Sunset” in 2018. This fall, the Highwomen—a new collaborative formed by Shires, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby—officially launched with a new album.
Saturday, Nov. 2
9:30 a.m. Celebrating 50 Years of Women: The Evolution of Support and Wellness, panel discussion. Gailor Auditorium.
10 a.m.–noon. Ninth Annual Campus Gallery Walk with performances at each location.
Diedrick Brackens’ Allegiance, University Art Gallery.
Skirts and Gowns, the history and legacy of women at Sewanee, Museum Gallery, Archives and Special Collections.
Alumnae Arts Showcase, Spencer Commons.
Mary Stuart Hall’s video and sound installation Sympathetic Dissonance, Carlos Gallery of the Nabit Art Building.
11 a.m. Women of the Decades panel moderated by Professor Virginia Craighill, C’82. Reflections from alumnae throughout the years. Panelists include Genye Hawkins, C’74, Mary Hance, C’75, Jess Baumhauer Hill, C’81, Kate Belknap-Burchak, C’83, Charlotte Thomas Riddle, C’91, Rosilyn Rayborn, C’04, La’Toya Slay, C’11, and Brittany Macon, C’14. Hear the history of women at Sewanee from those who lived it. Gailor Auditorium.
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