Dear Alumni and Friends,

We have certainly been through quite an ordeal here in Brevard, Western North Carolina, and across the region. That is true of Brevard College as well. We are very grateful for all of your concern and support.

We have been working very hard with city, county, state, and federal officials and agencies all week long on our recovery efforts here in Brevard. We have been working on campus needs, our students’ needs, and the needs of our friends and neighbors here in Transylvania County. We are blessed, and things are now pretty good in Brevard, and especially on campus at Brevard College. However, there is so much destruction and devastation all around us.

Also, you all, as alumni, friends, and supporters, have been on our minds throughout this time as we know that Homecoming is rapidly approaching, and many of you have plans related to Homecoming. Whether to travel back to accept an award, for a reunion of longtime friends and classmates, or just to celebrate at your wonderful college in the mountains, we have been thinking of you all.

Unfortunately, while campus and the immediate surrounding area is doing well, our broader community is simply not in a place to receive and host visitors right now.

After conversations with local officials, business groups, and civic leaders throughout the week, we are canceling our alumni events and activities for Homecoming 2024 and respectfully asking you all not to travel to Brevard and Transylvania County at this time - out of respect for the needs of the ongoing heroic recovery efforts by so many in our community.

I also want you to know that we will be proceeding with the Homecoming athletic events and student activities here on campus, and local alumni, friends, and guests are welcome to drop by campus for the game. Homecoming 2024 needs to be a campus and local event; it will be very good for our students and our local community, who can use the games and events as a respite from all they are going through.

From all of my work and conversations with business and civic leaders this week, I would share one more request with you. Please keep Brevard and Transylvania County in your thoughts and travel plans in the coming months. You all, our students and alumni, and visitors in general, are so very important for the long-term health and recovery of our community, and the vibrancy and vitality of this very special community. We look forward to seeing you in Brevard and on campus in the coming months (as well as for Homecoming 2025, October 10-12)!

Please look for more information from the Alumni Affairs and Development staff, coming soon, about future plans. In particular I know that they will be reaching out to specific individuals regarding the Athletics Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Awards; the classes of 1964, 1974, and 1984; the 1979 Basketball Team; and others.

We miss you, we are thinking of you, we appreciate you.

Sincerely,

Brad Andrews

President - Brevard College