Elizabeth JoAnne Smart Drane was a student of the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNCG), graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She saved many materials from her time as a student as well as her contributions to the University as an alumna.

Drane’s 2024 donation includes a variety of valuable materials that tell her story as well as UNCG’s.

This is the cover of the booklet created by and given to residents of Shaw Dormitory 1956-1957:

There are a number of photographs of Shaw’s residents in the booklet. Drane is in the top row second from the right. Next to Drane sits Bettye Tillman, the only other African American student on campus.

Drane donated an undated photograph of a Jackson Library exhibit of distinguished alumni. Drane’s and Tillman’s image is on the bottom left.

Betty Anne Tillman, who tragically died in 1968, gave Drane a personalized copy of her 1960 graduation photograph. The inscription reads “To one of the sweetest girls I know, that I met in one of the sweetest places that I know- W.C. Always a pal, Bettye Ann.”

Drane served on the UNCG Board of Trustees. On the left is a photograph of the 2011 trustees (Drane is in the back row, far left.) On the right is a letter written to Drane by then UNCG Chancellor Patricia Sullivan.

You can access the finding aid of Drane’s 2008 collection at: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/638