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WC to Celebrate Homecoming Saturday

Annual Celebration Features Reunions, Awards, Sports and Pageantry

The promise of blue skies and warm, late summer breezes will welcome Wilmington College alumni and friends as they converge upon the campus on Saturday (Sept. 23) for the annual combined celebration of Homecoming, Family Day and Alumni Reunion Weekend.

The day will feature a combination of reunions, sports, special awards and festivities. Interim President Corey Cockerill noted the time-honored tradition’s significance at the College. “Homecoming is a special time for us to come together, celebrate our shared history and look forward to a promising future,” she said when inviting alumni and friends to the gathering. “Let's make this Homecoming one for the books, filled with pride, laughter and lasting connections. We can't wait to see you all there!"

The celebration starts Thursday for the campus community with some good clean fun. The annual Mud Volleyball Tournament starts at 4 p.m. in the lower fields, followed at dark by a pep rally and S’mores around the bonfire. Also, for early arrivers, the women’s soccer team will host Anderson University, at 6 p.m., Friday evening, at Williams Stadium.

Saturday starts with the Alumni Brunch at which the Class of 1973 will be recognized with Quaker Emeriti Medallions for their 50-year affiliation as alumni. Also, alumni awards will be presented and milestone reunions will feature the classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013. More awards will be presented to outstanding alumni later at the Athletic Hall of Fame Lunch.

Food Truck Alley on Elm St. will be open for business from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. along with family-friendly activities on Collett Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., which is part of the Family Day ticket. Sports return to the picture when the men’s soccer team takes on historic rival Ohio Wesleyan University, at 1:30 p.m., at Williams Stadium.

The Homecoming staple, Greek Bed Races, will commence at 3 p.m. on Withrow Circle and alumnus Brad Schwamberger will reprise his popular Hazard Arboretum tour with a program theme, “It’s All Greek to Me.” Special programming also will include Dr. Tanya Maus, director of the Peace Resource Center, speaking on “The Human Experience of Nuclear War” and Michael Zaret’s musical group, Moyen Age, performing off Elm St. at 1 p.m.

Special gatherings also are slated for agriculture alumni, swim team alumni and those who were affiliated while on campus with the Concerned Black Students and Black Student Initiative organizations.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. for the Homecoming football game versus Capital University at Williams Stadium. Halftime pageantry will include the crowning of Homecoming royalty and the introduction of the 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame recipients.

Details for these activities are available on the College’s website at: <https://www.wilmington.edu/events/homecoming-alumni-reunions-family-day-2023>.