Goshen College Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 4-6, has something for everyone
Goshen College alumni and friends are warmly invited back to campus for Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 4-6. In addition to reuniting with classmates, highlights of the weekend include the 60th anniversary celebration for the nursing department, a music gala, a hymn sing, an art exhibit, kids’ activities, alumni bike ride, alumni author book signings, campus tours, a Frisbee tournament, soccer game and the play “Gadfly: Sam Steiner Dodges the Draft,” a true story about a Goshen alum set primarily at the college.
The following is a schedule for Homecoming Weekend events, which are free unless otherwise noted.
Friday, Oct. 4
10 a.m., Homecoming convocation and 2013 Culture for Service and Champions of Character award presentation, Church-Chapel
Sponsored by the Goshen College Alumni Board, the 2013 Culture for Service Awards will be presented to Tony Brown ’71 of Albuquerque, N.M. and Arden Shank ’74 of Miami, Fla. The 2013 Dr. Ruth Gunden Champion of Character Award will go to Lynda Hollinger-Janzen ’78 of Goshen, and the Dr. Roman Gingerich Champion of Character Award will go to Fred Litwiller ’62 of Goshen.
10:45 a.m., reception for award recipients, Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall
1 p.m., alumni bike ride, meet at Abshire Park, Goshen
Ride Goshen’s Pumpkinvine Trail with other alumni. Choose rides from a few miles up to 35 miles. For details, please contact Keith Miller at kamiller@maplenet.net.
8 a.m. – 3 p.m., 60th anniversary celebration for the department of nursing, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall
Nursing for the World – Cross-cultural nursing practices from an Anabaptist perspective.
Cost: $30. Registration required.
4 – 7:30 p.m., Class of 1963 – 50th anniversary banquet, Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall
Celebrate 50 golden years! Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 4 p.m.
Cost: $25. Registration required.
5 – 10 p.m., First Friday activities, downtown Goshen
Stroll the streets of downtown Goshen and visit shops, restaurants and art galleries. Listen and swing dance to GC’s Lavender Jazz Band.
8 – 10 p.m., Gadfly: Sam Steiner Dodges the Draft, Umble Center
This original play, written and directed by Rebecca Steiner, is the true story of a Mennonite rebel, his underground newspaper (“Mennopause”) and the war that drove him to Canada. Set at Goshen College in the late 1960s, it captures the struggle, the rebellion, the political turmoil and the music of the era. Presented by Theatre of the Beat with a live band from Waterloo, Ontario.
Cost: $10, students and seniors $5
Saturday, Oct. 5
7:45 – 9:30 a.m., alumni breakfast, Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall
All alumni are invited to start the day with a buffet breakfast, a warm Goshen College welcome from President Jim Brenneman and some words from alumni award recipients. Buffet is open 7:45 – 8:30 a.m. Program begins at 8:30.
Cost: $13. Registration required.
9:30 – 11:45 a.m., preschool childcare (3-5 yrs.), Church-Chapel, Nursery Rooms
Includes snack. Please pick up your children at 11:45 a.m.
Cost: $10 per child. Registration required.
9:30 – 11:45 a.m., K-6th grade activities, Rec-Fitness Center, Room 106
A variety of age-appropriate activities are planned. Includes snack. Please pick up your children at 11:45 a.m.
Cost: $10 per child. Registration required.
10 – 11:30 a.m., middle & high school students, Java Junction
Chill, Chat and Chai with GC students. Admission staff available and tours offered.
9:45 – 11:45 a.m., class reunions, various locations around campus
Classes of 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003 will have class reunions.
12 – 2 p.m., biological sciences luncheon, Newcomer Center, Room 19
All alumni from the department of biological sciences are welcome. Guest speaker is Daniel Lemons ’74, Ph.D., CEO of GEM Institute and professor of biology at the City University of New York. Tours of the AlgaeTown project will take place following the lunch.
Cost: $15. Registration required.
12 – 2 p.m., multicultural alumni luncheon, Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall
Enjoy lunch and find out what GC is doing to keep diversity a priority on campus.
Cost: $15. Registration required.
1 p.m., Champions of Character reception, Rec-Fitness Center, Rooms 104-105
1 – 3 p.m., Ultimate Frisbee tournament, lawn in front of the Rec-Fitness Center
No cost. Alumni, students and friends are invited to play Ultimate Frisbee, whether you are an experienced or first-time player.
1:30 – 3 p.m., book signings, Goshen College bookstore
“The Amish” by Steve Nolt ’90
“Living Faith: Embracing God’s Callings” by Keith Graber Miller
1:30 – 3 p.m., English department open house, Newcomer Center, Room 17
2 p.m. program: Former President Shirley Hershey Showalter will read from her new memoir, “Blush.” Enjoy a sampling of Mennonite home recipes from the book.
2 – 4 p.m., Men’s soccer vs. Moody Bible Institute, GC soccer field
Come cheer on the Maple Leafs Men’s soccer team.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Homecoming hymn sing, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall
Enjoy hymn singing at its finest, led by Debra Brubaker ’79, professor of music, and Scott Hochstetler ’97, associate professor of music.
4 – 6 p.m., Gadfly: Sam Steiner Dodges the Draft, Umble Center
This original play, written and directed by Rebecca Steiner, is the true story of a Mennonite rebel, his underground newspaper (“Mennopause”) and the war that drove him to Canada. Set at Goshen College in the late 1960s, it captures the struggle, the rebellion, the political turmoil and the music of the era. Presented by Theatre of the Beat with a live band from Waterloo, Ontario.
Cost: $10, students and seniors $5
5 – 6:45 p.m., Homecoming picnic, lawn by Westlawn
Everyone is welcome to enjoy a great picnic.
Cost: $14 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-12, $2 for children under 5
5 – 7 p.m., Michiana Pottery Tour showcase exhibit & reception, Music Center’s Hershberger Art Gallery
An exhibit of 19 area artists’ finest work. At least a dozen of them have studied or taught at Goshen College.
7:30 – 9 p.m., Homecoming music gala, Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall
The music department presents its annual showcase of students and faculty.
Cost: $8, GC students free
Sunday, Oct. 6
Visit one of the area churches
For a complete list of local congregations, visit www.goshen.edu/cmin/worship/areachurches
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.