University of North Carolina Greensboro - Pine Needles Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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We, the People by MARKS LANE Jn a cold October night five thou- sand people gathered at Jamieson Stadium to participate in the first Homecoming game in the ninety-one- year history of this school. As we stood to hear the national anthem our attention was focused on one idea: We, the People of the Universi- ty of North Carolina at Greensboro, are wholly responsible for restoring, establishing, and preserving tradi- tion. In doing so we build a lasting pride which ensures future students and administrations of a heritage rich in American collegiate spirit. UNC-G stands at the brink of a new era in the beginning of its ninety-second year. Nineteen hun- dred eighty-two saw the birth of a greater American collegiate spirit than the campus had seen since the days of World War II. In those days the campus of only women students remained at home while young men defended our country abroad. The spirit and patriotism were a result of a war. Today the campus boasts an enrollment nearing eleven thousand with young women and men having an increased awareness of the impor- tance of national security and peace with other world powers. Students have a greater appreciation of the peace and freedom our leaders are working to preserve. It is impossible to ignore the heritage handed down to us today at UNC-G. Women students gave this institution seventy-three years of heart, spirit, self-discipline, and academic achievement. They established traditions long since past but not forgotten. Their contribu- tions are immeasurable as well as their spirit and devotion. The blazer tradition distinguished classes of women for years. In their sophomore years they were assigned blazers of the color designated their class. This tradition sprang from the idea of assigning a particular color to each class beginning in 1893. The first designated color was red. This color was followed by green for the next class, blue the next, and then lavender. The colors remain today but the blazers are hanging in the closets of alumnae. The class of 1983 had the distinction of being designated red. Gone also are the traditions of the May Queen, May Day, and chapel. As a celebration of spring. May Day was a gala event including the winding of the maypole, a ball held in the even- ing, and, in earlier years, a Shakespearean production. Most of the festivities were held in the am- phitheater on the golf course which has since disappeared. The event was also a celebration of beauty highlighted by the May Queen and her court, elected by the student body. Such pageantry had been left to the past until the crowning of the first homecoming queen in the school ' s history last fall. Chapel was the time when the university sat down together. At noon on Tuesday the student body assembled in Aycock Auditorium and sat according to class. Freshmen sat at the back; seniors sat nearest the stage. The programs weren ' t always religious but always included con- gregational singing — one way in which unity and school spirit were maintained. Although it is not possi- ble to assemble the student body of today under one roof on campus, it is widely hoped that a large majority of students, faculty, and administration will unite with alumni through the coming years at homecoming. The ever-changing identity of the school has brought about the birth and death of traditions at UNC-G. Not all changes are warmly welcomed and recognized as progressive but over time are best for the school. First there was the change from Woman ' s College to a coeducational university in 1964. UNC-G moved another step closer to the school we attend today with the addition of male students. In 1979 the campus moved forward with the start of the Greek-letter social system. Most students ignored this change in the school ' s character but those who supported it and par- ticipated in its growth and success received their reward. Even those who chose not to participate acknowledged the need for social structure and were pleased to see this system growing. The rise of the athletic program at UNC-G has captured national atten- tion. Winning national champion- ships is not uncommon for the soccer team and ladies ' basketball is con- sistently at the top of national rankings. From May Queen to homecoming queen, from handicapped student to Ail-American athlete, from fraternity president to freshman seeking to become actively involved, the in- dividual makes the difference at UNC-G. There is greater potential for the individual to become a leader here than in many universities. When the individual recognizes his rights and freedoms and begins exercising them responsibly he begins to under stand and appreciate the American collegiate experience more fully. The collegiate experience is what the individual makes it. This book is dedicated to the recording and preservation of life at UNC-G in 1983 and pays tribute to the in- dividuals who made the most of their experiences. We, the People of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, observe our heritage in greater ap- preciation of the past and work to en- sure future classes, faculty, and ad- ministration of a greater tomorrow. 4 — Opening

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1 ot in the ninety-one-year history of this school has there been an event to compare with the magnitude and celebration UNC-G ' s first Homecoming. For a university sadly lacking in traditions around which students can rally, the advent of Homecoming was indeed a blessing. It was the unanimous opinion of the five thousand Spartan fans gathered at Jamieson Stadium that this was the breath needed to resuscitate the fainting spirit of UNC-G. Since the addition of men to the campus in 1964 the changes they have made are vital to the rise of col- legiate spirit. This was never as evi- dent as on the night of October 28, 1982. Thanks to seventeen young men and their coaches, UNC-G celebrated its first Homecoming game and festivities. In view of the wildly enthusiastic response from the crowds it it may seem unbelievable that there had been stiff opposition to the proposed idea of electing a homecoming queen. The purpose of the event was to foster spirit and encourage unity of students, faculty, and administration traditional to so many universities. Whereas it took an individual to try defeating the proposal, another in- dividual led the fight to create and establish the badly needed tradition. Early in October Student Senate passed a resolution condemning the selection of a homecoming queen calling the event discriminatory and debasing. The resolution, co- authored by the Student Govern- ment Vice President and a senator, stated that the university and its stu- The Birth, Breath, and Blessing of Homecoming by MARKS LANE dent orgnizations had a policy of non-discrimination based on dif- ferences such as sex and race. The authors felt the election was therefore demeaning to any woman involved because it placed emphasis on physical characteristics. Further- more, they insisted the election would be detrimental to race rela- tions at UNC-G. The voice of the majority, Randy McGuire, defended the objectives of the contest. As Vice President of EUC Council and coordinator of the contest, he made it clear that the desire of the Council was to ensure equal representation for all student organizations. McQuire maintained that the nomination process had covered all organizations without regard to race and as democratically as possible. McGuire nobly continued with his plans for the contest despite the resolutions and ramifications. He and the Council held the view that the students were desperately searching for something around which to rally. Undoubtedly, a homecoming queen crowned at the soccer match against Notre Dame would appeal to the masses and ensure a renewed interest in the rise of tradition at UNC-G. And rally they did! An hour before the start of the soccer match the crowds flowed into the stadium. The turnout and show of support was unequaled by any event in the school ' s History. At 7 p.m. six finalists in the homecoming queen contest were escorted onto the field. Each contestant had the distinction of being a member of the first homecoming court at UNC-G. At 7:05 the crowd roared as the crown was placed on the head of one of the most delightful and distinguished personalities in recent UNC-G memories. Elizabeth Skoal Ford, representing Tau Kappa Ep- silon fraternity, captured the limelight as the first homecoming queen in the school ' s ninety-one-year history. Escorted by TKE Joey Katzenstein, she represented a triumph for the EUC Council and a milestone in the development and preservation of true American col- legiate tradition. At 7:30 all attention was focused on the Spartans as they took control of the ball and continued to possess it most of the first half. They fired shot after shot to succeed only with a penalty kick. A very grueling second half brought only one goal for the Irish and excitement soared as regulation time ended with a tie. Even a double overtime did not affect the Spartans ' performance. The Irish proved their luck in an eventual vic- tory: the Spartans proved their strength. In a year when blessings were counted slowly and traditions saw slow, sometimes unstable beginnings, we must not fail to acknowledge the true gift which was given our school. Though we lost the game, we won a tradition to be shared by future students, faculty, and ad. inistra- tion. We can be proud that wt par- ticipated in the birth, breath, and blessing of Homecoming. 6 — Opening