🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. Guilford College Debates How ‘Quakerly’ It Should Be
2. Greensboro Bound Book Festival Returns This Weekend
3. The Weekender: Your Guide to Getting Out There in Greensboro

Guilford College’s campus in Greensboro. (Carolyn de Berry for The Assembly)

Guilford College Debates How ‘Quakerly’ It Should Be

Amid its second financial crisis in five years, Guilford College faculty hatched a radical plan to run the school by Quaker-inspired councils. Some alumni say the college needs to make tough business decisions first.

Guilford College had a mysterious money problem.

Each year, the board of trustees would pass a budget, and each year, revenue would fall significantly short of projections. “We’re like, ‘What is going on?’” said Jean Parvin Bordewich, who joined the board in 2023.

It was only this year—after the provost, chief financial officer, and president left their positions and Bordewich became the fifth president in five years—that she said the board discovered the issue: The school hadn’t been collecting payments from all of its students.

“We were admitting students, and then not requiring people to pay before they started classes,” Bordewich said. “Don’t ask me why. Every college I’ve ever heard of requires you to pay your bills before you start the semester.”

“Adjustments will be determined over the summer for the new academic year, and we do not yet know what specific actions will be taken. All options will be considered,” a Guilford College spokesman said in a statement.

The crisis brings an unwelcome sense of déjà vu. Guilford just barely survived five years ago when an emergency fundraising push during the pandemic staved off layoffs and saved the school.

It’s a point of pride for those involved that that effort was based on the school’s democratic Quaker traditions and community, rather than the business-oriented austerity troubled colleges often adopt. But some alumni worry Guilford’s new leaders haven’t reckoned with the gravity of the situation and are shying away from making difficult choices.

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.

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Greensboro Bound Book Festival Returns Leaner, Just as Powerful

Greensboro’s popular book festival returns this weekend — but this year, it looks a little different.

The event, founded in 2017 by Steve Colyer with Scuppernong Books owners Brian Lampkin, Steve Mitchell, and Deb and Dave White, draws book lovers to the Gate City each year.

This year’s Greensboro Bound Book Festival—formerly the multi-day Greensboro Bound Literary Festival—will feature most of its events on Saturday, May 17.

To learn more, the Thread spoke to Angel Rippy, the festival coordinator for Greensboro Bound.

Read the full story here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

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

The Weekender

Your guide to getting out there in Greensboro


From pro wrestling to Mozart, there’s more to do this weekend than you could possibly squeeze into just a couple of days. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. We’re here to help.

FRIDAY, MAY 16
Get The Led Out @ Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
8 p.m. 

Lead singer Robert Plant once famously referred to Led Zeppelin itself as “a tribute band.” It’s been a long time since the original group rock and rolled, but this “celebration of the Mighty Zep” is bringing the decibels this weekend. Tickets start at $40.95.

Hannibal Buress @ The Comedy Zone, 1126 S. Holden Road
7 p.m. & 9 p.m. (Shows both Friday and Saturday)

If you only know him for his bit that brought Bill Cosby’s history of sexual assaults to public attention, you have literally decades of comedy to catch up on. Start this weekend with shows on Friday and Saturday.  Tickets start at $30.

Blues Groove Beat Battle – From Blues to Hip Hop @ Flat Iron, 221 Summit Avenue
7 p.m.

Kyran Scott and DJ J. Lone will be on hand and performing at this event, which offers a $250 prize for first place and $150 for second. Tickets are $15 presale and $20 at the door.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown @ First Horizon Coliseum
7:30 p.m.

Live in bone-crushing action, it’s WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown! We’re talking “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, “The EST” Bianca Belair, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, and many more. Tickets start at $48.40.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

Blues & Foods Market @ The Renaissance Shops, 2521 Phillips Avenue
10 p.m.-5 p.m.

In collaboration with Greensboro Parks and Rec and Safer Cities, Piedmont Blues Preservation Society and Safer Cities host the Blues & Foods Market SPRING FLING on Saturday. The event is free to attend. More information here.

Super Hero Bash @ Lindley Recreation Center, 2907 Springwood Drive
12 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Calling all superheroes! Come dressed up as your favorite superhero (real or make-believe) and enjoy “kryptonite” candy and drinks, crafts, music, and more! Sponsored by Greensboro Parks & Recreation and free to attend.

Mozart’s “Requiem” @ Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
7:30 p.m.

The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra performs what is arguably Mozart’s greatest, most controversial, and historically fascinating works. Only know it from Amadeus? Here’s your chance to experience the real thing. Tickets start at $44.10

SUNDAY, MAY 18

UNITE Greensboro Festival @ LeBauer Park, 122 E. Smith Street 
1 p.m.-4 p.m.

All families are invited to attend for free resources, fun, and to connect with an amazing lineup of over 30 local organizations that serve families of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs. There will be live performances, music, face painting, vendors, and more. Free to attend. More information here.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride @ 485 Fisher Park Circle 
9 a.m.

Every year, more than 100,000 people all over the world get dressed up, throw a leg over a motorcycle, and ride to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research. There are more than 1,000 rides scheduled in over 100 countries, and the event has raised nearly $60 million since 2012. More information, including how to register, here.

— Joe Killian

Other Messages From Our Sponsors

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.

Matt Hartman is a higher education reporter for The Assembly and co-anchor of our weekly higher education newsletter, The Quad. He was previously a longtime freelance journalist and spent nearly a decade working in higher ed communications before joining The Assembly in 2024.

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.