From Lisa Cook, Director of Student Leadership and Engagement
There are moments at Guilford College that transcend time — shared experiences that stay with us long after we leave campus. One of those moments is Serendipity.
This year’s Serendipity, held in March 2025, was a joyful, energetic, and deeply moving reminder of why Guilford Matters and why investing in its future is so important. I had the privilege of spending five nights alongside students at events that ranged from a cultural gala to roller skating and late-night gaming. What I witnessed wasn’t just fun—it was connection, community, and belonging.
Tuesday evening was the African Caribbean Student Association Gala, celebrating heritage, identity, and shared joy. Watching students cheer for one another and express pride in their backgrounds was a beautiful reminder of how diversity thrives here. On Wednesday, students filled Founders Hall for Bingo and breakfast-for-dinner. There was laughter over pancakes, cheering for donut prizes, and a deep sense of being present together — a small moment that felt huge.
Thursday night’s roller skating event brought more than 150 students out — not just from one group or club, but from every corner of campus. I found myself unexpectedly emotional, watching students glide around the rink, some gracefully, others with hilarious determination. But what struck me most was their togetherness. Across majors, years, and backgrounds — they were here, in the moment, making memories.
These are the moments that shape a Guilford experience—the ones students will remember years from now. We protect and uplift these moments through the For the Good of Guilford campaign.
It’s simple to consider a donation as a line item in a budget or a contribution towards a campaign goal. But when you give to Guilford, you’re helping create these very moments. You’re funding the resources that make possible late-night programming, cultural celebrations, and student-led initiatives. You’re saying: These students matter. This community matters.
Many of us carry warm memories of our Serendipities—from when the tradition began in 1972 or from later years filled with music, celebration, and spontaneous joy. Alumni often recall these memories vividly when they hear the term.
“Serendipity is a wonderful alumni memory… a walk down memory lane to reignite memories.”
Esther Hall ’74
Guilford Admissions Ambassadors Network
We invite you to remember—and help us preserve—the transformative student experiences that only a place like Guilford can offer. Support the For the Good of Guilford campaign and create more Serendipities for the next generation of Guilfordians.
It’s not just a week of events. It’s a lifetime of meaning.