🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. Guilford College Raised $6 Million. It May Not Be Enough.
2. The Weekender
3. What We’re Reading

Guilford College campus. (Carolyn de Berry for The Assembly)

Guilford College Raised $6 Million. It Might Not Be Enough.

Throughout Guilford College’s community forum last Wednesday, nearly 200 faculty, staff, students, and alumni seemed celebratory.

“I love to see the ‘72s,” one alumna said, referring to her graduation year as the crowd joined the call, which was held on Zoom. “This sounds so much like the Guilford I believe in,” another said in response to a presentation from an art professor. 

The ebullient mood stemmed from acting President Jean Parvin Bordewich’s announcement earlier in the week that Guilford had exceeded its goal of raising $5 million by the end of June, one of three prongs of its “For the Good of Guilford” campaign, launched in March. 

At the forum, Bordewich revealed that the school had raised just over $6 million and more than doubled the number of donors from the previous year, from 900 to 2,021. The school also surpassed its goal of cutting its budget by $3 million. Communications director Robert Bell told The Assembly that Guilford reduced its 2025 fiscal year expenses by $4.1 million, compared to the prior year.

“I’m extremely excited and optimistic,” Bordewich told The Assembly ahead of the forum. “I realized that we have a much wider, deeper, and broader base of people who care about Guilford than I knew going into this. So that really gives me a lot of hope for the future.”

But the college hasn’t achieved its third goal, which was generating $3 million in new revenue. “Asset monetization often takes time, and efforts underway have not yet produced revenue,” Bell said. 

The college also expects that tuition revenue for the coming school year will be lower than last. 

Bordewich and other school leaders acknowledge that further changes are necessary to ensure Guilford’s survival. 

Read the full story here.

— Matt Hartman

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

Your Guide to Getting Out There


This weekend, we’ve got a host of activities for both kids and kids-at-heart. For those with little ones, we’ve got a free storytime, a LEGO event, and an opportunity to try some desserts made with local fruit. For the adults, tons of meet-ups and a cooking class! 

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Storytime @ Gateway Gardens 
10 a.m.

Join other kids and parents at the Gateway Gardens on the third Friday of every month for a free storytime. Perfect for kids under 6, this event takes place among the flowers and butterflies for an outdoor educational opportunity. For more info, call 336-373-5826.

LEGO Store Grand Opening @ Friendly Center
10 a.m.

Visit the brand-new LEGO Store at Friendly Center this Friday for exclusive LEGO sets, special gifts with a purchase while supplies last, photo ops, and more. 

Speed Friending @ LoFi Park
5:30-7:30 p.m.

They say it’s harder to make friends these days, and of course, we’ve all heard about the loneliness epidemic. But at this free event, people of all ages will get a chance to meet new people and potential friends. Drop-ins are welcome, but registration is preferred. Attendees will be grouped by age. Learn more here.

Queer Professionals Mixer @ 1618 Midtown
6-8 p.m.

In coordination with Pride GSO, 1618 Midtown is hosting a queer professionals mixer at its restaurant. Sip on cocktails, munch on snacks, and socialize with other queer professionals of all ages and career paths. This event is 21+. Learn more on Facebook.

The Stolen Faces: Celebrating the music of the Grateful Dead @ The Flat Iron
8:30 p.m.

Ever wish you could have seen the Grateful Dead live? Well, this might be the next best thing. Join other Deadheads at the Flat Iron to hear the Stolen Faces perform selections from the Grateful Dead’s expansive catalogue. Tickets are on sale online or at the door.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

Blueberry Cobbler and Peach Ice Cream Day @ The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
9-11:30 a.m.

For those of you who are missing strawberry season, don’t fret! Visit the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market this Saturday morning to get a taste of local seasonal blueberries and peaches with cobbler and ice cream. Learn more about the event here. 

Downtown Greenway Walking Tour @ LoFi Park
9 a.m.-12 p.m.

They say the best way to get to know a city is to walk it. Meet up at LoFi Park early on Saturday and get your steps in. This three-hour walking tour takes a 4-mile loop around downtown. Tour guides will share info about the downtown greenway, local history, public art, and more. Registration is not required, but is encouraged here.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

Pesto Making Class @ Guilford Garden Center
12-1 p.m.

Pesto is delicious. It works in pasta, salads, on vegetables, and meat. So why not try your hand at making your own in this class at the Guilford Garden Center? Participants will make their own 8 oz. jar of pesto from locally grown basil, oregano, parsley, nuts, lemon, garlic, olives, and more. Registration is required. Learn more here.

Queer Coffee House Meetup @ Union Coffee Co.
1 p.m.

Who says Pride has to be contained to just June? At Union Coffee Co. on Sunday, LGBTQ+ folks are encouraged to come make friends and hang out in an affirming space. There will be meetups every month. Learn more on Facebook.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

Read this newsletter online or contact The Thread team with tips and feedback at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

What We’re Reading

State of Emergency: Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency in 13 counties Thursday, including Guilford. The declaration comes after widespread flooding and other storm damage from Tropical Storm Chantal. WXII has the story.

About Face: The City of Greensboro announced this week it would release records related to former City Attorney Chuck Watts. The city had previously denied records requests from people and news organizations, including The Assembly. The State Bureau of Investigation considered them part of an active probe into Watts, the city said. The SBI now says it is conducting a review but has not yet begun a formal investigation. The News & Record has the story.

It’s Her Churn: Shafna Shamsuddin creates ice cream inspired by the flavors of her Indian heritage. O. Henry Magazine has the story of her company, Elaka Treats.

Fly Around Fest is hosting this music festival to celebrate Appalachia’s natural beauty and rich musical traditions while raising funds to support the recovery from the historic floods from Hurricane Helene on Aug. 1 & 2.

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Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Sayaka Matsuoka is a Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She was formerly the managing editor for Triad City Beat, an alt-weekly based in Greensboro. She has reported for INDY Week, The Bitter Southerner, and Nerdist, and is the editorial/diversity chair for AAN Publishers.