Eastern Mennonite University’s Homecoming and Family Weekend “Celebrating People, Places, and Programs” on Oct. 9-11 has something for every Royal, future Royal or Royals fan.
Highlights include musical performances, sporting events to spectate or participate in, departmental breakfasts and intellectual events, and the traditional community seasonal dinner on Saturday night followed by a Sunday worship service. Reunions for classes in the years ending “0” and “5” will also take place.
The dedication of Suter Science Center East will be at 10 a.m. with tours offered at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Registration is encouraged by midnight, Oct. 6. Some events require purchase of a ticket. Visit the full schedule of events.
Concerts and lectures
Cardiologist Joseph Gascho ’68 will recite poetry and display his photography followed by student musical ensemble Emulate on Friday night. He’ll also present a Suter Science Seminar on Saturday morning.
Saturday morning also includes several breakfasts and lectures, hosted by Haverim (Bible and religion), language and literature, nursing, business and economics departments, and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
The Reunion Vocal Band, a traditional favorite, performs at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium.
Class Reunions: Years ending in “0” and “5”
The opening reunion program in Lehman Auditorium is Saturday from 11-11:30 a.m. at Lehman Auditorium after which classes with gather for photos, reunions, and lunch. View the photo gallery of past reunions.
The Jubilee Alumni reception, during which the class of 1965 will be inducted, is Saturday afternoon at Martin Chapel.
Athletics events
The annual Paul R. Yoder, Sr. Golf Classic, named in honor of the late Paul R. Yoder Sr., a longtime Mennonite pastor and avid EMU sports fan, will be Friday at Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg.
New this year, the 2-mile Canvas Campus Run starts at 2 p.m. at the fountain. Pre-register for a t-shirt. Enjoy music on the front lawn and snacks and water after the first mile.
The Hall of Honor induction will take place in the morning. Wendy Driver Rhodes ‘05 qualified for the NCAA national meet four times as a triple jumper, and also won four ODAC titles. She broke six records at Eastern Mennonite, and also set the ODAC record in the outdoor triple jump at the 2005 ODAC Championships. A decade later, her mark of 37’ 7.75” still stands as the ODAC Championship record.
The 1998 men’s soccer team, one of just four teams inducted into the hall, will be honored. That year the team won their second ODAC Championship in three years, but also earned the program’s first NCAA National Tournament bid. The Royals beat Emory College to advance to the Sweet 16 of the tourney, before losing to regional host Greensboro College.
Three games will be played on the Turf Field Saturday: field hockey vs. Washington and Lee, 1 p.m.; men’s soccer vs. Randolph, 4 p.m.; and women’s soccer vs. Washington and Lee, 7 p.m.
Worship services
Two services bookend the weekend. A Homecoming chapel assembly will be at 10 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium. Martin Histand ’05, Outstanding Young Alum recipient, will be the guest speaker.
A Sunday worship service, also at Lehman Auditorium at 10 a.m., will offer celebration in song and scripture. Histand, as well as Alumnus of the Year James Rosenberger ‘68, and Lifetime of Distinguished Service recipient John A. Lapp ’54, will be recognized and will participate in this service.