All-Class Reunion to reconnect students

by Courtney Bullard, co-news editor

Former South Plains College students will have an opportunity to “recollect and reconnect” during the first-ever All-Class Reunion.

The All-Class Reunion, which will be held Nov. 9 – Nov. 10 on the Levelland campus, will allow alumni to come back to SPC and see the campus and while reuniting with former classmates. The first day of the reunion is an invitation-only event on Nov. 9. It will feature the founder’s reception and recognition, hosted by the SPC Board of Regents, and will honor the founders of SPC and their families. The 1956 Citizens Committee members, original and past members of the Board, original faculty and administration members, as well as other faculty and staff, will be there as well. Later that night is the SPC Texan Classic, with the Texans taking on their 50-year-old rivalry Lubbock Christian Chaparrals JV team at 7 p.m.

“It is the ideal time to get alumni back to see what has changed and how the college has grown,” said Stephen John, vice president of institutional advancement.

Anyone who has ever attended SPC is invited to the second day of the Reunion activities on Nov. 10. It will begin at 11 a.m. with registration in the Student Center mall. A Reunion meet-and-greet session will follow in the Student Center until 3 p.m., when those in attendance can catch up with classmates and faculty during the campus Open House.

There will also be class mixers by department, and programs will be available for campus tours. Faculty will be on campus to discuss changes and visit with former students.

Lunch will be served with 1950s style burgers and hotdogs. Alumni entertainment and door prizes also will be included. Complimentary game tickets will be available for those who register. The Texans will be facing Coastal Bend at 3 p.m. During halftime of that game, former athletes will be recognized.

“I am very excited myself, being a second-generation graduate,” said Russell Hall, director of development at SPC. “I see what this college means to a lot of people.  Many people haven’t been back in a long time or have not seen the changes made to the campus.”

Hall also said he looks forward to the barbeque at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10.

“Different supporters and boosters will be barbequing, and current and former students will be putting on a show which will be top notch,” said Hall. “I’m sure we will be entertained, and it will add to the atmosphere of the event. We can come together and enjoy the fellowship.”

Word about the All -Class Reunion is still going out. The College has sent out invitations, e-mails, and posted it on classmates.com. Special invitations were made for former student body presidents, and they will be recognized during the Reunion.

Libby Thetford graduated from SPC in 1967 and then transferred to Texas Tech, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree. She later went on to attend North Texas to pursue business education.

“South Plains College gave me a great education and really prepared me for a university,” said Thetford. “It got me ready to be a teacher.”

Thetford was a teacher for 31 years and was a teacher at Levelland High School, teaching business and computers for 25 years until she retired in 2004. She will be attending the All-Class-Reunion.

“I am excited,” Thetford said. “Hopefully my old friends will come back, and can reconnect and have fun.”