Class of 1997 25th Reunion

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Class of 97 with Coker Arbor pics

We had a grand time at Homecoming. Over 200 class members and their families attended our scheduled events. Several of you have made a gift to recommit to our senior class gift, but we need more classmate involvement.

25th anniversary edition of our Senior Class Gift:

As we celebrate our 25th reunion, we are recommitting to our original senior class gift. Twenty-six years ago, we funded the replacement of the 300-foot wooden arbor which welcomes visitors to Coker Arboretum. We did this because Coker Arboretum is an icon at Carolina and we wanted a special way to honor our classmates who tragically died one year earlier. After 25 years, the Arbor has become worn down and needs our help again.

During our homecoming celebration, over 100 classmates contributed over $52,000 to support the effort to modernize and replace the arbor and walkway. This project involves building a new walkway to create better accessibility, greater visibility, and improved safety for the community. And, the renovated arbor will have contemporary materials along with black locust palisades to maintain its rustic wooden character and heritage.

You can extend the Class of 1997’s legacy at Carolina. Our goal is for 200 classmates to give and to raise at least $100K to ensure this project is successful. Use this secure giving link.

We also have a crowd funding site to help us reach more classmates to support our class gift.  Go to this site to become a Class Champion by sending the giving link to your network of classmates.

To give through a charitable foundation or third party, direct a gift to the North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation (Tax ID #566076622) with the memo of “Class of ’97 Restoration fund (525227)” and send to:

North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation, Inc.
Attn: Stephen Keith, Director of Development
UNC Chapel Hill
CB # 3375; Allen Education Center
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Contact Stephen Keith at 919-962-9458 or via email with donation questions.

Go Heels! Stay in touch by sharing your Carolina stories and life updates on the UNC Class of 1997 Facebook page.

Class of 1997 Homecoming Planning Committee 

Reza Ardalan
Karen Burke
Trinita Carlton
Virginia Cepeda
Brian Van Druten
Matthew Guest
Rebecca Halloran
Rob Hielscher
Trent Jernigan
George Manousos
Amy McLamb
Scott Ogle
Bryant Paris
Lisa Oelhafen Peterson
Erin Reade
Zach Rike
Ladell Robbins (Class of 1997 President)
Pam Adler Schanel
Bimal Shah
Katie Smith
Chris Tebbit
Ian Walsh
Amelia Bruce Zelnak (Class of 1997 Vice President)