Homecoming to welcome back alumni with campus events this weekend
Students walk on Lee's decorated campus on Thursday, Nov. 3. This weekend's Homecoming will welcome back alumni with several special events.
Photo by Ruthie Martin
Nostalgia and excitement will be in the air as Lee University’s 57th annual Homecoming takes place during Nov. 4-6.
The event provides an opportunity for alumni to return to campus for a weekend of celebration and reunion, according to Dr. Jerome Hammond, vice president for university relations.
“Just as our alumni have changed, the Homecoming weekend has changed over the years, too,” Hammond said in a press release. “We love seeing them return to campus for this great weekend.”
Nursing student Liz Canter is excited to take part in the event by expressing gratitude toward the alumni that come back to Lee.
“My favorite part of Homecoming is being able to formally say thank you to the alumni who have blessed us with the opportunity to further our education in a Christ-like way,” Canter said.
Current students will celebrate the kick-off of Homecoming at noon on Friday, Nov. 4 in the Deacon Jones Dining Hall. Around 5,000 balloons will be dropped from the ceiling, with 10 of them holding gift cards donated by alumni.
There will also be various events being hosted on campus throughout the weekend:
The Lee theatre will be performing Nathan Jeffrey’s “Dracula” on both Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dixon Center.
Several breakfasts will be hosted by over 10 departments on Saturday at 9 a.m., which will provide time for alumni to connect with professors and current students. Each breakfast with include a speech from a department alum, along with an award given to an alumnus who has excelled in their field of study.
Couples will have the chance to celebrate their vows at The Blessing of Couples event on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Lee Chapel. Adjunct professor and alum Dr. Ben Perez will be officiating.
The Homecoming basketball games will also be taking place on Saturday. The Lady Flames will be playing Bryan College at noon and the Flames men’s team will take on Piedmont College at 2:15p.m. During halftime, the homecoming court will be announced and the queen will be crowned.
A new addition to the weekend, the Short Film Showcase, will be held on Saturday at 3p.m. in the Communication Arts building screening room, according to Patricia Cawood, director of alumni relations.
“With an emerging cinema program, we want to invite alumni to view the work that has been taking place in this state-of-the-art Communication Arts Building,” Cawood said in a press release.
The Homecoming Music Festival will take place in the Conn Center on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7p.m. It will be hosted by the School of Music to display the legacy of Lee musicians.
The celebration will conclude with a dessert mixer on Saturday at 8p.m. at the John Nichols Courtyard, followed by a Shenanigans improv show at 10p.m. in the Communication Arts building.
More information about Homecoming 2016 can be found on the Lee University website.
Staff writer Brittany Skog contributed to this story.
