Eastern Mennonite University’s Homecoming and Family Weekend was a nostalgia-filled weekend for many, from the reunited ‘80s jazz vocal trio the Bubble Sisters, to Alumni Council President Liza Heavener ‘07 introducing the alumni award winners, to the some 65 members of the class of 1968 who were inducted in the Jubilee Alumni Association.
Even Dr. Trent Hummel ‘97, back on campus to deliver a Suter Science Seminar on targeted therapies for pediatric cancer patients, commented about the flood of memories he was experiencing in one of his old haunts, SC106.
“The room even smells the same,” said Hummel, now associate professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “And the bison head is still there!”
And later, when one of his mentors, Professor Emeritus Roman Miller, was the first to ask a detailed question during Q&A, Hummel’s long pause also brought back memories.
“This is exactly what happened 25 years ago,” he said, to laughter from the audience.
Approximately 575 people – from Kenya, Ontario, Washington D.C. and 21 states – registered for weekend events that also included an alumni concert, special faculty edition of EMUTenTalks, a Peace, Love and Little Donuts Run, tailgating, the theatrical performance The Gospel Project, and various receptions and reunions.
Friday evening’s donor appreciation banquet celebrated the generous contributions and leadership of longtime donors Levi ‘67 and Lillis Troyer with the Margaret Martin Gehman Philanthropist of the Year Award, as well as a record year in philanthropic support.
The three 2018 alumni award recipients – Regina Horst Chacha ‘85, Claudette Monroy ‘10 and Gilberto Perez Jr. ‘94 – were honored during the Sunday worship service, and then spoke at a luncheon. Read more about the recipients and their acceptance speeches.
Three alumni athletes were inducted into the EMU Hall of Honor: Jason Sager ‘07, Joy Shaiebly ‘07 Shelly and Jeremy Webster ‘07.
The Saturday afternoon fall festival featured the Walking Roots Band, comprised of Seth Crissman ‘09, MDiv ‘15, Jackson Maust ‘09, Rachel Yoder, class of ‘15, Greg and Kristina Landis ‘09 Yoder, and Michael Yoder ‘09.
Among various athletics events, the women’s volleyball team posted a 3-0 sweep of Ferrum for their second ODAC win. Field hockey, men’s soccer and women’s soccer also had home matches during the weekend, while cross country competed at the Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) Invitational.
https://emu.edu/now/news/2018/10/bringing-back-the-bubble-sisters-alumni-concert-highlights-musical-talent/
https://emu.edu/now/news/2018/10/alumni-award-honorees-speak-during-homecoming-and-family-weekend-luncheon/
https://emu.edu/now/news/2018/10/philanthropist-of-the-year-award-honors-the-generous-leadership-and-support-of-levi-and-lillis-troyer/