College graduations are occurring every weekend and public schools are winding down as we all look forward to the lazy days of summer – if we can catch a break from mowing the grass.  Almost daily rains are keeping folks busy, but how wonderful and green everything looks.

Speaking of the end of the school year, we have two notes today about recent honors for teachers:  Nancy Gardner and Rich Richards.  Around Davidson also visits with library volunteers and has news of an award for Jean Berg. Read the full story

Davidson Class of 2012 marched out of Chambers Hall for the last time Sunday, led by class president Faheem Rathore. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

On a sunny spring day under the oak trees, 449 students graduated from Davidson College Sunday in a ceremony that included one honorary degree, community service awards to two students and the local leader of Habitat for Humanity, and teaching awards to two veteran faculty.

Davidson doesn’t invite outside graduation speakers, so it’s up to the president to deliver a send-off to graduates. This year, that task fell to first-year President Carol Quillen. The ceremony, including her remarks, seemed aimed at conveying themes of diversity and inclusiveness. Read the full story

Davidson College on Sunday announced one of the largest gifts in its history, $25 million from an alumnus to support The Davidson Trust, its program to ensure that students can graduate without loans. The donation came from Edward L. “Ted” Baker, a 1957 graduate and former Davidson trustee. Mr. Baker is the retired chairman of Patriot Transportation Holdings Inc. and lives in Jacksonville, Fla. Read the full story

Dang, that's loud, says John.

As grads and their families take one last, long look around campus this weekend, Davidson College senior writer John Syme offers a trip up to the roof of the Chambers building – a place few get to go. In a 2006 “Daybook” column on the college website titled “Up On The Roof,” he marvels at the view and calls it a “Davidson moment.” Read his report on Davidson.edu. And while you’re doing that, here listen to the sound of those bells.

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RELATED STORY: May 18, 2012, “Graduating: 449 seniors to march out of Chambers on Sunday.”

Clouds over Chambers Hall at Davidson College. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Graduates march out of Chambers Hall in May 2011. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net file photo)

On Sunday at 9:50 a.m., the 449 members of Davidson College’s Class of 2012 will file out the door of Chambers Hall and onto the college lawn for a ceremony that will send them into the world. Sunny skies and a temperature in the 70s are forecast for this year’s ceremony under the oaks.

The ceremony will wrap up a weekend of events. (See the schedule on Davidson.edu.) Graduates and their families were starting to turn up on Main Street Friday morning, shopping or grabbing a coffee or a bit before graduation activities began later in the day. Read the full story

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The late Davidson College math professor Rob Whitton was also a music lover, and often turned up wherever local musicians were performing around town. On Saturday, many of those musicians performed during a day-long tribute at Summit Coffee and The Birdsnest in downtown Davidson.

Professor Whitton died last November after he was struck by a car on Concord Road, near Faculty Drive, while walking home from campus. Read the full story

Downtown Davidson parking locations. Click to download PDF.

Town Day, a 5K road race, the Davidson Farmer’s Market, a college lacrosse tournament and other events are expected to bring crowds to downtown Davidson Saturday morning. Plan ahead to find a parking spot (see your options below). Better yet, walk or bike into town for the morning if you can.

The day’s events begin early, with the Davidson Farmer’s Market next to Town Hall. Farmers and volunteers will be on site by 6:30 setting up, and the market runs from 8 a.m. to noon.

Read the full story

Hansford Epes talked Friday with longtime department assistant Cheryl Branz, who oversaw creation of a memory book of pictures and good wishes from his colleagues on his retirement after more than half a century. (Bill Giduz/Davidson College photo)

Hansford Epes, Davidson College’s registrar and professor of Humanities and German, is retiring at the end of this school year after an association with the college that has lasted more than 55 years. A 1961 graduate, he was feted the other day at a reception with colleagues. John Syme has this appreciation.

By JOHN SYME
Davidson College senior writer

What can I say, on a personal note, about Hansford M. Epes Jr., Davidson College Class of 1961, registrar and avatar for the life of the mind, mentor and dear friend?

No, really, what can I say without getting in trouble? Our best conversations have happened off the radar, between classes and meetings, on Chambers Lawn far from walls with ears, under a gentle spread of tree canopy and tobacco smoke, whilst Dodger gives playful chase to fluffy woodland creatures. Read the full story