University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Bicentennial Observance Office.

The university's official observance of its Bicentennial began in August 1993 and ended in June 1994. Planning for it, however, began in the early 1980s. The Bicentennial Observance Planning Committee, appointed in 1985, set goals for the celebration. In 1987, the Bicentennial Commemoration Planning Office was created to carry out detailed planning and implementation of events. Within the next year, the name of the office was changed, first to Bicentennial Observance Planning Office, then to Bicentennial Observance Office. William P. Massey was appointed general secretary of the Bicentennial and was put in charge of the office. When Massey left the university in 1991, Steven J. Tepper, who had been assistant general secretary, assumed direction of the office's day-to-day operations. Tepper's title became associate general secretary, then executive director of the Bicentennial Observance. The Bicentennial Observance Policy Committee served as the advisory body to the office. The office was disbanded at the close of the Bicentennial celebration on 30 June 1994.

From the description of Records of the Bicentennial Observance Office, 1984-1994 (bulk 1989-1994) [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 38033290

As early as 1982, planning had begun unofficially for a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Bicentennial celebration that would create an aura of pride, good feeling, and uniqueness among students, faculty/staff, alumni, and friends. In September 1985 Chancellor Christopher C. Fordham appointed the Bicentennial Observance Planning Committee to suggest how the university might best prepare for such a celebration. Chaired by Dean Richard Cole of the School of Journalism (and later known as the Cole Committee ), the committee was to develop general outlines for the character of the Bicentennial Observance and to suggest administrative means for implementing them.

The Planning Committee reported in June 1986, laying out the following goals for the Bicentennial: remind and inform the people of North Carolina and beyond of the great history, achievements, and promise of UNC-Chapel Hill; exemplify UNC-Chapel Hill as a creative force in cultural, scientific, intellectual, and human endeavors; provide a plan and focus for the future work of UNC-Chapel Hill in ways that build on its many strengths and fulfill its mission; increase the resources of UNC-Chapel Hill; and exemplify the greatness of higher public education in the United States during its two centuries and lay a path of inspiration and discovery for its third century.

The Planning Committee recommended the period from 12 October 1993 (the anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of Old East), to 12 February 1995 (the anniversary of the first student's arrival), as the official period of the Bicentennial. The committee further recommended that a Policy Committee and a Bicentennial Observance director oversee the planning of the observance. It suggested a few major events, including a University Day convocation to which the President of the United States would be invited to speak.

In 1987 the Bicentennial Commemoration Planning Office was created, reporting to the associate vice chancellor for university relations. William P. Massey, director of Annual Giving, was made interim chairman of the Bicentennial Observance. In March 1988, he took over the new combined position of director of publications and general secretary of the Bicentennial Observance. At the same time, the office was renamed the Bicentennial Observance Planning Office. By year's end the word planning had been dropped from the office's name, and it became simply the Bicentennial Observance Office.

In October 1989, Steven J. Tepper, who had been president of the Class of 1989, was hired as assistant general secretary for the Bicentennial Observance. The following June, Massey was promoted to associate vice chancellor for university relations, and Tepper became associate general secretary of the Bicentennial Observance, with increased responsibilities for operations of the office. Massey left the university in June 1991; and in September, Richard J. Richardson, professor of political science, was appointed chairman of the Bicentennial Observance and chair of the Policy Committee. Tepper was then promoted to executive director and continued to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bicentennial Observance Office.

Several advisory bodies served to oversee and guide the Bicentennial Observance. Most important was the Policy Committee, appointed in June 1987, which shaped the general mission and outlines of the observance and determined which projects should have the sponsorship or official approval of the Bicentennial Observance Office. The Communications Advisory Board met from 1992 to 1994 to advise and assist the Bicentennial Observance Office in successfully promoting and communicating the Bicentennial Observance throughout the state and the nation. In addition, the Council of Bicentennial Observance Advisors was appointed in 1988 to advise and assist the University in achieving fully the objectives of the Bicentennial Observance. To involve the entire state in the Bicentennial, a majority of its members were alumni and interested citizens, but the council was rarely consulted after its initial meeting. An Operations Committee was also created with representatives from various support offices of the university and from the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, but this committee met as a whole only once, in March 1989.

In early 1990 the timetable for the Bicentennial Observance was abridged to seven months to heighten its impact and prevent Bicentennial burnout. Major events connected with the Bicentennial included the following: the Bicentennial Issues Forum in Fayetteville, 11 December 1989, to mark the 200th anniversary of the chartering of the university; the issue of a United States postcard featuring a painting of the Playmakers Theatre, 14 September 1993; the opening ceremonies of the Bicentennial Observance, 11-12 October 1993, including the planting of Davie Poplar III, the rededication of Old East, and a University Day Convocation at which President Clinton delivered the keynote address; Carolina Saturday, 9 April 1994, a statewide open house with events and presentations sponsored by various schools and departments; and Commencement, 15 May 1994, the official close of the Bicentennial Observanace, and a statewide ringing of bells. With the end of the Bicentennial Observance, the Bicentennial Observance Office closed on 30 June 1994.

From the guide to the Bicentennial Observance Office of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records, 1903-1995, (bulk 1987-1994), (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives.)