JACKSON POLLARD
PHOTOGRAPHER
MEGAN NEELEY
COPY EDITOR
KYLE CHOKAS
STAFF WRITER
10/9/2023
The Alma College Homecoming weekend kicked off at 8 p.m. on Sept. 29 with a wide variety of festivities throughout the following weekend that were to accompany the big football game against Trine University.
With Homecoming rallying in alumni, old and new, the Alma campus and community dialed in on making the weekend an experience full of campus activities, Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) engagement and sporting events.
The Homecoming events included the annual Scot Trot 5k which was followed by a Chapel Memorial service with the Thomas Andison Chapel dedication. Mid-Saturday, a campus community lunch took place outside the Heritage Center with food trucks providing a tasty variety of options.
A popular festivity of the day was the Homecoming parade, bustling with FSL, sports, community members and campus clubs while supporters and families with cheerful homecoming spirit lined the streets.
“I love walking in the parade. Seeing our current students and reconnecting with alumni is truly one of the highlights of the day,” said Damon Brown, Vice President for Student Affairs.
The Student Advancement Association, a club focusing on alumni connections, in collaboration with the wonderful people in Advancement directed and worked numerous alumni reunions and meals, including the alumni awards ceremony and Golden Thistle induction and brunch with President Abernathy.
“The alumni office and advancement were really trying to have meaningful events instead of just a huge volume of events all at one time. We really enjoyed partnering with campus organizations and departments across campus to make Homecoming happen,” said Alexa Wright, Assistant Director of Engagement in Advancement.
“After walking in the homecoming parade… I got to attend the alumni awards ceremony at the President’s house… I got to hear from amazing alumni about their experiences at Alma and how they created change in their communities,” said Amelia Arnold (‘24), Secretary and Treasurer of the Student Advancement Association.
Another chance for students to connect with alumni occurred as a direct result of FSL run-outs, a time when students announce their acceptance of bids to campus fraternities and sororities, which took place throughout Friday afternoon and night on the eve of the big Homecoming game.
“It was great to see so many alumni back on campus and have the chance to interact with them, no matter how long ago they graduated from alma. My favorite part of homecoming was being able to talk to our Gamma Phi Beta alumnae and doing one of our cheers in front of the house with active members and alum,” said Marissa Luzac (‘24), Administrative Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta.
Furthermore, athletics found ways to reconnect with alumni through many activities during the Homecoming weekend, as well. Lacrosse incorporated their annual alumni game into Saturday’s schedule prior to the parade.
“It was so great to see the alumni on Homecoming weekend. Seeing guys who I played with last year was so cool, and it was great to connect with alumni I never got the chance to play with,” said Connor Cracium (‘26).
“Our students are involved in so many activities, academic pursuits and athletics but Homecoming is the one weekend where we all come together and celebrate [what’s] great about Alma College,” said Brown.
