The Class of 1987 dedicated its second bench on campus on January 30. The class raised more than $10,000 for this project. Money raised supports the Grounds fund, and the ceremony honored the generosity of the 45 class members who gave to the project. The newest bench is located on the smaller island at Meredith Lake and bears the inscription “Class of 1987: On the Right Track.”
Trustee Donna Thagard, ’87, welcomed members of her class, President Aimee Sapp, and Institutional Advancement staff during the ceremony held in the Presidential Dining Room.
Thagard spoke about her class, which was one of the largest with 400 students. According to Thagard, they were known for being a very serious, fun-loving class that valued relationships and embraced service and community. Over the years, their loyalty to Meredith has remained steadfast, consistently finding ways to give back.
In 2016, as they celebrated their 30th reunion, the class funded and dedicated the first bench surrounding the Elizabeth Triplett Beam Fountain in front of Johnson Hall, naming it in honor of their class. That spot held fond memories as a backdrop for photos before dances and at graduation.
“Here we are, 10 years later in 2026, and we have another bench near the water—one at the fountain and one by the lake. The water symbolizes light, purity, and renewal, while also a connection to nature,” said Thagard. “[Our bench] allows people to sit by the lake, enjoy nature within this large city, and experience the beauty that our class cherishes, which makes the bench even more special.”
For the Class of 1987 the Meredith Lake has a lot of memories, like Spring Fling, the Luau, and a band by the name of REM. And the class prayed for four years that it would not rain on graduation, which at the time was held in the McIver Amphitheater. According to Thagard, their commencement was gorgeous, a beautiful day celebrated with family and classmates.
Erin Cleghorn, associate vice president of institutional advancement, reminded the class that they have spent a lot of time supporting the area around the lake. In 2017, when the lake spontaneously drained, 24 members of the class stepped up to help fund the restoration.
“We’re really grateful for that funding as well. Through your generous gifts, we began to do the critical repair work back in January 2021. And when the lake reopened, you got to see the impact of your generosity, with the lake and the island restored,” said Cleghorn. “It’s fitting that your class decided to put a bench on that second island because a lot of the funding for that island came from your big sis class, the class of 1985.”
President Sapp explained to the class why she is so pleased that they have named another bench on campus. When she chats with students sitting on the benches, she learns a lot about them.
“Sometimes they’re by themselves because they just need a moment of reflection. And it’s really nice that we have benches scattered about where they can choose a place that’s comfortable to them. The other thing I see is groups of students on benches talking. You have provided a place both for reflection and community building in the same project, and I think that’s really beautiful.”
Thagard and her classmates hope to continue giving generously in the future.
“We’re now 60, we’re heading into our 40th reunion,” said Thagard. “We hope to give to Meredith to help her succeed in her mission of educating women, and we want Meredith’s students to have the same experiences and opportunities that we had, and to help them to stay on the right track of success. So, let’s hope for great things to come. “
After the event, members of the class walked to Meredith Lake to have their photo taken at their new bench.
Melyssa Allen – News Director
316 Johnson Hall
(919) 760-8087 | Fax: (919) 760-8330 | allenme@meredith.edu