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Centennial Celebration plans move into high gear, former Governor Ernest Vandiver ’36 is honorary chair
May 3, 2004 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
The 60 members of the Centennial Celebration committee have been meeting with Centennial Celebration Chair Betty Wright Ledbetter and vice chairs Mai Mai Kelly, Thornwood ’72, and her husband Bill Kelly ’71 during the past year to come up with exciting ways to remember and honor the past 100 years since Darlington opened in 1905. The celebration starts as early as the beginning of this coming school year with special events for the 100-year Class of 2005 and much pomp and circumstance—and fun—anticipated for all students throughout the school year.
Centennial banners, on campus and downtown, centennial flags, a special coffee-table quality book about the School, clothing sporting the Centennial logo, commemorative gifts … these are some of the visual reminders being planned for the anniversary.
All plans lead up to a big community-wide finale during the weekend of Oct. 7-9, 2005. Betty Ledbetter has announced that former Governor S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. ’36 has agreed to serve as the honorary chair for the celebration. While governor, Vandiver appointed Betty’s father, Dr. E.L. Wright, Darlington’s second president, to the State University Board of Regents. Gov. Vandiver has been invited to officiate during the October 2005 Centennial Celebration.
Vandiver, from Lavonia, Ga., attended the most recent full committee meeting held in March and expressed his gratitude for all the School has meant to his family. Three generations of Vandivers have graduated from Darlington: Gov. Vandiver, his son Chip Vandiver ’66, and granddaughter Leigh Vandiver ’98.
Vandiver was known as a peacemaking pragmatist during the Civil Rights movement. His efforts prevented Georgia from experiencing the riots, demonstrations, and church bombings that surrounding Southern states endured.
Centennial Celebration sub-committee chairs include the following: Bambi Berry, Theme, Logo, Publications, and Publicity chair; Christa Jackson ’73, Special Events chair; Kathy Mull ’78 and Chrissy Hobbs ’83, Marketing and Merchandising co-chairs; Bob Covington ’64, Alumni Involvement chair; Mai Mai Kelly ’72T, School Community/Faculty Involvement chair; and Jack Summerbell, History chair.
Centennial banners, on campus and downtown, centennial flags, a special coffee-table quality book about the School, clothing sporting the Centennial logo, commemorative gifts … these are some of the visual reminders being planned for the anniversary.
All plans lead up to a big community-wide finale during the weekend of Oct. 7-9, 2005. Betty Ledbetter has announced that former Governor S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. ’36 has agreed to serve as the honorary chair for the celebration. While governor, Vandiver appointed Betty’s father, Dr. E.L. Wright, Darlington’s second president, to the State University Board of Regents. Gov. Vandiver has been invited to officiate during the October 2005 Centennial Celebration.
Vandiver, from Lavonia, Ga., attended the most recent full committee meeting held in March and expressed his gratitude for all the School has meant to his family. Three generations of Vandivers have graduated from Darlington: Gov. Vandiver, his son Chip Vandiver ’66, and granddaughter Leigh Vandiver ’98.
Vandiver was known as a peacemaking pragmatist during the Civil Rights movement. His efforts prevented Georgia from experiencing the riots, demonstrations, and church bombings that surrounding Southern states endured.
Centennial Celebration sub-committee chairs include the following: Bambi Berry, Theme, Logo, Publications, and Publicity chair; Christa Jackson ’73, Special Events chair; Kathy Mull ’78 and Chrissy Hobbs ’83, Marketing and Merchandising co-chairs; Bob Covington ’64, Alumni Involvement chair; Mai Mai Kelly ’72T, School Community/Faculty Involvement chair; and Jack Summerbell, History chair.
