MILLEDGEVILLE — Georgia Military College will host its annual Alumni Weekend next week at the main campus in Milledgeville as hundreds of alumni and friends from all GMC campuses reunite to take part in a weekend full of events. The weekend festivities will also include a groundbreaking ceremony and the launch of a fundraising campaign for the college’s Health and Wellness Center. 

The weekend of events are set to kick off Friday, Oct. 19, and conclude Saturday, Oct. 20. Events for the weekend include: 

Friday, Oct. 19

• 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online Recall previews at the Sibley-Cone Library: preview the online yearbook collection from the years 1945 to 1965; see the military uniform exhibit representing the years from 1898 to 1975 and enjoy the recently redone Special Collections;

• 9:30 a.m. golf tournament at the Milledgeville Country Club. Players must sign-in at the golf shop before 9:30 a.m., with tournament play to begin at 10 a.m. Paid by cash or check only, the registration fee of $45 includes green fees, cart and box lunch, for which $10 will go toward the purchase of engraved pavers in memory of GMC alumni. All players will receive a prize at the end of play. Reservations must be made by contacting the GMC Advancement Office by Wednesday, Oct. 17;

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. complimentary tour Georgia’s Old Capital Museum. Learn the story of how Milledgeville and the Oconee River valley relate from prehistory into the 20th century via Native American artifacts and nine galleries featuring unique collections of history;

• 1:30 p.m. Alumni Weekend registration opens at the Information Technology Building at the south gate entrance;

• 2 to 3:30 p.m. academic complex tours: GMC Prep School girl’s trio will perform at the Atrium as a shuttle will leave from the south gate for tours of Baugh Barracks, Ruark Athletic Complex and Craig and Couch Fields; refreshments will be available for all tours;

• 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Usery Hall tour starting on the second floor’s “bridge;” the Prep School barbershop quartet will perform and refreshments will be available;

• 5:30 p.m. social, dinner and dance at the main tent located at the south gate: a traditional steak and chicken dinner will be provided with entertainment by the GMC JC Chamber Singers during the social. Dancing music will be performed by “The Grapevine Band” as the cash bar will be open;

Saturday, Oct. 20

• 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Southeastern Air-Rifle Conference at the Ruark Athletic Complex: various colleges compete at GMC’s rifle range, including Clemson University, North Georgia College and State University, The Citadel, North Carolina State, Wofford, University of North Carolina and GMC;

• 9:30 a.m. Alumni Weekend registration opens at the Information Technology Building at the south gate entrance;

• 10:30 a.m. Alumni Parade and Alumni Awards at Grant Parade: the 134th Corps of Cadets will be featured in the parade along with alumni. The guest speaker is Dr. George Coletti (HS 1957, JC 1959) and the presentation of awards will be by GMC President Maj. Gen. Peter Boylan;

• 11:30 a.m. social and tailgate party at the main tent located at the south gate: alumni will convene to enjoy barbecue and trimmings while Georgia Guitar Duo provides musical entertainment;

• 1 to 4 p.m. complimentary tour at Georgia’s Old Capital Museum;

• 1 p.m. Gold Brigade 50th Reunion at the Sibley-Cone Library; refreshments will be provided;

• 1 to 3 p.m. Online Recall previews and campus tours: preview the online yearbook collection from the years 1945 to 1965 and enjoy the military uniform exhibit at the Sibley-Cone Library; the Usery Hall tour starting on the second floor’s “bridge” at which the Prep School barbershop quartet will perform; academic complex tours will feature a performance by the GMC Prep School girl’s trio at the Atrium; a shuttle will leave from the south gate for tours of Baugh Barracks, Ruark Athletic Complex and Craig and Couch Fields; refreshments will be available for all tours;

• 1 p.m. JC pre-game show at Davenport Field;

• 2 p.m. JC football game versus Atlanta Sports Academy at Davenport Field;

• 6 to 7 p.m. social at the Academic Complex Atrium: enjoy beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres while mixing and mingling with classmates; and

• 7:30 p.m. concert by Mac Frampton and his band at the Goldstein Center: performance of “Yesterday Once More.”

GMC will also launch construction of its new $17 million Health and Wellness Center during a public groundbreaking ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, outside the Cordell Events Center on South Elbert Street — the site of the new project. Speakers include Boylan and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Powell Moore (GMC 1955). GMC will also kick off a public fundraising campaign, aimed at raising $3 million in donations to help fund the project, during the groundbreaking. 

“At the heart of our vision for the center is the recognition of the vital importance of physical fitness to young people. Georgia ranks second in the nation in childhood obesity,” Boylan said via press release. “We know that with regular exercise and activity, our students will be both healthier and happier, and better able to handle stress. As a result, they will benefit from improved focus on their studies and will be able to look forward to longer, healthier lives.”

Alumni and friends will be given an opportunity to sponsor fitness areas within the center, as well as individual equipment in the cardio and weight training areas. Slated to open in 2013, the new center will feature more than 56,000 square feet of new fitness space, locker rooms and athletic healthcare and training lab in addition to repurposing of the existing Cordell Events Center.

A weekend pass is available for $45 per person or $80 per couple if alumni pre-register. Children ages seven to 13 will be half price and children under age seven are free of charge. The weekend pass includes Friday’s dinner and dance, Saturday’s tailgate and complimentary tickets to the concert and the Deep Roots Festival — an annual cultural arts and music festival in downtown Milledgeville, formerly known as the Sweetwater Festival.

For more information, registration and ticket details, contact GMC Alumni Development Coordinator Earlene Hamilton at (478) 445-0205 or visit www.gmc.cc.ga.us. To make a donation to the GMC Health and Wellness Center, visit www.gmcfoundation.org or call the Advancement Office at 478-445-0202.

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