BSPT 40th Class Reunion
The 1986 UNC Class of Physical Therapy welcomes you to our 40th reunion scheduled July 30, 2026 through Sunday, August 2, 2026 on the UNC-CH campus. We are excited to have you and your family join us as we remember academic challenges and successes, enjoy lifelong friendships, and share professional accomplishments.
Reunion Agenda:
Thursday, July 30th: Reunion Kickoff
Activity: Floating Social at VRBO “Natural Oasis” House
Time: 6:00 PM until….
Join us at the rental house for a casual reunion kick-off gathering in the evening. Arrival times will vary but check-in is after 4:30 PM. Classmates who are in the Chapel Hill area but staying with family or at local hotels are invited to join us for appetizers, sandwiches and lots of socializing.
Address: Address, located in Chapel Hill, will be shared with those who have RSVP’d.
Parking: The house has a circular drive with room for 9 vehicles. Street parking is limited. If coming from the local hotels, please consider ride sharing.
Cost: included in rental house price.
Friday, July 31st: Fellowship, Campus Exploration, and Memories
We look forward to a day together that allows time to learn about each classmates’ journey since graduation. Casual meals, walking the beautiful campus, and UNC highlights at the Carolina Basketball Museum and Morehead Planetarium are planned for today.
Activity: Light breakfast with bagels and fruit at the “Natural Oasis” House or on your own.
Time: 8- 10:00 am
Activity: Campus Exploration/ Free Time
Time: 10:00 am
Time between brunch and the museum allows an opportunity to visit the campus and see how much it has grown. If your spouse has not been to UNC-CH, this is your chance to reminisce and tell stories of your time enjoying college life while studying non-stop in PT school. There are also several local parks should you prefer an early morning hike before the summer heat intensifies.
Activity: Carolina Basketball Museum Tour
Time: 12:00 until…
Cost per Person: Free admission
Parking: 3-Hour paid parking is available in the Williamson Lot across the street from the Williamson Athletic Center. A pay station is located in the lot. Additional hourly parking is also available at the Rams Head Parking Deck.
Special Notes: Plan to meet in the front of the museum by 11:45. The lobby contains offices so they request noise be kept to a minimum.
The museum is wheelchair accessible. Photography is allowed.
Activity: Planetarium Show “Mars: The Ultimate Voyage“
Time: 2:45 PM
Cost per Person: No additional cost, sponsored by UNC School of Medicine Alumni Affairs
Parking: Parking validations will be available for parking at the Carolina Square Parking Deck at 123 W. Franklin St. Additional paid parking is available in several lots on Franklin Street and in downtown Chapel Hill. The lot directly in front of the Planetarium only has 34 slots so arrive early if planning to park here.
Special Notes: We have reserved a group time slot at the 3PM showing based your feedback. Most shows average 45 minutes. Plan to arrive in the lobby area no later than 2:45 so we can enter together. There are also exhibits which can be viewed prior to the show.
Activity: Dinner at the “Natural Oasis” House
Time: 6:30 PM until….
Address: Address, located in Chapel Hill, will be shared with those who have RSVP’d.
Parking: The house has a circular drive with room for 9 vehicles. Street parking is limited. If coming from the local hotels, please consider ride sharing.
Special Notes: A catered meal will be provided at the rental house for dinner. Carrburritos is a family owned and operated local restaurant specializing in casual California-Mexican style food. They offer both vegan and gluten free options.
The restaurant does not provide drinks. We will have water and some sodas at the house. If you have a favorite beverage, please BYOB.
Cost per Person: $22.50
Saturday, August 1st: DPT Program Overview and Social, Medical School Tours and More
Today is the big day for reminiscing. We will start the day with breakfast on your own. There will be ample time for a hike should you want to enjoy our beautiful Carolina sunshine. In the afternoon, we have several scheduled tours including the new DPT Program and unique educational offerings on the medical campus.
Activity: Breakfast on your own & hiking or campus exploration.
Time: 8:00 am until 12:30 PM
Special Notes: This is an open time for casual visits to campus or a meal with classmates. If you prefer a hike in the AM, reach out to the planning team for assistance on local parks.
Activity: Welcome and Tour of DPT Program
Location: Bondurant Hall
Time: 1:00 PM
Faculty Representative: Dr. Laurie Ray, MPT, PhD
Cost: No additional cost, sponsored by UNC School of Medicine Alumni Affairs
Parking: Spots will be available in the Bell Tower Parking Deck (180 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514). If you would like to request accessible parking closer to the medical school building, please contact Alumni Affairs at medalum@med.unc.edu.
Special Notes: Please plan to arrive at Bondurant Hall by 12:45. Access will be provided by alumni services. Our group will proceed to the front lobby where we will be greeted by our host. A tour of the DPT classrooms will follow opening remarks.
Activity: Social Hour, Curriculum Overview, Faculty Interaction and Surprises
Time: 1:45 PM to 3:00 PM
Special Notes: Dr. Laurie Ray will provide an interactive overview of the UNC PT DPT curriculum. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about the changes in physical therapy education and to interact with current faculty. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served during the social hour. Food for our social event is from the Mediterranean Deli. Both vegan and gluten free options will be available.
Activity: Medical School Educational Highlights Tour
Time: 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Special Notes: A member of the UNC School of Medicine Alumni Affairs staff will provide a brief tour of the medical campus, including the new state-of-the-art home for medical education, Roper Hall. This is a unique opportunity to witness state of the art advances in medical education.
Activity: Dinner at Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery
Time: 7:00 PM
Address: 100 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Cost: Meals on your own
Parking: Franklin Street has limited parking. There are several local lots near the restaurant.
Sunday, August 2nd: Until Next Time….
Sunday is our wrap up day. No formal group activities are planned on campus, but we hope to meet with as many of you as possible for brunch before you head back home or to visit family. Brunch at Breadman’s, a local longtime restaurant is suggested.
Activity: Brunch at Breadman’s
Address: 261 S. Elliott Road, Chapel Hill
Cost: Meals on your own.
Parking: On site.
Special Notes: Although Breadman’s has been open since 1974, it has moved to the S. Elliott Rd location since we were students.
In Memoriam Gift for Marcy Kendra (Bradshaw) Stewart:
As we celebrate our 40th reunion, we recognize that our small cohort has lost one of our classmates. Marcy “Bradshaw” Stewart passed away from cancer in 2017. The UNC Physical Therapy Class of 1986 desires to honor Marcy during our reunion by offering a financial gift to the School of Physical Therapy in her honor.
We invite each of you to consider contributing to the UNC Department of Physical Therapy Director’s Fund.
Questions? Reach out to your reunion coordinators:
Barbara Brown Lindsey
- 828-387-7354
RJ Klein Gentle
- 704-617-2078
Heidi Lussier Shearin
- 919-770-6386