The class of 1973 began making history on its very first day at Woodberry, when it became the first group of third formers to include Black students.
This spring, the class celebrated its fiftieth reunion, gathering on campus in April to renew bonds of friendship and remember the fourteen members of the class who have died.
And when Bob Hudson and Ron Long announced the class’s gift at a Friday evening dinner during Reunion Weekend, the class of 1973 made history again. The collective gifts, pledges, and planned gifts of $1.64 million by members of the class make it the largest fiftieth reunion gift in school history. “We are proud to provide tuition assistance to future admitted new boys who otherwise would not be able to enroll for financial reasons,” Bob said. “We want them, like us, to have a special experience at Woodberry.”
Ron said the idea of establishing an endowed scholarship fund and giving it in memory of those members of the class who were no longer living met broad support from his fellow alumni. The group also was glad their contributions “will give back to the school far into the future.”
In the lead-up to the reunion, Ron noted that Woodberry has been an important place for his family over the past fifty years. His brother, Rob, is a 1975 graduate, and Rob and Ron’s nephew, Damien Dwin ’93, currently serves on the board of trustees. “The lessons learned fifty years ago are still ingrained in me today,” he said. “We now share the responsibility of ensuring that the Woodberry education offered to us is available for generations to come.”
Bob said he’s grateful for all of the people and experiences he’s enjoyed over the years because of his association with the school. This year’s reunion — and the class’s record-setting gift — demonstrated the deep ties forged between classmates more than fifty years ago. “We were reminded, once again, how strong our class bond has been, and remains,” Bob said.
Fiftieth Reunion Committee Members
Committee Chairs: Bob Hudson, Ron Long
David Arnes
Tim Belk
Ed Bernard
Hobie Claiborne
Neal Cory
Tom Coxe
Tom Darden
Chip Godine
Fletcher Gregory
Proal Heartwell
Randy Merrick
Kinny Roper
Bill Stokes
Sykes Sturdivant
Mike Sullivan
Garner Tullis
Wesley Tullis
Will Yandell
Class of 1973 50th Reunion and Gifts
$25,000 AND ABOVE
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Belk, Jr. ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. Edward C.B. Bernard ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne III ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Coxe IV ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Darden II ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Forlines III ’73 WS
Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Godine, Jr. ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher H. Gregory III ’73 WS
Mr. Ronald C. Long ’73 and Mrs. Barbara Atwell WS
Mr. and Mrs. B. Sykes Sturdivant ’73
Mr. John S. Taylor ’73 WS
$10,000 TO $24,999
Mr. and Mrs. Waller C. Hardy III ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Hudson ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. J. Grant McGuire ’73 WS
Mr. G. Kinsey Roper III ’73 and Ms. Sue McLaughlin WS
Mr. George T.M. Shackelford ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Sullivan ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Taylor, Jr. ’73
$5,000 TO $9,999
Mr. David E. Ball ’73 and Mrs. Ruth Graveline
Mr. and Mrs. E. Neal Cory II ’73
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Yandell III ’73
$2,500 TO $4,999
Mr. C. Michael Hunter, Jr. ’73 and Mr. David Owen
Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Robinson ’73 WS
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Stokes ’73 WS
UP TO $2,499
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Bagbey ’73
Dr. and Mrs. David W. Barnes ’73
Mr. and Mrs. P. Headley Bell ’73
Mr. Robert A. Blackburn, Sr. ’73
Mr. David G. Bradlee ’73 and Ms. Kathryn A. Gardow
Mr. Clayton T. Cookerly ’73 and Ms. Irene Giampapa
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cromwell, Jr. ’73
Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Dudley IV ’73
Mr. and Mrs. A. Proal D. Heartwell ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Hoak ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory H. Hodges ’73
Mr. E. Hugh Hoy III ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Jahncke ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. King ’73
Dr. and Mrs. Randolph V. Merrick ’73
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Miller ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Philip M. Nesmith ’73
Mr. Gordon M. Pettit ’73
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ragsdale II ’73
Mr. John Ratterree II ’73
Mr. and Mrs. James S. Schenck IV ’73
Mr. and Mrs. D. French Slaughter III ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Smith ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Smith ’73 WS
Dr. and Mrs. S. Bobo Tanner IV ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Presley C. Thach ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Thompson ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Garner H. Tullis II ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley L. F. Tullis ’73
Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Welch ’73
Mr. and Ms. Wayne C. Williams ’73
WS = Walker Society