Coeducation Celebration Schedule of Events
Join us November 3–5 as these women and many more celebrate 50+ Years of Coeducation.
Special thanks to the event co-chairs: Carol Connor Willingham '77, J. Machelle Sweeting '93 and Lily Acton '20. Visit this page for a full list of committee members and task force volunteers.

Makayla Binter ’20

Elizabeth Kiss ’83

Olivia Ware ’78

Liz Clasen-Kelly '00

Janet Stovall '85

President Emerita Carol Quillen
Learn more about our speakers and moderators in this detailed schedule.
Thursday, November 2
Time |
Event |
Location |
---|---|---|
8 p.m. |
2023-2024 Reynolds Lecture: An Evening with Ellen Ochoa Registration is required. Please visit Etix for free tickets and more information.
|
Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center |
Friday, November 3
Time |
Event |
Location |
---|---|---|
Noon – 6 p.m. | Check-In Open |
Brown Atrium, Alvarez College Union |
Noon | Open Reflection, Remembrance & Quiet Time |
The Oasis, Chaplains' Office, Alvarez College Union |
3 – 4:30 p.m. |
Drop-in Service Project packing school supplies with student groups Girls in Stem and Stem Enrichment. Sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement. |
C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union |
4:30 – 6 p.m |
Welcome Reception | Brown Atrium, Alvarez College Union |
6 – 7 p.m. |
Kick-Off Panel: Paving the Way with Purpose Moderated by President Doug Hicks ’90 and featuring panelists:
|
Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center |
Saturday, November 4
Time |
Event |
Location |
---|---|---|
8 – 9 a.m. | Continental Breakfast |
Brown Atrium, Alvarez College Union |
8 a.m. | Registration Opens |
Brown Atrium, Alvarez College Union |
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. |
Breakout Panels: Session #1 Choose one of these three sessions: |
Various Locations |
Innovative Entrepreneurship
Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center
Moderated by Liz Smith Brigham ’04 and featuring panelists:
- Madeline Parra ’09
- Susannah Wellford ’90
- Whitney A. White ’08
Serving through Healthcare and Public Health
Lilly Family Gallery, Chambers Building
Moderated by Kata Chillag and featuring panelists:
- Suzanne Davis Dixon ’91
- Jonetta Mpofu ’04
- Eva Squibb ’09
Social Media: Research, Strategy, Impact
C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union
Moderated by Bridget Ashton and featuring panelists:
- Dora Callahan ’16
- Rebecca Rinkevich ’15
- Prof. Lauren Stutts ’05
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. |
Breakout Panels: Session #2 Choose one of these three sessions: |
Various Locations |
Community Leadership and Engagement
Lilly Family Gallery, Chambers Building
Moderated by Kirsten D. Sikkelee ’90 and featuring panelists:
- Janeen Bryant ’04
- Liz Clasen-Kelly ’00
- Patricia Massey Hoke ’07
Storytelling through Writing, Film & Art
C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union
Moderated by Lia Newman and featuring panelists:
- Makayla Binter ’20
- Emily Drew ’04
- Mary Olive Smith ’88
Women's Sports at Davidson: Then & Now
Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center
Moderated by Katy McNay and featuring panelists:
- Sola Omonije '24
- Kelly Fillnow Petrea ’05
- Meghan Fillnow Rushing ’05
- Becca Stimson '77
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
Keynote Panel: Ceiling Shatterers Moderated by Kristin Hills Bradberry ’85 and featuring panelists:
|
Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center |
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Boxed Lunch | Brown Atrium, Alvarez College Union |
2 – 3 p.m. |
Herstory: Leadership and Lessons TEDx-style talks with:
|
Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center |
3:15 – 4 p.m. | Gender and Sexuality Studies class, taught by Prof. Katie Horowitz: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a student at Davidson today? Here’s your chance to go back to class! We will cover some of the ways in which students have researched the history of gender and sexuality at Davidson and try out an activity from an introductory gender and sexuality studies class. |
C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union |
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. | Campus Tours, led by current student tour guides | Meet at the Mariam Cannon Hayes Amphitheatre, outside the Alvarez College Union |
3:30 – 5 p.m. |
Economics Department Gathering: Enjoy time with economics faculty, alums and current econ majors who identify as women. |
Summit Coffee (128 South Main St.) - back patio |
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. |
Pre-Dinner Reception | Old Tennis Courts Lawn |
7:15 – 9 p.m. |
50+ Years of Coeducation Dinner & Celebration (cocktail attire)
|
Old Tennis Courts Lawn |
9 – 11 p.m. | After Party with D.J. | Old Tennis Courts Lawn |
Sunday, November 5
Time |
Event |
Location |
---|---|---|
9:30 a.m. | Optional Brunch (pay at the door) |
Vail Commons |
8:45 a.m. & 11 a.m. | On-Campus Church Services | Davidson College Presbyterian Church |
Various times | Places to Worship Near Campus |