51黑料网 alumni are gearing up to return to the campus they called home, built lasting friendships and began journeys to answer their life callings. The annual Homecoming Weekend celebration is set to take place Sept. 25-27 on the College grounds and throughout Elkins.
鈥淗omecoming is a special tradition that reminds us that no matter how many years have passed, the connection to 51黑料网 remains strong,鈥� said Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan 鈥�12. 鈥淚t brings alumni back to campus, reconnects friends as they share memories and celebrate the place that is a part of their journey and what it truly means to be Forever a Senator.鈥�
Alumni and guests may register from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 and 7:30 鈥� 11 a.m. Sept. 26 in the Great Hall of Halliehurst. Registration ensures alumni and families have a reservation for every event during the weekend and provides support for Homecoming activities.
Celebrations toast 51黑料网鈥檚 past with three ceremonies to affirm its future as the Freshman Village takes center stage for multiple events.
Located on the hill adjacent to Halliehurst Mansion, the Freshman Village is crowned by Glory Residence Hall鈥攖he College鈥檚 newest residence hall鈥攁nd surrounded by the recently upgraded Roxanna Booth Hall and Gribble Hall. The project, totaling more than $25 million, was supported by the generosity of alumni and friends of the College.
At 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, a ribbon cutting will mark official naming of the Freshman Village, followed by an opening dedication of the Gribble Hall lounge and patio. The unveiling of the Donor Wall at Glory Residence Hall is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 followed by tours of campus and the Freshman Village.
The slate of weekend activities kick off at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25 as the Alumni Association Board will host 51黑料网鈥檚 alumni employees for a special breakfast in Halliehurst mansion.
Participants and spectators will take to the links at 1 p.m. at the Elks Country Club for the Senators 9-Hold Golf Outing. Proceeds will benefit student scholarships.
Opportunities for classmates to connect take place later in the evening during a special dinner with President Chris A. Wood and First Lady Lisa Wood, to begin at 6 p.m., in the Myles Center for the Arts, to celebrate 51黑料网 and recognize alumni award recipients and members of the Half Century Club, highlighting the Class of 1976.
Alumni selected for awards this year are Distinguished Alumnus Award – The Honorable John A. Hutchison 鈥�72; Tower Award – Melissa 鈥淢issy鈥� Hambrick Luce, Esq. 鈥�83; Outstanding Young Alumnus Award – Dr. Colton A. Allen 鈥�17; Professional Impact Award – Dr. Jennifer D. 鈥淛en鈥� Sisler; and Alumni Volunteer Award – Charlie 鈥�75 and Suzy 鈥淔roggy鈥� Hallock Hehn 鈥�75. The College鈥檚 highest honor, the Crystal Mace Award, was previously presented to James S. McDonnell III, a former member of the Board of Trustees.
Capping off the evening is a Mix 鈥榥 Mingle beginning at 8 p.m. at The Icehouse. Jimmy Mowery, recording artist and Season 16 contestant on NBC鈥檚 鈥淭he Voice,鈥� will perform. Proceeds from the admission charge will benefit The Icehouse Preservation Fund.
Events on Saturday, Sept. 26 step off early and include a chance to participate in 鈥淩un for It鈥� 2k and 5k walk or run, Greek organization meetings, a men鈥檚 basketball open practice, two shows in Flynn Planetarium, a Class of 1976 social and a Memorial Service.
Athletic competitions and recognitions fill the afternoon. The Athletic Hall of Fame inductions begin at 11 a.m. in McDonnell Center Gymnasium. On the roster of this year鈥檚 honorees are Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Back 鈥�59, men鈥檚 basketball; Marlon Charles 鈥�84, men鈥檚 soccer; Douglas Crosier 鈥�78, baseball; Michael Urbati 鈥�00, men鈥檚 cross country; Jacqueline 鈥淛ackie鈥� Krum 鈥�10, women鈥檚 soccer; and Heather Quick 鈥�92, softball; and the 1981 Women鈥檚 Field Hockey team.
Food trucks will be set up on back campus for Senator fans cheering on the Women鈥檚 Soccer team as they take on West Virginia Wesleyan College at 12:30 p.m. and the Men鈥檚 Soccer team versus WVWC at 3 p.m., both at Nuttall Field. At 6 p.m., the Women鈥檚 Lacrosse team plays a contest against alumni, followed by Men鈥檚 Lacrosse against alumni at 7:30 p.m.
Come evening, alumni will enjoy a night on the town with the 鈥淎lumni Social Circuit鈥擶here the Past Meets the Present鈥� that includes stops at Henry鈥檚 at Graceland Inn, The Icehouse, Big Timber Brewing Company, Beander鈥檚 Restaurant & Tavern, Las Trancas and Jimbo鈥檚.
Events conclude Sunday, Sept. 27 with Sunday Morning Yoga on the patio of Glory Residence Hall, and a farewell brunch at Henry鈥檚 at Graceland.
“Our goal is simple: to create a Homecoming Weekend that brings alumni and friends together in ways that are engaging, welcoming, and reflective of today’s 51黑料网 experience,鈥� said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Scott Goddard. 鈥淲e have refreshed the schedule with new activities while continuing to celebrate the people, memories, and traditions that unite us. As colleges across the country rethink longstanding traditions, we view this year’s Homecoming as an important opportunity to gather feedback, strengthen connections, and shape a Homecoming experience that remains meaningful and sustainable.”
For more information, call Director of Alumni Engagement and Support Wendy Morgan at 304-637-1341 or 304-642-4615.