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The
Big Chill
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|
by
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Robert
F. (Bobby) Thompson Jr
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The Big Chill? The Movie? 1981? No, not exactly. The Big Chill is a movie, but there is another Big Chill. The Big Chill - Wesleyan style is composed of alumni from Alpha Delta Chi fraternity and its social affiliates of the '70's. Although the group was labeled as a crowd of mustangs and mavericks, its members have done very well. They include among their ranks several business owners, key corporate officers, doctors, real estate brokers, sales executives, judges, pilots and ministers along with several members in the educational field. |
| During their time on campus they were credited with re-routing Hwy. 301 traffic through the campus, relocating the Walter B. Jones Alcoholic Rehabilitation Sign to South Hall for Parents Weekend, enduring road trips to include a "lost weekend" at Nags Head and keeping two of Rocky Mount's finer businesses open: ""The Rainbow Club and Mack's". All that youthful energy has remained, but is now being channeled into entrepreneurial tasks, community and family commitments, and more conventional hobbies. There is an enduring bond that holds the group together. For over a decade, they have assembled once a year at locations up and down the eastern seaboard to celebrate their friendship and the time spent together at Carolina Wesleyan. |
| Almost half
of the wives are N.C. Wesleyan alumnae; the other half shares a
common interest-they enjoy a good challenge. |
| The years
at Wesleyan were important to this group because of the educational
process, the experience-not necessarily the coursework. Their mentor
and counselor, Corbitt Rushing, Sr. had a profound influence on
this group and some of his freethinking spirit still lives among
them. |
| The idea for
the first reunion was the "brainchild" of Eddie Stiles
and Pete Henderson. They hosted the event in Ashland, Virginia.
In subsequent years, the Big Chill alumni have gathered in Fredericksburg,
Richmond, Reston, and White Stone, Virginia; Rocky Mount, Nags Head
and Wake Forest, North Carolina and Media, Pennsylvania. |
| This is a
strong, empathetic group that pulls together for community as well
as fraternity. Peer leadership is evident throughout the group. |
| Although, their numbers may have started small, they have increased steadily and are currently the largest continually hosted alumni event held off the Rocky Mount campus. |