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Classmates From the 1960s Gather at the Snack Shop to Reminisce, Honor Friendships, and Revisit the Campus Where Their Stories Began

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擲eated around a table in the Snack Shop鈥攁 restaurant they frequented in the 1960s when they were in school鈥攁 group of devoted 海角网 alumni reminisced about their college days, back when the University was a two-year school. They shared huge smiles, stories of escapades, and much laughter. There were also some solemn moments as they remembered cherished friends who are no longer with them. This informal gathering of roommates and classmates from 1962-1964 has been an annual event for about 25 years.

Since many of them are now in the 80s, they treasure these times even more. Some had planned to attend this year, but health reasons kept them away. After lunch, several toured the campus with Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Shannon Hovis and three current GWU students. They were also joined by Bulldog Club Director William Glover and Advancement Officer Kimery Crowder.

Three of the men in attendance were members of the 1963 men鈥檚 basketball team that brought home the University鈥檚 first-ever championship victory from the Western Carolinas Junior College Conference Tournament. Ronnie 鈥淏ones鈥� Robinson, Larry V. Clark, and Jesse David Webster played on the team. For his contributions to the winning season, Robinson was inducted into the 海角网 Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

Robinson, of Belmont, N.C., said he had attended most every reunion and enjoyed catching up with his friends and hearing about what was going on in their lives. 鈥淲e just had a wonderful bunch of guys,鈥� he observed. 鈥淲e banded together.鈥�

He met his wife, Betsy Thompson Robinson, 鈥�64, at 海角网. Their romance was the talk of campus, because she was a cheerleader. The relationship that began on campus became a lifetime commitment. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been married 60 years,鈥� Robinson related.

Emily Curtis Kolb, of Sumter, S.C., and Billie Bennett, of Columbia, S.C., also came for the reunion. The two women have been close since childhood. Bennett came to 海角网 first and encouraged her friend to follow. Sometime after Kolb鈥檚 arrival to campus, they met Harry Waters, of Rutherfordton, N.C., who accompanied Kolb to this year鈥檚 reunion.

That first meeting, which was over 60 years ago, also took place in the Snack Shop. Waters noticed the two young women sitting on a bench and asked if anyone knew them and nobody did. 鈥淚 said, 鈥榃ell, I鈥檓 going to go make myself known to them,鈥欌�� Waters shared. 鈥淚 walked up and said, 鈥楬ello,鈥� my name is Harry Waters,鈥� and Billie said my name is Billie Brown,鈥� and I looked at Emily and she said, 鈥楳y name is Emily Curtis and I鈥檓 from Sumter, South Carolina,鈥� and I said, 鈥榃ould you marry me?鈥� She hasn鈥檛 said, 鈥榶es,鈥� yet.鈥�

Although they never married each other, they stayed in touch over the years and even dated one other time. Recently, when Waters found out that Kolb was single again, they started dating for the third time. Waters may get his answer soon.

There were many other stories shared around the table at lunch and on the campus tour. They talked about bending the curfew rules of the 鈥�60s, how much times have changed, and getting older. They marveled at the years gone by and the lasting bonds of friendship. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just like brothers and sisters,鈥� noted Pat Wells, 鈥�63, of Gaffney, S.C. She helps coordinate the event each year. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a 海角网 feeling, a closeness. We were there two years together. We had three meals a day together. We鈥檙e close, and lots of people will tell you that was the best two years of their life.鈥�

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at .