Central College will welcome alumni, family and friends to campus as it hosts the 2011 Homecoming/Family Weekend Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. From Friday to Sunday, guests are invited to participate in campus activities, watch athletic events and reconnect with former classmates.
“We are looking forward to having many alumni and families on campus for Homecoming/Family Weekend 2011,” said Ann Van Hemert, director of alumni relations. “It will be a great weekend for all Central College generations.”
Events will kick off Friday morning. Many faculty members will open their classes for the day, and guests are welcome to attend. At 6 p.m., the Lemming Race, a Central College tradition since 1977, will feature costume-clad students racing from Geisler Library to the island in the pond.
Friday evening, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., dinner will be served at the alumni and family barbecue, pep rally, coronation and street party held on the lawn of Graham Hall. This combined event is designed to allow alumni, family and friends to share in the Central community. The event is open to all ages.
“It’s all going to be fairly casual,” said Van Hemert. “Our aim is for people to relax and interact with one another.”
On Saturday, all guests are invited to lifelong learning classes at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Classes will be held at various locations and taught by Central College faculty and staff on a variety of topics. Exact locations and topics will be available at the welcome center on campus.
The highlight of the weekend will be the Homecoming football game. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Dutch will take on conference opponent Coe College at the Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. The teams have faced each other 21 times, with the Dutch holding a 12-7-2 series advantage. Before kickoff, Central Dining Services will host a tailgate luncheon on the corner of Independence St. and West 3rd St.
At 5:45 p.m. alumni relations will host an Alumni Party on the Plaza. This event replaces the alumni homecoming dinner and will be held at a new location, the college’s new entrance plaza off University St. The party will allow alumni of all ages to reconnect with friends and celebrate Central.
The festivities will move inside the nearby Graham Conference Center for the presentation of alumni awards and the 50-year class gift.
“The party will be a great opportunity for all generations to meet and experience the newest campus feature,” said Van Hemert.
On Sunday, guests are encouraged to remain on campus for various music performances, like the Flying Pans Alumni Steel Band Concert. Alumni members of the band return to campus to participate in this annual event. Rehearsals will be held throughout the weekend.
The final event takes place at 4 p.m. in Douwstra Auditorium. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the A Cappella Choir will both perform.
For alumni, family and friends planning to participate in the weekend, a welcome center will be available Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on the second floor of Maytag Student Center. Check in to receive a registration packet, meal and event tickets and a Central gift.
For more information on Homecoming weekend, contact Ann Van Hemert at vanhemerta@central.edu or (641) 628-7645.
See the full schedule at www.central.edu/alumni/homecoming.