One of the most memorable days of my life occurred in August, 1973, when after spending a
couple of days on the road driving from my undergraduate home in Oxford, MS (Ole Miss, ‘73),
I made it to Chapel Hill to begin graduate school.  After getting lost a couple of times and finding
it nearly impossible to find a parking space, I finally walked into New East Hall, to be warmly
greeted by a friendly smiling white-haired gentleman...

“Hi, my name is Jack Parker.  We’ve been expecting you!”

From that point on, I, like hundreds of you over many years and several other department chairs
since Jack, became part of a wonderful and unique “family”--UNC’s Department of City and
Regional Planning. Becoming an Alum in 1975, was something I valued, appreciated, and
benefited from, but did little about, for many years.  Now, it is time to do more.  I appreciate
the opportunity to serve as President of a group of alumni who, perhaps more than any other
school, have contributed so much to the urban planning profession—an ever-changing, ever-
exciting profession. In this reinvigorated newsletter, you will learn and be encouraged that
new and exciting things are also happening at New East and will continue over the next
several years.

Long-time Professor Emil Malizia took over the reigns of the department in 2002, and is committed
to not only continuing, but also expanding our well-established legacy into the future.  Since the
spring of last year, I have had several important personal meetings and/or contacts with others,
seeking to gain some insight on how best to serve during my short-tenure as Alum Association
president.  First, I met with the preceding President, Rob Gelblum; next, I attended the APA
conference in Chicago and mingled at the UNC social at Harry Carey’s, meeting students and
alumni; then in May, after the graduation of the Class of ’02, I had a long meeting with the
incoming Chair. Later, in the early stages of the fall semester, I had the privilege of meeting with
the co-chairs of the Planners’ Forum, and later attended the last meeting of the Forum in the fall
semester, with many students present. From these contacts, I perceive the following “needs” to
be addressed during my tenure, with all of you helping, as you can:

The students expressed a desire for the following:
More interaction between students and alumni, especially sharing some of their experiences
as students and new professionals; 2) improved networking for internships and employment
opportunities; and, 3) assistance in recruiting more ethnic minorities into the department—both
students and faculty.  (There was only one African-American in-coming student in the fall of
2002, and the only African-American professor, Dr. Linda Lacey, left for a higher position in
New Mexico.  Can African-American alumnae help, especially with recruiting students at HBCU’s?
Hopefully.)  The first two concerns can be somewhat addressed through both an “annual” gathering
of DCRP Alums, (more about that later), and mutual, interactive use of the department’s Web
site and new listserv.

My other interactions suggest the following:
There is a need (if not a mandate in our bylaws) for some type of annual gathering of the Alumni
Association—an opportunity for all and any to return to the Chapel Hill area, both for alumni
business and for needed student/department interaction.  There is also a need for financial
support from Alumni to help further the University’s and the Department’s goals of excelling
into the future.  Finally, we will reinstate membership dues for the Alumni Association in the
nominal amount of $25/yr. This will help to defray some of our basic expenses.  For example,
an excellent DCRP social get-together was planned for those attended the APA conference
in Denver this year, and Alumni Association funds paid for part of the cost.

Conclusion
As a member of the DCRP alumni family, whether you’ve been away for a year, or five, or 15, 25,
35, etc., look for more information to come to you in the near future on the issues discussed above.
And if you are a prodigal, plan to “come back” in some small way, i.e., by making use of the amenities
and internet tools described in the Chair’s letter, finding ways to contribute financially, recruiting for
jobs/internships, etc., communicating with each other, and/or visiting the Department.  Let me hear
from you and always remember Jack Parker’s welcoming words to me 30 years ago,
“Hi … We’ve been expecting you!”

Thank you,
Ken Weeden, DCRP '75