Again in mid-October, scores of former EMU students will return to campus to reconnect with friends and classmates.
More than a thousand EMU alumni and parents of students will continue that tradition Oct. 14-16, 2005, as they gather to celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend on the theme, "Where Generations Meet."
"Homecoming is an exciting time of year as so many alumni, parents of students and friends of the university gather on campus for a time of celebration," said Douglas Nyce, director of alumni-parent relations. "It’s our desire to see several generations of people reconnecting over the course of the weekend as they take in the many events."
Activities will run non-stop on campus all weekend long.
EMU students, faculty and alumni will blend their musical talents and styles in a "Showcase Performance," 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 14 in Lehman Auditorium. The event will be broadcast live on WEMC, 91.7 FM.
An art exhibit featuring the works of EMU senior Veronica B. Amstutz will go on display Sat., Oct. 15 in the third floor gallery of Hartzler Library. A reception for the artist will be held 2:30-4 p.m.
WEMC-FM, the university radio station, will hold an open house 1:30-4 p.m. Sat. at its studios on the hill overlooking campus. WEMC is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall, the oldest public radio station in Virginia.
A barbecue dinner with live music will be held on the front lawn of campus, weather permitting, at 5:30 p.m. for students, faculty, alumni and friends.
The acclaimed Harlem Gospel Choir from New York City will perform 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in Lehman Auditorium. Advance tickets are available by calling the EMU box office, 540-432-4582.
An alumni-parent worship service 10 a.m. Oct. 16 in Lehman Auditorium will feature storytelling, special music and celebration. Recipients of the "Alumnus of the Year" and "Distinguished Service" awards will be recognized during the service.
Traditional homecoming features will include reunions 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 15 for graduating years ending in a "5" or "0," from 1960 to 2000. The "Jubilee Alumni," graduates who attended EMU 50 years ago or more, will hold a luncheon 11:30 a.m. that day at the Eastern Mennonite High School dining room.
Breakfast meetings will be held Saturday morning for alumni and friends of the business and economics department; nursing department, mathematics department, the Suter Science Center, Bible and religion department (Haverim), language and literature department, Hall of Honor (athletics) and the music department (Encore!). EMU’s Peace Club and Black Student Union will both hold special reunion events as well.
Friday night, the EMU men’s basketball team will host special activities to open their new season. An open gym for alumni and their families will be held 9-10 p.m. in the University Commons, followed at 10 p.m. by an alumni basketball game.
Following a highlight film of last year’s basketball season, the 2005-06 EMY Royals team will take to the court at 12 midnight, the official start of basketball practice as sanctioned by the NCAA. The team will hold a slam-dunk contest and an intra-squad scrimmage.
Varsity field hockey, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer games are scheduled on Saturday, preceded by a three-mile Loyal Royals "fun run" 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the EMU track.
The annual alumni golf classic will begin at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fri., Oct. 14, at the Spotswood Country Club.
Special activities for children (kindergarten through sixth grade) and youth (grades 7 through 12) are scheduled at various times Saturday, and childcare will be provided during reunions and at other designated times.
The registration desk in the University Commons will be open 3-10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 14, and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 15. You may also register online.
For more information and to register, check the EMU web site (www.emu.edu/alumni/homecoming), call the alumni office at 540-432-4245 or e-mail: homecoming@emu.edu.