Wittenberg Tigers from all generations will show their pride once again as they journey back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2017, Sept. 14-17.
“Alumni return each year to reconnect with friends, faculty and campus,” said Linda Beals, director of alumni and lifelong engagement. “This was their 'home' for some of the most transformative years of their lives. Alumni return to celebrate their passion for the institution and show their Tiger pride.”
It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-year reunion or the 60th; there are plenty of things to do on campus during Homecoming Weekend 2017 beginning with a bonfire, sponsored by the Union Board, at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, on the lawn at the corner of Ward Street and Woodlawn Avenue.
Weekend festivities will also include reunions, golf outings, special lunches, speakers, the Athletics Hall of Honor dinner, the Legacies and Leadership: A Celebration of Philanthropy brunch, Greek open houses, sporting events, the president’s first tailgate party and much more.
On Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m., President Michael L. Frandsen will host the Class of 1967 luncheon in the Alumni Room of the Benham-Pence Student Center.
Also on Friday, Wittenberg will host the second annual “A Celebration of Lifelong Learning” from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in Bayley Auditorium of the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. This special event is an alumni-led career panel serving as an opportunity for current students to learn and network. Nine panelists will demonstrate the drive and entrepreneurial spirit, which helped them become business owners and founders of non-profits. The event marks the first in a new programming series on campus focused on the entrepreneurial thinking Wittenberg instills in its students. The series is aptly titled Enlight.
Later in the evening, the annual Athletics Hall of Honor Dinner and Induction Ceremony will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. along Alumni Way in the Chapel Lawn tent. The ceremony and speeches always prove to be inspirational and humbling as the inductees voice their appreciation about their accomplishments and what it means to be a Wittenberg Tiger.
Following the Athletics Hall of Honor event, the Battle of the Bands kicks off from 9 p.m. to midnight in the same tent. Sponsored by Union Board, the event is open to all alumni and students as bands from both groups take to the stage and offer entertainment while battling to be the best band.
The fun continues on Saturday, Sept. 16, with the Pam Evans Smith Memorial 5K honoring the legendary women’s basketball coach who dedicated numerous years to the athletic department prior to losing her battle with breast cancer. All proceeds from the race will go to an endowed scholarship honoring a senior woman who exemplifies high levels of leadership, good character, integrity, volunteerism and scholastic achievement.
Select alumni will also be honored this year at the inaugural Legacies and Leadership: A Celebration of Philanthropy from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 105 in the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning. The event will celebrate those who have given generously of their time, talents and treasure to Wittenberg University.
Also on Saturday, traditional tailgating will begin at 11 a.m. until the start of the football game at 3:30 p.m. when the Tigers take on Oberlin. Stop by and sample foods prepared by students representing many countries around the globe. This tasty Wittenberg tradition, sponsored by the American International Association, runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Concerned Black Students will also host a pre-game meet-and-greet at the McClain Diversity Center. Alumni can also stop by and meet President and Sharon Frandsen during the presidential tailgate from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. along East Campus Drive in the Hollenbeck Hall President’s tent.
The Tiger and Cub Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Synod Lawn along East Campus Drive, where Union Board will also provide entertainment for alumni and their children. Activities include face painting, tiger tattoos, a photo booth, and other family-friendly activities.
Saturday night will conclude with the All-Reunion Celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. along Alumni Way in the Chapel Lawn tent. End the day with a barbeque, dancing and the music of the Pleasant Street Blues to honor all of the reunion classes.
The entire weekend-long celebration ends with a church service of Holy Communion in Weaver Chapel at 11 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 17 with pastor Tom Heil '67, who served as interim pastor to the University in 1997-1998, presenting the service. The Wittenberg Choir will provide music. All reunion classes, visitors and current students are welcome.
To register for events and for more information about the weekend’s festivities, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at (937) 327-7414. To see the complete listing of events, please view the schedule.
