I have spent more than 35 years studying the classes at the University of North Carolina. The 242 members of the Class of 1927 are my favorite. They were the most creative, sophisticated, cordial, and lighthearted in school history. They exhibited this is their writing, poetry, art, and extra-curricular activities. The great bandleader, Kay Kyser, was a member of this class, and personified their wit, enthusiasm, and charm.

Floyd Gooch  died on  May 1,1938. He was the son of James and Amelia Gooch, and the uncle of Cindy Cross and Dianne Shaw.

Senior Class History

In the fall of 1923 the Class of '27 entered the University; since that time we have led a checkered career. The Campus first knew we were here when our class, perfectly organized and led by President Jimmie Williams, won a crushing victory over the Sophomores in the annual snowball fight. In the winter quarter the basketball team won the Southern Championship, and the Campus went wild. Few of us will forget the bonfire at the Old Well, and the march to Durham afterward. It was indeed a picture for the farmers to view, as students, clad only in pajamas and bathrobes, headed by the University Band walked to the neighboring city "to let the world know." The partial burning of Swain Hall cast to the winds all our ambitions for a smoker, as well as our visions of future meals. Only the kitchen burned, however, and not the storeroom where grits were kept. The Pick was burned ,by another fire, and Gerrard Hall was utilized as a Theatre, its staid old walls resounding with the applause for Gloria Swanson, Jack Holt, and others. This year saw the fall of the Boll Weevil before the faculty opposition, and the birth of the Carolina Buccaneer. It also marked the first anniversary of the Publications Union which has now grown into a lusty infant. Virginia was handed two shut-outs here, and the student body moved over to Greensboro to witness the third, and to attend N. C. C. W.'s reception. We set a precedent by having money in the treasury at the end of the year, and electing a class president who was not an athlete.

Bunn Hackney led the class our Sophomore Year. The Tin Can had been completed and was ready for use, and Intra-mural athletics were well under way. The Di and Phi reformed, the Di becoming a Senate. The Co-ed house burned, but, as fate would have it, the new one was under 'construction. The Glee Club, through the efforts of Mr. Weaver, went to Kansas City. Dr. Greenlaw was elected president of the American Association of Universities-and left the University for Johns Hopkins. The basketball team won the championship again and Tulane was burnt in effigy. Mr. Poole became angry in a stormy session of the Legislature and threatened to abolish the study of science at the University with his bill. The dormitories in the triangle were occupied for the first time this year, and Dr. Coker began his program of beautifying the campus. The Playmakers progressed, securing the old Law Building for a theatre. It was a large gift: the first threatre in the United States to be set aside for the development of folk plays. Rameses I made his first debut this year and accompanied the athletic teams on their trips. His first appearance in the Tin Can, however, was marked 'by an incident which required the extinguishing of the lights.

Our Junior year was indeed a busy one. Bob Sides was our president. Cameron Avenue was paved, and mud-slinging was stopped-at least literally. Old South was doomed, and plans made to remodel it and use it as an administration building. President Chase went to Oregon, but, after giving us a big fight, decided to remain at Carolina. The basketball team won the Southern Championship for the third consecutive time, amid much rejoicing on the campus. Bunn Hackney was chosen as one of the members of the All-Southern team, and was elected captain of the 1926-27 team. "K.O." Warren represented the University, and won the Junior National Amateur Heavyweight Championship. Fleet-footed "Gus" McPherson lowered the State record for the 100-yard dash to 9.8 seconds. At the 'initiation of Phi Beta Kappa a large number of men were elected from the Junior class. Virginia was tied in the annual football classic, and took two out of three in the baseball series. The celebration of the Semi-centennial of the opening of the University since the Civil War was celebrated this year. Two Co-eds were given a separate cheering section of their own, and during the year more boys than usual were seen wending their way toward the Cooed house.

The last lap of our college career awaited us on our return to the "Hill" in the fall of 'our Senior year. "Red" Smith was elected to bear on his shoulders the burdens of the class presidency. A new system of athletic coaching was introduced, and some of the younger sports were brought to the front. Mr. Kenan solved the problem for a new stadium- by his substantial gift of $275,000. Work was begun on the new stadium immediately after Christmas. Dr. Workman was elected head of the School of Religion that was opened for registration in the fall quarter. The 'class exhibited its conservative element strongly by voting overwhelmingly for the retention of the Senior write-up. Quite a bit of oratory was displayed in the process, however. More than the usual number of dances were held on the "Hill" this year, and many of our number figured prominently in them and in the other social activities.

And now we draw the curtain on the history of our college career, and turn to view the prospect that lies before us, which is cur Real History. One thing more, may the ties of friendship which we have formed during these four years remain ever true. 
 

CARL W. KELLY, Historian of Class of 1927
 

                  There were seven women in the Class of 1927

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