PELLA — In celebration of the Homecoming/Family Weekend, Central College welcomes alumni, family and friends to campus Sept. 27-29. Over the weekend, visitors are invited to join in activities, enjoy performances, watch athletic events and catch up with classmates.
For alumni, family and friends planning to participate in the weekend, a welcome center will be open Friday from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – noon in the Graham Annex located across from the Graham Conference Center. Check in to receive a registration packet, meal and event tickets and a Central gift.
“Homecoming is one of the best times of the year at Central College,” said Kathy Cashen Thompson ‘87, director of alumni relations. “The combination of alumni and current students across campus, cheering on their teams and participating in new and old traditions is unbeatable.”
Events start Friday morning with the fifth annual Ron Schipper Memorial Golf Tournament at the Bos Landen Golf Club at 9:30 a.m. Kicking off the evening, the 36th annual Lemming Race is scheduled at 6 p.m. This quirky Central tradition features students racing from Geisler Library to the island in the campus pond while in costume.
After the Lemming Race, the Street Festival on the east side of Graham Hall will feature a barbecue, pep rally, Homecoming coronation and street party for alumni, students and families.
The Athletics Hall of Honor banquet will be staged at 6:30 p.m. in the Harry and Bernice Vermeer Banquet Hall in the Graham Conference Center Reservations are required with a cost of $20. The evening concludes with Alumni Social Time in the Graham Annex and Bornt Plaza, located at Central’s entrance plaza off University Street, from 7:45- 10 p.m., featuring light snacks and a cash bar.
Saturday morning begins with a pancake breakfast on the Maytag Student Center patio from 8- 10 a.m. and lifelong learning classes offered at 9:30 a.m. Classes will be held at various locations and taught by college faculty and staff on a variety of topics. More information will be available at the campus welcome center.
At 10:30 a.m., the Alumni Award Presentation and Lunch that will honor the 2013 Alumni Award recipients in the Graham Conference Center. Reservations are required.
Dutch athletics teams will be competing throughout the day. The women’s tennis team plays Luther at 9 a.m. and Wartburg College at 1 p.m. The women’s and men’s soccer teams face Simpson College at 1 and 3:30 p.m. And the football team takes on Albion College (Mich.) at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium at 1 p.m. A pregame tailgate luncheon on the corner of Independence St. and West 3rd St. beginning at 11 a.m.
After the football game, the Party on the Plaza begins at 5 p.m. at Bornt Plaza adjacent to the Graham Conference Center, featuring food and entertainment On Sunday, the A Cappella Choir will participate in worship at Second Reformed Church at 9:45 a.m., and the seventh annual Flying Pans Alumni Steel Band concert will take place in Douwstra Auditorium at noon.
“Having worked in the admission office in the ‘90s, it is so fun to see alumni I have not seen since their graduation, and I love the chance to reconnect with them on campus,” said Thompson. “There is no doubt this is a weekend you don’t want to miss.”
Registration information and the full Homecoming/Family Weekend schedule can be accessed at https://www.central.edu/alumni/homecoming-family-weekend/.
