It will be warmer than normal, and the sun will be shining when more than 750 Marietta College alumni and friends arrive for Homecoming 2017.
“There’s No Place Like Homecoming,” begins Thursday, Oct. 19 with the Art Fordham Pig Roast — the unofficial first event of Homecoming — at 4 p.m. at the Harmar Tavern, and doesn’t come to an end until the Chi Omega and Sigma Kappa brunches wrap up around 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22.
“We are excited to have a record attendance registered, and I want to thank all of the various groups for helping put on a great weekend,” said Brandee Norris, Executive Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. “It is because of so many volunteers and special activities that we have so many people registered for Homecoming.”
As alumni and friends arrive on campus, they are encouraged to go to the Welcome Center at the Hermann Fine Arts Center to see the attendance list, get additional information and assistance with a golf cart if needed. The hours for the Welcome Center are 3-6 p.m., Thursday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday; and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday.
It’s a big weekend for reunion years, most notably the Class of 1967 who are celebrating their Golden Anniversary.
Alumni are encouraged to interact with current students as they host Munchies on The Mall from 5-7 p.m., Thursday.
On Friday, alumni can attend a class for Introduction to Music Therapy, Thermodynamics, Diverse Learners or Human Anatomy with current students, or attend a special lecture with former faculty Fraser MacHaffie, Barbara MacHaffie, John Michel or Carol Steinhagen. Times and locations will be available at the Welcome Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
A new addition to this year’s schedule is a Hidden Tour of campus locations like Harrison Hall, Erwin Tower and the Rickey Science Center from 1-4 p.m., Friday. Later that afternoon is when the activities really pick up, including the Cornelius Erwin Plaque Dedication at 4 p.m. at Erwin Hall, the William Gerhold Art Exhibition from 4-6 p.m. at Gallery 310 and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Music Therapy Open House from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at McKinney Hall.
The All Alumni and Friends Welcome, which has become a new tradition at Homecoming, will feature hundreds of alumni visiting with friends and employees from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday on The Christy Mall.
Another way to connect with current students is to join the Pep Rally at The Gathering Place from 7:30-10 p.m. Friday.
There won’t be many free moments on Saturday as the schedule is full of activities for everyone, and it all gets started with the annual Alumni Row and Boat Dedication Ceremony at 8 a.m. at the Lindamood-VanVoorhis Boathouse.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the MCAA Award Ceremony & Sports Tribute at 10 a.m. on The Christy Mall. Marietta College’s Alumni Association will recognize alumni with some of the College’s most prestigious awards, including Hall of Honor. This year’s inductees are Christine Fry Burns ’66 and John Strotbeck ’79. Other award winners are Jane Taylor ’57 (Distinguished Alumna), Earl Homsher ’64 (Distinguished Alumnus), Lindsey Romick-Rosendale ’07 (Outstanding Young Alumna), Ryan Whitnable ’11 (Outstanding Young Alumnus), Bill Kingzett ’79 and David Reese ’79 (Liz Tribett Service Award) and Bernard Russi (Honorary Alumnus).
The Pioneer Tailgate, which precedes the football game against Heidelberg, starts at 11:30 a.m. at Don Drumm Stadium. Providing entertainment at the tailgate is “The Big Hoax,” a band that includes Peter Krutschnitt ’12.
Class Receptions begin at 4 p.m. in the tent behind Don Drumm Stadium, which is also the same time the men’s soccer team takes on Heidelberg at Marietta Field.
The Class of 1967 will enjoy a reunion reception from 5:30-7 p.m. at the President’s House, followed by a dinner from 7-9 p.m. in the Andrews Hall Great Room.