Goshen College Homecoming Weekend 2007 set for Oct. 5-7;

Class reunions, music gala, alumni awards, one-act plays and athletics highlight weekend

GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen College alumni are warmly invited back to campus for Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 5-7, devoted to sharing the different journeys experienced since college and rediscovering common ground.

In addition to class reunions, other highlights of the weekend are a music gala, one-act plays, kids’ activities, athletic events, seminars by faculty and alumni, a homecoming picnic, a hymn sing and a special tribute to alumni awardees.

Following is a schedule for Homecoming Weekend events open to the public. All events are free unless indicated otherwise.

Friday, Oct. 5

10 a.m. – Homecoming Worship: God’s Transformative Love, Church-Chapel
Jonathan Beachy, Culture for Service Alumni Award recipient

4 p.m. – Science lecture: “RNA: Beyond the central dogma,” by David Bartel ’82, Science Hall, Room 106
Bartel is one of the 2007 Goshen College Culture for Service Award winners. He is a Goshen native and now a professor of biology at MIT and investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

5:30-7:30 p.m. – Reception for Art Gallery exhibit: Merrill Krabill Sabbatical Exhibit, Hershberger Art Gallery
The exhibit features wall pieces that combine photo imagery and three-dimensional elements (clay, wood and other media). It will be up until Oct. 18.

7:30-8:30 p.m. – Homecoming Music Gala, Sauder Concert Hall
The Music Department presents its annual showcase of ensemble and faculty talent: Orchestra, Chorale, Chamber Choir, Men’s Chorus and Women’s World Music Choir. Lavender Jazz will provide pre-concert music in the lobby. Cost: $8 for all seats.

9 p.m. – Fall One-Acts, Umble Center
A pair of student-directed one-acts, including a new play by GC alum Doug Reed. The two plays, “How the War Got Started” and “Picnic on the Battlefield,” offer both a comical and a thought-provoking look at everyday people affected by conflicts large and small. Cost: $3 at the door

Saturday, Oct. 6
7:45 a.m. – Fall Classic 3K Walk/5K Run, Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center
Cost: $12 in advance or $15 on site.

8-9:15 a.m. – Alumni Association Breakfast, Church Fellowship Hall
A breakfast and welcome from President Jim Brenneman for all alumni. Cost: $10, reservations required.

9:15-11:45 a.m. – K-6^th grade kids’ swimming and activities, Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center
Cost: $10 per child.

9:30-11:30 a.m. – Class reunions
Classes: 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002. No cost.

10 a.m.-noon – Alumni volleyball match, Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Alumni and men’s varsity tennis mixer, tennis courts

12-1 p.m. – Back to the Classroom sessions
• “Small RNAs that Silence Genes,” David Bartel ’82, professor of biology at MIT and investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Schrock Science Annex 106
• “Wrestling with the Text: Young Adult Perspectives of Scripture,” Malinda Berry ’96, visiting professor of religion, and Keith Graber Miller, professor of Bible, religion and philosophy, Music Center 100
• “Building ‘Green’ is a Faith Statement,” Luke Gascho, executive director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, Music Center 110
• “A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” Ruby Payne ’72, education consultant, Administration Building 28

12:30-2 p.m. – Women’s basketball reunion, Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center Room 104-106

1-1:30 p.m. – Ron Stutzman Memorial Dedication, lawn by north entrance of Wyse Hall
A memorial honoring the life and work of the late Ron Stutzman, professor of sociology and anthropology from 1980 to 2003, will be dedicated.

1:30-3 p.m. – Book release party: “Amish Grace,” Bookstore
Buy a book and get it signed by one of the co-authors, Professor of History Steve Nolt.

2 p.m. – Men’s soccer game: Taylor University Fort Wayne vs. Goshen College, Soccer field

4-5 p.m. – Fall One-Acts, Umble Center.
A pair of student-directed one-acts, including a new play by GC alum Doug Reed. The two plays, “How the War Got Started” and “Picnic on the Battlefield,” offer both a comical and a thought-provoking look at everyday people affected by conflicts large and small. Cost: $3 at the door

4-5 p.m. – Networking hour, Java Junction in the Connector
Alumni and students gather for a time to network and offer career advice. $2 off a beverage for all participants.

5-6:45 p.m. – Homecoming Picnic, tent by the Connector
Cost: $11 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-10, free for children under four.

7-8 p.m. – Alumni Awards Ceremony, Church-Chapel
2007 Award recipients include Culture for Service Award winners Dr. David P. Bartel ’82, Jonathan W. Beachy ’72, Dr. Ruby E. Payne ’72; Decade of Servant Leadership Award winner Dana Graber Ladek ’97; and the Champions of Character Award winners Sue Conrad ’92 and Henry D. Zehr ’78.

8 p.m. – Homecoming Hymn Sing, Church-Chapel
Enjoy hymn singing at its finest, led by Professor of Music Deb Brubaker and GC students.

9 p.m. – Alumni Reception, Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall

Sunday, Oct. 7
2-3 p.m. – Fall One-Acts, Umble Center
A pair of student-directed one-acts, including a new play by GC alum Doug Reed. The two plays, “How the War Got Started” and “Picnic on the Battlefield,” offer both a comical and a thought-provoking look at everyday people affected by conflicts large and small. Cost: $3 at the door.

For more information about Homecoming Weekend, to order event tickets or to register, call the Alumni Office at (574) 535-7565 or visit www.goshen.edu/alumni/Homecoming.

Editors/photographers: For more information, contact Jodi H. Beyeler at jodihb@goshen.edu or (574) 535-7572.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.